The best route for a 20-day self-guided tour in Xinjiang can choose to cover the Grand Circle Route encompassing both Southern and Northern Xinjiang to fully experience the magnificent scenery and diverse cultures of Xinjiang. Here is a recommended itinerary **:
Northern Xinjiang Section:
Day 1: Departing from Urumqi, visit Tianshan Heavenly Lake, admire the scenic beauty of the alpine lake and Bogda Peak, and stay overnight in Fukang.
Day 2: Departing from Fukang, visit the Colorful City and Huoshao Mountain, feel the magnificent workmanship of nature, and stay overnight in Fuyun.
Day 3: Departing from Fuyun, head to Koktokay to explore this mysterious place and stay overnight in Burqin.
Day 4: Departing from Burqin, visit Kanas Lake, climb up the Fish-watching Pavilion, enjoy the lakeside scenery, and stay overnight in Kanas.
Day 5: Departing from Kanas, pass through Hemu Bridge, admire the Birch Forest, experience the folk customs of the primitive Tuvan village, and stay overnight in Hemu.
Day 6: Departing from Hemu, admire the morning fog and sunrise, then proceed to Karamay, with an optional visit to the Urho魔鬼城 (Urho Devil’s City, here refers to a unique geological landform) on the way, staying overnight in Jinghe.
Day 7: Departing from Jinghe, visit Sayram Lake, pass through the Guozigou Bridge, feel the border atmosphere, and stay overnight in Yining.
Day 8: Departing from Yining, self-drive on the "Yining-Zhaosu Highway", visit Baishi Peak and Ten Thousand Mu of Sunflowers, and then proceed to Nalati Grassland, staying overnight in Nalati Town.
Day 9: Departing from Nalati, visit Swan Lake and Nine-Bend Eighteen-Bay, and then proceed to Bayanbulak, staying overnight in Kuqa.
Day 10: Departing from Kuqa, visit the Large and Small Dragon Lakes and the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountains, feel the awe-inspiring nature, and stay overnight in Kuqa.
Southern Xinjiang Section:
Day 11: Departing from Kuqa, head to Wensu Grand Canyon to explore this mysterious place and stay overnight in Aksu.
Day 12: Departing from Aksu, visit Kashgar Old Town to experience the rich Uyghur culture and stay overnight in Kashgar.
Day 13: A one-day tour in Kashgar City, visiting the Xiangfeimu Mausoleum, Gaotai Residential Area, and Id Kah Mosque, to deeply understand the history and culture of Kashgar.
Day 14: Departing from Kashgar, head to Simhana Village in Uqiar County in the westernmost part of China, experience the country’s westernmost point, and stay overnight in Kashgar.
Day 15: Departing from Kashgar, visit Karakul Lake, admire the magnificent scenery of Mount Mushtagh, and then proceed to Tashkurgan, staying overnight in Tashkurgan County.
(Note: This segment of the itinerary may need to be adjusted according to actual circumstances)
Day 16: Departing from Tashkurgan, visit the Stone City, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pamir Plateau, and then return to Kashgar.
Days 17-20: Departing from Kashgar, you can choose to visit Hotan, Turpan, and other places, visiting attractions such as the Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley, and the Kuqa王府 (王府 is a mansion of a prince or nobleman, here refers to a historic site or mansion in Kuqa), and finally returning to Urumqi to end your pleasant journey.
(Note: This segment of the itinerary can be flexibly arranged according to personal interests and time)
This itinerary covers multiple famous attractions and unique cultures in Xinjiang. However, please note that due to Xinjiang’s vast territory and significant variations in road conditions and weather, it is recommended to adjust the itinerary appropriately based on local conditions during the actual trip. Meanwhile, to ensure a safe and comfortable trip, it is advisable to book accommodations and transportation in advance and pay attention to local weather and road condition information.