Seven days is enough to run a clean southern Xinjiang loop from the Turpan lowlands to the Kashgar heartland if you drive the long straight highways and sleep smart.
Southern Xinjiang is the Silk Road made solid: oasis towns, red canyons, and the great Tarim Basin ring road. This 7-day self-drive plan links Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, and Kashgar with realistic drive times, where to stop, and the permit you need if you push toward the Pamir. The loop covers roughly 1500 kilometres of paved highway, so budget for fuel and tolls and break the drive into the daily chunks below. Distances are long, so the plan builds in rest and fuel rather than cramming sights.
Day 1: Urumqi to Turpan
Leave Urumqi on the G30 and run about 200 kilometres southeast to Turpan, roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive on good highway. Turpan sits in a deep depression, the hottest and lowest part of the region, and it is your first taste of southern oasis culture. Settle in, walk the old town, and rest. You will need the energy for the sights tomorrow, and the early start keeps the midday heat off your schedule.
Day 2: Turpan sights and a short hop south
Spend the morning at the Jiaohe Ruins and the Karez wells, then the afternoon at the Flaming Mountains if the season allows, before driving south on the G3012 Tarim highway toward Korla. This leg is about 300 kilometres and four hours. Turpan is the logical launch point for the south because the G3012 feeds straight down the basin. Sleep in Korla, the regional hub on the edge of Bosten Lake.
Day 3: Korla to Kuqa
Drive the G3012 about 260 kilometres east to Kuqa, roughly three hours. Kuqa, known historically as Kucha, is the gateway to the Buddhist cave art of the region and a fine place to break the long basin drive. Refuel here and stock water. The road is flat and fast, but the wind off the Taklamakan can push a light car, so keep both hands on the wheel in the open stretches.
Day 4: Kuqa to Aksu
Continue west on the G3012 for about 250 kilometres to Aksu, around three hours. Aksu is a green oasis town with a calm centre and good night-market food. It is also the last major fuel and supply point before the final push to Kashgar, so top the tank and grab provisions. Southern Xinjiang rewards drivers who treat each oasis as a supply node rather than just a stop.
Day 5: Aksu to Kashgar
The big leg: roughly 460 kilometres west on the G3012 to Kashgar, about five to six hours including stops. This is the classic Southern Xinjiang Tarim experience, long straight road, distant mountains, and oasis towns strung along the line. Arrive in Kashgar by late afternoon, check in, and save energy for the old town walk the next morning. Book your border permit in Kashgar if the Pamir is on your list.
Day 6: Kashgar Old Town
Devote the day to the Kashgar Old Town, the liveliest traditional quarter in the region, with its lanes, bazaars, and the famous Sunday market when the day lines up. Park once and walk, because the old town is pedestrian-friendly and dense. This is the cultural high point of the loop and worth the slow pace after five days of driving.
Day 7: Kashgar to Tashkurgan or return
Option A: drive the G314 Karakoram Highway south to Tashkurgan, about 290 kilometres and five hours, but you need a border permit obtained in Kashgar and your passport. Option B: rest in Kashgar and fly or drive back toward Urumqi. Either way, day seven closes the loop with the satisfaction of having crossed the Tarim Basin under your own steering.
| Day | Route | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urumqi to Turpan | 2.5 hours, 200 km |
| 2 | Turpan to Korla | 4 hours, 300 km |
| 3 | Korla to Kuqa | 3 hours, 260 km |
| 4 | Kuqa to Aksu | 3 hours, 250 km |
| 5 | Aksu to Kashgar | 5 to 6 hours, 460 km |
| 6 | Kashgar Old Town | Walking day |
| 7 | Kashgar to Tashkurgan or return | 5 hours, 290 km |
Practical takeaways
- Book the Kashgar border permit a day before any Pamir drive.
- Treat every oasis town as a fuel and water resupply point.
- Start long legs early to beat afternoon heat and wind.
- Keep a paper map of the G3012 as backup where signal fades.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is 7 days enough for southern Xinjiang?
- Yes for a highlights loop of Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, and Kashgar. Add days if you want to linger in the old town or push deep into the Pamir.
- Do I need a border permit on this route?
- Only if you drive the G314 south of Kashgar toward Tashkurgan and the Karakoram. Get it in Kashgar with your passport before leaving the city.
- How long are the daily drives?
- Most days are three to five hours on good highway. The longest single leg is Aksu to Kashgar at about five to six hours.
- What car rental works for this loop?
- A standard sedan or SUV from a car rental handles the paved G30 and G3012 easily; confirm unlimited mileage because the loop tops 1500 kilometres.