Blogger's Firsthand Experience! The Epic 10-Day Southern Xinjiang Journey

After completing this 10-day Kashgar itinerary
I was completely overwhelmed by the breathtaking landscapes of the Pamir Plateau
and the rich cultural traditions of the Uyghur and Kirgiz ethnic groups
Here's my ultra-condensed travel guide + experiences
Delivering both stunning scenery and cultural immersion👇
📅 Quick Itinerary Overview (10 Days to Experience Kashgar Fully)
▫️Day1 Arrive in Kashgar｜Explore Old Town Bazaars
Dive straight into the old town after landing - colorful alleys filled with the aroma of baked buns, Uyghur uncles selling handmade naan bread, exotic vibes wrapped in local life
▫️Day2-4 Pamir Plateau Loop
✨China-Pakistan Highway: Drive along the border, with the fiery red Oytag Mountains resembling glowing irons, and the milky blue waters of White Sand Lake melting your heart
✨Panlong Ancient Road: 600+ hairpin turns will make you dizzy! At the Khunjerab Pass border monument, the national flag flaps fiercely in the plateau wind - you'll instantly understand patriotism
✨Tashkurgan Secrets: The Stone City ruins hold millennia of stories, golden grasslands with grazing livestock in morning mist, and the blue ice of Muztaghata Glacier pierces your soul
▫️Day5-6 Deep Dive into Kashgar Old Town
✨Id Kah Mosque: Witness the power of faith, listen to the imam's Friday prayers that will give you goosebumps
✨Old Town Stroll: Dress as a "Western Region Princess" while browsing handicraft shops, learn embroidery from Uyghur grandmothers, enjoy dutar music in teahouses - time slows down here
▫️Day7-8 Kirgiz Cultural Experience
✨Intangible Cultural Heritage Town: At the Manas Epic Museum, inheritors perform heroic stories through rap - the "Oriental Homeric Epic" is electrifying
✨Eagle Hunting Show: Watch trained eagles swoop overhead in Akqi County - the nomadic spirit of bravery and romance flows with every wingbeat
▫️Day9 Shache Cultural Route
✨Yarkand Khan's Mausoleum: Trace the rise and fall of Western Region kingdoms, where the brick patterns of Amanishah Tomb hide melodies of the Twelve Muqam
✨Old Town Exploration: Wander Shache Bazaar to the call of Jame Mosque, taste handmade ice cream, and receive freshly baked buns from Uyghur vendors
▫️Day10 Return Home｜Pack Kashgar's Essence in Your Luggage
🔥Trip Highlights
Landscape Wonders:
The Pamir Plateau defines "extreme"! White Sand Lake's blue, Muztaghata's ice, Panlong Road's danger - every frame is visual overload that'll drain your drone batteries
Cultural Immersion:
Uyghur daily life (old town bazaars, teahouse music) + Kirgiz bravery and romance (eagle hunting, Manas Epic) - not just sightseeing but truly living ethnic cultures
Hidden Experiences:
✔️ Learn Manas epic rap from inheritors - challenging lyrics but super cool
✔️ Find century-old teahouses in Shache for brick tea with baked buns while listening to Uyghur elders' stories
✔️ Share milk tea with Tajik uncles in Tashkurgan and hear tales of the "Eagle's Homeland"
The magic of this trip: landscapes that make you gasp, cultures that make you want to sit and listen. Xinjiang isn't just about scenery - it's about human connections. Want to embrace both Kashgar's beauty and culture at once? Just follow this guide!