October Travel in Southern Xinjiang: The following must-visit attractions are recommended:?
Luntai Hu Yang Forest: This is the largest and oldest Hu Yang Forest in the world. In October, the forest turns golden, creating breathtaking scenery and making it an excellent destination for enjoying autumn.?
. Visitors should be mindful of replenishing water and spraying insect repellent while visiting.?
Kashgar Old Town: As a living ancient city with a thousand-year history, wandering through it feels like traveling through time, allowing you to deeply feel the heaviness of history and the charm of culture.?
Baisha Lake: Located on the Pamir Plateau, the lake water is clear and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, earning it the title of ‘the Pearl on the Pamir Plateau’. The scenery is picturesque and enchanting.?
Wensu Grand Canyon: Known as a living museum of geological evolution, nature’s ingenuity has created breathtaking geological wonders, making it a paradise for photographers.?
Panlong Ancient Road: This is a magical highway with 639 turns over a 75-kilometer distance, providing an excellent driving experience as if challenging the skills and courage of drivers.?
In addition, Lop Nor Village, Bachu Red Sea Bay Scenic Area, Hotan Night Market, Muji Volcano on the Pamir Plateau, and Yarkand Khan Palace in Shache are also worth visiting.?
. Lop Nor Village allows you to explore the primitive customs of ancient ethnic groups and experience the tranquility of isolation; the Hu Yang Forest in Bachu Red Sea Bay Scenic Area is a niche destination with few visitors and excellent photo opportunities; Hotan Night Market, as one of ‘China’s five most popular night markets’, offers a variety of snacks; the Muji Volcano on the Pamir Plateau brings another awe-inspiring display of nature; and the Yarkand Khan Palace in Shache allows visitors to instantly travel back 3000 years to the Shache Kingdom, experiencing the charm of ancient civilization.?
For transportation, you can choose trains, airplanes, cars, or carpooling/chartered cars to travel to various places in southern Xinjiang.?
. However, please note that southern Xinjiang is vast and sparsely populated, with long distances between attractions. Therefore, it is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance and prepare necessary warm clothing and sunscreen.?
. Meanwhile, due to the long distances and scattered attractions in southern Xinjiang, long car rides can cause fatigue, so self-driving is not recommended.?