The October travel guide to southern Xinjiang mainly includes must-visit attractions, clothing suggestions, modes of transportation, and precautions.?
I. Must-Visit Attractions:?
Lop Nur Village: Combining desert, the Tarim River, Huyang Forest, lakes, entertainment, and folk customs, it is an excellent place to experience the flavor of southern Xinjiang.?
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon: The magnificent red mountains and canyon landscapes are breathtaking.?
Kashgar Old Town: Feel the heaviness of a thousand years of history, and it is an important window for understanding southern Xinjiang culture.?
Baisha Lake: The white sand is like snow, and the lake is like a mirror, contrasting beautifully with Mount Muztagh Ata.?
Panlong Ancient Road: Symbolizing the smooth path in life, it is a paradise for photographers.?
In addition, attractions such as the Huyang Forest in Luntai, Mount Muztagh Ata, Bachu Red Sea Bay Scenic Area, Hotan Night Market, Muj Volcano on the Pamir Plateau, Taxkorgan Tafaman Wetland, and Bandir Blue Lake are also worth visiting.?
II. Clothing Suggestions:?
The weather in southern Xinjiang gradually turns cooler in October. It is recommended to bring warm clothing such as windbreakers, hoodies, sweaters, softshell jackets (with fleece lining), and down jackets. Especially when heading to higher altitude areas like the Pamir Plateau, be sure to stay warm.?
III. Modes of Transportation:?
Train: Urumqi has direct trains to Hotan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, Kashgar, and other places, stopping at most popular tourist destinations in southern Xinjiang along the way.?
Airplane: There are many airports in Xinjiang. A direct flight from Urumqi to Kashgar takes about 2 hours and is a quick way to get to southern Xinjiang.?
Car/Carpooling/Chartered Car: Southern Xinjiang is vast and sparsely populated, with long distances between attractions. Renting a car or carpooling is a common and worry-free way to get around.?
IV. Precautions:?
Avoid buying things at tourist spots or shopping areas with many intermediaries to prevent being overcharged.?
Pay attention to safety, do not skate or walk on non-open ice surfaces, and do not climb rocks.?
The travel routes in southern Xinjiang are relatively long, and long car rides can lead to fatigue, so self-driving is not recommended. You can choose to rent a car or join a local small group tour with no shopping stops.?
Accommodation may be tight during the peak tourist season in Xinjiang, so be sure to make contact early.?
You need to apply for a border defense certificate in advance if you are heading to border areas such as Taxkorgan County.?
Hope this October travel guide to southern Xinjiang can provide useful reference for your trip.?