For travel routes from Shanghai to southern Xinjiang, especially self-driving tours, you can choose the following options:
Recommended Route: Shanghai – Yining – Southern Xinjiang Half-Section Duku Adventure Tour.
The specific itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Depart from Shanghai and choose a suitable mode of transportation (such as a combination of airplane or high-speed rail with car rental) to arrive in Yining, and pick up your car at Yining Airport to prepare for your self-driving trip.
Day 2: Depart from Yining and head to Sayram Lake, visit the Guozi Gorge and Lavender Ranch, and return to Yining for accommodation in the evening.
Day 3: Head from Yining to Xiata, visit the Zhaosu Grassland and Jade Lake, and stay at the Xiata Hot Spring Hotel.
In the following days, you can visit Tekes, Qiongkushitai, Kalajun, and other places in sequence, experience unique activities such as hiking in alpine lakes and horseback riding across grasslands, and stay in local specialty hotels or homestays.
Final Stage: You can return to Yining from Tekes after visiting the Koksu Grand Canyon and drive back to Yining, ending your self-driving adventure in southern Xinjiang. If time permits, you can also consider taking a train from Yining to Kashgar to further explore the charm of southern Xinjiang.
In addition, you can also choose to depart from Shanghai and arrive in Urumqi by air or train, and then rent a car or choose a southern Xinjiang tour route provided by a local travel agency. This way, you can conveniently visit the major attractions in southern Xinjiang. However, compared to self-driving, it may lack the freedom and sense of adventure along the way.
This route covers multiple famous attractions and special activities in southern Xinjiang, allowing you to fully experience the natural scenery and cultural charm of southern Xinjiang. When planning your itinerary, please be sure to consider factors such as local weather, road conditions, and personal interests, and make reasonable arrangements. Meanwhile, to ensure the safety and smoothness of your trip, it is recommended to learn about local traffic regulations, customs, and emergency contact information in advance.