A five-day Xinjiang travel guide can include classic routes in southern or northern Xinjiang. Here are two plans respectively:
Five-day northern Xinjiang travel guide
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi and head to Sayram Lake for a lakeside tour and sunset viewing, then proceed to Guozigou Bridge and Qingshuihe Town.
Day 2: Depart from Qingshuihe Town to visit the Lavender Garden (experience the Provençal charm of Xinjiang), and then proceed to Kazanqi Folk Village and Tekes Eight Trigrams City.
Day 3: Depart from Tekes and head to Qiongkushitai Village to admire the pure beauty of the deep mountains, and stay overnight in Gongliu County.
Day 4: Depart from Gongliu County to visit Qiaxi Grassland (a hidden gem only known to locals), and then proceed to Nalati Aerial Grassland.
Day 5: Depart from Nalati, pass through Tangbula Grassland to experience its green apple-colored beauty, and then head to Dushanzi Grand Canyon along the Duku Highway before returning to Urumqi.
Five-day southern Xinjiang travel guide
Day 1: Upon arrival in Kashgar, visit the historic Kashgar Old Town first to feel the rich Uyghur cultural atmosphere and taste local specialty foods.
Day 2: Head to Baisha Lake to admire the beauty of its azure waters and pure white sand beaches complementing each other, and enjoy the tranquility and beauty.
Day 3: Visit the盘龙古道 (Panlong Ancient Road), enjoying picturesque views of deserts, mountains, and valleys along the way, and also encounter magnificent grottoes and rock paintings.
Day 4: Head to Karakul Lake to overlook the ever-changing colors of the vast lake, and then proceed to the Muztagh Ata Glacier Park to feel the tranquility and purity of the plateau.
Day 5: End your southern Xinjiang tour and optionally transfer in Urumqi to savor the beauty of the journey once again.
Both of the above plans cover the natural scenery and cultural landscapes of Xinjiang. Tourists can choose according to their interests and schedule. During the trip, pay attention to weather changes and local customs and habits to ensure a pleasant journey.