Xinjiang 24-Day Loop Travel Guide

If there’s one place in China where you can experience the ultimate beauty of grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and ancient cities all in one trip, it has to be Xinjiang. This 24-day loop journey starts in Urumqi, heading south along the Tianshan Mountains, crossing the Gobi Desert, exploring hidden gems, touching the clouds on the Pamir Plateau, feeling the vastness of the Taklamakan Desert, and finally concluding at the Flaming Mountains in Turpan. Each day offers a dual feast for the eyes and soul. If you yearn for the magical experience of "four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles," this guide is for you!

🌟 Highlights of the Journey
✅ Spectacular Natural Wonders: Marvel at the azure waters of Tianchi Lake, the "water monster legend" of Kanas Lake, the crystal-clear Sayram Lake, the Danxia landforms of Wensu Grand Canyon, experience four seasons in one day on the Duku Highway, and witness the miracle of life on the Desert Highway.
✅ In-depth Cultural Experiences: Stroll through the century-old tea houses of Kashgar Old Town, listen to the Twelve Muqam; explore the thousand-year history of Shache Palace, feast at the Hotan night market; watch smoke rise from the wooden houses of Hemu and Baihaba, and immerse yourself in the tranquil life of the Tuva people.
✅ Borderland Mysteries: Reach Simuhana Village, the westernmost point of China, gaze at the snow-capped national border at Hongqilafu Pass, trace historical footprints along the Wakhan Corridor, and admire the "Father of Glaciers" at Muztagh Glacier.
✅ Seasonal Scenic Wonders: Wildflowers bloom across Nalati Grassland in June, Hemu’s forests turn golden in September, and the poplar forests shine brilliantly in October. Each season brings its own surprises.

📅 Itinerary Overview
D1 From various cities to Urumqi

D2 Urumqi – Tianchi Lake – Beitun

D3 Beitun – Hemu

D4 Hemu – Kanas

D5 Kanas – Guanyu Pavilion – Five-Color Beach – Burqin

D6 Burqin – Urho Ghost City – Kuytun

D7 Kuytun – Sayram Lake – Jinghe

D8 Jinghe – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Northern Duku Highway – Nalati

D9 Nalati Grassland – Bayinbulak

D10 Bayinbulak – Duku Highway – Xiaolongchi and Dalongchi – Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon – Kuqa

D11 Kuqa – Wensu Grand Canyon – Aksu

D12 Aksu – Bachu Red Sea Bay – Kashgar

D13 Kashgar – White Sand Mountain – Muge Volcano Crater – White Sand Lake – Tashkurgan

D14 Tashkurgan – Wakhan Corridor – Hongqilafu Pass – Panlong Ancient Road – Bandir Lake – Tashkurgan

D15 Tashkurgan – Golden Grassland – Stone City – Muztagh Glacier Park – Kashgar

D16 Kashgar – Tianshan and Kunlun Mountain Junction – Shell Mountain – Simuhana Village – Westernmost Point – Irkeshtam Pass – Kashgar

D17 Kashgar Old Town – Id Kah Mosque – Century-Old Tea House – Shache

D18 Shache – Shache Palace – Yotkan Ancient City – Hotan

D19 Hotan – Desert Highway – Tazhong

D20 Tazhong – Desert Highway – Primitive Poplar Forest Park – Luntai

D21 Luntai – Luobu Village – Korla

D22 Korla – Hoxud Golden Beach – Turpan

D23 Turpan – Flaming Mountains – Karez System – Grape Valley – Urumqi

D24 Urumqi – Return to various cities

This "all-in-one" route covers the lakes, mountains, and grasslands of Northern Xinjiang, delves into the Uyghur culture and desert wonders of Southern Xinjiang, and includes unique elements like borderlands, plateaus, and ancient paths. Though the 24-day itinerary is long, each day offers unique surprises, making it ideal for travelers willing to trade time for depth. Xinjiang’s vastness needs to be measured personally. When you stand beneath Muztagh Peak, traverse the curves of the Duku Highway, and sip sweet tea in Kashgar, you’ll truly understand the saying, "You don’t know the greatness of China until you visit Xinjiang, and you don’t know the beauty of nature until you visit Xinjiang."