The October southern Xinjiang travel guide mainly covers exploring Kashgar Old City, visiting surrounding scenic spots, itinerary planning, and precautions.
1. Exploring Kashgar Old City
Kashgar Old City is a must-visit destination for southern Xinjiang tourism, divided into East City and West City. East City is more commercialized and suitable for shopping and nightlife; West City focuses on leisure and features popular attractions such as Rainbow Alley and the Century-Old Teahouse. Here, you can watch the 10 AM opening ceremony, feel the vitality of Kashgar, wander through the alleys to experience local life, visit Id Kah Mosque, and stroll through the Grand Bazaar to purchase unique souvenirs.
2. Surrounding Scenic Spot Visits
Baisha Lake: Known as the "Blue Tears of the Pamir Plateau", the lake’s waters are clear and the white sand is like snow, making it a perfect spot for photos.
Panlong Ancient Road: With over 600 turns, the scenery along the way is magnificent and thrilling, making it an excellent choice for experiencing the rugged terrain of southern Xinjiang.
Karakul Lake: The lake’s waters are ever-changing and complement the Muztagh Ata Peak, showcasing the mysterious charm of the Pamir Plateau.
Glacier Park: At an altitude of 7745 meters, it is covered in snow year-round and is an excellent place to get up close to glaciers and snow-capped mountains.
3. Itinerary Planning
A typical 7-day itinerary for southern Xinjiang may be as follows:
Day 1: Arrive in Kashgar and visit Kashgar Old City.
Day 2: Depart from Kashgar, head to Taxkorgan County, enjoy the scenery of snow-capped mountains along the way, visit Muji Volcano, and after arriving in Taxkorgan County, visit Stone City.
Day 3: Depart from Taxkorgan County, traverse the盘龙 (Panlong) Ancient Road, visit Bandir Blue Lake, and return to Taxkorgan County.
Day 4: Depart from Taxkorgan County and head to Mushug Glacier Park and Karakul Lake.
Day 5: Return to Kashgar, visit the Gaotai Residential Area, and explore the desert of Baisha Mountain.
Day 6: Depart from Tumxuk and visit Wensu Grand Canyon.
Day 7: End your journey in southern Xinjiang and return to Kashgar or home.
4. Precautions
Border defense certificate: A border defense certificate is required to visit Taxkorgan County. Remember to apply for it in advance.
Altitude sickness: Some areas in southern Xinjiang are at high altitudes. Be aware of altitude sickness, and prepare oxygen tanks in advance if necessary.
Sunscreen and hydration: The wind is strong and UV rays are intense in southern Xinjiang. Be sure to apply sunscreen and stay hydrated.
Clothing preparation: The temperature difference between morning and evening in southern Xinjiang is large. It is recommended to bring long-sleeved T-shirts, long pants, and windbreakers.
With the above guide, you can fully experience the magnificent scenery and profound culture of southern Xinjiang in October and enjoy an unforgettable trip.