The 18-day Western Extreme Grand Circle tour of Xinjiang is an excellent experience for deeply exploring the natural and cultural landscapes of Xinjiang. This route covers many famous attractions in Xinjiang, from Tianchi in the northern Xinjiang to the Old Town of Kashgar in the southern Xinjiang, with surprises throughout the journey. Here is a detailed itinerary planning suggestion:?
Itinerary Overview:?
D1: Depart from Urumqi, visit Tianchi, and stay overnight in Fukang.?
D2: Depart from Fukang, passing through Colorful City and Huoshao Mountain, and arrive in Fuyun.?
D3: Explore Koktokay in Fuyun and stay overnight in Burqin.?
D4-D5: Depart from Burqin, visit Baihaba, Kanas, and Hemu, staying overnight in Kanas and Hemu, respectively.?
D6: Depart from Hemu, pass through Colorful Beach and Karamay, and stay overnight in Kuitun.?
D7: Depart from Kuitun, circumnavigate Sayram Lake, pass through Guozigou Bridge, and stay overnight in Qingshuihe. In the following days, you will pass through Tekes, Gongliu, Nalati, and other places.?
D11-D12: Visit Swan Lake, Nine-Bend Eighteen-Bay, Bayanbulak, and the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, staying overnight in Kuqa.?
D13: Depart from Kuqa, visit Aksu Shenmu Garden, and stay overnight in Aksu.?
D14-D15: Head to Kashgar for a one-day tour of the city, including Xiangfei Tomb and Gaotai Residential Area.?
D16-D18: Depart from Kashgar, passing through Hotan and Minfeng, crossing the desert highway to Turpan, and finally visiting Kanerjing and Flaming Mountain before returning to Urumqi.?
Travel Tips:?
Clothing Preparation: Due to the large temperature difference between northern and southern Xinjiang, it is recommended to adopt layered clothing (onion-style dressing) for easy putting on and taking off. For example, you may need a down jacket when watching the sunrise at Sayram Lake, while in Kashgar, you may only need short sleeves and shorts.?
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent: Xinjiang has intense sunshine, so be sure to bring sunscreen lotion, sunscreen spray, and other sun protection products. At the same time, insect repellent spray is also essential, especially in grasslands and mountainous areas.?
Medicine Preparation: It is recommended to bring common medicines such as cold medicine and stomach medicine. Xinjiang’s diet may be different from what you are used to, so stomach medicine is especially important.?
Car Rental and Accommodation: Renting a car is a good choice for self-driving in Xinjiang, but car rental and accommodation costs may be higher during peak seasons. It is recommended to book in advance and choose cost-effective accommodations.?
Food Exploration: Xinjiang’s cuisine is rich and diverse, from kebabs to hand-grabbed rice, from laghman noodles to naan bread, all worth trying. When taking a taxi locally, you can ask the driver or local friends if they have any recommended restaurants.?
Precautions:?
When self-driving in Xinjiang, be sure to abide by traffic rules and pay attention to driving safety. Especially in mountainous and grassland areas, road conditions may be more complex.?
Protect the environment and do not litter. Xinjiang’s natural scenery is too beautiful to behold and requires our joint efforts to maintain it.?
Through this 18-day Western Extreme Grand Circle tour, you will be able to deeply experience the magnificent scenery and unique culture of Xinjiang. May your journey in Xinjiang be filled with laughter and wonderful memories!?