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.