The travel guide for southern Xinjiang mainly includes the best travel time, essential luggage checklist, recommended itineraries, and special attractions.
1. Best Travel Time
The best travel time for southern Xinjiang is mainly from May to October, especially from September to October, when the autumn scenery in southern Xinjiang is enchanting and a great time for photography and sightseeing.
2. Essential Luggage Checklist
Documents: ID card, driver’s license, student ID card, etc.
Clothing: Prepare comfortable clothing according to the weather forecast, and bring a bright-colored dress for photo-taking.
Sunscreen Items: Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, ice sleeves, etc.
Electrical Appliances: Camera, power bank, selfie stick, etc.
3. Recommended Itineraries
Below is a 6- to 10-day loop travel guide for southern Xinjiang for your reference.
6-day Loop Route: Departing from Urumqi and ending in Kashgar, exploring glaciers, strolling through Kashgar Old Town, enjoying the scenery of the Pamir Plateau, admiring autumn胡杨 (Populus euphratica) trees, etc.
Detailed Itinerary (e.g., 9-day tour): Departing from Urumqi, passing through Turpan, Bosten Lake, Korla, Lop Nur Village, Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Wensu Grand Canyon, Aksu, Kashgar Old Town, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Taxkorgan County, Panlong Ancient Road, Bandier Blue Lake, Muztagh Glacier Park, etc., and eventually returning to Kashgar or continuing other itineraries.
4. Special Attractions
Kashgar Old Town: Feel the historical charm and unique flavor of the ancient town.
Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake: Enjoy the lake scenery and mountains, and take in a distant view of Mount Muztagh.
Panlong Ancient Road and Bandier Blue Lake: Experience the magnificent scenery and mysterious atmosphere of southern Xinjiang.
Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon: Experience the historical origins and desolate atmosphere of ancient Kucha Kingdom.
Muztagh Glacier Park: Admire the wonders of glaciers and feel the awesome power of nature.
In addition, there are many other attractions worth visiting in southern Xinjiang, such as the Kuche王府 (王府, manor house), Shache王府, Hetian Night Market, etc. You can choose according to your interests and time.
