2025 Lop County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in February)

I tried a camel tour in Xinjiang! 🐪🐪 It was a truly unique experience to do it in the middle of the desert. At first, riding the camel felt a bit awkward, but as I got used to the slow swaying motion, it became quite comfortable. 🌵🐫 The view of the desert dyed red at sunset was spectacular, and the camels were more gentle than I expected, so I grew fond of them. The guide also told us stories about the ancient Silk Road, which made the experience even more immersive, and having tea on the sand was very relaxing. Next time, I want to try a tour while watching the stars at night! ✨

Hey guys! Here's a detailed guide to a 7-day tour of Kashgar, where you can experience the unique charm of southern Xinjiang. Save it now! 🌟 -- 🚩 Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Kuqa and start your adventure! Day 2: Tianshan Grand Canyon - Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves Explore the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon and discover the ancient Buddhist art treasures. Day 3: Conquer the Desert Highway (Ahe Highway) Drive along the magnificent desert highway and feel the vastness and grandeur of the desert. Day 4: Yotkan Ruins - Kashgar Old Town Visit the ancient Yotkan Ruins and then stroll through Kashgar Old Town to experience the charm of Western culture. Day 5: Baisha Mountain - Baisha Lake Scenic Area - Karakul Lake Scenic Area - Tashkurgan Stone City - Aral National Wetland Park on the Pamir Plateau Visit multiple natural and cultural attractions in one day and enjoy the tranquility of the plateau lakes and the ancient city ruins. Day 6: Bandir Blue Lake Immerse yourself in the stunning scenery of Bandir Blue Lake and enjoy the gifts of nature. Day 7: End your trip in Kashgar and look forward to meeting again End your pleasant journey in southern Xinjiang and leave Kashgar with fond memories and anticipation for the next reunion. 🛫 -- Must-visit attractions: - 🏞️ Tianshan Grand Canyon: Enter this red-brown mountain range and feel like you're in a sea of flames. The strange peaks and rocks are varied, and there is new scenery waiting for you to discover at every step. - 🏰 Kashgar Old Town: Wander through the exotic buildings and crisscrossing streets of this ancient city, and feel the echoes of history and the ancient and simple atmosphere. - 🌊 Karakul Lake Scenic Area: Under the Muztagh Ata, there is a clear and clean lake, which is Karakul Lake. Standing by the lake, feel the coolness of the water and the grandeur of the distant mountains, as if the whole world has quieted down. -- Travel essentials: 🎒 👕 Clothing: Down jacket, thermal underwear, and thick socks to keep warm in Kashgar. 🎩 Accessories: Hat, scarf, and gloves to keep warm and protect against the wind; sunglasses to protect against the sun and look cool. 🆔 Documents: ID card and border pass to travel freely in southern Xinjiang. Prepare in advance, travel easily, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kashgar! 🌄 -- Kashgar, a place full of exotic charm, is waiting for you to explore more unknown beauty and wonders!

🎈G580 and the desert highway, from Hotan to Aral, the entire route is paved with asphalt, the road conditions are good, the speed limit is 80, and the desert section is about 430 kilometers long. 🎈There is almost no vegetation on both sides of the highway, only sparse poplar trees grow. Some sections of the road are fixed with woven grass mats, but the yellow sand has spread to the roadside. 🎈There are very few vehicles along the way, and the desert is deserted. Prepare water and food. 🎈There is a parking spot every five kilometers or so for parking and sightseeing. 🎈Park and climb the sand dunes to look into the distance, and you will see endless undulating sand dunes on both sides, which is very shocking! 🎈There are no villages or towns along the 430-kilometer route, so fill up with gas before entering the desert highway! There are two gas stations along the way, but be cautious of the unnamed gas station 50 kilometers from Hotan. It is recommended to use the Sinopec Hongbaishan gas station, which is more than 100 kilometers from Hotan! 🎈There are two service stations along the way, the "Hongbaishan Service Area" in the Hotan section and the "Arele Service Area" in the Aksu section, where you can rest, relax, and eat. But only Hongbaishan has gas!

The domestic number one desert highway is undoubtedly the Taklamakan Desert Highway. The Taklamakan is China's largest mobile desert and one of the three largest deserts in the world. It is vast and spectacular, and driving through it offers you a completely different experience. The Taklamakan Desert Highway starts from Aral City in the Aksu region in the north and goes to Hetian in the south. The highway number is G580, and you can find it by searching for the highway number in the navigation system. The G580 is about 425 kilometers long and takes more than 5 hours to cross. There is a service area in the middle where you can refuel and rest, and there is a viewing area near the service area. The road is a paved surface, and as long as the weather conditions are good and there is no heavy wind and sand, any vehicle can travel on it.