The southern Xinjiang tourist route is a tourist route full of natural beauty and cultural ambiance. The southern route focuses on history and culture, covering Kashgar, Hotan, Aksu, Bayingolin, Kizilsu Kirgiz, and other places. You can also see the perfect combination of deserts and gobies, feel the diverse and honest agricultural civilization, and enjoy the rhythm of Mukam and dance.
Here are some recommended attractions and routes for the southern Xinjiang tourist route:
First, you can visit the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Mount Tianshan, located about 70 kilometers along the Duku Highway. The red cliffs are steep and visually impactful, representing a miracle and spectacular scene of nature.
Then, you can head to Kashgar Old City, the westernmost city in China, with a rich dance and song culture and a century-old town where delicious food is found everywhere on the streets and alleys.
In Kashgar, you can also visit the Id Kah Mosque, one of the largest mosques in China, where you can feel a strong religious atmosphere.
In addition, Bayin布鲁克 Swan Lake in southern Xinjiang is Asia’s largest swan nature reserve. Every spring, thousands of rare birds fly here to live and breed, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
And the Pamir Plateau is an incredible dreamland with permanent glaciers, the Mushtagh Peak, the magnificent Kongur Tag, and other magnificent landscapes.
For travelers who love self-drive tours, the southern Xinjiang ring road self-drive tour is an option. Starting from Urumqi, you can pass through the Duku Highway, Tangbula, Bayin布鲁克, the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Mount Tianshan, Kuqa, Wensu Grand Canyon, Aksu, and other places, before returning to Urumqi. This route covers many famous attractions in southern Xinjiang and is an excellent way to experience its local flavor.
Besides self-drive travel, you can also choose to join a tour group. For example, some travel agencies offer a 10-day southern Xinjiang tour route, including multiple attractions in Kashgar, Hotan, Aksu, and other places, such as the Shache Intangible Cultural Heritage Exposition Park, Yotgan Ancient City, Kunlun Holy Land, and Thousand Buddha Caves.
These attractions are full of historical and cultural charm, making people reluctant to leave.
In general, the southern Xinjiang tourist route is a charming one, worth visiting for both its natural scenery and cultural ambiance. During the trip, you can gain an in-depth understanding of Xinjiang’s history and culture, and feel the unique charm of this land.