The October travel guide to southern Xinjiang mainly covers must-visit attractions, recommended itineraries, and precautions.?
I. Must-visit Attractions?
Kashgar Old Town: Experience the rich history of a thousand years and authentic Xinjiang culture. You haven’t truly been to Xinjiang until you’ve visited Kashgar.?
Baisha Lake: With white sand like snow and a mirror-like lake, it complements the Muztagh Ata Mountain, making it an excellent spot for photos.?
Tahman Wetland: Known as the Golden Pasture, it is a hidden paradise among snowy mountains and lakes, with enchanting natural scenery.?
Glacier Park: At an altitude of up to 7745 meters, it is snow-covered all year round and boasts magnificent scenery.?
Bandir Blue Lake: The sapphire on the Pamir Plateau, with lake water colors changing with the light, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.?
Lop Nur Village: It integrates natural landscapes such as desert, Tarim River, Populus Euphratica forest, and lakes, as well as folk customs, making it one of the most worthwhile attractions in southern Xinjiang.?
In addition, Wensu Grand Canyon, Bachu Red Sea Bay Scenic Area, Hotan Night Market, Muji Crater on the Pamir Plateau, Panlong Ancient Road, and other attractions are also worth visiting.?
II. Recommended Itinerary?
5-day cultural tour of southern Xinjiang:?
D1: Departure – Kashgar (Airport Pickup)?
D2: Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Stone City – Tahman Wetland – Taxkorgan County?
D3: Taxkorgan County – Panlong Ancient Road – Bandir Lake – Muji Crater – Taxkorgan County?
D4: Taxkorgan County – Tree Hole Highway – Glacier Park – Kashgar Old Town?
D5: Kashgar – Departure (Airport Transfer)?
Complete 9-day travel guide to southern Xinjiang:?
DAY1: Departure – Urumqi?
DAY2: Urumqi – Bosten Lake – Korla?
DAY3: Korla – Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest – Kuqa?
DAY4: Kuqa – Tianshan Mysterious Canyon – Alar?
DAY5: Alar – Yotgan Ancient City – Hotan?
DAY6: Hotan – Yarkand King’s Tomb – Twelve Muqam Performance – Yarkand?
DAY7: Yarkand – Kashgar Old Town – Kashgar?
DAY8: Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Taxkorgan County?
DAY9: Taxkorgan County – Panlong Highway – Kashgar (Dismissal)?
III. Precautions?
It is recommended to arrive in Kashgar, as Kashgar Airport is the main airport in southern Xinjiang with convenient transportation.?
Southern Xinjiang is very safe, but security checks are required when entering and exiting ancient cities, bags need to be stored when visiting museums, and ID must be shown when refueling.?
The attractions in southern Xinjiang are relatively far apart, so it is recommended to rent a car or join a local pure-play small group for more flexible sightseeing.?
To visit Taxkorgan County, you need to apply for a border defense certificate in advance, which can be done at the Kashgar International Self-driving Car and Landlord Center.?
Southern Xinjiang is at a higher altitude, so be aware of altitude sickness and make corresponding health preparations.?
I hope this October travel guide to southern Xinjiang can provide useful information for your trip.?