2026 South Xinjiang Group Tour Scenery of Tasha Ancient Road and Panlong Ancient Road 10 Day Self Drive Style Group Tour Highly Recommended Itinerary Recommended Route Price
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation
Explore Southern Xinjiang:10-Day In-Depth Self-Drive Group Tour of the Tasha Ancient Road and Panlong Ancient Road in 2026
✨ Mystical Land of Southern Xinjiang:Symphony of Ancient Roads and Snow-Capped Mountains
Southern Xinjiang, a land embraced by the Pamir Plateau, features both vast deserts and magnificent snow-capped mountains, winding ancient roads, and the rich cultures of various ethnic groups. In 2026, a 10-day self-drive group tour connecting the Tasha Ancient Road and Panlong Ancient Road has become a popular choice for in-depth travelers. This tour, centered around “self-drive group travel,” retains the flexibility of independent travel while resolving transportation, accommodation, and permit issues through a professional team, making it especially suitable for family trips or first-time visitors to Southern Xinjiang.
Tour Highlights:
Ancient Road Crossing:The Tasha Ancient Road, a thousand-year-old tea-horse trade route, winds down along the Tashkurgan River, connecting apricot villages and ancient post stations along Xuanzang’s westward journey.
Panlong Ancient Road:With over 600 hairpin turns spiraling along a 4,200-meter mountain ridge, it is known as “China’s most relaxing highway,” resembling a giant dragon when viewed from above by drone.
Plateau Lakes:The blue waters of Baisha Lake contrast with the white sand mountains, while Karakul Lake reflects the grandeur of Muztagh Ata, creating a visual feast on the Pamir Plateau.
Cultural Experience:Visit villages of various ethnic groups, listen to eagle flute performances, taste hand-pulled rice and baked naan, and feel the warmth of the plateau people.
📅 Simple Itinerary:10-Day Immersive Experience
[Day 1:Gathering in Kashgar]
Focus:Kashgar Old City opening ceremony, afternoon tea at a century-old teahouse
Schedule:Arrive in Kashgar in the morning for free time to adjust to the time difference; watch the old city opening ceremony in the afternoon and stroll through Id Kah Square; in the evening, enjoy performances by various ethnic groups at a century-old teahouse while sipping rose tea and snacking on nuts.
Explore Southern Xinjiang: 10-Day In-Depth Self-Drive Group Tour of the Tasha Ancient Road and Panlong Ancient Road in 2026[Day 2:Kashgar – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake]
Driving Distance:Approximately 300 km, 6 hours (including stops)
Focus:Scenery along the China-Pakistan Highway, views of Muztagh Ata
Schedule:Head towards the Pamir Plateau along National Highway 314, passing through the Oytagh Red Mountain Canyon, and arrive at Baisha Lake to photograph its blue waters and white sands; in the afternoon, wait for the sunset over Muztagh Ata by Karakul Lake and check into a comfortable hotel in Taxkorgan.
[Day 3:Taxkorgan – Panlong Ancient Road – Taxkorgan]
Driving Distance:Approximately 100 km, 4 hours (including stops)
Focus:Full crossing of the Panlong Ancient Road, checking in at网红 (internet-famous) road sign
Schedule: Set off from Taxkorgan in the early morning and enter the Panlong Ancient Road via a hidden trail. First, tackle the open turns of the “Big Panlong,” then navigate the dense hairpin turns of the “Little Panlong,” and take a group photo in front of the road sign that reads, “Today, I’ve walked all the winding paths of life; from now on, life will be nothing but smooth sailing.” Return to Taxkorgan in the afternoon and visit the Stone City ruins.
[Day 4:Taxkorgan – Tasha Ancient Road – Shache]
Driving Distance:Approximately 220 km, 7 hours (including stops)
Focus:Crossing the Tasha Ancient Road, visiting apricot villages (seasonal)
Schedule:Descend along the Tashkurgan River and cross the Tasha Ancient Road. Pass by the “Great Rock Cliff” described by Xuanzang and visit secluded apricot villages (if visiting in spring, enjoy the sea of apricot blossoms); arrive in Shache in the evening and take a night tour of the Yarkant Khan’s Palace.
✨Mystical Land of Southern Xinjiang: Symphony of Ancient Roads and Snow-Capped Mountains[Day 5:Shache – Hotan]
Driving Distance:Approximately 520 km, 8 hours (including stops)
Focus:Hotan Night Market, jade bazaar experience
Schedule:Visit the Shache Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park in the morning and drive to Hotan in the afternoon. In the evening, explore the Hotan Night Market, taste roast pigeon and red willow-skewered meat, and experience the fun of “jade gambling” at the jade bazaar.
