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 --- **📅 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 --- **🍴 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 | --- **💡 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) --- **🌟 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～ 🐫✨🌙**