The southern Xinjiang travel guide mainly covers key points such as transportation, must-visit attractions, food recommendations, and travel precautions.
I. Transportation
Airplane: Departing from Urumqi, flying directly to Kashgar Airport is a convenient option for quickly reaching southern Xinjiang, suitable for tourists with shorter holidays or who prioritize travel efficiency.
High-speed Rail: Starting from Urumqi South Railway Station, passing through stations such as Korla, and ultimately arriving in southern Xinjiang cities like Kashgar. Although it takes relatively longer, the scenery along the way is magnificent and worth experiencing.
Chartered Car/Carpooling: Attractions in southern Xinjiang are scattered, so traveling by chartered car or carpooling is convenient and allows for an in-depth experience of local customs.
II. Must-visit Attractions
Winding Dragon Road: With over 600 S-bends, experience the twists and turns of life and its beauty.
Muztagh Ata Glacier Park: Feel the magic and cold silence of nature.
White Sand Lake: The lake shines like a sapphire.
Pamir Plateau: It feels like stepping into a fairy tale world.
Kashgar Old Town: Full of exotic charm, it feels like stepping back in time to One Thousand and One Nights.
Taklamakan Desert: Experience the endless fun of the desert.
Shaya Populus Euphratica Forest: Golden poplar forests cover the land, and the lakes in the desert are miracles of nature.
III. Food Recommendations
Kashgar Night Market: The Uyghur “food stalls”, offering various ways to cook mutton such as skewers, is an excellent place to taste southern Xinjiang cuisine.
Hotan Night Market: Abundant in delicacies, gathering various ethnic minority foods and locally unique grilled fish.
Kebab with Nang Bread: A specialty dish of southern Xinjiang worth trying.
IV. Travel Precautions
Be aware of the rapidly changing cold weather in the plateau. Take warm clothing and oxygen tanks to prevent altitude sickness in higher altitude areas.
Avoid overspending when wandering around Kashgar Grand Bazaar, and be mindful of your purchases.
Photographing inside religious places such as mosques in Kashgar is not allowed, and tourists should respect local customs and religious practices.
A border defense certificate is required to visit border areas such as Taxkorgan County.
In addition, southern Xinjiang is inhabited by multiple ethnic groups, forming unique national arts and customs. Tourists should respect the local culture and customs during their visit and enjoy an unforgettable trip to southern Xinjiang.