10-Day Southern Xinjiang Self-Driving Loop Guide

**🗺️ Route Overview: Southern Xinjiang Grand Loop**
**Korla → Kuqa → Aksu → Kashgar → Tashkurgan → Hotan → Desert Highway → Korla**
**Total Mileage**: Approx. 2,800 km
**Highlights**: Silk Road relics + Pamir Plateau + desert crossing + ethnic culture

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**📅 Daily Itinerary & Accommodation Recommendations**
**Day 1: Arrival in Korla**
- **Activities**: Pick up rental car (recommend 7-seater SUV), explore **Peacock River Night Views**
- **Stay**: **Korla Kangcheng Jianguo Hotel** (family suites, swimming pool)
- **Food**: Pit-baked fish🐟 + Korla fragrant pear juice

**Day 2: Korla → Kuqa (280km/3.5h)**
- **Highlights**:
⛰️ **Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon** (red rock hiking)
🏺 **Kuqa Prince's Mansion** (stories of the last princess)
- **Stay**: Kuqa **Tianyuan International Hotel** (garden courtyard)

**Day 3: Kuqa → Aksu (350km/4h)**
- **Experiences**:
🌅 **Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves** (ancient Qiuci murals, free for children)
🥬 **Wensu Grand Canyon** (off-road adventure on Mars-like terrain)
- **Dinner**: Aksu applewood-roasted whole lamb🍖

**Day 4: Aksu → Kashgar (460km/5h)**
- **Key Stops**:
🕌 **Kashgar Old City Opening Ceremony** (10:30/18:00)
🧵 **Artisan Bazaar** (try copperware/pottery painting)
- **Stay**: **Ulan Homestay** (Uyghur-style courtyard in the old city)

**Day 5: Kashgar In-Depth Tour**
- **Activities**:
📍 **Id Kah Mosque** → **Century-Old Tea House** (rose jam tea)
🐫 **Xiangfei Garden** (Uyghur dance performances, ethnic costume photos)
- **Night Market**: Hanzha grilled eggs🥚 + yogurt rice dumplings

**Day 6: Kashgar → Tashkurgan (300km/6h)**
- **Stunning Sights**:
💧 **White Sand Lake** (Pamir's "blue eye," photo stop)
❄️ **Muztagh Ata Glacier Park** (light hiking)
- **Stay**: Tashkurgan **Plateau Scenery Hotel** (oxygen-equipped rooms)
- **Tip**: Carry oxygen cans, no vigorous play for kids!

**Day 7: Tashkurgan → Kashgar (Return)**
- **Must-Do**:
🛣️ **Panlong Ancient Road** ("Finish all life's twists today!")
🏞️ **Golden Grass Wetland** (reflection shots under Stone City)
- **Dinner**: Kashgar **Golden Cup** pigeon soup (divinely delicious!)

**Day 8: Kashgar → Hotan (500km/6h)**
- **En Route**:
🪨 **Yecheng Xitaiya Lost City** (desert ruins exploration)
🍇 **Hotan Tuan City** (buy Atlas silk/dried figs)
- **Stay**: Hotan **Jade Capital International Hotel** (spacious family rooms)

**Day 9: Hotan → Desert Highway → Korla (620km/8h)**
- **Epic Experience**:
🏜 **Cross Taklamakan Desert** (road trip photography)
🌵 **Visit Keriya Village** (optional, book in advance)
- **Stay**: Desert stopover **Tazhong Hotel** (simple & clean)

**Day 10: Return to Korla**
- **Final Fun**:
🛍️ **Hualing Market** for dried fruits (raisins, almonds)
✈️ Drop off rental car, journey ends

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**🍴 Southern Xinjiang Food Guide**
| **Region** | **Must-Try** |
|------------|-----------------------------|
| **Kuqa** | Face-sized naan🥞 + "Gangzi" stewed meat |
| **Kashgar** | Rose-flavored hand-pulled rice🌹 + nut-filled Maqit candy |
| **Hotan** | Red willow skewer buns🔥 + grilled ostrich eggs |
| **En Route** | Watermelon with naan🍉 + camel milk ice cream |

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**💡 Family Travel Tips**
1. **Documents**: Apply for **border permit** in advance for Tashkurgan (free at Kashgar Tourism Center)
2. **Climate**:
- Desert temps exceed 40℃🌡️, pack sun protection + cooling spray
- Pamir nights drop to 5℃, bring fleece jackets
3. **Driving**:
- Refuel before desert crossing, carry spare tire + tow rope
- Strict speed limits, no speeding!
4. **Budget Reference** (family of 5):
- 🚗 Rental + gas: ¥12,000
- 🏨 Lodging: ¥6,000 (budget hotels + homestays)
- 🎫 Tickets: ¥2,000 (half-price for kids)

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**🌟 Top Family Moments**
> Learn Uyghur dance in Kashgar💃 · Stargaze on Desert Highway🌌 · Crack giant grilled egg "blind boxes" at Hotan Night Market🎁

**Southern Xinjiang's romance lies in the whispers of millennia-old winds and the vibrant life of its oases. This 10-day odyssey lets kids touch the soul of the Silk Road, leaving the whole family in love with this land～ 🐫✨🌙**