A railway tour in southern Xinjiang is an excellent journey to explore magnificent scenery and rich culture.
The southern Xinjiang Railway connects multiple famous attractions and cities, providing tourists with a convenient mode of transportation. Starting from Turpan, the southern Xinjiang Railway extends along the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, passing through Korla, Aksu, Kashgar, and other places, and ultimately arriving in Hotan. This route not only connects the main cities in southern Xinjiang but also links numerous natural and cultural landscapes, presenting tourists with a colorful picture scroll.
Along the way, tourists can admire the blue waters and sandy beaches of Bosten Lake, experiencing the surprise of encountering an “inland sea” in the arid southern Xinjiang region; they can explore Aksu’s Wensu Grand Canyon and appreciate the most beautiful Danxia geological wonders in western China; they can stroll through the old city streets of Kashgar, savoring the earth-colored architecture with vivid colors and the smiles of children; they can also appreciate the distinctive ethnic minority dwellings in Hotan, visit the Grand Bazaar, and feel the charm of a dazzling array of goods and dried fruits.
In addition, the southern Xinjiang Railway also includes the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway and other lines, which cross the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, bringing tourists a unique desert experience. Haloxylon ammodendron, tamarisks, and other plants planted along the way form a green barrier to prevent wind and sand, while wild animals in the desert, such as wild camels, also add a wild charm to the journey.
In recent years, relying on its increasingly improved railway transportation infrastructure, Xinjiang has closely integrated tourism resources with train operations, establishing a new model of integrated and linked development of the “railway + tourism” sector. For example, the “New Oriental Express” Taklamakan Desert Circle Train runs along the southern Xinjiang Railway, the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, and other lines around the Taklamakan Desert, providing tourists with a new experience of “one ticket for multiple tours and multiple scenic spots”.
In short, a railway tour in southern Xinjiang is a perfect journey combining natural scenery, cultural customs, and convenient transportation, waiting for every traveler to discover and explore.