This is the desert route: Hotan’s jade and silk, then a long run up the Taklamakan rim to Kashgar’s ancient core.
This 6-day loop covers Hotan to Yarkand to Kashgar, about 1000 km in total. The sweet spot is April to May and September to October.
Why drive this route
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It is a slower, more local trip than the highways, with oasis towns that feel unchanged for centuries. If you are shaping the bigger trip, our Kashgar old town guide covers the wider picture.
The route day by day
Day 1: Hotan to Hotan (40 km, ~1 h)
Day 1 leaves Hotan and reaches Hotan, roughly 40 km and about 1 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Hotan. On the way: jade market; silk workshops. Local day.
Day 2: Hotan to Yarkand (300 km, ~4 h)
Day 2 leaves Hotan and reaches Yarkand, roughly 300 km and about 4 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Yarkand. On the way: desert highway north; oasis town. Long straight.
Day 3: Yarkand to Yarkand (40 km, ~1 h)
Day 3 leaves Yarkand and reaches Yarkand, roughly 40 km and about 1 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Yarkand. On the way: old mosque and gardens. Easy.
Day 4: Yarkand to Kashgar (200 km, ~3 h)
Day 4 leaves Yarkand and reaches Kashgar, roughly 200 km and about 3 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Kashgar. On the way: approach the old town. Refuel.
Day 5: Kashgar to Kashgar (30 km, ~1 h)
Day 5 leaves Kashgar and reaches Kashgar, roughly 30 km and about 1 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Kashgar. On the way: old town; bazaar. Foot day.
Day 6: Kashgar to fly out (0 km, ~1 h)
Day 6 leaves Kashgar and reaches fly out, roughly 0 km and about 1 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in . On the way: depart. Done.
Where to sleep
- Hotan (2)
- Yarkand (2)
- Kashgar (1)
Best time to drive
Spring and autumn avoid the Tarim summer furnace. The roads are good but the distances between oases are long and dry.
Most mountain roads, the Duku, the Ili branch routes and Pamir access, close from late October to early June under snow. Plan around the warm window. For the detail you will actually need on the ground, see our Kashgar Sunday bazaar guide.
Practical tips
- Fuel is sparse between oases; keep the tank high.
- Carry cash for markets and stalls.
- Spring and autumn are the comfortable seasons.
- Never let the tank drop below half on remote roads. Fuel stations thin out sharply once you leave the main G30 corridor, and a few only take cash or UnionPay.
- Carry your passport or Chinese ID at all times. Police checkpoints are routine on regional roads and you will be asked to scan or show documents several times a day. Before you commit, read our best time for a Xinjiang road trip so nothing catches you out.
FAQ
How long is Hotan to Kashgar? About 500 km via Yarkand; a full but easy desert day.
Is the desert road safe? Yes, it is a major highway with checkpoints; just carry water and fuel.
Best season? April to May and September to October.
What is Hotan known for? Jade, silk, and carpet workshops, plus a famous Sunday market culture.
Final word
Xinjiang rewards drivers who plan, then stay flexible. Build a loose route, book the key overnight towns, and leave room for the unplanned stop that turns out to be the best part of the trip.
Written by Karl Huang, a Xinjiang-based travel writer. Desert travel means long gaps between services, so confirm fuel and road status with locals before a remote leg.