Southern Xinjiang is a tourist destination full of exotic charm and natural scenery. The following is a detailed introduction to traveling in southern Xinjiang:?
I. Main Attractions?
Kashgar Old Town: Reputed as the ‘most exotic’ ancient town, wandering through it feels like being in Central Asia, experiencing the rich Central Asian atmosphere. The residential buildings within the ancient town are among the largest earth architecture groups in the world, integrating the remnants of Han and Tang dynasties, ancient Roman styles, and the characteristics of modern Uyghur life.?
Mount Mushtag and Karakul Lake: Mount Mushtag has the Mushtag Glacier known as the ‘Father of Glaciers’, while Karakul Lake is located at the foot of Mount Mushtag, resembling a lake with blue tears, beautiful enough to captivate one’s heart.?
Baisha Lake: Half is white sand and half is lake. The romance of the Pamir Plateau is fully embodied here.?
Panlong Ancient Road: It is said that there are over 600 turns here. It has become a popular destination due to the road sign that reads, ‘Having taken all the detours in life today, from now on, life will be smooth sailing’.?
Huyang Forest in Luntai: This is where 90% of the world’s Huyang forests are located, with over 400,000 mu (about 66,667 hectares) of Huyang forest, making it the largest Huyang forest in the world.?
II. Tourist Routes?
There are diverse tourist routes in southern Xinjiang, which can be selected based on personal time and preferences. For example:?
3-day tour of southern Xinjiang: Starting from Kashgar, visit Baisha Lake, Wakhan Corridor, Bandir Lake, Panlong Ancient Road, Golden Sand Beach, Stone City, and other places.?
5-day tour of southern Xinjiang: Based on the 3-day tour, add visits to the Shache Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, Shache Old Town, Yingjisha Knife Village, Pottery Village, and other places.?
8-day in-depth tour of southern Xinjiang: Starting from Urumqi, passing through Lop Nor Village, Huyang Forest in Luntai, Kuqa, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Kuqa Grand Canyon, Hetian Night Market, Kashgar Old Town, and other places, finally returning to Urumqi to experience the deserts, ancient cities, and stunning scenery of southern Xinjiang.?
III. Special Experiences?
In addition to admiring the natural scenery and cultural landscapes, you can also taste local cuisine such as roast whole sheep, hand-grabbed rice, and mutton skewers to experience the rich ethnic customs and hospitality of the local people in southern Xinjiang.?
In summary, southern Xinjiang is a charming tourist destination that is worth visiting for both its natural scenery and cultural landscapes. When planning a trip to southern Xinjiang, you can choose suitable routes and attractions based on your time and preferences to enjoy an unforgettable travel experience.?