South Xinjiang, Pamir & Desert Highway Grand Loop

Ascend the Pamirs from Kashgar, travel through Yarkand and Hotan, cross the Desert Highway, and return to Urumqi via Kuqa and Korla

The most complete itinerary for South Xinjiang: 2 days in Kashgar, 3 days in the Pamirs, travel along the northern foothills of the Kunlun Mountains to Yarkand and Hotan, then cross the Taklamakan Desert, returning to Urumqi via Kuqa, Luntai, and Korla. This route offers culture, plateaus, and deserts. Daily driving distances are long, and patience is required at checkpoints. Perfect for in-depth travelers with plenty of time, omitting Ruoqiang.

Avoid the extreme heat of the desert in July and August; mid-to-late October is the best time for the desert populus (Huayang) forests.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Kashgar & Explore the Ancient City

Kashgar（Kashgar Old City、Id Kah Mosque、Ostangboyi Handicraft Street）

It takes about 30 minutes from the airport to the ancient city. After picking up your car, explore the ancient city and Id Kah Mosque on foot.

Stay: Around Kashgar Old City

Day 2 · Kashgar Local Life & Apak Hoja Tomb

Kashgar（Kashgar Grand Bazaar、Gaotai Ancient Residences、Abakh Khoja Tomb (Xiangfei Garden)、Han Bazaar Food Street & Night Market）

Get around the city by taxi; most trips take under 20 minutes. Return to the ancient city in the evening for the night market.

On Sundays, you can visit the Livestock Bazar first. Ensure your Border Permit is ready.

Stay: Around Kashgar Old City

Day 3 · Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan

Karakul Lake & Muztagh Ata（Gez Canyon、Baisha Lake (Bulunkul)、Karakul Lake & Muztagh Ata） → Tashkurgan

Drive from Kashgar via Gez, Baisha Lake, and Karakul Lake to Tashkurgan (about 300 km, taking around 8 hours including stops).

Stay: Tashkurgan County Town

Day 4 · Stone City & Khunjerab Pass

Tashkurgan（Tashkurgan Stone City & Golden Grassland、Khunjerab National Gate (China Side)）

It takes just a few minutes from the county town to the Stone City. The drive to Khunjerab Pass is about 125 km one way (about 5 hours round trip).

If you experience altitude sickness, skip the border pass and rest in the county town.

Stay: Tashkurgan County Town

Day 5 · Panlong Ancient Road to Tasha Highway

Tashkurgan（Bandier Blue Lake (Xiabandi Reservoir)、Panlong Ancient Road、Tasha Ancient Road） → Yarkant (Shache)

Enter the Panlong Ancient Road via Bandier, exit at Wacha, and take the Tasha Highway down to Yarkand. Total travel time is about 9 hours.

The Panlong Ancient Road opens at 10:00 AM and is one-way. Gas stations are scarce along this route; fill up in advance.

Stay: Royal Mausoleum and Old Town Area

Day 6 · Yarkand King Tombs to Hotan

Yarkant (Shache)（Yarkand Khanate Royal Tombs & Amannisa Khan Mausoleum、Altun Cultural Tourism Area、Yarkand Old Town） → Hotan（Hotan Night Market）

Explore the Yarkand Old Town and King Tombs in the morning. Drive along G315 to Hotan in the afternoon (about 330 km, taking around 4 hours).

Stay: Tuanjie Square and Night Market Area

Day 7 · Hotan Jade & Atlas Silk

Hotan（Hotan Tuancheng Old Quarter、Hotan Grand Bazaar、Yurungkash River (Jade Collecting)、Jiya Atlas Silk Village）

Hire a driver or drive yourself within the city and nearby suburbs. Most attractions are within a 30-minute drive. Return to the city center in the evening.

The Grand Bazar is liveliest on Sundays. Exercise caution when buying jade.

Stay: Tuanjie Square and Night Market Area

Day 8 · Cross the Desert Highway

Taklamakan Desert Highway (Hotan-Aral)

Drive from Hotan along G580 across the Taklamakan Desert to Aral. Total distance is about 450 km, taking around 6 hours on good roads.

There are few service areas along the way. Fill up your gas tank and stock up on water before departing.

Stay: Aral

Day 9 · Aral to Kuqa Royal Palace

Kuqa（Kuqa Palace、Kuqa Old Town & Grand Mosque）

Drive from Aral across the Tarim River to Kuqa (about 240 km, taking around 4 hours). Explore the old town in the afternoon.

Stay: Kuqa Old Town

Day 10 · Kizil Caves & Mysterious Grand Canyon

Kuqa（Kizil Caves、Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon）

Drive about 70 km from Kuqa to Kizil, then transfer to the Grand Canyon (about 130 km). Total driving time is about 5 hours.

The number of open caves at Kizil is limited. Confirm ticket availability in advance.

Stay: Kuqa Old Town

Day 11 · Luntai Populus Forest to Korla

Luntai & Tarim Populus Forest（Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest Park、Tarim Desert Highway Km 0） → Korla

Drive about 3 hours from Kuqa to the Tarim Populus Forest. After sightseeing, drive about 3 hours to Korla. Total distance is about 400 km.

Refueling is inconvenient inside the forest area; fill up in Luntai county town.

Stay: Peacock River Riverside

Day 12 · Lop Nur People Village & Iron Gate Pass

Korla（Lopnur People's Village、Iron Gate Pass）

Drive about 85 km from Korla to the Lop Nur People Village (about 1 hour one way). On the return journey, stop at the Iron Gate Pass (about 30 minutes).

Stay: Peacock River Riverside

Day 13 · Bosten Lake & Return to Urumqi

Korla（Bosten Lake Dahekou (Xihai Fishing Village)） → Ürümqi

Drive about 1 hour to Bosten Lake in the morning. Take the highway back to Urumqi in the afternoon (about 480 km, taking around 6 hours).

Stay: Erdaoqiao · Grand Bazaar

Day 14 · Grand Bazar, Museum & Departure

Ürümqi（Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar、Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum）

Walk around the International Grand Bazar in the morning, then take a taxi to the museum. Return your rental car in the afternoon and head to the airport.

The Xinjiang Museum is closed on Mondays; you can visit Hongshan Park instead.