For a 6-day trip from Urumqi, Xinjiang, to southern Xinjiang, you can choose the classic route crossing the Duku Highway or the in-depth Southern Xinjiang Loop Route.
Classic Route Crossing the Duku Highway:
Day 1: Urumqi – Northern Section of the Duku Highway – Nalati Town. Departing from Urumqi, follow the northern section of the Duku Highway to admire the fantastic scenery of ‘four seasons in one day, different skies every ten li’, and finally arrive in Nalati Town.
Day 2: Nalati – Southern Section of the Duku Highway – Big and Small Dragon Lakes – Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon – Kuqa. Continue along the southern section of the Duku Highway, visit Big and Small Dragon Lakes and Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon to feel the awesome power of nature, and arrive in Kuqa in the evening.
Day 3: Kuqa – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Wensu Grand Canyon – Aksu. Visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves to learn about the history and culture of the Silk Road, then proceed to Wensu Grand Canyon to admire the spectacular canyon scenery, and head to Aksu in the evening.
Day 4: Aksu – Kashgar. Drive to Kashgar and visit Kashgar Old City upon arrival to experience the rich exotic atmosphere.
Day 5: Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Taxkorgan. Departing from Kashgar, visit Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake to enjoy the picturesque lakes, and finally arrive in Taxkorgan.
Day 6: Taxkorgan – Dragon Spiral Highway – Kashgar. Visit the Dragon Spiral Highway to experience the winding mountain road scenery, then return to Kashgar to end the trip.
In-depth Southern Xinjiang Loop Route:
Day 1: Urumqi – Lop Nur Village – Korla. Departing from Urumqi, visit Lop Nur Village to learn about the history and culture of the Lop people, and arrive in Korla in the evening.
Day 2: Korla – Tarim胡杨林 Park (Tarim Poplar Forest Park) – Kuqa. Head to Tarim Poplar Forest Park to admire the magnificent scenery of the poplar forest, then proceed to Kuqa.
Day 3: Kuqa – Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Aksu. Visit the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon and Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves to feel the mystery of nature and the charm of Buddhist culture, then head to Aksu in the evening.
Day 4: Aksu – Kashgar Old Town. Drive to Kashgar and visit Kashgar Old Town to experience the historical charm and exotic atmosphere of the ancient city.
Day 5: Kashgar – Pamir Plateau – Mount Muztagh Ata – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Taxkorgan. Departing from Kashgar, visit the Pamir Plateau, Mount Muztagh Ata, Baisha Lake, and Karakul Lake to enjoy the plateau scenery and picturesque lakes, and finally arrive in Taxkorgan.
Day 6: Taxkorgan – Pamir盘龙古道 (Pamir Dragon Spiral Highway) – Kashgar. Visit the Pamir Dragon Spiral Highway to experience the unique scenery of the mountain road, then return to Kashgar to end the trip.
Both of the above routes cover the main attractions and unique customs of southern Xinjiang. Tourists can choose a suitable route for their trip according to their interests and needs.