Xinjiang Tourism Southern Xinjiang Travel Guide
Southern Xinjiang is the vast area south of the Tianshan Mountains. Unlike the stunning scenery in the north, Southern Xinjiang includes the world’s second-largest desert, the Taklamakan Desert, from which it is said "once you go in, you can’t come out". It is conceivable that the natural environment in Southern Xinjiang is relatively harsh, dominated by deserts and saline-alkali soil. As the saying goes, "Northern Xinjiang is for scenery, while Southern Xinjiang is for culture". On this land with a rich history, there were once thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, and it was a core area of the ancient Silk Road.
Kashgar
Kashgar: Kashgar means ‘the place where gems gather’. It is a large city in the westernmost part of China and a pearl on the Silk Road. It doesn’t have any stunning natural scenery, and even blue skies and white clouds are rarely seen (not due to pollution, but because of its geographical location on the edge of the desert). However, I am still fascinated by its charm. ‘You haven’t been to Xinjiang if you haven’t been to Kashgar.’ Before coming here, I only regarded it as an exaggerated advertisement. After a short stay of two or three days, I deeply agree because here has pure ethnic customs and atmosphere, which is far superior to Urumqi. Now, I regard Urumqi as an ordinary inland city with nothing special to speak of. For a solo traveler like me, there is no precise itinerary design. I won’t arrange my daily schedule beforehand, including where to eat and where to stay. There are enough rules in life, so let’s not play by those rules during travel. I like to take it easy. The first thing to do when arriving in Kashgar is to find a hotel to settle down. Not far from the Old Town of Kashgar, the first reason I like Kashgar is that even during the peak travel season, there are few tourists, and the hotel prices are not much different from usual. After putting my luggage away, the second thing to do is, of course, to eat. Kashgar Pilaf King offers cheap and filling pilaf that is sweet and delicious, but the drawback is that it can be a bit greasy. Eating it with yogurt, I was full and satisfied before starting to stroll around Kashgar.
Tashkurgan: Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Glacier Park, Mushtagh Peak, and Kongur Tobe Mountain
On the way, we will pass Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Glacier Park, Mushtagh Peak, and Kongur Tobe Mountain.
Kuqa is one of the top ten tourist cities in China, rich in tourism resources and full of ethnic flavor. As a senior loser, I like to visit tourist cities during the off-season to enjoy cheap but high-quality tourism resources. Four or five-star hotels can be booked for around 300 yuan, which is so refreshing. Today’s plan is to relax and stroll around Kuqa. Tomorrow, I will visit two attractions nearby that I am interested in. Please pronounce Qiuci as (Qiu)ci instead of (Gui)zi. Don’t say you know me. Kuqa Wangfu: The ticket price is 55 yuan, and it is a must-visit attraction when coming to Kuqa.
Duku Highway: The Duku Highway only goes from Kuqa to Dushanzi, crossing over the Tianshan Mountains and connecting the northern and southern Xinjiang. It is not only a miracle in the history of highway construction but also a steep and magnificent scenic avenue. The suitable season for self-driving is July and August. I have only walked the segment from Bayanbulak to Qiaoerma, and it can only be described as extremely beautiful, which is not inferior to 317 and 318 highways at all. It has diverse landforms and ever-changing scenery. There are also many scenic spots along the way, which can definitely rank among the top three highways in China.
Of course, the distance from Kuqa to the gate of the Grand Canyon is just a short segment at the beginning of the Duku Highway. Kuqa Grand Canyon is also known as the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan. The ticket price is 65 yuan, and its fame far exceeds that of Wensu Grand Canyon. Comparing the two canyons, Wensu Grand Canyon is more magnificent and imposing, while Kuqa Grand Canyon is relatively peculiar and mysterious.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456