https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/burqin-1010-132707527
DiscoverWorldWonders+5United States

Summer Limited 17-Day Grand North & South Xinjiang Loop Itinerary Guide is Here!

"See half of China in one trip!" This epic route connects both sides of the Tianshan Mountains, traversing deserts, lakes, grasslands, snow-capped peaks, and canyons, while encountering Uyghur culture, Pamir eagles, and nomadic traditions. From the fairytale village of Hemu in North Xinjiang to the ancient city of Kashgar in South Xinjiang, from the rugged Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway to the breathtaking Panlong Ancient Road, every day is a visual feast and a cultural odyssey paired with culinary delights! —— 🛬【Itinerary】: DAY1: Meet in Urumqi - Free time - Overnight in Urumqi DAY2: Urumqi - S21 Desert Highway - Colorful Beach - Burqin (566KM, 6.5h) DAY3: Burqin - Hongbasi Grassland - Hemu Sunset - Hemu (231KM, 4h) DAY4: Hemu - Sunrise - Kanas Lake - Jiadengyu/Kanas (35KM, 1h) DAY5: Jiadengyu/Kanas - Three Bays Hike - Devil's City Sunset - Viral Mini Train - Urho (351KM, 5h) DAY6: Urho - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Glass Walkway - Jinghe (482KM, 6h) DAY7: Jinghe - Sayram Lake Photography - Songshutou - Viral S-Bend - Lavender Farm (mid-Jun to mid-Jul) - Yining (275KM, 4h) DAY8: Yining - Kuerdening Forest Hike - Forest Tea Break - Kuerdening (160KM, 3.5h) DAY9: Kuerdening - Narati "Sky Grassland" Photography - Snow Lotus Valley - Narati (165KM, 3h) DAY10: Narati - Bayinbuluke Grassland - Nine-Bend Sunset - Bayin Town (167KM, 3.5h) DAY11: Bayin Town - Southern Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway - Big/Small Dragon Pools - Kuqa Canyon - Restan Road - Kuqa (210KM, 5.5h) DAY12: Kuqa - Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves - Wensu Grand Canyon - Aksu City (349KM, 6h) DAY13: Aksu - Id Kah Mosque - Ancient Tea House - Oil Painting Street - Kashgar Old City (460KM, 5.5h) DAY14: Kashgar - Oyitak Red Mountain - White Sand Lake - Karakul Lake - Stone City & Golden Grass Beach - Tashkurgan (281KM, 6h) DAY15: Tashkurgan - Khunjerab Pass - Wakhan Corridor - Panlong Ancient Road - Bandier Lake - Tashkurgan (139KM, 5h) DAY16: Tashkurgan - Tahman Wetland - Muztaghata Glacier Park - Kashgar (283KM, 6h) DAY17: Kashgar - Tour concludes —— ⛺【Must-Visit Spots】: Hemu Village: Admire morning mist from Haden Platform, stay in log cabins for fairytale immersion Kanas Three Bays: Hike Moon Bay → Wolong Bay, discover secret forests & emerald rivers Sayram Lake: Cycle the viral S-bend, overlook floral displays from Songshutou Narati Grassland: Ride horses in "Sky Garden," touch snow at Snow Lotus Valley Bayinbuluke Nine Bends: Capture "Nine Suns" reflection at sunset Panlong Ancient Road: Conquer 639 bends, pose with philosophical road signs Kashgar Old City: Treasure hunt in maze alleys, sip rose milk tea in century-old tea houses Muztaghata Glacier: Ride yaks to glacier's edge, feel the pulse of "Father of Ice Mountains" —— 🍩【Must-Try Foods】: 🔥 North Xinjiang Flavors Burqin Grilled Dogfish: Irtysh River cold-water fish, firm & charred Hemu Earth Pot: Wild mushrooms & lamb stewed at snow mountain's base Yining Handmade Ice Cream: Gulandanmu's century-old shop, nutty & creamy · 🌶️ South Xinjiang Feast Kuqa Tandoori Meat: Lamb skewered on red willow, juice-locked in clay oven Kashgar Pigeon Soup: Qiaxia Lane pigeons in herbal broth, umami explosion Tashkurgan Yak Hotpot: Plateau yak + Pamir wild mushrooms, cold-defying · 🍵 Unique Experiences Kashgar Ancient Tea House: Brick tea with walnut honey cakes, Uyghur folk music Kuerdening Forest Hotpot: Wild-picked greens + fresh lamb, heavenly combo —— 🚌【Transport Tips】: 🚗 Top Choice: Private/Shared Car (7-seater van) Pros: Flexible stops, expert drivers, shared luggage space Price: ~¥1500-1900/person/day (fuel + driver included) Note: Confirm if Sayram/Narati self-drive fees are covered · ⚠️ Key Route Notes Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway: 7-seat max, pack snacks for traffic Pamir Highway: Tashkurgan section requires border pass (free in Kashgar) Panlong Ancient Road: No DIY! Hire experienced drivers —— 🧡【Tips】: 1. Documents: Carry ID! Border pass must list "Tashkurgan County" 2. Altitude: Tashkurgan 3200m+, bring ibuprofen & glucose, no hair wash Day 1 3. Packing: Pamir/Bayin: Windbreaker + down vest (25℃ day-night swing) Desert/Grassland: UV-proof gear (extreme sun exposure) 4. Photography: Devil's City/Colorful Beach: Arrive 1h before sunset Sayram S-Bend: Shoot empty road at 8am 5. Etiquette: Mosques: Quiet attire, women need headscarves at Id Kah Always smile before photographing locals, avoid close-ups of elders · 🌸 Seasonal Highlights: Lavender: Mid-Jun–mid-Jul (Huocheng County) Apricot Blossoms: Late Mar–early Apr (Pamir Highlands) · 💡 Final Notes: Xinjiang travel is "30% scenery, 70% journey" – pack neck pillows, power banks, and playlists to savor every breathtaking view! #CtripCustomTours #CtripDesigners #CustomSummerTrip #XinjiangMultiDayTours #NorthSouthXinjiangLoop #Altay #Ili #Aksu #HemuVillage #Kanas #SayramLake #Narati #Kuerdening #DushanziCanyon #Bayinbuluke #DushanziKuqaHighway #DragonPools #Kuqa #WensuCanyon #KashgarOldCity #PamirPlateau
View original text
*This content is provided by our partner and translated by AI
Posted: Jun 5, 2025
Submit
0
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Hemu Scenic Area

