I. What do we go to southern Xinjiang to see?
Unlike the delicate green mountains and rivers of northern Xinjiang, the natural scenery of southern Xinjiang is more magnificent and rugged
1. Visit southern Xinjiang to see desert poplars
Crossing it, you can feel the ruggedness and heroism of traveling through the desert’s no man’s land. If you happen to be there during the golden autumn, the accompanying golden desert poplars will add a unique vitality to the desert. Main attractions:
1. The First Desert Highway: Qiemo-Luntai, with a total length of 730 kilometers and a driving time of 14 hours;
2. The Second Desert Highway: Hotan-Aksu, with a total length of 600 kilometers and a driving time of 12 hours;
3. Poplar Forest in Luntai County: The largest poplar forest at the edge of the desert;
4. Zepu Golden Poplar Forest: Famous for the unique scenery of water poplars.
2. Visit southern Xinjiang to see the plateau scenery
Tibet and Xinjiang are separated by a mountain, which is the Kunlun Mountains. The south of the Kunlun Mountains is Tibet, and its northern foothills are Xinjiang. Thus, it has given birth to plateau scenery similar to Tibet – the scenery of the Pamir Plateau. Main attractions:
1. Located at the foot of Mushtagh Ata, the Father of Glaciers, 191 kilometers from Kashgar, the China-Pakistan Highway passes by the lakeside. It is not far from the base camp for climbing Mushtagh Ata (a 5-hour trek or camel ride). ‘Karakul’ means ‘Black Lake’, and it is a glacial lake formed by ice erosion and deposition in the mountains. The lake’s surface reflects the majestic and mysterious Mushtagh Ata, with snow-capped peaks and mountain water sharing the same color, creating a breathtaking scene.
2. Located in the southwest of Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, within the Tajik Autonomous County of Tashkurgan on the Pamir Plateau, it borders on the northern region of Pakistan. The port is at an altitude of 4,500 meters. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of Kongur Tag (7,649 meters above sea level), a permanently snow-capped peak on the eastern edge of the plateau, Kongur Tobe (7,530 meters above sea level), and Mushtagh Ata (7,509 meters above sea level).
3. Tashkurgan Stone City: It is the intersection of the middle and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road. Several passages connecting Kashgar, Yarkand, Yingjisha, and Yecheng to the Pamirs converge here. The castle is built on a high hill, with an extremely steep terrain. Outside the city, there are multiple layers of intermittent city walls, with stone hills overlapping and rocks piled up between the walls, forming a unique stone city landscape.
3. Visit the Civilization of the Silk Road in Southern Xinjiang
Southern Xinjiang was a necessary passage on the ancient Silk Road. The prosperity of the Silk Road during that time can be seen from the ancient cities, Buddhist temples, and beacon towers scattered throughout southern Xinjiang today. Main attractions:
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2. Kizilgaha Beacon Tower: Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is located on the east side of Yanshuigou in the northwest of Kuqa County. In Uyghur, it means ‘red-beaked crow’ or ‘red checkpoint’. This majestic ancient military building, after more than 2,000 years of wind and rain, still retains its majestic appearance. It is the oldest and best-preserved beacon tower site on the Silk Road.
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II. When is the Best Time to Visit Southern Xinjiang?
The climate of southern Xinjiang is basically unaffected by ice and snow, with spring arriving early and winter coming late. The tourist season is about 4 months longer compared to northern Xinjiang. Every year, except for January to March, which are unsuitable for tourism, all other times are very suitable. In April and May, you can go to southern Xinjiang to see apricot and peach blossoms; June, July, August, and September are the seasons when fruits ripen in southern Xinjiang; after October, you can go to southern Xinjiang to see the golden autumn Populus euphratica… Therefore, it is suitable to visit southern Xinjiang at any season.
III. What Are the Ways to Visit Southern Xinjiang?
1. Entire Journey by Car
Departing from Urumqi to Kashgar, the entire route is now a highway, so a grand car circuit tour of southern Xinjiang, without backtracking, will be very exhilarating. There are basically no mountain roads, and the straight highways and smooth provincial roads provide a solid guarantee for car travel in southern Xinjiang.
