Southern Xinjiang is not just about its local customs,
While many believe that northern Xinjiang is known for its scenery and southern Xinjiang for its customs, few realize that southern Xinjiang has even more magnificent and awe-inspiring scenery than northern Xinjiang. The White Sand Lake looks like a tear falling on the Pamir Plateau, the Father of Snow Mountains – Mount Muztagh Ata shines brightly in the sunshine, the fiery Populus Euphratica of the Taklamakan Desert stands tall in the desert, and the ancient thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions still seem to sing from the winds and sands!
You may not know that Xinjiang, this inland city, has the longest border in China, bordering on 8 countries! This is a magical and ancient land. If you have time, take a trip to Southern Xinjiang; it will surely be one of the most unforgettable trips of your life!
Southern Xinjiang | Pamir Plateau / Taklamakan Desert / Kashgar / Kuqa / Hotan – A 13-day in-depth exploration tour of Southern Xinjiang
Detailed itinerary arrangement and essential packing list for the trip
Itinerary Arrangement:
D0 From all over China – Assembly at the designated hotel in Urumqi
Team members who arrive in Urumqi early can visit the Xinjiang Museum to gain a preliminary understanding of Xinjiang’s history and culture, or visit the Erdaoqiao International Bazaar to explore the specialty markets and taste local cuisine.
Accommodation: Selected Hotel in Urumqi
D1 Urumqi – Luntai County
Starting off in the morning sun, embark on the journey along the Southern Xinjiang Silk Road, heading south along National Highway 314. Crossing the Tianshan Mountains from northern Xinjiang into the Tarim Basin in southern Xinjiang, you will pass by the rugged and majestic Tianshan Mountains, the Toksun County in the Turpan Basin, and the oasis landscapes of Uyghur settlements. Arrive in Luntai County in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Selected Hotel in Luntai
D2 Luntai County – Tazhong
After breakfast, take the Desert Highway from Luntai County heading south, entering China’s largest desert – the Taklamakan Desert. Along the way, visit the Populus Euphratica Forest Park and the Tarim River. In the afternoon, arrive early at the accommodation in the heart of the Tazhong Desert. The guide will lead everyone to watch the sunset together and take photos in the desert.
Accommodation: Selected Hotel in Tazhong
D3 Tazhong – Yutian County
Get up early to watch the sunrise in the desert. After breakfast, set out along the Desert Highway heading south. You can optionally visit the Desert Couple Well along the way or go hiking in the desert for 3-4 kilometers. Have lunch in Minfeng, at the southern end of the Desert Highway. In the afternoon, follow the ancient Southern Silk Road route at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains and head west to Yutian County, the hometown of Uncle Kuerban.
Accommodation: Selected Hotel in Yutian County
D4 Yutian – Hotan
After breakfast, set out along the Kunlun Mountains, the desert and Gobi oasis scenery, and the beautiful rose fields of the Hotan region. Arrive in Hotan City and visit the Rose Manor to enjoy an authentic Hotan whole roast lamb, roast buns, kebabs, yogurt, and rose tea. In the afternoon, visit the Thousand-Year-Old Walnut King Manor and the Thousand-Mile Grape Corridor. Afterwards, you can go to the Hotan River to pick jade together. In the evening, visit the largest night market in Southern Xinjiang – the Hotan Night Market.
Accommodation: Selected Hotel in Hotan
D5 Hotan – Kashgar
After breakfast, head west towards Kashgar, the ancient Silk Road city with a history of thousands of years. Have lunch in Yecheng, which is the starting point of the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway G219. We will visit the Zero Kilometer Marker of the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway together. In the afternoon, enjoy the scenery of the Yarkand River, Gobi Desert, and oasis farmland, before arriving in Kashgar.
Accommodation: Kashgar Selected Hotel
D6 A Day Trip in Kashgar
After breakfast, take a bus to Kashgar Old Town to watch the opening ceremony. In the afternoon, continue to wander through the alleys of Kashgar Old Town: Handicraft Alley, Hat Alley, Food Alley, and more.
Accommodation: Kashgar Selected Hotel
D7 Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Tashkurgan County
Get up early and depart from Kashgar, following the China-Pakistan Highway to Tashkurgan County. At布伦口Reservoir, admire the beautiful scenery where white sand mountains and the lake merge into one. Walk along the shore of Karakul Lake and take a close look at the Three Peaks of Kunlun Mountains. If you’re lucky, you can also see the reflections of the Three Peaks of Kunlun Mountains in the water. Arrive in Tashkurgan County in the afternoon, visit the Stone City near the county town to learn about the history of Tashkurgan, and then walk to the Golden Grass Marsh to admire the Stone City under the setting sun.
Accommodation: Tashkurgan Selected Hotel
D8 Tajik Family Visit in Tashkurgan County – Kashgar
After breakfast, we will visit a Tajik family in the county together. If you’re lucky, you might be able to attend a unique Tajik wedding. In the afternoon, return to Kashgar from Taxkorgan County, enjoying the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains, valleys, and lakes on the Pamir Plateau once again.
Accommodation: Kashgar Selected Hotel
D9 Kashgar – Aksu
After breakfast, we will visit Kashgar People’s Square together to pay tribute to the statue of Chairman Mao (built in 1969) and take a group photo. Then depart for Aksu via National Highway G314. Along the way, enjoy the scenery of Gobi oasis on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. On the Xiker Reservoir road segment, we will view the tens of kilometers long Danxia landform landscape of the Tianshan Mountains from the car. Arrive in Aksu in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Aksu Selected Hotel
D10 Aksu – Kuqa
After breakfast, proceed to the Tomur Peak Grand Canyon in Wensu, Tianshan Mountains: Admire the beautiful Danxia geological wonders in western China and the largest rock salt karst geological scenery in China. Upon arrival at Wensu Grand Canyon, transfer to a 4WD scenic area shuttle bus to enter the core scenic area. Trek for about 3 kilometers to experience the magnificent scenery of Wensu Grand Canyon. In the afternoon, visit the old city of Kuqa County, stroll through Kuqa Bazaar, Kuqa Grand Mosque, and Kuqa Old Town.
Accommodation: Kuqa Selected Hotel
D11 A Day Trip of Kuqa’s Humanity and Natural Scenery
After breakfast, head towards the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan along National Highway 217 of the Duku Highway. View the unique red mountain landscape along the way. Have lunch at Kang Village beside National Highway 217. In the afternoon, visit the ‘Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves’, one of the Four Great Grottoes in China, and learn about the legendary life of Kumarajiva, a master of Buddhism in ancient Western Regions. Return to Kuqa County in the afternoon, and continue our search for delicious food at night.
Accommodation: Kuqa Selected Hotel
D12 Kuqa – Urumqi
In the morning, depart from Kuqa, bid farewell to South Xinjiang and the Tarim Basin, follow the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains and drive along the Gobi oasis on National Highway 314. Our thoughts still linger on the memories of the Tarim Basin in South Xinjiang. In the afternoon, cross the Tianshan Mountains and return to Urumqi, concluding an unforgettable journey in South Xinjiang.
Accommodation: Warm Home
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456