A five-day travel guide to Xinjiang can include classic itineraries of southern or northern Xinjiang. Here are two options respectively:
Itinerary 1: Five-day tour of southern Xinjiang
Day 1: Explore the ancient city of Kashgar. Upon arrival in Kashgar, visit the historic Kashgar Old Town first, feel the strong Uyghur cultural atmosphere, admire ethnic architecture and handicrafts, and taste local specialty cuisine
Day 2: Fantastic journey to Baisha Lake. Head to Baisha Lake, known as the "Maldives of China", and enjoy the tranquility and beauty brought by the azure lake water and pure white sand
Day 3: The magnificent盘龙(Panlong) Ancient Road. Head to the Panlong Ancient Road, admire picturesque scenery along the way, traverse deserts, mountains, and valleys, and feel the historical significance
Day 4: Explore the Muztagh Glacier in depth. Head to Karakul Lake to overlook the changing colors of the lake, view the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and take a close look at the lake, then visit the Muztagh Glacier Park in the afternoon
Day 5: End of the trip. End your southern Xinjiang trip and optionally transfer flights in Urumqi, enjoying local specialty cuisine along the way and reminiscing about the wonderful journey
Itinerary 2: Five-day tour of northern Xinjiang (departing from Urumqi)
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, check into the pre-booked hotel, take a short rest, then head to Hongshan Park to overlook the panoramic view of the city, and afterwards visit the International Bazaar to experience the strong ethnic atmosphere, purchase special handicrafts, and taste Xinjiang cuisine
Day 2: Spend the whole day exploring Tianshan Tianchi, admire the surrounding snow-capped mountains and clear lake water, hike to explore the surrounding forests and alpine meadows, and return to Urumqi in the evening
Day 3: Take a flight from Urumqi to Kanas, visit Kanas Lake, admire the scenic spots such as Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay, and optionally take a boat tour of the lake to explore the mysterious lake monster
Day 4: Head to Hemu Village to appreciate the village and birch forest scenery in the morning light, experience the Tuva people’s way of life, and optionally engage in activities such as horse riding, before heading to Burqin
Day 5: Visit the Colorful Beach, admire the colorful riverbank and the lush valley scenery across the river, and then return to Urumqi
Both of the above itineraries cover the classic attractions and unique experiences of northern and southern Xinjiang, and you can choose the suitable route according to your personal interests and schedule.