The following plan can be chosen for a 12-day self-guided tour in Xinjiang:
Day 1: Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – Wulungu Lake – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Admire the picturesque scenery of Wulungu Lake and the sunset beauty of Colorful Beach, and then proceed to Burqin for accommodation.
Day 2: Burqin – Kanas Lake Fish-Viewing Pavilion – Jiadenyu/Kanas
Visit the Fish-Viewing Pavilion at Kanas Lake, feel the fairy-tale-like forest and wooden cabins, and choose to stay in Jiadenyu or Kanas.
Day 3: Kanas Three Bays – Hemo Village – Wooden Cabin in Hemo Scenic Area
Explore the natural beauty of Kanas Three Bays, visit Hemo Village freely, and stay overnight in a wooden cabin within the Hemo Scenic Area.
Day 4: Hemo Sunrise and Morning Fog – Burqin
Get up early to admire the sunrise and morning fog over Hemo, and then return to Burqin.
Day 5: Burqin – Ghost City – Kuitun
Visit the unique landforms of Ghost City, and then proceed to Kuitun for accommodation.
Day 6: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Qingshuihe
Take a scenic drive around Sayram Lake, admire the spectacular view of Guozigou Bridge, and stay overnight in Qingshuihe.
Day 7: Qingshuihe – Qiongkushitai – Tekes
Visit Qiongkushitai in Qingshuihe, and then proceed to Tekes for accommodation.
Day 8: Tekes – Karajun Grassland – Bagua City Lijie Street – Gongliu
Visit Karajun Grassland and Bagua City Lijie Street in Tekes, and then proceed to Gongliu for accommodation.
Day 9: Gongliu – Nalati Aerial River Valley Grassland – Nalati
Head to Nalati Aerial River Valley Grassland to feel the verdant meadows and flocks of cattle and sheep, and stay overnight in Nalati.
Day 10: Nalati – Middle Section of Duku Highway – Bayin布鲁克 Swan Lake – Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn Scenic Area – Bayin
Head towards Bayin布鲁克 along the middle section of the Duku Highway, enjoying the beauty of Swan Lake and Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn Scenic Area, and stay overnight in Bayin.
Day 11: Bayin – Duku Highway – Tangbula Grassland Hundred-Mile Gallery – Dushanzi
Continue along the Duku Highway to visit the Tangbula Grassland Hundred-Mile Gallery, and then head to Dushanzi for accommodation.
Day 12: Dushanzi – Anjihai Grand Canyon/Dushanzi Grand Canyon – S101 National Defense Highway – Urumqi
Visit the spectacular scenery of Anjihai Grand Canyon or Dushanzi Grand Canyon, then return to Urumqi along the S101 National Defense Highway to end the 12-day self-guided tour.
This route covers multiple famous attractions and natural landscapes in Xinjiang, allowing you to fully experience the beauty and unique charm of Xinjiang. Of course, the specific itinerary can be adjusted according to personal interests and actual circumstances.