2. Train Travel
If you are worried about the distance being too far, traveling by train is also a good choice. There are several train options to choose from when traveling from Urumqi to Kashgar. Along the way, there are stops in Korla, Kuqa, and Aksu, where you can disembark to explore before continuing your journey on the next train.
3. Airplane Crossing
Currently, several larger cities in southern Xinjiang have airports, including Kashgar, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, and Hotan. Each destination has more than one flight per day, especially Kashgar, which has at least 10 flights per day to choose from.
IV. Recommended Classic Ways to Visit Southern Xinjiang
1. 10-Day Grand Car Circuit Tour of Southern Xinjiang
This route is the most complete grand circuit tour of southern Xinjiang, traveling all around the edge of the Tarim Basin and finally crossing the desert highway to complete the grand circuit tour of southern Xinjiang.
Day 1: Urumqi – Korla Attraction: Lop Nor Village;
Day 2: Korla – Kuqa Attraction: Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon;
Day 3: Kuqa – Aksu Attraction: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves;
Day 4: Aksu – Kashgar Attraction: Kashgar Old Town;
Day 5: Kashgar-Tajik Autonomous County Attractions: Stone City, Hongqilafu Port;
Day 6: Tajik Autonomous County-Kashgar Attractions: Karakul Lake;
Day 7: Kashgar-Hotan Attractions: Walnut King Tree Scenic Area;
Day 8: Hotan-Qiemo Attractions: Hotan River;
Day 9: Qiemo-Korla Attractions: Desert Highway;
Day 10: Korla-Urumqi
2. Southern Xinjiang Highlights 6-Day Round-Trip Flight Itinerary
If you don’t have enough time or really don’t want to travel by car for so long, then flying is the most suitable option. This way, you can save over 2,000 kilometers of travel, saving both time and energy.
Day 1: Urumqi-Kuqa-Aksu (by air) Attractions: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Wensu Grand Canyon
Day 2: Aksu-Hotan Attractions: Desert Highway
Day 3: Hotan-Kashgar Attractions: Zepu Populus Euphratica Forest
Day 4: Kashgar-Tajik Autonomous County Attractions: Stone City, Hongqilafu Port
Day 5: Tajik Autonomous County-Kashgar Attractions: Karakul Lake
Day 6: Kashgar-Urumqi (by air) Attractions: Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Tomb
3. In-depth Southern Xinjiang 8-Day Single Flight Itinerary
There are many flights from Kashgar to Urumqi, and the prices are not expensive, around 500 yuan one-way. Therefore, if you don’t want to take a round trip, it’s also a good choice to visit the best attractions along the way and then return by air.
Day 1: Urumqi-Korla Attractions: Lop Nur Village
Day 2: Korla-Kuqa Attractions: Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon
Day 3: Kuqa-Aksu Attractions: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves
Day 4: Aksu-Kashgar Attractions: Kashgar Old Town
Day 5: Kashgar-Tajik Autonomous County Attractions: Stone City, Hongqilafu Port
Day 6: Tajik Autonomous County-Kashgar Attractions: Karakul Lake
Day 7: Kashgar-Urumqi (by air) Attractions: Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Tomb
VI. Recommended Lesser-Known Attractions in Southern Xinjiang
1. Datong Township, Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County
The road is not very smooth, but it is a true hidden paradise. When tourists flock to Tuergen in Ili to see apricot blossoms, the apricot blossoms here are viewed in such tranquility and enchantment. It requires renting an off-road vehicle locally in Kashgar to enter.
2. Jigen Township, Wuqia County
The westernmost place in China is also the place where the sun sets the latest in China. In July, the sun sets as late as 12 midnight. Along the way, you will pass the Topa Border Inspection Station and see a treasure trove for photographic adventures—European-style Castle Mountain, as well as the geological wonder where the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains meet—Colorful Mountain.
3. Maigaiti County
In the hometown of song and dance of Southern Xinjiang, where can you feel the most intense and primitive Uyghur song and dance culture? Immersing yourself in it, you will surely be ignited by their enthusiasm.
People who have visited Xinjiang will be deeply impressed by the lakes of Kanas and the grasslands of Nalati, and cannot help but exclaim, ‘Beautiful Xinjiang!’ However, those who have truly traveled to Southern Xinjiang will sincerely feel that not visiting Southern Xinjiang is like not visiting Xinjiang at all.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456