There are multiple recommended itineraries for southern Xinjiang that avoid backtracking, which can be chosen based on personal time and interests.
A recommended 7 to 8-day itinerary is as follows.
DAY1: Visit Aksu’s Wensu Tuomuer Magical Grand Canyon and stay in Aksu for the night.
DAY2: Cross the Taklamakan Desert Highway to reach Hotan, visit Hotan Round City, freely stroll around Hotan Night Market in the evening, and stay in Hotan.
DAY3: Visit Hotan Museum, Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park, Amanisha Khan Memorial Park, and莎车 Ancient City, and stay in Yarkand for the night.
DAY4: Head to Yarkand’s Daolang Painting Township and Xiangfei Cultural Park, and stay in Kashgar for the night.
DAY5: Visit Panlong Ancient Road in Kashgar and stay in Tacheng for the night.
DAY6: Visit Stone City, Golden Grass Beach, Karakul Lake, and布伦口 Sand Lake, and stay in Kashgar again for the night.
DAY7: Visit Kashgar Old Town and the mosque, and continue to stay in Kashgar for the night.
DAY8: Return from Kashgar to end the southern Xinjiang tour.
Another 11-day self-drive loop itinerary is even more enriching.
D1 to D3: Depart from Urumqi, pass through Korla, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kuqa, and other places, and finally arrive in Aksu.
D4: Depart from Aksu, pass through the Daolang Tribe, and finally arrive in Kashgar.
D5: Take a one-day tour in Kashgar city, including Kashgar Old Town, Century-old Tea House, Xiangfei Garden, Id Kah Mosque, and other attractions.
D6 to D11: Depart from Kashgar, pass through Zepu Golden Poplar Forest Park, Hotan, Minfeng, Taklamakan Desert, Luntai, Lop Nur Village, Korla City, Turpan, and other places, and finally return to Urumqi.
In addition, there is a 7-day self-drive itinerary starting and ending in Kashgar.
D1: Depart from Kashgar and visit Taxkorgan County and Panlong Ancient Road.
D2: Depart from Kashgar, pass through Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and other places, and finally arrive at Tajik Autonomous County (Taxkorgan County).
D3: Visit Taxkorgan County, Wayi Township/Panlong Ancient Road, Bandier Blue Lake, and Datong Township Apricot Blossom Village.
D4: Depart from Datong Township, pass through the Tasha Ancient Road, and finally return to Kashgar.
These itineraries are carefully planned to ensure that tourists do not backtrack when traveling in southern Xinjiang, fully experiencing the natural scenery and cultural customs of the region. Please choose an appropriate itinerary based on your personal circumstances and preferences.