4.5/54810 reviews | Hiking
Burqin
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Xinjiang
Immediate access | Book now for today
MXN$258.6
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Pamirs Plateau

This trip to Southern Xinjiang is truly a visual and cultural feast that transcends time and space! On the Pamir Plateau, I was amazed by the majestic Muztagh Ata; in the ancient city of Kashgar,

Grace Turner.24
Hemu Scenic Area

Winter in Hemu is like a fairy tale world|5 days 4 nights

NovaKnight
Hemu Scenic Area

This winter, be sure to go see the snow with someone you love|6 high cost-performance snow viewing destinations

Ava5 Anderson_
Pamirs Plateau

8-Day Guide from Changsha to Kashgar|The Scenery and Local Life of Southern Xinjiang Are Etched in My Heart!

BookwormsBest
Hemu Scenic Area

Kanas Autumn Guide, Super Detailed Tips for Family Trips!

Ophelia_Blackwooden
Hemu Scenic Area

North of Northern Xinjiang: Altay

_TI***8u
Hemu Scenic Area

Xinjiang Kanas Travel Guide

StellaSiren_123
Hemu Scenic Area

Autumn dyes the forest, with the blue sky as a backdrop, encountering a stunning natural painting

ALLIE CLINE
Duku Highway

Kuqa Grand Canyon

Lucy.Moore^36
Hemu Scenic Area

The autumn scenery of Hemu Village in Xinjiang is so beautiful it leaves you speechless! It feels like stepping into a fairy tale world.

Seraphinanuqi
Ancient City of Kashgar

Kashgar Old Town

ElizabethMcDermott
Duku Highway

Duku Highway

Campbell Katherine Kate