The southern Xinjiang travel guide mainly includes the best travel time, must-visit attractions, and route planning.
I. Best Travel Time
The best travel time in southern Xinjiang is mainly concentrated from May to November. From May to June, you can experience the New Year of ethnic minorities and enjoy rich ethnic performances; from July to September, fruits and melons are ripe, making it a good time to taste local cuisine; from October to November, the Populus euphratica forest enters its most beautiful season of the year, making it an excellent choice for photographers.
II. Must-visit Attractions
Must-visit attractions in southern Xinjiang include:
Yotgan Ancient City: The royal capital of a thousand years ago, now reappearing in the world, allowing one to personally experience the artistic charm of ancient Khotan culture hidden in the sand sea for millennia.
Kunlun Sacred Mirror: A treasure place rarely known to many, with grasslands at the foot of Mount Kunlun where one can look up and see the majestic Kunlun Mountains and look down to see herds of cattle and sheep.
Thousand Buddha Caves: Unique Qiuci-style caves, sculptures, and mural trinity integrated art, renowned alongside Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes as the ‘Second Dunhuang of China’.
Kashgar Old Town: Experience the rich Uyghur culture, with the architecture, streets, and cultural landscapes within the old town filled with historical charm.
Baisha Lake: Located in the Kashgar region, the lake water is clear, surrounded by snowy mountains, creating a picturesque scene.
Populus euphratica Forest: The Populus euphratica forest in southern Xinjiang is particularly spectacular in autumn, with golden leaves sparkling in the sunlight, making it a paradise for photographers.
III. Route Planning
The 10-day southern Xinjiang loop route is a great choice, including landing in Kashgar, visiting the Shache Intangible Cultural Heritage Exposition Park, Yotgan Ancient City, Hotan Night Market, and other attractions, then crossing the Taklamakan Desert, exploring the Kunlun Sacred Land, Thousand Buddha Caves, and other treasures, and finally returning to Kashgar, with opportunities along the way to visit the Baisha Lake, Muji Volcano, Karakul Lake, and other beautiful scenery.
In addition, based on personal preferences and schedules, you can choose other routes, such as visiting the highlights of the Kuqa王府 (王府 is a palace or mansion of a prince or nobleman, but here it might refer to a specific attraction or mansion named Kuqa), Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, and Kashgar Xiangfei Tomb.
During the trip, remember to apply for a border defense certificate in advance to smoothly visit border areas such as Baihaba and Kashgar.
. Meanwhile, cooperate with the work of the public security booths and checkpoints along the way to ensure a smooth journey.