A 10-day self-guided travel itinerary in Xinjiang can include visits to either northern or southern Xinjiang. Here are two options respectively.
10-day self-guided travel itinerary for northern Xinjiang:
Overview of the itinerary:
DAY1: Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – Colorful Beach – Burqin
DAY2: Burqin – Kanas Lake – Fish Viewing Pavilion – Kanas
DAY3: Morning fog at Kanas Lake – Three Bays Hiking – Hemu – Stay in Hemu Village
DAY4: Hemu – Hadeng Viewing Platform – Birch Forest – Burqin
DAY5: Burqin – Ghost City – Kuitun
DAY6: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Yining
DAY7: Yining – Qiaxi Forest Park – Huocheng Lavender – Gongliu
DAY8: Gongliu – Nalati Grassland – Nalati Town
DAY9: Nalati – Hundred-mile Gallery – Fairy Lake – Duku Highway – Dushanzi
DAY10: Dushanzi – Anjihai Grand Canyon – S101 – Urumqi
Highlights of the itinerary:
Admire the unique landform of Colorful Beach, the stunning scenery of Kanas Lake, and the primitive charm of Hemu Village.
Visit the spectacular scenery of the Ghost City and the tranquil beauty of Sayram Lake.
Experience the vastness and magnificence of Nalati Grassland and the steepness and beauty of Duku Highway.
10-day self-guided travel itinerary for southern Xinjiang:
Overview of the itinerary:
DAY1: Depart from Urumqi – Kumtag Desert – Bonfire Party
DAY2: Shanshan – Hami Dahaiti – Mars Base
DAY3: Mars Base – Tuyugou Ancient Village – Turpan
DAY4: Turpan – Lop Nur Village – Korla
DAY5: Korla – Tarim Poplar Forest
DAY6: Luntai County – Kuqa王府（王府 can be translated as王府 Manor or王府 Palace, but since it’s a specific place name, it may remain untranslated for clarity） – Kuqa Grand Canyon – Duku Highway
DAY7: Kuqa – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Aksu
DAY8: Aksu – Kashgar Old Town – Century-old Teahouse
DAY9: Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Mount Muztagata
DAY10: Tajik Autonomous County – Wakhan Corridor -盘龙古道（Panlong Ancient Road）- Kashgar
Highlights of the itinerary:
Experience the desert scenery in Kumtag Desert and participate in a bonfire party to feel the unique culture of Xinjiang.
Explore Hami Dahaiti and the Mars Base to satisfy your imagination of Mars.
Visit Tuyugou Ancient Village to experience the traditional customs of the Uyghur people.
Admire the coexistence of desert and lake in Lop Nur Village and explore the magnificent scenery of the Tarim Poplar Forest.
Visit Kashgar Old Town to savor the unique culture of southern Xinjiang, and explore the natural scenery of Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Mount Muztagata.
Both of the above itineraries cover the main attractions and unique experiences of Xinjiang, and you can choose the one that suits your interests and actual situation. During the trip, please pay attention to abide by local etiquette and regulations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.