Solo female trip to Southern Xinjiang for 7 days and 6 nights, averaging 3k per person, unlocking hidden desert poplar experiences

Who understands! Chasing poplar sunsets alone in Southern Xinjiang, photographing starry skies in the desert, listening to live music in ancient towns, surrounded by the kindness of strangers the whole way—an uncle selling naan gave me an extra warm naan, the teahouse owner taught me to play the dutar, the sense of security and happiness maxed out! This guide only reveals "unique activities + pitfall avoidance details," so even novice female travelers can have a creative trip✨ 🌿 Solo female travelers to Southern Xinjiang, remember these 3 things to ease your worries 1. Is it safe? (Go for it with confidence!) - Security: Police stations are everywhere in Southern Xinjiang cities, counties, and scenic spots, with dense surveillance. The Kashgar night market is lively even at 10 PM, and crowds mean more safety; - Transportation: Choose official vehicles (airport shuttle, metered taxis, direct scenic area buses). Avoid unlicensed cars in remote areas like Taxkorgan. Book rides in advance at the "Kashgar Tourism Distribution Center"; - Accommodation: Stay at chain hotels with 24-hour front desks or female hostels (in Kashgar, choose hostels near the ancient city to find travel companions; in Hotan, stay near Tuanjie Square for convenient transport). 2. Best time to visit Mid-October to early November! The poplars turn into a golden sea, daytime desert temperatures are around 20°C with a light jacket, add a windbreaker at night, perfect for photos without bulky clothes, avoiding summer’s intense sun and winter’s severe cold~ 3. Female-only gear checklist - Clothing: Khaki long skirt (super fairy-like for poplar photos), red shawl (windproof and color-contrasting), non-slip Martin boots (comfortable for desert and ancient towns), hooded sun protection jacket (no need for a headscarf); - Safety: Portable alarm (hang on bag), buy pepper spray at local pharmacies (not allowed on trains or planes), phone strap (prevents dropping while taking photos); - Others: Hydrating face masks (one daily to save dry desert skin), sunglasses (protect from strong light), 500 yuan cash (some small shops only accept cash). 📍 7 days and 6 nights unique activities (no rushing, deep experience) Day 1: Kashgar Ancient City → Immerse yourself as an "Ancient City Girl" - Morning: Fly to Kashgar Airport, take Line 2 bus (15 yuan) to the East Gate of the ancient city, drop luggage at hotel and nap for 1 hour to recover from the flight; - Afternoon: 3 must-do things in the ancient city: ✅ Buy handmade carpet ornaments at East Bazaar (30-50 yuan, bargain to about half, sellers won’t get angry), photograph the "colorful scarf stall," the owner will help you pose; ✅ Take panoramic photos of the red walls at the entrance of Id Kah Mosque (wear long pants and remove shoes to enter), at 3 PM the slanting sunlight creates a great atmosphere; ✅ Drink salty milk tea (15 yuan/pot) at a century-old teahouse, watch locals play the dutar, sit by the window to photograph the "ancient city rooftop cluster," slow pace is very healing; - Evening: Eat roasted goose eggs (20 yuan each) and handmade ice cream (5 yuan per scoop) at the ancient city night market, return to hotel before 9 PM (streetlights are dim at night, better to return early). Day 2: Kashgar → Taxkorgan (Pamir Plateau, snow mountains and lakes) - Transportation: Book direct scenic area bus 1 day in advance (180 yuan/person, including entrance ticket), departs at 8 AM, bring bread and milk for breakfast; - Unique activities: ✅ View and photograph Karola Glacier from afar (don’t approach the melting water! Use wide-angle lens to capture "glacier + snow mountain," wear red shawl standing on the viewing platform for a magnificent background); ✅ Take photos of "snow mountain reflection" at Muztagh Peak viewing platform, no wind at 10 AM, lake surface like a mirror, even phone photos look like "sky mirror"; ✅ Stay at a plateau hotel with oxygen supply (don’t wash hair! Drink glucose water to prevent altitude sickness), watch the plateau starry sky at night, stars so bright it feels like you can reach out and pick them; - Pitfall avoidance: Taxkorgan is over 3000m altitude, don’t run or jump when you arrive, buy oxygen cans (20 yuan each) at hotel front desk, seek help immediately if feeling unwell. Day 3: Karakul Lake → White Sand Lake → Return to Kashgar - Morning: Take direct bus to Karakul Lake (50 yuan