There are many must-visit scenic spots in southern Xinjiang, and here are some recommendations that cannot be missed:?
1. Kashgar Ancient City:?
As the center of southern Xinjiang, Kashgar’s ancient city is full of exotic charm and unique allure. The ancient city is divided into east and west districts. The east district has a strong commercial atmosphere, suitable for taking photos, especially the Gaotai Residential Area and the East Gate Opening Ceremony; the west district has a stronger cultural atmosphere, allowing you to experience it slowly.?
The cuisine within the ancient city is also a major highlight, with specialty dishes such as baked stuffed buns and pot meat, leaving a lasting impression on people.?
2. Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon:?
Located next to the Duku Highway, about 70 kilometers from Kuche County, it is a canyon in the Kiziliya Mountains, a branch of the Tianshan Mountains, and is known as one of the ten most beautiful canyons in China.?
The canyon is filled with fine sand but has bubbling clear springs, integrating the wonders of earthly canyons with the scenic beauty of Mount Tianshan, making it a fascinating destination.?
3. Panlong Ancient Road:?
This ancient road winds and spirals like a huge dragon, making it a paradise for self-driving enthusiasts. There are over 600 S-bends on the ancient road, posing a significant challenge for self-driving, but the scenery along the way is absolutely worth it.?
Longhuitou Viewing Platform and Shuixiu Viewing Platform are both great places for taking photos, capturing the panoramic view of the entire Panlong Ancient Road, which is spectacular and mysterious.?
4. Baisha Lake:?
Baisha Lake is located on the Pamir Plateau, with crystal-clear lake water reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped mountains, making it breathtakingly beautiful.?
There are many places by the lake where you can take photos, such as the wetland transition area, where you can capture wetlands, lawns, lake water, and distant mountains, creating a rich sense of hierarchy.?
5. Wensu Grand Canyon:?
Wensu Grand Canyon is famous for its unique landforms and scenery, providing a fantastic journey to the surface of Mars. There are various landforms within the canyon, such as Danxia and Yadan, each valley having its own unique characteristics.?
Driving through the canyon is very impressive, but please be sure to pay attention to safety. It is recommended to spend at least half a day exploring, with the wooden plank path from Valley 4 to Valley 3 being the highlight, where taking photos is superb.?
In addition, southern Xinjiang also has many scenic spots worth visiting, such as the Kuche Royal Palace, Kuche Grand Mosque, the Qiuci Wei-Jin Ancient Tomb Site Museum, Kizilgaha Beacon Tower, Bosten Lake, Tarim Poplar Forest, the Secret Land of Poplar Forest Highway 139, and the Baicheng Kizil Red Stone Forest.?
. These scenic spots each have their own characteristics, whether natural scenery or cultural landscapes, all of which make people reluctant to leave.?
When planning a trip to southern Xinjiang, it is recommended to arrange the itinerary reasonably according to your interests and time to ensure that you can fully experience the unique charm of southern Xinjiang.?