Many people say that Xinjiang is difficult to visit without driving by yourself.
But I want to wander around slowly by myself and spend all my energy exploring the unknown. It’s not inconvenient to go to Southern Xinjiang alone, so I wrote down the guide so that friends in need can take it.
The rough map of southern Xinjiang is as follows. The mainstream tourist route is the one on the left. My route is Yarkand-Kashgar-Taxian-Kashgar-Kucha-Luntai-Korla.
Shasha car
I flew to Yarkand to start my trip. This is a small town not visited by tourists. There is no public transportation from Yarkand airport to the city. You can only take a taxi, which costs 30 yuan per person.
The main attractions in Yarkand are concentrated near the tomb of the King of Yarkand. It is a very typical Islamic style, and the architecture and patterns are very exotic. After visiting the attractions, it is also worth spending time to see the life of the people in southern Xinjiang.
Yarkand is not as commercialized as Kashgar.
Commercialization is not a derogatory term. Commercialization means that the scenic spot will be managed by a dedicated team, retaining the most distinctive parts and presenting them to tourists exquisitely.
In contrast, everything in Yarkand is very rough, and the Uyghur customs are very original. Of course, they are not as beautiful as Kashgar, but they are more real.
The public transportation in Shache city is quite convenient, but you can only pay in cash, 1 yuan/time.
Yarkand -Kashgar train takes 2 hours and costs 28.5 yuan. There are 3 trains , and the time is pretty good.
Kashgar
Kashgar is worth savoring slowly.
The old city of Kashgar is like a big maze, with winding streets and alleys that seem to come to an end, and then turn around and turn into another street.
Flowers of various colors are planted on every street, and the doors of every house are painted with different patterns. It seems to have become a tradition to go to Kashgar and take nine pictures of different colors for the door.
I stayed for a week, not going anywhere, sleeping until I woke up naturally and wandering around the ancient city.
It's a great place to take portraits. Children with big eyes and long eyelashes, old people drinking tea in teahouses, actors leading camels through the city. Every scene is worth taking a picture, and every eye seems to tell a story.
Recommended attractions: Tomb of Xiang Fei, Weekend Cattle and Sheep Bazaar, Centennial Teahouse, Old Town Corner Cafe, Night Market opposite the Mosque
Kashgar is the third largest city in Xinjiang. The public transportation facilities are okay and all scenic spots in the city are accessible.
Ta County
If you want to go to Ta County, you need to apply for a border defense permit. You can apply for it at your place of residence or in Kashgar. The processing time is very fast. You only need an ID card and no fees are required.
When you go to the household registration office, you must ask the staff to clearly indicate the places included, including the Taxkorgan area. My staff at the household registration office only wrote down the entire territory of Xinjiang. Southern Xinjiang does not apply and needs to be re-applied.
(This one won’t work)
The address for applying for a border defense permit in Kashgar: Kashgar International Self-driving and RV Campground, take bus 26 from the ancient city of Kashgar and get off at Shenzhen Industrial Park Station
Working hours: Summer10:30-19:30 Winter 10:30-19:00 Holidays (including weekends) 11:00-19:00 Noon 14:00-16:00 off
Although it was written that I would rest at 14:00, I couldn’t apply for it until 13:30. I could only wait until 16:00, so I’d better go early.
In addition, there is a direct train to the Pamir tourist area, from Kashgar to Ta County, passing through Baisha Mountain, Kalakul Lake, and Muztage Peak. It stays at each scenic spot for 20 minutes and costs 120 yuan/person.
In addition to these three scenic spots, there are also Taheman Township Tree Cave Trail, Tajik Wedding, and Panlong Ancient Trail on the way to Ta County. They are worth seeing. After arriving in Ta County, you can take a taxi to Taheman Township. , carpool with others, one way 20 yuan/person, the first two can play together, there is no bus to Panlong Ancient Road.
(Shudong Trail, Taheman Township)
One of the rituals of Tajik weddings is the sheep-catching competition, which is worth watching. It is recommended by five stars. It is usually held in the afternoon. Ask the locals for the specific time and place.
