Kashgar Pamir Plateau Private Car Tour An Old Driver Leads the Way to Explore the Secret Realm of Southern Xinjiang

Xinjiang tourism customized car rental for comfortable travel, regular fleet with customizable itineraries. Consultation hotline landline number: 0991-8866234. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, customized consultation Manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (copy to add friend for detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel routes and prices).
🚗 Want to see snow-capped mountains, lakes, ancient cities, and deserts all in one trip? Starting from Kashgar, renting a car with a driver and slowly traveling along the roads of southern Xinjiang is a good choice. This guide breaks down the customized car rental tour of southern Xinjiang from Kashgar from a ‘transparent consumption’ perspective, helping you clarify routes, itineraries, prices, and precautions, so you can set off with confidence.
🗺 ️ Detailed Routes and Destinations
1. Kashgar: Gateway and Starting Point of Southern Xinjiang 🕌
Kashgar is the transportation and cultural center of southern Xinjiang and a common starting point for many routes. The old city’s streets and alleys crisscross, with attractions like Id Kah Mosque, the century-old tea house, and the craftsmen’s bazaar, suitable for a leisurely half-day visit. It’s also a great place to taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine, such as baked buns, pilaf, lamb skewers, and big plate chicken, all found in small eateries in the old city.
2. Pamir Plateau: A Feast of Snow Mountains and Lakes 🏔️
Starting from Kashgar, head southwest along G314 (China-Pakistan Friendship Highway) to enter the Pamir Plateau. Along the way, you’ll pass the Oytak Red Valley, where the mountains appear reddish-brown under sunlight, contrasting sharply with green vegetation. Continuing on, the ‘half white sand, half lake’ scene of Baisha Lake is very photogenic, with sand dunes by the lake complementing distant snow mountains. Further ahead is Karakul Lake, which on clear days reflects the outline of ‘Father of Glaciers’ Muztagh Ata. Many tourists choose Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake as a day trip destination, returning to Kashgar the same day.
3. Tashkurgan County (Taxkorgan): Tajik Culture on the Plateau 🐎
Taxkorgan County is located on the Pamir Plateau, with an average altitude of about 3,000 meters. Nearby attractions include Tahman Wetland, the Stone Fortress, and the Golden Grassland. The Stone Fortress is an important site on the ancient Silk Road; climbing its walls offers a view of the Golden Grassland wetland, with rivers winding through the grassland and snow mountains in the distance. The local Tajik people are one of the main ethnic groups in Taxkorgan, known for their hospitality. You can experience a Tajik home visit and taste specialties like yak meat and milk wine.
4. Panlong Ancient Road: Experience the Curves of a Viral Highway 🌄

🚗 Want to see snow-capped mountains, lakes, ancient cities, and deserts all in one trip? Starting from Kashgar, renting a car with a driver and slowly traveling along the roads of southern Xinjiang is a good choice. This guide breaks down the customized car rental tour of southern Xinjiang from Kashgar from a ‘transparent consumption’ perspective, helping you clarify routes, itineraries, prices, and precautions, so you can set off with confidence.Panlong Ancient Road is located near Taxkorgan County, a highway famous for its numerous S-curves, said to have ‘over 600 bends.’ The sign at the top reading ‘Today, I’ve walked all the curves’ is a popular photo spot, perfect for shooting epic road photos. Note that the road has high altitude and many curves, which can cause motion sickness; it’s advisable to prepare motion sickness medication and avoid staring at fast-moving scenery outside the window.
5. Desert Highway and Taklamakan Desert: Crossing the ‘Sea of Death’ 🏜️
Starting from Tazhong, you can enter the Taklamakan Desert to experience its vastness. Along the way, you’ll see rolling sand dunes. Autumn (October-November) is the season when poplar forests turn yellow, creating spectacular scenery. Camping in Tazhong is a popular choice for many tourists, where you can lie on sand dunes at night and watch the Milky Way spill over the sands. Note that the desert has large temperature differences between day and night and strong UV rays, so sun protection and warmth measures are necessary.
6. Korla and Lop Nur Village: Intersection of Desert and Lake 🌳
Korla is an important city in southern Xinjiang, from where you can visit Lop Nur Village. Located on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, Lop Nur Village is a themed scenic area centered on Lop Nur culture. Visitors can experience a combination of desert, lake, and poplar forest landscapes, and participate in entertainment activities like sand sliding.
7. Kuqa and Tianshan Grand Canyon: Geological Wonder of Red Canyons 🏞️
Kuqa is a historic and cultural city in southern Xinjiang, with attractions like the Kuqa Old City and bazaar. From Kuqa, you can head to Tianshan Grand Canyon, where red rock layers have been shaped by wind and water erosion over billions of years, forming unique fold landscapes ideal for photography. The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves are one of Xinjiang’s important Buddhist cave complexes, carved earlier than the Mogao Caves, with murals and sculptures of high artistic value.
8. Wensu Grand Canyon: Mars-like Yardang Landforms 🪐
Wensu Grand Canyon is located in Aksu Prefecture, known as a ‘living geological history book.’ The yardang landforms inside have been shaped by wind erosion over billions of years into various strange forms, some like castles, mushrooms, or animals, perfect for sci-fi-style photos. The golden sunset is a highlight of Wensu Grand Canyon, with the setting sun casting a red glow on the rock walls, creating a spectacular scene.
9. Atush Tianmen: Natural Stone Arch 🚪

