The travel guide for a trip to southern Xinjiang mainly includes key points such as modes of transportation, the best travel time, itinerary planning, and essential items.
I. Modes of Transportation
Transportation in southern Xinjiang is convenient. Tourists can choose to go by plane, train, bus, chartered/carpooling service, or self-driving. Among them, planes are the fastest mode of transportation, but there are fewer direct flights to Kashgar and ticket prices are slightly higher; trains provide a comfortable overnight sleep experience, departing from Urumqi and arriving in Kashgar early the next morning; although buses are cheaper, comfort may not match other modes; chartered/carpooling services offer high freedom but are slightly more expensive; self-driving is suitable for tourists familiar with Xinjiang’s road conditions.
II. Best Travel Time
Southern Xinjiang has four distinct seasons, and each season has its unique scenery and experiences. From March to April, it is suitable to go to southern Xinjiang to enjoy romantic apricot blossoms; from May to June, it is suitable to see the isolated desert smoke; July to September is the fruit feast, where you can indulge in the fruits of southern Xinjiang; from October to November, it is suitable to visit the spectacular autumn胡杨林 scenery; and from December to February, it is suitable to go to the ancient city of Kashgar for photo shoots and enjoy the slow life of the ancient city.
III. Itinerary Planning
A trip to southern Xinjiang can be planned as a 10-day tour or a 6-day loop tour. Taking the 10-day tour as an example, it can cover the essential destinations of southern Xinjiang such as Urumqi, Turpan, Kuqa, Kashgar, and Taxkorgan, fully experiencing the magnificent natural scenery and profound cultural heritage of Xinjiang.
. For a 6-day loop tour, it is recommended to depart from Urumqi and pass through Kashgar, where you can explore glaciers, stroll through the ancient city of Kashgar, and admire the scenery of the Pamir Plateau.
IV. Essential Items
Items to prepare for a trip to southern Xinjiang include documents (ID card, driver’s license, etc.), clothing (comfortable clothing according to the weather forecast, and a bright dress for photo-taking), sunscreen products (wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, etc.), electrical appliances (camera, power bank, etc.), and outdoor equipment (such as sports shoes, hiking shoes, etc.). Additionally, it is necessary to pay attention to bringing items such as a vacuum flask, sunscreen lotion, and lip balm to cope with southern Xinjiang’s dry climate and strong ultraviolet rays.
In summary, a trip to southern Xinjiang is a charming travel experience. Tourists can choose suitable transportation, plan their itinerary, and prepare necessary items according to their time and preferences. During the trip, it’s worth taking a look out of the window; the scenery along the way is equally beautiful.