The travel guide for southern Xinjiang mainly includes key points such as the best travel times, must-visit attractions, transportation methods, food recommendations, and travel tips.?
Best travel times:?
The best travel times in southern Xinjiang are from March to April, May to June, July to September, and October to November. March to April is suitable for enjoying romantic apricot blossoms; May to June offers views of lonely smoke over the desert; July to September is the fruit feast; and October to November showcases spectacular autumn Populus euphratica forest scenery, which is a paradise for photographers.?
Must-visit attractions:?
Kashgar Old Town: Full of a strong historical atmosphere, it is the filming location of "The Kite Runner".?
Wensu Grand Canyon: Spectacular canyon scenery, known as the canyon version of "Interstellar".?
Baisha Lake: Located on the Pamir Plateau, with clear lake water and charming scenery, it is known as the Blue Dreamland.?
Tarim Populus euphratica Forest: The world’s largest Populus euphratica forest, with especially spectacular scenery during the golden autumn season.?
Kashgar Xiangfei Garden: You can learn about the story of Xiangfei, and enjoy performances such as Uyghur weddings and Xiangfei’s greeting ceremony.?
Transportation methods:?
Starting from Urumqi, you can choose to take a direct train to Kashgar, passing through popular destinations such as Hotan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, etc.; alternatively, you can take a direct flight to Kashgar, which takes about 2 hours; in addition, due to the vast territory and scattered attractions in southern Xinjiang, you can also choose to join a tour group, usually departing from Urumqi or Kashgar.?
Food recommendations:?
Southern Xinjiang offers a wide variety of delicious food, including roast whole sheep, kebabs, noodles with sauce, pilaf, baked stuffed buns, Xinjiang yogurt, Korla pears, etc., which will definitely satisfy tourists’ taste buds.?
Travel tips:?
Clothing suggestions: Kashgar Old Town suits ethnic-style clothing, and wearing a white dress at Baisha Lake will make for better photos.?
Cash preparation: Although scan-and-pay is available everywhere in southern Xinjiang, it is still recommended to prepare some cash in case of poor signal.?
Border Defense Permit: A border defense permit is required to visit the Pamir Plateau. It will be more convenient to prepare the materials in advance.?
Sunscreen and mosquito repellent: Xinjiang has strong ultraviolet rays and many mosquitoes, so it is necessary to take sunscreen and mosquito repellent measures.?
The above information is for reference only. Specific itinerary arrangements need to be adjusted according to personal preferences and time. During the trip, please pay attention to protecting the environment and respecting local customs and habits.?