Travel in Southern Xinjiang, Southern Xinjiang Travel Routes, Photography in Southern Xinjiang in Mid-Autumn October
Southern Xinjiang is vast in territory and boasts numerous scenic spots, covering an area larger than northern Xinjiang. It is said that “One has not truly been to Xinjiang until they have visited Kashgar, and one does not know the mystery of Xinjiang until they have been to Hotan.” Southern Xinjiang is dominated by the Tarim Basin, with the Tianshan Mountains to the north, the Kunlun Mountains to the south, and the Pamir Plateau to the west. The basin contains the Taklamakan Desert. Those seeking a relaxed trip can join a tour group, while travelers who wish to challenge themselves can choose to travel freely.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456
Pamir Plateau Grassland Scenery in Kashgar Prefecture
In addition to its unique natural scenery, southern Xinjiang boasts fascinating religious culture and historical humanities, presenting a myriad of customs and traditions. The integration of more than a dozen ethnic groups contributes to the richness and depth of southern Xinjiang. The human culture and folklore here are very different from other parts of China that you may be familiar with.
China’s Largest Inland Freshwater Lake – Bosten Lake Scenic Area (5A Scenic Area)
Anciently known as West Sea and Dunhongpu, Bosten Lake is a fault-formed lake located in the southeast of the Yanqi Basin, between the counties of Hetian and Bohu. With a lake surface elevation of 1,048 meters, it serves as the terminal of the Kaitun River and the source of the Kongque River, functioning as a natural large-scale regulating reservoir. The water area is vast and misty; in the small southwestern lake area, the river channels wind their way through reed-fringed landscapes where lotus flowers bloom, birds chirp, and fish leap, presenting a scenery reminiscent of the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River, hence its reputation as the “Pearl of the Western Frontier”.
China’s largest poplar forest park: Jinhuyang Scenic Area (5A Scenic Area)
Located on the west side of Zepu County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, close to the Yarkand River, it is a desert oasis with beautiful surroundings. It is best known for its natural poplar forest covering tens of thousands of mu. A beautiful garden lakescape has been built around the lake and trees in the oasis, with enchanting scenery, making it one of the most famous scenic areas in Kashgar.
Every autumn, the golden poplar leaves cover an area of ten thousand hectares, creating a spectacular scene. The fallen yellow leaves on the ground and the Yarkand River form the most beautiful golden yellow landscape.
Kashgar Old Town Scenic Area (5A Scenic Area)
China’s largest desert: the Taklamakan Desert
One of China’s five most beautiful deserts, located in the southern Tarim Basin in Xinjiang. The entire desert stretches about 1,000 kilometers east to west and more than 400 kilometers north to south, making it the largest desert in China and second only to the Sahara Desert. Hence, it is known as the “Taklamakan Desert”, and it is also the world’s second-largest shifting desert with the largest area of drifting sand.
Bayinbrook Grassland
Rated by Chinese National Geography as one of China’s six most beautiful marsh wetlands. Here, the vast and lush green grasslands are endless and enchanting. Bayinbrook is located in the mountainous basin in the middle of the Tianshan Mountains, northwest of Hejing County, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
The scenic grasslands of the Pamir Plateau, the sanctuary of mountains
The Pamir Plateau is a place where the ancient Silk Road passed. “Pamir” is the Tajik word for “roof of the world”. The plateau, with an altitude ranging from 4,000 meters to 7,700 meters, boasts many peaks. The Pamir Plateau was known as “Congling” (Scallion Ridge) as early as the Han Dynasty in China, named for the wild scallions or verdant cliffs.
World Heritage Site: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves
One of the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in China, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves enjoys the reputation of being one of China’s “Four Great Grottoes”. Among them, more than 80 caves preserve murals, with a total mural area of about 10,000 square meters. It is the earliest and westernmost large-scale grotto group in China, probably excavated in the 3rd century AD and gradually ceased construction in the 8th to 9th centuries AD. Its long duration is unique in the world.
Southern Xinjiang tourism encompasses the unique mountains, snow-capped peaks, and glacial landforms of the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, the Kunlun Mountains, the Tianshan Mountains, the alluvial plains, oasis, grasslands, mountains, rivers, and lakes of the Altyn Mountains, as well as seasonal landscapes with strangely changing colors, such as the autumn hues of the poplar trees in late autumn, the striking contrast of snow and desert in deep winter, and the primitive forests and vast green grasslands of the Yili River Valley in central Tianshan Mountains in summer. Choosing to travel in Southern Xinjiang offers a richer diversity, originality, and connotation, and the insights gained during the journey can be truly soul-stirring.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456