entrance), photograph "Muztagh Peak reflected in the lake," soft morning light, lake water is vividly blue; - Afternoon: Stop at White Sand Lake on the way back (free entrance), wear a long skirt by the lake, let the wind lift the skirt for a fairy-tale photo "between snow mountains and lakes," 10 minutes is enough, don’t delay return; - Evening: Back in Kashgar, eat pot stew meat (35 yuan/portion, tender meat falling off the bone with naan), stroll the ancient city night scene, lanterns light up like a fairy tale world, return to hotel before 8 PM. Day 4: Kashgar → Hotan (train desert tour) - Morning: Take train K9786 from Kashgar Station (10:00-14:30, hard seat 69 yuan), choose window seat to photograph "train crossing desert and Gobi" dynamic scenery, put luggage on overhead rack, don’t sleep too deeply; - Afternoon: Taxi from Hotan Station to hotel (20 yuan metered), visit Hotan Grand Bazaar (most lively at 4 PM): ✅ Buy jade pendants under 100 yuan (choose shops with certificates, just pick what looks good, don’t chase real jade); ✅ Photograph "handmade carpet stalls at the Grand Bazaar," colorful and photogenic, owners will let you take photos even if you don’t buy; - Evening: Watch locals dance Meshrep at Tuanjie Square, join in by swaying along, people will pull you to dance together, very warm and friendly~ Return to hotel before 9 PM. Day 5: Hotan → Luntai Poplar Forest (chasing the golden sea) - Transportation: Book direct scenic area bus 1 day in advance (220 yuan/person, including entrance), departs at 7 AM, bring snacks for the road; - Unique activities: ✅ Ride the scenic area small train (100 yuan, a must-buy! 5 km route), get off at "Lake Heart Island" station, photograph "poplars reflected in lake water," at 3 PM the slanting sunlight makes leaves glow golden; ✅ Walk the poplar wooden boardwalk, take "solo back view" photos with the small train as background, making it look like you’re in a golden painting, don’t walk too far, follow the crowd to avoid getting lost; - Evening: Stay at Luntai county hotel (choose near train station), eat small portion of big plate chicken (68 yuan enough for one, add wide noodles for extra flavor). Day 6: Luntai → Kuqa (explore a lesser-known old town) - Morning: Take train K9758 from Luntai (09:15-11:30, hard seat 28 yuan), taxi from Kuqa Station to Kuqa Old Town (15 yuan); - Afternoon: Explore Kuqa Old Town (less crowded than Kashgar, more authentic): ✅ Photograph "Islamic carved red walls" at Kuqa Grand Mosque, sunlight at 2 PM highlights the carvings, perfect for vintage-style photos; ✅ Find houses with "blue doors and windows," ask permission before photographing, residents may offer sweet pomegranates, very friendly chatting while eating; - Evening: Buy vacuum-packed dried white apricots (50 yuan per jin), stay at hotel near old town, rest early. Day 7: Kuqa → Return trip (take Southern Xinjiang flavors home) - Morning: Buy hot naan at Kuqa Airport (5 yuan each, salty, fragrant, and crispy), fly back home, end of trip~ ❌ Complete pitfall avoidance guide for solo female travelers in Southern Xinjiang (learn from hard lessons!) 1. Don’t go alone to remote areas: Taklamakan Desert interior and undeveloped poplar forests must be visited with companions or small groups, no signal alone, no help if something happens; 2. Don’t accept food or drinks from strangers: You can try samples at the Grand Bazaar, but don’t drink bottled water handed by strangers to avoid poisoning; 3. Ask permission before photographing: Smile and ask "Can I take your photo?" before shooting elders or children, don’t shoot if refused, respect local customs; 4. Don’t stay in cheap small inns: Avoid inns without 24-hour front desk, door locks may be unsafe, spend 50 yuan more to stay in chain hotels for a good night's sleep; 5. Don’t bargain without buying: If you bargain for something you like, try to buy it; don’t bargain and then not buy, local sellers are honest, avoid unpleasantness; 6. Don’t wash hair or bathe on the plateau: In high-altitude areas like Taxkorgan, avoid washing hair within first 3 days to prevent altitude sickness, better to endure for safety. 💡 Final thoughts Traveling solo to Southern Xinjiang is really cool! It’s not as dangerous as imagined, only the grandeur of poplars, the gentleness of ancient towns, and the kindness of strangers. Don’t wait for "someone to accompany you," just go when you want, you’re braver than you think~ Pack your bags and go to Southern Xinjiang to meet the golden autumn and a better you!👇