The classic 13-day itinerary recommendation for Xinjiang is as follows:**
Day 1: Various places – Urumqi. Upon arrival, you can engage in free activities and feel the charm of this city.
Day 2: Urumqi – S101 – Kangjiashimenzi – Hundred-Mile Danxia – Kuitun. Begin your journey to the beautiful sceneries of Xinjiang and admire the spectacular Danxia landforms.
Day 3: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Yining. Visit Sayram Lake, known as the ‘Last Tear of the Atlantic’, and feel its lakeside scenery.
Day 4: Yining – Zhaosu Jade Lake – Zhaosu Rapeseed Field – Zhaosu. Admire the beautiful Jade Lake and rapeseed fields, and experience the natural scenery of Zhaosu.
Day 5: Zhaosu – East and West Karajun Grassland – Tekes Lilijie – Gongliu. Visit Karajun Grassland and feel its vastness and grandeur.
Day 6: Gongliu – Tangbula Grassland – Nalati/Xinyuan County. Head to Tangbula Grassland to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Nalati Grassland.
Day 7: Nalati/Xinyuan – Nalati Grassland – Bayanbulak’s Nine-Curve, Eighteen-Bend River – Bayanbulak Town/Nalati Town. Venture deep into Nalati Grassland and admire the sunset over Bayanbulak’s Nine-Curve, Eighteen-Bend River.
Day 8: Bayanbulak – Southern Section of the Duku Highway – Mysterious Tian Shan Grand Canyon – Kuqa. Traverse the Duku Highway and explore the mysteries of the Mysterious Tian Shan Grand Canyon.
Day 9: Kuqa – Wensu Grand Canyon – Aksu. Head to Wensu Grand Canyon to experience its steepness and grandeur.
Day 10: Aksu – Kashgar Old Town – Id Kah Mosque – Kashgar. Step into Kashgar Old Town and feel the rich Uyghur culture.
Day 11: Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Taxkorgan County. Visit the beautiful Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, and proceed to Taxkorgan County to experience the plateau scenery.
Day 12: Taxkorgan County – Pamir Plateau – Golden Grassland – Stone City -盘龙 Gully – Kashgar. Admire the Golden Grassland and Stone City on the Pamir Plateau, and experience the twists and turns and the magnificent beauty of 盘龙 Gully.
Day 13: Kashgar – Return trip. End your delightful journey in Xinjiang and return to your cozy home.
This route covers the essence of attractions in both southern and northern Xinjiang, including various natural landscapes such as mountains, lakes, forests, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and valleys. It is an unforgettable trip to Xinjiang.
. Of course, the specific itinerary can still be adjusted according to personal interests and actual situations.