The best tourist route in southern Xinjiang covers multiple famous attractions and natural scenery. Here is a recommended 10-day tourist route for your reference:**
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi, visit downtown or surrounding attractions to prepare for the next itinerary.
Day 2: Urumqi – Kuitun. Drive to Kuitun, enjoying the magnificent scenery of Xinjiang along the way.
Day 3: Kuitun – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Bayinbrook. After visiting the Dushanzi Grand Canyon, proceed to Bayinbrook to experience the vastness and beauty of the grassland. You can choose to stay in Bayinbrook Town at night.
Day 4: Bayinbrook – Tianshan Grand Canyon – Kuqa. Cross the Tianshan Grand Canyon to feel the magnificent workmanship of nature, and then proceed to Kuqa.
Day 5: Kuqa王府 (王府 should be translated as Palace) and Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. Visit the Kuqa Palace to understand local history and culture, and then proceed to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves to explore the treasures of ancient Buddhist art.
Day 6: Kuqa – Hotan. Cross the desert highway to experience the magnificent and mysterious Taklamakan Desert.
Day 7: Hotan – Kashgar. After arriving in Kashgar, you can visit the Kashgar Night Market, taste local cuisine, and feel the charm of the Uyghur people.
Day 8: Kashgar – China-Pakistan Friendship Highway – Tashkurgan County. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Pamir Plateau along the way, passing famous attractions such as the Kezhou Glacier Park, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Mount Muztagh Ata.
Day 9: Tashkurgan County – Panlong Ancient Road – Kashgar Old Town. Visit the Panlong Ancient Road to experience its unique natural scenery, and then proceed to Kashgar Old Town to experience the charm and history of the ancient town.
Day 10: Kashgar Old Town. Spend an extra day in Kashgar Old Town to slowly feel the local cultural atmosphere. You can visit attractions such as Xiangfei Garden.
This route covers multiple essence attractions in southern Xinjiang, including natural scenery, historical culture, and ethnic customs, allowing you to fully experience the charm of southern Xinjiang. Of course, according to your interests and time, you can also adjust the itinerary appropriately and choose a travel route that suits you better.