I. Introduction
As temperatures gradually decrease, we welcome another small peak in Xinjiang tourism. In the golden autumn of October in Xinjiang, besides the Kanas Lake in Northern Xinjiang, how should one enjoy a trip to Southern Xinjiang? Which scenic spots should be emphasized? The editor has compiled the beautiful routes and scenic spots for traveling in Southern Xinjiang in the golden autumn of October for your reference.
II. Recommended Southern Xinjiang Travel Routes in October
Day 1: Urumqi to Yuli (approximately 590 km in total, approximately 8.5 hours by car)
Day 2: Yuli to Kucha (approximately 480 km in total, approximately 7 hours by car)
Day 3: Kucha to Aksu (approximately 420 km by car, approximately 6.5 hours)
Day 4: Aksu to Kashgar (approximately 500 km, approximately 5 hours)
Day 5: Kashgar to Taxkorgan (approximately 300 km in total, approximately 6 hours)
Day 6: Taxkorgan to Kashgar (approximately 300 km in total, approximately 6 hours by car)
Day 7: Kashgar to Hotan (approximately 500 km in total, approximately 7 hours by car)
Day 8: Hotan to Alar (440 km, approximately 5.5 hours by car)
Day 9: Alar to Luntai (350 km, approximately 5 hours by car)
Day 10: Luntai to Bohu County (250 km, approximately 5 hours by car)
Day 11: From Bohu County to Urumqi
Wensu Tomur Canyon
III. Recommended Scenic Spots in Southern Xinjiang
1. Lopnur Village
The Lopnur Village is a secluded paradise. For many years, it was inaccessible and forgotten. In the Lopnur Village scenic area, visitors can wade through rivers, walk through forests, ride camels to view the desert, hunt, slide down sand dunes, fish in boats, listen to Lopnur people sing folk songs, watch Lopnur dances around bonfires, sleep in huts, experience the ancient Lopnur folk customs, and enjoy the joy of returning to nature.
2. Mysterious Tianshan Canyon
The Mysterious Tianshan Canyon is located beside the Duku Highway, about 70 kilometers from Kuqa County. It is a canyon in the Kiziliya Mountains, a branch of the Tianshan Mountains, and was selected as one of ‘China’s Top Ten Canyons’ in 2003.
3. Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves
Kizil Grottoes are a large group of caves carved early and located in the west of China. They share the reputation of China’s ‘Four Great Grottoes’ with Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. They were carved around the 3rd century AD and gradually ceased construction in the 8th to 9th centuries.
4. Kuqa王府
The Kuqa王府, officially known as the ‘Hereditary王府 of the Hui People in Kuqa’, was built in 1759 by Han Chinese craftsmen dispatched by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty to commend the achievements of the Uyghur leader E in assisting in the suppression of the rebellion of the Da Hezhuo and Xiao Hezhuo.
5. Wensu Tomur Canyon
It is a geological wonder of rock salt karst in China and a geological marvel of丹霞 (red cliffs and landforms) in western China. It is known as the ‘Living Geological Evolution Museum’ of Xinjiang.
8. Karakul Lake
It is a glacial lake at an altitude of 3,600 meters, reflecting the majestic and mysterious Muztag Ata. The snow-capped peak blends seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and water, creating a mesmerizing scenery. The Subashi Grassland by the lake is lush with abundant grass, and flocks of sheep and cattle graze here.
9. Stone Castle
In Uyghur, it means ‘Stone Castle’. It is a fortified ancient city from the Tang Dynasty. It was once the royal city of the Poli Kingdom, one of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. It is the intersection of the middle and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road. Multiple passages from Yingjisha, Yarkand, Kashgar, and Yecheng to the Pamirs converge here.
10. Yulongkashi River
Originating from the Kunlun Mountains, after flowing through the Tarim Basin, it converges with the Karakash River to form the Hotan River. The river is rich in jade, including jadeite, black jade, and white jade. It has been the main river for jade production in Hotan since ancient times. It is also known as the White Jade River and is a river in the Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang, China.
11. The 359th Brigade Memorial Hall
Located in Alar City, the First Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, it has been successively rated as a regional patriotic education base, the third batch of national classic red tourism scenic spots, etc. It has become a red tourism base for tourists from both inside and outside the region to receive revolutionary traditional education and an important window to understand the division, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and their achievements.
12. Tarim Huzhang Forest Park
Tarim Huzhang Forest National Park is located in the middle reaches of the Tarim River on the northeastern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, 70 kilometers from the southern desert highway of Luntai County, Bayingolin Prefecture.
13. Bosten Lake
Anciently known as the Western Sea. Its main water supply is the Kaitun River, and it is also the source of the Kongque River. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction.
Karakul Lake
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456