A Super Comprehensive Guide to Southern Xinjiang Travel Routes, a Blessing for Lazy Travelers

If you are tired of the same old travel destinations, Southern Xinjiang will definitely overturn your imagination! Here, snow-capped mountains, deserts, ancient cities, and lakes converge, each scene like a frame from a movie, with the romance of golden sunrise over snow-capped peaks and the brilliance of the starry Milky Way.

Best Time to Travel
March-April: Apricot blossoms bloom on the Pamir Plateau, a stunning combination of pink flowers and snow-capped mountains!
May: The grasslands are turning green, and airfare and hotels are relatively cheap, making it suitable for off-season travel.
June-August: The Duku Highway opens, offering a magnificent journey through the Tianshan canyons; Wensu Grand Canyon, Baisha Lake, and other scenic spots are perfect for escaping the summer heat (some areas are quite hot, so pay attention to sun protection and hydration).
September-October: The fragrance of melons and fruits fills the air, and the golden poplars along the Tarim River create a picturesque scene.

Transportation Guide
Airplane: You can fly to Urumqi (more flight options) or directly to Kashgar Airport.
Train: You can take a direct train from Urumqi to Kashgar in Southern Xinjiang.

Tips
Whether you arrive in Urumqi or Kashgar, you can start your tour directly upon arrival.
Trips from Urumqi to Southern Xinjiang take 8 days or more.
Trips from Kashgar range from 5 to 10 days, and there are also short trips of 1 to 3 days.

Classic Southern Xinjiang Landscapes
【Stunning Lakes】Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, Bandi Lake, Bosten Lake
【Autumn Poplars】Rob People Village, Tarim Poplar Forest, Huludao Poplar Forest
【Father of Glaciers】Muztagata Peak
【Highland Roads】Panlong Ancient Road, Taklamakan Desert Highway, China-Pakistan Friendship Highway
【Ancient Cities】Kashgar Old City, Shache Old City, Yotkan Ancient City
【Border Tours】Khunjerab Pass, China's Westernmost Point

Recommended 6-Day Itinerary Starting and Ending in Kashgar:
D1 Departure City - Kashgar
D2 Kashgar - Baisha Lake - Karakul Lake - Jincaotan Stone City - Tashkurgan
D3 Tashkurgan - Khunjerab Pass - Panlong Ancient Road - Bandi Lake - Wakhan Corridor/Apricot Blossom Village Happiness Bridge No. 5 - Tashkurgan
D4 Tashkurgan - Taxkorgan Wetland - Toglunsha Village - Tree Tunnel Highway - Glacier Park - Kashgar Old City
D5 Kashgar - Colorful Yadan Landform - Tianshan-Kunlun Mountains Intersection - Shell Mountain - Simuhana Village - Irkeshtam Port - China's Westernmost Point - Kashgar
D6 Kashgar - Departure City

Travel Tips
①There's no need to worry about language barriers in Xinjiang, as Mandarin is widely spoken.
②Although Tashkurgan is a high-altitude area, altitude sickness is generally not a problem.
③Southern Xinjiang's attractions are hundreds of miles apart, and self-driving can be tiring. It is recommended to find a carpool or charter a car, which is time-saving and worry-free, a new trend for lazy travelers.