🗺️ Detailed Routes and DestinationsAtush Tianmen is located in Atush City, a natural stone arch about 2,900 meters high, known as the ‘Gate of Heaven.’ Standing under the stone arch, you can overlook the canyon and distant mountains, a very stunning view. Atush Tianmen is one of southern Xinjiang’s lesser-known attractions, with relatively few visitors, suitable for those who enjoy quiet and photography.
🗓 ️ Sample Itineraries
1. Kashgar + Pamir Plateau Three-Day Tour (Classic Route)
D1:Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Taxkorgan County
Depart from Kashgar in the morning, head along G314 to Baisha Lake, spend 1-2 hours, then continue to Karakul Lake to photograph the reflection of Muztagh Ata, arriving in Taxkorgan County in the evening to check in.
D2:Taxkorgan County → Tahman Wetland → Stone Fortress → Golden Grassland → Panlong Ancient Road → Taxkorgan County
Head to Tahman Wetland in the morning to enjoy the sunrise wetland scenery, then visit the Stone Fortress and Golden Grassland. In the afternoon, experience the curves of Panlong Ancient Road, returning to Taxkorgan County in the evening.
D3:Taxkorgan County → Karakul Lake → Baisha Lake → Kashgar
Depart from Taxkorgan County in the morning, return to Kashgar along the same route, enjoying the views of Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake again along the way, arriving in Kashgar in the afternoon to end the trip.

1. Kashgar: Gateway and Starting Point of Southern Xinjiang 🕌2. Kashgar + Pamir Plateau + Tasha Ancient Road Five-Day Tour (In-depth Route)
D1:Kashgar → Oytak Red Valley → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Taxkorgan County
Depart from Kashgar in the morning, visit Oytak Red Valley, then head to Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, arriving in Taxkorgan County in the evening.
D2:Taxkorgan County → Wakhan Corridor → Khunjerab Pass → Panlong Ancient Road → Bandir Blue Lake → Taxkorgan County
Head to the Wakhan Corridor in the morning to learn about its history and culture, then go to Khunjerab Pass (permit required in advance). In the afternoon, experience Panlong Ancient Road and visit Bandir Blue Lake, returning to Taxkorgan County in the evening.
D3:Taxkorgan County → Stone Fortress → Golden Grassland → Tahman Wetland → Taxkorgan County

No worries about traveling across northern and southern Xinjiang, professional customized car rental for free travel. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency landline hotline: 0991-8866234, exclusive customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (WeChat same number can be added).
Visit the Stone Fortress and Golden Grassland in the morning to enjoy the ancient Silk Road ruins and wetland scenery. Spend the afternoon at Tahman Wetland, returning to Taxkorgan County in the evening.
D4:Taxkorgan County → Tasha Ancient Road → Shache
Depart from Taxkorgan County in the morning, enter Tasha Ancient Road (check road conditions), experience the mystery and tranquility of the ancient road, arriving in Shache in the afternoon to visit Shache Old City.
D5:Shache → Dawakun Desert → Kashgar

