There are multiple options for travel route guides in southern Xinjiang. The following is a classic 10-day self-driving route in southern Xinjiang, covering many of the region’s highlights:**
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi to begin your journey in southern Xinjiang.
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi to Kuitun to prepare for the subsequent itinerary.
Day 3: Depart from Kuitun, visit Dushanzi Grand Canyon, and then head to Bayinbrook. Along the way, you can enjoy magnificent natural scenery. After leaving the scenic area, continue along the Duku Highway and experience the joy of horseback riding.
Day 4: Visit Bayinbrook Grassland and Tianshan Grand Canyon, and then head to Kuqa.
Day 5: Visit the Kuqa王府 (王府 refers to a nobleman’s residence, here specifically Kuqa’s nobleman’s residence), learn about the local history and culture, and then explore Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves to feel the charm of ancient art.
Day 6: Cross the Taklamakan Desert, experience the unique scenery of the Desert Highway, and then arrive in Hotan.
Day 7: Arrive in Kashgar city, and in the evening, you can stroll through Kashgar Night Market to taste local cuisine.
Day 8: Follow the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway forward, enjoying the magnificent scenery of the Pamir Plateau, passing by scenic spots such as Kezhou Glacier Park, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Mount Mushtag.
Day 9: Originally planned to visit Khunjerab Pass, but it may not be open due to certain reasons. You can choose to visit the盘龙古道 (Winding Ancient Road), and then return to Kashgar Old City to feel its charm. If you don’t want to return the same way, you can also continue from the Winding Ancient Road to Datong Town, and then to Yarkant.
Day 10: Spend two more days in Kashgar Old City, experiencing the local culture at a leisurely pace. You can visit Xiangfei Garden, mosques, and also go to Hanbazaar to experience the local market atmosphere.
In addition, there are many other tourism route options in southern Xinjiang, such as a 12-day tour around the beautiful southern Xinjiang, including Bosten Lake, Lop Nor Village, Tarim River Poplar Forest Park, Desert Highway, Hotan, Kashgar, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and many other attractions.
. Tourists can choose suitable routes based on their own time and interests.
When traveling in southern Xinjiang, it is advisable to plan your itinerary in advance, pay attention to the local weather and traffic conditions, and ensure a smooth journey. At the same time, respect local customs and traditions, protect the local natural environment, and engage in civilized tourism.