Travel Guide to Southern Xinjiang in Early December: Explore the Mystery and Beauty of Xinjiang
In early December, although the weather in southern Xinjiang is cold, the scenery is unique, making it an excellent time to explore the history and natural scenery of Xinjiang. Here is a detailed southern Xinjiang travel guide to help you easily plan your trip to southern Xinjiang.
I. Itinerary Planning
The attractions in southern Xinjiang are widely distributed, so it is recommended to plan a reasonable itinerary to fully appreciate the charm of southern Xinjiang. Here is a recommended 10-day, 9-night itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, check into the hotel after being picked up, and in the evening, you can visit the International Bazaar’s night market to taste Xinjiang’s specialty foods such as kebabs and mutton hand-seized rice.
Day 2: Urumqi → Salt Lake → Tuyugou Mazhavillage → Turpan. The winter scenery of Salt Lake is known as the "mirror of the sky" in southern Xinjiang, while Tuyugou Mazhavillage is an ancient Uyghur village full of mystery.
Day 3: Turpan → Lop Nur Village → Korla. Lop Nur Village is located on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, where you can experience the intertwined beauty of the desert and Populus euphratica forests.
Day 4: Korla → Tarim Populus euphratica Forest → Kuqa王府 (王府 is a mansion or palace) → Restan Street. The golden and upright Populus euphratica trees in the Tarim Populus euphratica Forest form a sharp contrast with the desert, while Kuqa王府 witnesses the history and culture of southern Xinjiang.
Day 5: Kuqa → 139 Populus euphratica Secret Road → Desert Gate → Wensu. The 139 Populus euphratica Secret Road passes through golden Populus euphratica forests, as if leading to a secret realm.
Subsequent itineraries can include attractions such as Kashi’s Colorful Yadan Landform, the intersection of the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains, Shell Mountain, Smhnha Village, as well as natural and cultural landscapes such as the Mustag Atag Glacier Park, Tahman Wetland, Golden Grass Beach, and Stone City.
II. Weather and Dressing Suggestions
The average temperature in December ranges from -7°C to 7°C, with a large diurnal temperature variation.
During the day, it is recommended to wear warm clothing such as down jackets, paired with hats and gloves; at night, you can choose a lightweight coat.
III. Travel Tips
The distances between attractions in southern Xinjiang are relatively far, and long-distance driving may cause fatigue, so please be prepared and rest when necessary.
There is a two-hour time difference between Xinjiang and the mainland, so meal times may be later than in the mainland, such as lunch at 2 pm and dinner at 8 pm.
In the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County area, please carry your ID card and border defense certificate and ensure they are kept safe at all times.
The climate in southern Xinjiang is dry and windy, so it is recommended to drink more water and carry lip balm to prevent dryness.
The Pamir Plateau has a high altitude and strong ultraviolet rays, so please take sunscreen measures.
IV. Recommended Must-visit Attractions
Kashi Old Town: A historic town with strong Uyghur flavor, it is illuminated by lights at night, as if traveling through thousands of years.
Baisha Lake: The lake water is clear like a mirror, with majestic snow-capped mountains in the distance, creating a serene and dreamy scene.
Wensu Grand Canyon: The strong contrast between the red Danxia landform and the snow creates a stunning beauty in winter.
Panlong Ancient Road: A masterpiece created by nature, the winding mountain road is breathtaking.
Through the above guide, I believe you now have a detailed understanding of southern Xinjiang tourism in early December. The mystery and beauty of southern Xinjiang await your exploration. Wish you a pleasant journey!