Recommended 15-day travel itinerary for southern Xinjiang in September is as follows:
From Day 1 to Day 3:
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, adjust to the time difference, rest, and prepare for the upcoming trip.
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi and head to Sayram Lake to admire the lakeside scenery.
Day 3: Visit the Lavender Manor to feel the purple romance, and then proceed to Tekes.
From Day 4 to Day 6:
Day 4: Depart from Tekes and visit Qiongkushitai to experience the local customs.
Day 5: Head to Karajun for a visit, and then return to Tekes.
Day 6: Depart from Tekes and head to Nalati Grassland to enjoy the vastness and beauty of the grassland.
From Day 7 to Day 9:
Day 7: Depart from Nalati and head to Bayanbulak to admire the magnificent sunset.
Day 8: Follow the southern section of the Duku Highway to Kuqa, experiencing this international highway known as the “most beautiful, most dangerous, and most expensive”.
Day 9: Depart from Kuqa, visit the Desert Highway to feel the grandeur of the desert, and then head to Hotan.
From Day 10 to Day 12:
Day 10: Visit the Walnut King and Yulong River in Hotan, and then proceed to Yecheng.
Day 11: Depart from Yecheng and head to Kashgar, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.
Day 12: Depart from Kashgar, visit Kalakuli Lake to admire the beauty of the snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake, and then head to Taxkorgan County.
From Day 13 to Day 15:
Day 13: Visit Stone City in Taxkorgan County to feel the vicissitudes of history, and then return to Kashgar.
Day 14: Visit Kashgar city to experience the local folk culture, and then return to Urumqi.
Day 15: End the trip in Urumqi. Depending on personal arrangements, you can choose to continue exploring other parts of Xinjiang or return home.
In addition, there are many must-visit attractions in southern Xinjiang, such as the Populus euphratica Forest along the Tarim River, Lop Nur Village, and the Karakoram Highway.
. In September, during the golden autumn season, the scenery of southern Xinjiang is breathtaking, whether it is natural scenery or cultural landscapes, they are all worth visiting. Meanwhile, it is also very important to prepare suitable clothing according to the weather conditions.