The Grand Circle Route across southern and northern Xinjiang travel guide mainly includes two parts: itinerary planning and must-visit attractions.?
I. Itinerary Planning?
The Grand Circle Route across southern and northern Xinjiang is an excellent journey to deeply explore the natural and cultural scenery of Xinjiang. A typical itinerary for the Grand Circle Route across southern and northern Xinjiang may be as follows:?
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, free activities, adjust to the environment.?
Days 2-3: Depart from Urumqi, visit famous northern Xinjiang attractions such as Colorful Beach and Kanas, and feel the grandeur of nature.?
Days 4-5: Continue your northern Xinjiang trip, explore Hemu Village, experience local customs, and visit the World’s Devil City, among others.?
Days 6-7: Head to Sayram Lake to feel the tranquility of the plateau lake, and then visit Lavender Garden, Yizhao Highway, and more.?
Days 8-9: Enter southern Xinjiang, visit Qiongkushitai and Karakjun Grasslands, and experience the grassland scenery of southern Xinjiang.?
Days 10-11: Proceed along the Duku Highway, admire the beauty of Nalati Grasslands and Bayinbuluke Grasslands, and then head to the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan, among others.?
Days 12-15: Delve into southern Xinjiang, visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Wensu Grand Canyon, Kashgar Old Town, and more, to experience the remnants of the Silk Road.?
Days 16-20: Visit famous southern Xinjiang attractions such as Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Tahman Wetland, and Mount Muztagh, and finally return to Urumqi to end the trip.?
II. Must-Visit Attractions?
There are many worthwhile attractions along the Grand Circle Route across southern and northern Xinjiang.?
Kanas Lake Scenic Area: Located in the Altay Mountains, the lake is clear and the scenery is enchanting, making it one of Xinjiang’s landmark attractions.?
Sayram Lake: A plateau lake with azure waters reflecting the surrounding snow-capped mountains, it is a paradise for photographers.?
Duku Highway: Known as the "Most Beautiful Highway in Tianshan", it offers scenic views of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, canyons, forests, and more along the way, making it a pinnacle of self-driving in Xinjiang.?
Kashgar Old Town: A historic and cultural city in southern Xinjiang, the old town preserves a large number of traditional Uyghur houses and handicraft workshops, making it a great place to understand southern Xinjiang’s culture.?
In addition, there are numerous attractions such as Hemu Village, the World’s Devil City, Nalati Grasslands, Bayinbuluke Grasslands, Taklamakan Desert, and more, each with its unique charm, worth exploring by tourists.?
When planning the Grand Circle Route trip across southern and northern Xinjiang, it is recommended to make appropriate adjustments based on your time and interests to ensure a pleasant and fulfilling journey.?