The most beautiful scenery in Ta County is on the road. Starting from entering the Pamir Plateau, there are continuous snow-capped mountains all the way, which is particularly beautiful.
There are three ways to return to Kashgar from Ta County .
1. Take the bus to Ta County West Passenger Transport Station, which costs 65 yuan per person. There is only one bus a day, departing at 11:30. You can only buy tickets on the same day. It is a small bus with more than ten seats and leaves as soon as it is full, so it is best to go in advance. .
2. There are many drivers soliciting customers at the entrance of the passenger terminal. The price is about 120 yuan/person, so you can have fun while walking.
3. Take the direct train to the Pamir tourist area above, 120 yuan.
garage car
Kashgar-Kuqa train 7 hours, hard seat 98 yuan, hard sleeper 171 yuan
Several trains from Kashgar to Kuqa were overnight trains that departed in the evening and arrived in the morning, so I simply slept on the train. When I got off the train the next day, it was still dark. When I looked up, I saw the sky full of stars and the setting moon. .
There are two scenic spots in the old town of Kuqa, Kuqa Palace and Kuqa Temple. Kuqa Palace is just average, and Kuqa Temple is worth taking pictures. The light and shadow in the morning are particularly beautiful.
Kuqa -Kuqa Grand Canyon , take a bus from Tarim Passenger Station in Kuqa County. The bus to Dongfeng Coal Mine passes through the Grand Canyon. The price is 21 yuan/person. The departure interval is about once per hour, but there are many people in the morning. If there are more, many buses will be dispatched at once, so it is best to go early and just wait at the roadside when you return.
Kuqa -Luntai Tarim Populus euphratica Park , carpooling at the youth hostel front desk, 150 yuan/person. The owner of Fuchen Youth Hostel in Kuqa will take groups to Populus euphratica forest or the Grand Canyon every day, both lines are 150 yuan/person , if you need it, you can just ask the boss to carpool directly.
Kurler
Kuqa-Korla bus 4 hours 68 yuan
There is a train from Kuqa to Korla, but it either leaves very early or arrives very late. The bus time is relatively suitable. Take the bus at Kuqa Bus Station and buy tickets on site. The bus leaves approximately every hour or two and costs 68 yuan per person.
Korla - Luobu Village , a one-day tour on Taobao is 78 yuan. The traffic in Luobu Village is too troublesome - I had to give in to a one-day tour. The owner of Korla Longxing Youth Hostel will also lead a tour, which seems to be 150 yuan. /people
Luobu Village is a scenic spot built later, and there are no real Luobu people living there anymore. However, the Populus euphratica forest in autumn is particularly beautiful. There are lakes, deserts and Populus euphratica forests in the scenic area. It is quite worth visiting and recommended.
Accommodation
Except for Ta County, where I stayed at the youth hostel, the environment in Kashgar was okay, and the other ones were pretty average.
Yarkand: Yarkand Youth Hostel Quadruple room 38 yuan/night. The environment is average. There is only one youth hostel in Yarkand. It’s okay to stay there.
Kashgar:
Kashgar Old Town Youth Hostel, eight-person room 49 yuan/night. Nice atmosphere, good location, there is a bathroom between the two rooms, which is very convenient.
Pamir Youth Hostel, 12-person room 48 yuan/night. This hotel is newly renovated and has better conditions than the old city.
Ta County: Plateau Lijing Hotel , Double room 170 yuan/night including breakfast, the conditions and scenery are very good, there are snow-capped mountains outside the window, and it is also very close to the bus station
Kuqa: Fuchen Youth Hostel, six-person room 43 yuan/night. The environment is okay. There is a grape rack in the yard, which is very comfortable. It is a bit far from the old city. It is not particularly convenient to get in and out. The boss will bring a Day trip, suitable for carpooling and fun
Korla: Longxing Youth Hostel, quadruple room 43 yuan/night, the environment is very average, and it is the only youth hostel in Korla - the boss will also take day trips
Regarding expenses: The consumption in southern Xinjiang is much lower than that in northern Xinjiang. The same mutton kebab costs 10 yuan in northern Xinjiang, but only 3-5 yuan in southern Xinjiang, so it is very cheap to play.