The end of July is the golden period for tourism in southern Xinjiang, with a cool and pleasant climate, it is very suitable for traveling. Here are some recommended tourist attractions and itinerary arrangements:
Recommended attractions
Lop Nur Village: This is an oasis in the desert, the mysterious home of the Lop people, where you can experience the magnificent scenery of the Taklamakan Desert, the largest desert in Asia
Hu Yanglin Forest Park in Luntai: The popular mini train traverses the Hu Yang forest with different seasons’ scenery, it is a great place for taking photos and experiencing nature
Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves: Thousand-year-old grottoes and treasures of mural art, for tourists who love history and culture, this is a place not to be missed
Kashgar Old Town: The most preserved maze-like old city street in the Western Regions in China, full of a long history and exotic charm
Baisha Lake, Jincaotan, Stone City: A perfect combination of nature and humanity, it is a great place for photography and relaxation
Panlong Ancient Road: Known as ‘the end of life’s detours, from here on it’s smooth sailing’, it is a paradise for self-driving enthusiasts
Itinerary suggestions
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, adapt to the climate, and enjoy Xinjiang’s specialty cuisine in the evening
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi, visit Lop Nur Village, and stay overnight in Korla
Day 3: Depart from Korla, visit the Hu Yanglin Forest Park in Luntai, and then head to Kuqa for an overnight stay
Day 4: Depart from Kuqa, visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and Wensu Grand Canyon, and stay overnight in Aksu
Day 5: Depart from Aksu, visit Kashgar Old Town, deeply experience the Western Regions’ customs, and stay overnight in Kashgar
Day 6: Depart from Kashgar, visit Baisha Lake, Jincaotan, and Stone City, and stay overnight in Tajik Autonomous County
Day 7: Depart from Tajik Autonomous County, visit the popular盘龙古道 (Panlong Ancient Road) and Karakul Lake, and then return
Precautions
At the end of July, the temperature in southern Xinjiang is relatively high, but there is a large temperature difference between day and night. It is recommended to bring sunscreen and warm clothing.
Some attractions in southern Xinjiang are relatively remote, so it is recommended to plan your itinerary and mode of transportation in advance.
Pay attention to protecting the local environment and cultural heritage, and respect local customs and habits.
Hope these suggestions can help you plan an unforgettable trip to southern Xinjiang!