Southern Xinjiang: The right way to explore Xinjiang
Sayram Lake: Sayram is a Kazakh word meaning "wish" and is commonly known as "Santai Haizi". The lake is located in Bole City at an altitude of 2073m.
In Southern Xinjiang, you can visit Kashgar. Kashgar Old City is located at No. 10 Yawage Road, Kashgar City, Kashgar Prefecture. People often say that you haven’t truly been to Xinjiang if you haven’t been to Kashgar.
Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves are located on the cliffs of Mingwutage Mountain, 7 kilometers southeast of Kizil Town, Baicheng County, Xinjiang. The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves share the reputation of China’s "Four Great Grottoes" with Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes. They are renowned for Qiuci grotto art and mural art. The grotto group in Xinjiang, also known as the "Second Mogao Grottoes" (with a history over a century earlier than Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and one of the earliest grottoes in China, part of the Silk Road World Heritage), is also an important filming location for the large-scale documentary "Silk Road".
The Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon is located 64 kilometers north of Kuqa County, Xinjiang. With ridges and grooves, it looks picturesque from afar, resembling the "Potala Palace" and celestial pavilions. Up close, it is like a marvel of divine work, with awe-inspiring natural scenery. As the sunset shines and the dawn illuminates the mountains, the view stretches far and wide, with vibrant red hues that resemble the Flame Mountains.
Take a walk with China Strong north and south of the Tianshan Mountains
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| Detailed Itinerary |
2019 Spring Photography Tour of Southern Xinjiang
March 20th – April 3rd, 2019
Day 1
Urumqi
Gather at the designated hotel in Urumqi from various locations.
Accommodation: Urumqi
Day 2
Urumqi – Kuqa County
After breakfast at the hotel, depart and have lunch in Korla City. In the evening, check in at a hotel in Kuqa County, an ancient city of Qiuci, the historical, cultural, political, and economic center of the Western Regions.
Accommodation: Kuqa County
Day 3
Kuqa County – Baicheng County
After breakfast at the hotel, take a look around the王府 and ancient city walls of Kuqa’s old town. Visit Kuqa Grand Mosque before heading straight to Kuqa Grand Canyon, one of China’s top ten most beautiful canyons. The spring water flows gently, appearing and disappearing. When sunlight shines into the canyon, the light and rocks create various colors, blending and mixing. Everything here is colorful and amazing. The folds formed on the mountain due to geological processes are layered and cannot fail to amaze people at the wonders of nature. The Tianshan Stone Forest on the way is also a fascination for photographers.
Accommodation: Baicheng County
Day 4
Baicheng County – Kashgar City
After breakfast in Baicheng County, pass through the Chalqi Yardang landform area and take a few photos whenever you stop. Have lunch in Aksu and then head straight to Kashgar. Arrive in Kashgar City, a famous historical and cultural city in China and the political, economic, and cultural center of southern Xinjiang, around 8 pm, known for the saying "You haven’t truly been to Xinjiang until you’ve been to Kashgar".
Accommodation: Kashgar City
Day 5
Kashgar City
Spend the whole day visiting the old town and other areas in Kashgar City.
Accommodation: Kashgar City
Day 6
Kashgar City
Spend the whole day photographing the streets and alleys of Kashgar: the Central Asia International Bazaar and Kashgar Old Town.
Accommodation: Kashgar City
Day 7
Kashgar City – Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
After breakfast, head towards Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County on the Pamir Plateau. Photograph Kalakul Lake, Kongur Tag, Kongur Tobe, Muztagh Ata, Subashi Daban, and Tahman Grassland along the way.
Accommodation: Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
Day 8
Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
Spend the whole day photographing Tashkurgan Stone City and Aral Golden Grassland.
Accommodation: Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
Day 9
Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
After breakfast in the county town, pass through Bandir.
Accommodation: Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
Day 10
Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County – Akto County
After breakfast, head to Tal Township in Akto County to photograph Tajiks.
Accommodation: Akto County
Day 11
Akto County – Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
Return to the county town hotel in Tashkurgan.
Accommodation: Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
Day 12
Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County – Kashgar City
Photograph Kalakul Lake, Kongur Tag, Kongur Tobe, Muztagh Ata (Father of Ice Mountains), Subashi Daban, and Tahman Grassland again.
Accommodation: Kashgar City
Day 13
Kashgar City – Aksu
After breakfast in Kashgar, head towards Aksu, passing by the Jiashi Yardang landform. Have an early dinner and relax in the hotel, enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
Accommodation: Aksu
Day 14
Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County – Kuqa County
After breakfast, head to the Tomur Grand Canyon in the Wensu County, located on the southern and northern Tianshan Mountains, known for its high aesthetic value among red layer canyons and as the "King of Canyons". The diversity of geological landforms in the Grand Canyon is rarely seen in the world, including canyon landforms, wind erosion landforms, river landforms, tectonic landforms, and rock salt landforms. The canyons are crisscrossed and winding, filled with red cliffs and stone peaks and pillars in various shapes. Based on the time, plan to stay at a hotel in Kuqa County in the evening.
Accommodation: Kuqa County
Day 15
Kuqa County – Urumqi
After breakfast at the hotel in Kuqa, head north. Have lunch in Korla in the afternoon and arrive in Urumqi around 10 pm.
Note: Considering the significant variations in actual weather and seasons, this itinerary is for reference only and is subject to actual arrangements.
Xinjiang Travel Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456