Quickly bookmark this! The most comprehensive guide to a thirteen-day self-drive tour in Xinjiang

Xinjiang was an important passage of the ancient Silk Road, known as the 'Land of Fruits', 'Land of Dance and Music', and 'Land of Gold and Jade'. It is rich in tourist resources, with seven national 5A-level scenic spots, making it a paradise on earth that travel enthusiasts yearn for, second only to Tibet. Without visiting Xinjiang, you can't personally experience the vastness of our motherland, the endless grasslands and Gobi deserts, herds of cattle and sheep scattered across the hills and fields, the azure blue sky and crystal-clear streams, the perennially snow-capped highland meadows, and the rippling Sayram Lake... Every scene is captivating and makes you linger. Taking my mother on a thirteen-day self-drive tour of Xinjiang is one of the craziest things I've done to date. This issue will first present the overall itinerary and precautions, and subsequent updates will provide detailed travel strategies for each scenic spot. 🧳Pre-travel preparation: (1) Bring valid documents such as your ID card and driver's license; (2) There is a large temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang, so pack clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, especially windbreakers and sun protection clothing; (3) The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are strong, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun. Sunglasses, sun hats, or sun umbrellas are essential items; (4) The scenic spots in Xinjiang are far apart, and you will spend a lot of time in the car, so bring a large-capacity thermos or water bottle, a comfortable pillow, and some fruits and snacks. (5) Xinjiang is vast, and roadside assistance points are far apart, so it is recommended to invite a few friends to join you on a self-drive tour for mutual support. 🚗Transportation strategy: Try to rent a car near the airport, plan your itinerary in advance, and return the car to the airport after the tour, which is more convenient. 🛏Hotel information: Try to book your hotel a day in advance. Hotels in scenic areas like Kanas need to be booked several days in advance. 🗓Itinerary: Day 1: Fly from Changsha to Urumqi in the morning, rent a car after landing, and drive to Keketuohai; Day 2: Visit Keketuohai in the morning, head to Kanas in the afternoon, a total of 450 kilometers; Day 3: One-day tour of Kanas, stay in Kanas Old Man Village; Day 4: One-day tour from Kanas to Hemu Village, a total of 82 kilometers, stay in Hemu; Day 5: Depart from Hemu, pass through the World Devil City and head to Sayram Lake, a total of 920 kilometers; Day 6: Visit Sayram Lake in the morning (around the lake), then rush to Nalati, a total of 390 kilometers; Day 7: One-day tour of Nalati, then head to Bayinbuluk, a total of 81 kilometers; Day 8: Visit Bayinbuluk Grassland in the morning, then rush to Kuche in the afternoon, a total of 260 kilometers; Day 9: Depart from Kuche, pass through the Taklamakan Desert to Hetian, a total of 660 kilometers; Day 10: Depart from Hetian, pass through Qiemo and walk through the Qiemo Desert to Yuli, a total of 985 kilometers; Day 11: Depart from Yuli, visit the Loulan Village, Bosten Lake, and head to Korla, a total of 170 kilometers; Day 12: Depart from Korla, visit Turpan and head to Urumqi, a total of 570 kilometers; Day 13: Fly from Urumqi to Changsha, concluding the trip successfully.