Travel Guide to Southern Xinjiang from Kuqa
I. Itinerary Planning
Starting from Kuqa, you can plan a wonderful travel route for your trip to southern Xinjiang. Here is a suggested itinerary:
Kuqa
Visit Kuqa王府 (王府 is a palace or mansion) to experience the leisurely life of the prince and watch ethnic performances.
Visit Kuqa Old Town to feel its historical and cultural atmosphere.
Aksu
Depart from Kuqa to Aksu (about 460 kilometers).
Taste Aksu’s specialty cuisine, such as delicious sheep bones.
You can choose to visit Wensu Grand Canyon.
Kashgar
Continue to Kashgar from Aksu.
Stroll around Kashgar Old Town to feel its strong ethnic characteristics.
Visit the century-old teahouse in the afternoon to enjoy tea, listen to songs, and watch local people dance.
Stroll around Khan Bazaar at night and taste local cuisine.
You can also visit Etizhar Mosque and Kashgar Old Town.
Taxkorgan County
Depart from Kashgar and head to Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Tahman Wetland, overnight stay in Taxkorgan County.
Continue exploring Taxkorgan County, visiting scenic spots such as Bandier Lake, Panlong Ancient Road, and Wakhan Corridor.
Return to Kashgar and disperse.
After visiting the Golden Grass Beach Stone City and the Aoyitake Glacier, return to Kashgar and end the trip.
II. Food Recommendations
Aksu sheep bones: rich in marrow, excellent taste
Kashgar cuisine: You can taste various local specialties such as whole roasted sheep and hand-grabbed rice at Khan Bazaar in Kashgar.
III. Precautions
Adaptation to time difference: There is a time difference between southern Xinjiang and the mainland, so pay attention to adjusting your schedule when you first arrive.
Ethnic customs: Respect local ethnic customs and religious beliefs to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Safe travel: Pay attention to driving safety and abide by traffic rules when self-driving.
Sunscreen and cold protection: Southern Xinjiang has strong sunshine and large temperature differences between day and night, so sunscreen and cold protection measures are necessary.
Through the above itinerary planning and precautions, I believe you can gain a lot of happiness and wonderful memories on your trip to southern Xinjiang!