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