Recommended southern Xinjiang travel itineraries for May are as follows:
In-depth southern Xinjiang itinerary:
D1: Airport/train station pick-up in Urumqi, free activities, explore downtown Urumqi.
D2: Depart from Urumqi, visit Lop Nur Village, then head to Korla.
D3: Depart from Korla, visit Huyang Forest in Luntai, then head to Kuqa.
D4: Depart from Kuqa, visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and Wensu Grand Canyon, then head to Aksu.
D5: Depart from Aksu, visit Kashgar Old Town and the Century-old Teahouse, then stay in Kashgar.
D6: Depart from Kashgar, visit Baisha Lake Scenic Area and Jincaotan Stone City, then head to Taxkorgan County.
D7: Depart from Taxkorgan County, visit the盘龙古道 (Winding Ancient Road) and Karakul Lake, then return to Kashgar.
D8: Transfer to the airport/train station in Kashgar, end of itinerary
This itinerary covers the living experience of Xinjiang’s ethnic minorities in Kashgar Old City and Lop Nur Village, the historical and cultural exploration of Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and Jincaotan Stone City, as well as the appreciation of natural scenery at Baisha Lake, Huyang Forest in Luntai, Wensu Grand Canyon, and Karakul Lake.
5-day, 4-night southern Xinjiang itinerary:
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi to Turpan, enjoy the scenery of the Gobi Desert along the way, and visit Grape Valley at the foot of Flaming Mountain in Turpan in the evening.
Day 2: Depart from Turpan to Kashgar, passing by the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, and take an evening stroll in Kashgar Old City.
Day 3: Depart from Kashgar to the Pamir Plateau, passing by Karakul Lake, and arrive at Baisha Lake in the evening.
Day 4: Depart from the Pamir Plateau, follow the ancient Silk Road route, head towards Korla, and visit the Iron Gate Pass in the evening.
Day 5: After exploring the surroundings of Korla, return to Urumqi
This route is time-compressed, but it still allows visitors to appreciate the diverse scenery and unique culture of southern Xinjiang.
Both of these routes are suitable for a May travel plan in southern Xinjiang, and can be chosen based on personal preferences and schedule. Southern Xinjiang boasts diverse scenery, including magnificent natural landscapes and rich historical culture, which will surely provide tourists with an unforgettable travel experience.