8-Day Southern Xinjiang Self-Driving Tour: Pamir Plateau + Deep Exploration of Kashgar Old Town

Landing in Kashgar🛬 The first thing you must do is go to the airport to get the border pass (super fast, done in 10 minutes) ~ rent a car and head straight to Basha Lake🌊 The advantage of self-driving in Xinjiang is... you can drive right up to the edge of the scenic spots! Arrived at the lake at 9 PM, almost blown away by the fierce wind🤣 📍Basha Lake Address: Bulenkou Township, Akto County, Kizilsu Prefecture ⏰Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours 📸Photo tips: Best lighting from 6-8 PM, very windy by the lake, remember to wear a hat Rushed overnight to Karakul Lake to stay at the Buzhou Mountain Camp🏕️ Ladies, listen to me! This camp is absolutely amazing💯 Wrapped in a quilt at 3 AM watching the Milky Way🌌 Wake up to the sunrise on Muztagh Ata Peak🏔️ You can enjoy the divine view of snow mountains, lake, and grassland right from your bed～ Day 2️⃣ Head to the "Father of Ice Mountains," Muztagh Ata Peak🏔️ Enter from Subash Village (the entrance is a bit hidden, remember to use navigation) The road to Glacier No. 2 is all gravel🤯 but the photos you get are totally worth it! 📍Muztagh Ata Glacier Park 🎫Ticket: 90 RMB/person ⏰Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 🚗Road condition: 4WD recommended for safety The Tariman Wetland in the afternoon is truly breathtaking😭 At 8 PM, special forces-style check-in at Togrenxia Village🏡 Wear bright clothes for photos with the cattle and sheep, super photogenic～ Day 3️⃣ Queue for 1 hour at the Hongqilafu National Gate😭 but tears welled up when seeing the "China🇨🇳" boundary marker! The Wakhan Corridor is so historic～ The path Master Xuanzang once walked, I’m here! Hold tight to the handrails and scream on the Panlong Ancient Trail🤣 The Tiffany blue of Bandier Blue Lake is stunning💙 Day 4️⃣ Second visit to Basha Lake to get the classic shots✔️ The "Police Tea" at Gaizi Post Station is super heartwarming🍵 Lost myself in the Rainbow Alley🌈 in Kashgar Old Town in the afternoon The West District is quieter and better for a slow stroll～ Day 5️⃣ Keep snapping photos in the East City alleys📷 The tightrope walking performance at Aksu Old Street Night Market blew my mind🤯 Day 6️⃣ The ticket to Kuqa Palace is a bit pricey but worth it👑 The colorful corridors on Hestan Road are each a work of art🎨 Day 7️⃣ The digital exhibition at the Kucha Museum is stunning✨ An immersive experience of ancient Western Regions civilization Fridge magnet lovers will be thrilled! Day 8️⃣ Stamped and checked in at Bazhou Museum✅ The fruit at the Southern Xinjiang Grand Bazaar is so cheap it made me cry🍇 Figs sweeter than first love～ 💡Useful tips: 1. Make sure to get the border pass in Kashgar in advance 2. The UV rays on the Pamir Plateau are very strong, apply plenty of sunscreen 3. Security checks in Southern Xinjiang are strict, always carry your ID 4. For self-driving, it’s best to travel in a group and take turns driving, the distances are really long The beauty of Southern Xinjiang is not just at the destination🏁 but in every heartbeat along the journey💓 Facing the snow mountains, conversing with history—this is the poetry and the distant place in my heart✨