The best travel guide for southern Xinjiang includes multiple aspects such as the best travel time, recommended itineraries, essential items, and precautions. Here are the detailed answers:
Best travel time:
The best time for a self-driving tour in southern Xinjiang is from June to September, when the Duku Highway is open, allowing you to fully explore the beautiful scenery of southern Xinjiang. It is recommended to avoid the peak summer vacation period to prevent high costs for flights, accommodations, and car rentals.
Recommended itineraries:
Southern Xinjiang is rich in tourism resources and offers multiple classic itineraries to choose from. For example, a 10-day essence itinerary starts from Urumqi and passes through Kuitun, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Bayanbulak, Kuqa, Hotan, Kashgar, and finally returns to Kashgar Old City. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery of the Pamir Plateau, the Kezhou Glacier Park, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Mount Mushtag, and other famous attractions.
. Additionally, you can choose a 6-day loop travel itinerary to easily explore the beautiful scenery of southern Xinjiang, including human landscapes such as Kashgar Old City, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, and the Dragon’s Spine Road, as well as natural landscapes such as the Taklamakan Desert and the Pearl of the Pamir Plateau, Baisha Lake.
Essential items:
Documents: ID card, driver’s license (if self-driving), etc.
Clothing: Prepare comfortable clothing according to the weather forecast, and you can bring a bright-colored dress for photo taking.
Sunscreen items: wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, ice sleeves, etc. Southern Xinjiang has intense UV rays, so it is necessary to take good sun protection measures.
Electrical appliances: cameras, power banks, selfie sticks, etc., to capture the beautiful moments of your trip.
Precautions:
Carry your ID card with you and keep it in an easily accessible place.
Taxkorgan County and the Pamir Plateau are at high altitudes, and you may experience altitude sickness. It is recommended to prepare oxygen tanks in advance.
Xinjiang is 2 hours later than the mainland in time, so please adjust your schedule to avoid missing your itinerary.
Respect local customs and experience local culture, such as trying various flavors of naan and other specialty foods.
In addition, the Kuqa region of southern Xinjiang boasts attractions such as the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountains and Kuqa王府 (王府 means royal palace), where you can experience the long history of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom and the elegance of the royal family.
. The Kashgar region attracts numerous tourists with its ancient Silk Road culture and unique architectural style.
. During the trip, be sure to pay attention to the scenery along the way, as every corner of southern Xinjiang is full of surprises and charm.