11-Day 10-Night Travel Guide for Southern Xinjiang

If you can only visit Xinjiang once, you might as well start with Southern Xinjiang. Here, you'll find not only the rich Western Region culture but also the magnificent Pamir Plateau landscapes. In the desert live the centuries-old Loulan people, the grand canyons boast Danxia landforms, blue lakes lie at the foot of snow-capped mountains, and ancient paths carry the history of the Silk Road.... Experience the old times in Kashgar - Kashgar Old Town Travel through China's most dangerous and magnificent road - Karakoram Highway A pure canvas interwoven with white sand and blue lake - Baisar Lake The path once taken by Xuanzang on his return from the West - Tashkurgan Ancient Path Reflecting the towering peaks like a mirror - Karakul Lake The winding Kunlun dragon - Panlong Ancient Path Recommended 11-Day Itinerary for Southern Xinjiang D1: Various places → Urumqi D2: Urumqi → Bosten Lake → Hoshul D3: Hoshul → Loulan Village → Kuqa D4: Kuqa → Wensu Grand Canyon → Aksu D5: Aksu → Desert Highway → Jiaohe Ancient City → Hotan D6: Hotan → Zepu Poplar Forest → Yarkant King's Palace → Yarkant D7: Yarkant → Kashgar Old Town → Kashgar D8: Kashgar → Oytag Glacier Park → Baisar Lake → Taxkorgan D9: Taxkorgan → Panlong Ancient Path → Bandier Blue Lake → Jinhua Beach Stone City → Karakul Lake → Kashgar D10: Kashgar → Shell Mountain → China's Westernmost Point → Kashgar D11: Kashgar → Airport drop-off 【tips】 The temperature difference between morning and evening in Southern Xinjiang is significant, so be ready to add or remove clothing as needed. The weather in Southern Xinjiang is drier compared to Northern Xinjiang, so always stay hydrated! Long travel distances by car, so buy snacks or dry food and water in advance. The sandy roads in Wensu Grand Canyon are not suitable for sandals. The altitude near Taxkorgan can reach around 4000 meters, so avoid strenuous activities to prevent altitude sickness.