There are multiple different routes to choose from for a five-day tour of Xinjiang. Below are two recommended travel itineraries.
I. Five-Day Northern Xinjiang Tour
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi and begin your Xinjiang tour. Visit the International Bazaar, taste local cuisine such as grilled mutton skewers and hand-grabbed rice, and experience the rich Xinjiang flavor.
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi for Tianshan Tianchi. In winter, Tianchi resembles a blue ice gem embedded in the mountains. After visiting, head to a Kazak village to taste specialty dishes such as mare’s milk wine and smoked horse sausage.
Day 3: Head to Burqin, a border town filled with Russian flair that has unique charm. Visit the Colorful Beach to watch the sunset and enjoy a cold-water fish banquet at Burqin Night Market in the evening, such as pike and five-striped sculpin.
Day 4: Enter Kanas Scenic Area and experience horse-drawn sledges, weaving through white forests. In the Kanas village, you can taste the specialty cuisine of the Tuvans, such as dried milk lumps.
Day 5: Head to Hemu, a secluded village characterized by log cabins. In the morning, open the window to see the snow-capped peaks and curling smoke, and then prepare for the return journey.
II. Five-Day Southern Xinjiang Tour (Kashgar Direction)
Day 1: Stroll through Kashgar Old Town, obtain a border defense certificate, feel the charm of the old town, and experience local specialty accommodation at Gaotai Homestay. You can also taste authentic local cuisine.
Day 2: Exploration of natural wonders, visiting Muji Volcano Crater, Eighteen Arhats Peaks, and Baisha Lake, appreciating the magnificent scenery and tranquil, beautiful lake views.
Day 3: Journey to the盘龙 (Dragon Coiled) Ancient Road and Blue Lake, challenging the 600 turns of the Dragon Coiled Ancient Road, and enjoying the beauty of Pandir Blue Lake.
Day 4: Glacier and lake exploration, personally touching theMuztagh Ata Glacier, experiencing the mystery of the glacial erosion lake, and exploring the mystery of the ‘water monster’ in Karakul Lake.
Day 5: Group disbands in Kashgar, concluding the delightful southern Xinjiang tour, with airport transfer service provided to ensure a safe return.
These two routes cover the essential attractions and specialty cuisines of northern and southern Xinjiang, respectively, and can be selected based on personal preferences and actual circumstances. During the trip, pay attention to sunscreen and warmth measures, and prepare offline maps, snacks, and other necessary items in advance.