There are multiple options for travel routes to southern Xinjiang. Here is a classic 10-day self-driving tour route recommendation:
Departing from Urumqi, passing through Kuitun, Bayanbulak, Kuqa, Hotan, Kashgar, Taxkorgan, and other places, before finally returning to Kashgar Old City.
The specific itinerary is arranged as follows:
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi.
Day 2: Urumqi – Kuitun.
Day 3: Kuitun – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Bayanbulak. In Bayanbulak, you can enjoy the beautiful grassland and continue along the Duku Highway.
Day 4: Bayanbulak Town – Bayanbulak Grassland – Tianshan Grand Canyon – Kuqa. This day will take you through multiple magnificent natural landscapes.
Day 5: Visit the Kuqa王府 (王府 should be translated as ‘王府’ in this context, meaning royal palace) and Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves to feel the history and culture of southern Xinjiang.
Day 6: Kuqa – Hotan. Take the Desert Highway, crossing the Taklamakan Desert, to experience the grandeur and mystery of the desert.
Day 7: Hotan – Kashgar City. In the evening, you can visit the Kashgar Night Market and taste local cuisine.
Day 8: Kashgar City – China-Pakistan Friendship Highway – Taxkorgan County. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery of the Pamir Plateau, including the Kizil Glacier Park, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Mushtagh Peak.
Day 9: Taxkorgan County – Panlong Ancient Road – Kashgar Old City. If time permits, you can stay a little longer on Panlong Ancient Road to admire its unique scenery.
Day 10: Kashgar Old City. You can spend two more days in Kashgar Old City, taking your time to experience the local culture and visit attractions such as Xiangfei Garden.
In addition, there are other travel route options in southern Xinjiang, such as a 13-day Grand Southern Xinjiang Loop tour, departing from Urumqi and passing through Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, Kashgar, Taxkorgan County, Zepu, Hotan, and other places, before finally returning to Urumqi.
. Or choose shorter tours such as a 3-day tour of Taxkorgan County or a 5-day tour of southern Xinjiang, based on personal time and interests.
When traveling in southern Xinjiang, you can also enjoy various types of scenic spots such as deserts, snow-capped mountains, ethnic customs, and ancient Silk Road sites, such as Bosten Lake, Lop Nur Village, Taklamakan Desert, Hu Yanglin Park, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kashgar Xiangfei Tomb, and more.
. No matter which route you choose, you can fully experience the unique charm of southern Xinjiang.