Kashgar is the transportation and cultural center of southern Xinjiang and a common starting point for many routes. The old city’s streets and alleys crisscross, with attractions like Id Kah Mosque, the century-old tea house, and the craftsmen’s bazaar, suitable for a leisurely half-day visit. It’s also a great place to taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine, such as baked buns, pilaf, lamb skewers, and big plate chicken, all found in small eateries in the old city.Depart from Shache in the morning, head to Dawakun Desert to experience desert entertainment activities, return to Kashgar in the afternoon to end the trip.
3. Kashgar + Southern Xinjiang Ring Road Ten-Day Tour (Panoramic Route)
D1:Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Taxkorgan County
Same as Three-Day Tour D1.
D2:Taxkorgan County → Panlong Ancient Road → Bandir Blue Lake → Taxkorgan County
Same as Five-Day Tour D2.
D3:Taxkorgan County → Tahman Wetland → Stone Fortress → Golden Grassland → Taxkorgan County
Same as Five-Day Tour D3.
D4:Taxkorgan County → Tasha Ancient Road → Shache

2. Pamir Plateau: A Feast of Snow Mountains and Lakes 🏔️Same as Five-Day Tour D4.
D5:Shache → Dawakun Desert → Korla
Same as Five-Day Tour D5, then head to Korla to check in.
D6:Korla → Lop Nur Village → Kuqa
Depart from Korla in the morning, head to Lop Nur Village, then go to Kuqa in the afternoon to visit Kuqa Old City.
D7:Kuqa → Tianshan Grand Canyon → Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves → Aral
Depart from Kuqa in the morning, head to Tianshan Grand Canyon, then go to Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, arriving in Aral in the afternoon.
D8:Aral → Wensu Grand Canyon → Aksu
Depart from Aral in the morning, head to Wensu Grand Canyon to enjoy the red canyon and sunset, arriving in Aksu in the afternoon.
D9:Aksu → Atush Tianmen → Kashgar

Starting from Kashgar, head southwest along G314 (China-Pakistan Friendship Highway) to enter the Pamir Plateau. Along the way, you’ll pass the Oytak Red Valley, where the mountains appear reddish-brown under sunlight, contrasting sharply with green vegetation. Continuing on, the ‘half white sand, half lake’ scene of Baisha Lake is very photogenic, with sand dunes by the lake complementing distant snow mountains. Further ahead is Karakul Lake, which on clear days reflects the outline of ‘Father of Glaciers’ Muztagh Ata. Many tourists choose Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake as a day trip destination, returning to Kashgar the same day.Depart from Aksu in the morning, head to Atush Tianmen, return to Kashgar in the afternoon.
D10:Kashgar → Kashgar Old City → Return
Free time in Kashgar Old City in the morning to buy souvenirs, then return according to flight/train schedule.
💰 Price Explanation
1. Kashgar → Taxkorgan County Customized Car Rental Price
Kashgar is the transportation and cultural center of southern Xinjiang and a common starting point for many routes. The old city’s streets and alleys crisscross, with attractions like Id Kah Mosque, the century-old tea house, and the craftsmen’s bazaar, suitable for a leisurely half-day visit. It’s also a great place to taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine, such as baked buns, pilaf, lamb skewers, and big plate chicken, all found in small eateries in the old city.
📞 Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Consultation hotline ☎️:0991-8866234, exclusive customer service manager Zhang Jing 📱181-3962-2233 (same number can be added for detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel routes and prices).
📝 Fee and Service Explanation
Fee Explanation:Details are subject to actual consultation and contract.
Service Explanation:Details are subject to actual consultation and contract.
For Xinjiang tourism, choose Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Customized car rental travel is worry-free and reliable. Landline number: 0991-8866234. Customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233.