Traveling to southern Xinjiang during National Day is an excellent choice, allowing you to experience magnificent natural scenery, rich ethnic customs, and unique culinary culture. Here are some specific recommendations:
Must-visit Attractions:
Baisha Lake: A small desert lake surrounded by sand dunes, with water as green as jade, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding golden desert. It is an excellent location for taking photos.
Kashgar Old Town: Feel the weight of a thousand years of history and stroll along the quaint streets, as if traveling back in time to ancient times.
Tarim Poplar Forest: Around October each year, the leaves turn yellow, forming a sea of gold, which is incredibly spectacular.
Pamir Plateau: With magnificent natural scenery such as Mount Muztagh Ata and Tahman Wetland, it is a paradise for adventure and photography enthusiasts.
Panlong Ancient Road: Challenge this winding road while driving and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, experiencing the joy of driving.
Transportation and Accommodation:
Transportation: It is recommended to fly to Kashgar first, as it is an important city in southern Xinjiang with convenient transportation. Within Kashgar, you can take buses or taxis. If you want to go to other counties or attractions, it is recommended to join a small tour group or rent a car to arrange your itinerary more freely.
Accommodation: Southern Xinjiang offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget hotels to luxury hotels. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure suitable accommodation during National Day.
Weather and Dress Code:
Weather: During National Day, the weather in southern Xinjiang is mainly sunny, but there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening. Temperatures in October range from 7°C to 21°C, and in November, they may drop to -1°C to 10°C.
Dress Code: During the day, you can wear shirts, long skirts, knitwear, etc. At night, you will need to wear coats, thin down jackets, or raincoats for warmth.
Food Recommendations:
Hotan Night Market: Here you can find all the delicacies of Xinjiang, making it a great place to taste local specialty snacks.
Kashgar Night Market: It also offers a wealth of culinary choices, allowing you to taste authentic Kashgar flavors.
Precautions:
Attractions in southern Xinjiang are far apart, so it is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance and arrange your time reasonably.
To visit border areas such as Tajikistan County, you need to apply for a border pass in advance.
Southern Xinjiang is at a higher altitude, so be aware of altitude sickness prevention.
In short, traveling to southern Xinjiang during National Day will bring you an unforgettable travel experience. Whether it’s natural scenery, ethnic customs, or culinary culture, you will be fascinated and reluctant to leave.