[Day 6:Hotan – Minfeng – Taklimakan Desert]
Driving Distance:Approximately 580 km, 9 hours (including stops)
Focus:Desert highway crossing, desert sunset
Schedule:Cross the Taklimakan Desert along the desert highway, stopping at Tazhong Town to visit the desert oil base; wait for the sunset in the heart of the desert in the evening and check into a characteristic homestay on the edge of the desert.
[Day 7:Desert – Kuqa – Secret Grand Canyon of Tianshan]
Driving Distance:Approximately 480 km, 7 hours (including stops)
Focus:Tianshan Canyon adventure, Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves
Schedule:Drive to Kuqa in the morning and explore the Secret Grand Canyon of Tianshan in the afternoon, hiking through red-brown rock walls; visit the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves in the evening to admire thousand-year-old mural art.
Southern Xinjiang, a land embraced by the Pamir Plateau, features both vast deserts and magnificent snow-capped mountains, winding ancient roads, and the rich cultures of various ethnic groups. In 2026, a 10-day self-drive group tour connecting the Tasha Ancient Road and Panlong Ancient Road has become a popular choice for in-depth travelers. This tour, centered around “self-drive group travel,” retains the flexibility of independent travel while resolving transportation, accommodation, and permit issues through a professional team, making it especially suitable for family trips or first-time visitors to Southern Xinjiang.[Day 8:Kuqa – Aksu – Kashgar]
Driving Distance:Approximately 700 km, 10 hours (including stops)
Focus:Gobi scenery along the way, night tour of Kashgar Old City
Schedule:Return to Kashgar all day, stopping at Aksu for a rest along the way; in the evening, arrive in Kashgar for free time, recommended to explore the old city night market and purchase dried fruits and handicrafts.
[Day 9:Free Day in Kashgar]
Focus:Xiangfei Garden, in-depth tour of Id Kah
Schedule:Visit Xiangfei Garden in the morning to learn about the legend of Emperor Qianlong’s Xiangfei; listen to the call to prayer at Id Kah in the afternoon and feel its power; shop for local specialties freely in the evening.
[Day 10:Departure]
Schedule:See off to the airport according to flight time and conclude the Southern Xinjiang journey.
💰 Price Information:Transparent pricing, no hidden tricks
Reference price range for 2026:
Adults:9,800-12,800 yuan/person (fluctuates by season)
Tour Highlights:Children:6,800-8,800 yuan/person (no extra bed, includes admission tickets)
Fees Include:
Transportation:Full-trip formal tourist bus (including fuel and tolls)
Accommodation:9 nights in local comfortable hotels or characteristic homestays (including breakfast)
Admission Tickets:First admission tickets and shuttle buses for listed attractions
Meals:9 breakfasts and 12 main meals (including 1 roast whole lamb experience)
Services:Professional driver-guide, travel accident insurance, permit processing
Fees Exclude:
Round-trip transportation to Kashgar
Self-paid items inside scenic spots (e.g., horse riding, desert off-roading)
Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, alcohol)
Note:Prices may fluctuate due to factors such as travel dates, bed types, and policies; specifics are subject to the contract.
Ancient Road Crossing: The Tasha Ancient Road, a thousand-year-old tea-horse trade route, winds down along the Tashkurgan River, connecting apricot villages and ancient post stations along Xuanzang’s westward journey.📞 How to Register:Professional service, worry-free travel
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for details on recent travel dates, availability, and pricing.
📝 Fee and Service Information
Service Standards:
Vehicles:New cars within 3 years, disinfected daily, equipped with first aid kits and oxygen cylinders
Accommodation:Selected local reputable hotels, as clean and hygienic as possible, with 24-hour hot water
Meals:Group meals at a standard of 50 yuan per person, blending flavors of various ethnic groups
Driver-Guide:Local full-time drivers familiar with road conditions and emergency handling; no arranged consumption throughout the trip
Special Notes:
Single travelers will be coordinated for shared rooms as much as possible; a supplement is required in special cases
Information involving weather, road conditions, and scenic spot openings during the itinerary may change; reasonable itinerary adjustments can be made by mutual agreement
Specifics are subject to actual consultation and contract signing
🌄 Southern Xinjiang: A Dialogue Between Scenery and Humanity
From the lively atmosphere of Kashgar Old City to the vastness of the Pamir Plateau, from the thousand-year history of the Tasha Ancient Road to the thrill of the Panlong Ancient Road, this itinerary connects the natural wonders and cultural codes of Southern Xinjiang over 10 days. In 2026, travel with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and let a professional team unveil the mysteries of Southern Xinjiang for you, ensuring a worry-free,安心 (peaceful), and unforgettable journey.
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation
