The main reasons for the lack of a large number of tour groups visiting southern Xinjiang include its vast territory, inconvenient transportation, long travel time, as well as weather and terrain factors.?
Southern Xinjiang is vast, and the distances between scenic spots are far: Xinjiang itself is a vast territory, and the distances between scenic spots in southern Xinjiang are particularly remote. This makes a trip to southern Xinjiang require a significant amount of time on the road. The southern Xinjiang loop route starting from Urumqi covers at least 3,500 kilometers and takes at least ten days to complete, which is unrealistic for most tourists.?
Limitations of transportation modes: The best way to travel in Xinjiang is through self-driving tours or chartered cars, both of which require tourists to have sufficient time and money. It is basically impossible to take a bus tour organized by a travel agency to visit the southern Xinjiang loop route, as bus tours cannot meet the time and flexibility requirements for a trip to southern Xinjiang.?
Weather and terrain factors: The terrain of southern Xinjiang is mainly composed of the Kunlun Mountains and the Tianshan Mountains, with the Tarim Basin in between. The Tarim River runs through it, and the Taklamakan Desert is also located in this area. During the peak tourist season in summer, the wind and sand in southern Xinjiang are relatively strong, which can affect tourists’ travel experience. Furthermore, some areas in southern Xinjiang have higher altitudes, which may also pose issues such as altitude sickness, increasing the risk of travel.?
Considerations for travel agency itinerary arrangements: Due to the aforementioned factors, travel agencies tend to prefer arranging itineraries in northern Xinjiang, as the scenery there is equally beautiful and relatively more concentrated compared to southern Xinjiang, making it easier to arrange itineraries. Additionally, tourism in northern Xinjiang is relatively more developed and can better meet the needs of tourists.?
In summary, the lack of a large number of tour groups visiting southern Xinjiang is mainly due to the limitations of various factors such as geography, transportation, weather, and terrain. However, southern Xinjiang also boasts stunning scenery, culture, and cuisine. For interested tourists, they can choose more flexible ways such as self-driving tours or chartered cars to experience it.?