Recommended must-visit attractions for southern Xinjiang tourism:
Kashgar Old Town: Known as the ‘most exotic’ old town, it feels like being in Central Asia. The old town is divided into east and west districts. The east district has a strong commercial atmosphere, suitable for taking photos and checking in, and the opening ceremony is a must-see; the west district has a rich cultural atmosphere, which you can savor slowly. Rainbow stairs and Gaotai Residential Area are great places for taking photos, and there are also special attractions such as the hanging gardens. The cuisine within the old town is also worth trying, such as baked stuffed buns and缸子肉 (a type of stewed meat).
Wensu Grand Canyon: It boasts Danxia geological wonders and China’s largest rock salt karst geological scenery. Driving through the canyon is very impressive, but safety should be taken into consideration. The admission fee is 36 yuan per person, and there is an additional vehicle fee for self-driving. The wooden plank road from Valley 4 to Valley 3 is the highlight, perfect for taking photos, and you can also see snow-capped mountains.
Panlong Ancient Road: This ancient road winds like a huge dragon and is a paradise for self-driving enthusiasts. There are over 600 turns along the way, but the scenery is definitely worth it. Dragon’s Head Viewing Platform and Sleeves of Water Viewing Platform are great places for taking photos. The plateau is at a high altitude, so remember to prepare motion sickness medication and oxygen tanks in advance.
Baisha Lake: The pearl of the Pamir Plateau, the color of the lake water changes with the seasons, beautiful and healing. There are many places by the lake where you can take photos, such as the wetland transition area, where you can capture wetlands, lawns, lake water, and distant mountains, creating a rich sense of hierarchy. No admission fee, and the visit takes about 2 hours.
Mount Mushtag: It has the Mushtag Glacier, known as the ‘Father of Glaciers’, which is the cradle of mountaineering sports. There is also a romantic love story in legend.
In addition, southern Xinjiang also has many scenic spots worth visiting, such as the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, Lop Nur Populus Euphratica Forest, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, and Bosten Lake. The recommended travel time is about 7 days, and the best travel seasons are summer and autumn.
. During the trip, please pay attention to safety and respect the local customs and habits.
