The complete guide to southern Xinjiang tourism mainly includes the following recommended attractions and activities:?
1. Kashgar Old Town:?
Take a leisurely walk in this ancient city known as the "most exotic", feeling the Central Asian style and rich historical and cultural atmosphere. The unique architectural style and crisscrossing streets within the ancient city make it an excellent location for taking photos.?
You can visit attractions such as the Id Kah Mosque and the Xiangfei Tomb, and taste local specialty foods such as baked buns, pilaf, and mutton kebabs in the evening.?
2. Mushtagh Mountain:?
Experience the awe-inspiring sight of the Mushtagh Glacier, known as the "Father of Glaciers". This is a paradise for glacier lovers, where you can see the grandeur of glaciers, the colorful ice caves, and the tenderness of ice lakes.?
Legend has it that Mushtagh Mountain also has a romantic love story, adding to its mysterious charm.?
3. Baisha Lake:?
Enjoy the beautiful scenery where the water and sky reflect each other like jade, and the white sand rustles like waves. Half of Baisha Lake is white sand and the other half is water, fully embodying the romance of the Pamir Plateau.?
The continuous white sand by the lake, gently blown by the wind from the distant valley, presents a picturesque scene that makes people feel relaxed and happy.?
4. Taklamakan Desert:?
Experience the arid desert environment with yellow sand everywhere, while admiring its magnificent scenery. Although the environment is harsh, the vastness and unique scenery of the desert are also breathtaking.?
5. Poplar forest landscape:?
Visit the Zepu Poplar Forest, Luntai Poplar Forest, etc., to experience the spectacular scenery of the poplar forest. Especially the Luntai Poplar Forest, with over 400,000 mu (about 64,000 acres) of poplar forest, is one of the largest poplar forests in the world.?
The poplar forest is especially beautiful in autumn, making it a paradise for photographers.?
6. Kashgar city walk and ethnic customs experience:?
Take a leisurely walk on the streets of Kashgar, feeling the passage of time and the rich historical and cultural atmosphere. Visit the Gaotai Residential Area to understand the ancient Uyghur architectural style.?
In the evening, you can watch ethnic dance performances and experience the passionate Uyghur culture.?
7. Other recommended attractions:?
Karakul Lake: The lake under the Mushtagh Mountain resembles blue tears, beautiful enough to make people enchanted.?
Lop Nur Village: Experience the pristine desert and breathtaking poplar forest landscapes, as if you have entered a secluded paradise.?
Panlong Ancient Road: A popular destination for online celebrities, the road is built along the mountains in a shape resembling "nine curves and eighteen bends", with over 600 turns.?
Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves: The relics of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom, known as the "Second Dunhuang in China", are an excellent place to understand the history and culture of southern Xinjiang.?
Travel to southern Xinjiang is suitable in all seasons, but summer and autumn are the best. The recommended number of days for the trip can be arranged according to personal time and interests, and generally, 7-9 days can provide a relatively comprehensive experience of southern Xinjiang’s local customs and natural scenery. During the trip, you can also taste local specialty foods such as baked buns, pilaf, and mutton kebabs, and feel the unique charm of southern Xinjiang.?