Southern Xinjiang boasts numerous tourist attractions, each with its unique characteristics. Here is a ranking of some highly recommended attractions for your reference:
Kashgar Old City: Located in the center of Kashgar, Xinjiang, it integrates folklore, history, and cuisine, making it a popular tourist destination in southern Xinjiang. You can stroll through the thousand-year-old city, feel the unique lifestyle of the Uyghurs, and experience the charm of the filming location for the movie ‘The Kite Runner’.
Tianshan Grand Canyon: The mysterious grand canyon is located beside the Duku Highway. In Uyghur, ‘Keziliya’ means ‘red cliffs’. These reddish-brown rocks, carved by wind and rain over hundreds of millions of years, have formed today’s ‘Mysterious Grand Canyon’, with a unique landscape.
Pamir Plateau: Historically known as Congling, it has an average altitude of over 4,500 meters, with major peaks exceeding 6,000 meters. It is home to Asia’s only white-skinned ethnicity, the Tajiks, and their eagles, filled with exotic charm.
Panlong Ancient Road: This mountain road, only a few dozen kilometers long, has over a hundred turns, winding along the mountain like a giant dragon. It is a paradise for driving enthusiasts and an excellent photography spot for photographers.
Southern Xinjiang’s Populus euphratica Forest: China’s largest and oldest Populus euphratica forest. In autumn, the golden tree shadows reflect beautifully in the lake, creating a breathtaking view.
Baisha Lake: Located at the confluence of the Muji River and布伦口 River, it is surrounded by sand dunes. The junction of the lake and white sand is an excellent photography spot, showcasing diverse and beautiful scenery.
Mushtagh Peak: With its main peak reaching 7,546 meters above sea level, the surrounding breathtaking viewpoints make visitors reluctant to leave. The serene Karakul Lake on the plateau reflects Mushtagh Peak, the "Father of Glaciers", creating a fairyland-like scene.
The cultural landscape of Kashgar Old City, including the Gaotai Residential Area, Xiangfei Garden, Id Kah Mosque, and more, offers an in-depth exploration of Kashgar’s cultural landscape, allowing you to appreciate the blend of history and culture.
Wensu Grand Canyon: With deep gullies and valleys, red cliffs, and various stone peaks and pillars, it forms a magnificent landscape. It is a great destination for exploration and photography.
Taklamakan Desert: China’s largest and the world’s second-largest shifting desert, it is mysterious and magnificent, with both historical and cultural significance. It is an excellent place to experience the desert’s charm.
These scenic spots cover natural scenery, history and culture, folk customs, and many other aspects, making them must-visit destinations for southern Xinjiang tourism. I hope this ranking can provide useful reference for your trip to southern Xinjiang.