There are multiple different routes to choose from for a five-day tour of Xinjiang. Here are three recommended tour routes:
1. Southern Xinjiang Kashgar In-depth Tour
Day 1: Kashgar Old City Exploration. Upon arrival in Kashgar, the first stop is the historic Kashgar Old City to feel the rich Uyghur cultural atmosphere, admire ethnic architecture and handicrafts, and taste local specialty foods.
Day 2: Baishahu Fantastic Journey. Head to Baishahu, known as the "Maldives of China", to enjoy the tranquility and beauty brought by the azure lake water and pure white sand.
Day 3: Panlong Ancient Road Exploration. Traverse the important Silk Road pass, the Panlong Ancient Road, and enjoy picturesque scenery along the way, including deserts, mountains, canyons, as well as magnificent grottoes and rock paintings.
Day 4:慕士塔格 Glacier Adventure. Head to Karakul Lake to overlook the changing colors of the lake water and the towering snow-capped mountains in the distance. In the afternoon, visit theMuztagh Ata Glacier Park to feel the tranquility and purity of the plateau.
(This route mainly focuses on Kashgar and surrounding attractions, suitable for tourists who want to deeply understand the culture and natural scenery of Southern Xinjiang.)
2. Northern Xinjiang Tianshan Tianchi and Kanas Small Loop Route
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi and head to Tianshan Tianchi. Take a tourist bus or a chartered car to admire the surrounding snow-capped mountains and clear lake water, and also explore the surrounding forests and alpine meadows on foot.
Day 2: Fly from Urumqi to Kanas. Upon arrival, visit Kanas Lake, admire the scenic spots such as Shenxianwan, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay, and take a boat ride on the lake to explore the mysterious lake monster.
Day 3: Kanas to Hemu Village. Head to Hemu Village to admire the village bathed in morning light and the endless birch forest, and experience the lifestyle of the Tuwa people.
Day 4: Hemu to Burqin, visit the Colorful Beach. The colorful banks of the Colorful Beach contrast beautifully with the lush green valley scenery across the way, making it an ideal spot for photos.
Day 5: Burqin to Urumqi. End the journey and return to the urban area of Urumqi.
(This route covers multiple famous attractions in Northern Xinjiang and is suitable for tourists who want to experience the scenery of Northern Xinjiang in a short period of time.)
3. Duku Highway Self-Driving and Kanas Lake Hiking Route
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi and self-drive to Tianshan Tianchi. Admire the vast grasslands and magnificent mountains, and feel the grandeur of nature.
Day 2: Burqin to Kanas. Continue driving north and upon arrival in Kanas, admire the lush forests and bubbling streams. Camping under the starry sky by Kanas Lake is an option for the night.
Day 3: Kanas to Hemu Village. Step into Hemu Village and feel the tranquility and beauty of the primitive wooden houses and rural life. Horseback riding is also an option.
Day 4: Hemu to Karamay, visit Ulhuo Devil’s City. Feel the awe-inspiring work of nature, and capture the golden scenery of the unique landform at sunset.
Day 5: Sailimu Lake to Urumqi. Head to Sailimu Lake to admire the blue lake water and the sea of flowers by the lake, and end the self-driving tour by returning to Urumqi.
(This route is suitable for tourists who enjoy self-driving and hiking, allowing them to deeply experience the natural scenery and cultural atmosphere of Xinjiang.)
The above three routes each have their own characteristics. Tourists can choose a suitable route for a five-day tour of Xinjiang based on their interests and time.