Taklamakan Desert is located in the Tarim Basin of South Xinjiang. It is the largest desert in China, covering about 337,600 km², 1,000 km from east to west and 400 km from north to south.
For travelers, Taklamakan Desert is not a conventional scenic area with an entrance, admission office, or touring routes. The best way to visit it is through a South Xinjiang road trip. You can enter the desert from places like Alar or Yuli, drive through the seemingly boundless area of sand, then head to cities on the other end like Hotan and Minfeng.
If you are traveling to Xinjiang for the first time, a road trip through the Taklamakan Desert will not be like a professional desert exploration or an adventure into an uninhabited area. For most visitors, it will be a fun part of a South Xinjiang tour.
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- Taklamakan Desert at a Glance
- Is the Taklamakan Desert Worth Visiting?
- How to Visit the Taklamakan Desert: 4 Desert Highways
- Best Time to Visit the Taklamakan Desert
- How Many Days Do You Need for the Taklamakan Desert?
- Practical Tips for Foreign Travelers
- Plan Your Desert Adventure with China Xian Tour
Taklamakan Desert at a Glance
Location |
Tarim Basin, South Xinjiang |
Area |
about 337,600 km² |
Best Time to Visit |
May to June, September to October |
Best Golden Poplars Season |
usually October, depending on the weather of the year |
Recommended Travel Time |
1 day for a desert road trip, 7-14 days for a South Xinjiang trip |
Highlights |
desert highways, sand dunes, golden poplar forest, oasis |
Main Gateways |
Luntai, Alar, Yuli, Hotan |
Is the Taklamakan Desert Worth Visiting?
China’s Largest Desert
The terrain of Taklamakan Desert is not completely flat.
There are sand dunes across the desert, some low and some as tall as hundreds of meters. As you enter the desert, towns and farmlands will disappear out of your field of vision, slowly replaced by the rolling sand dunes. Only then will you experience the scale of China’s largest desert.
The Desert and the Silk Road
Taklamakan Desert was an important area along the ancient Silk Road.
In the past, caravans had a hard time traveling through the vast desert, so they worked their way around through the oasis on the southern and northern ends. That was how cities nearby the desert like Kuqa, Kashgar, and Hotan thrived as important stops along the Silk Road.
If you go on a Silk Road tour today, you will still notice the geographic phenomena. Just a few hours from the desert, you will be near the farmlands and orchards of the oasis cities.
More Than Just Sand: Tarim River and Poplar Forests
Taklamakan Desert has more than just sand dunes.
Golden poplar forests grow along the banks of the Tarim River, forming a colorful corridor in the extremely arid Tarim Basin. In the autumn, the forests turn golden, which has become one of the most representative natural landscapes of South Xinjiang.
Is the Taklamakan Desert a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
No. Taklimakan Desert—Populus euphratica Forests was added to China’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage in 2010, but it is not yet inscribed on the World Heritage List.
If you are visiting South Xinjiang in the fall, you can include a desert highway, Tarim River, and the poplar forest in your itinerary. You will get a full sense of the local landscape with the desert, river, and nearby oasis.
How to Visit the Taklamakan Desert: 4 Desert Highways
There are currently four major highways across the Taklamakan Desert from north to south. They each connect different places on both ends of the desert.
Desert highway |
Best For |
Main Connection |
Luntai – Minfeng |
first Taklamakan Desert experience |
Kuqa/Luntai → Minfeng/Hotan |
Alar – Hotan |
South Xinjiang ring tour |
Aksu/Alar → Hotan |
Yuli – Qiemo |
Southeastern Xinjiang route |
Korla/Yuli → Qiemo |
Tumushuke – Kunyu |
in-depth South Xinjiang itinerary |
Tumushuke → Kunyu |
Luntai – Minfeng: The Classic Route
This is the most iconic Taklamakan Desert highway. It is 552 km long in total with 446 km in the desert. If your Xinjiang tour involves going from Kuqa, Luntai to Minfeng, or Hotan, this will be a great way into the South Xinjiang ring route.
A lesser-known highlight of the Luntai – Minfeng highway is its green belt. To preserve the road from sand, a 436-km-long green belt has been planted along the highway. It mostly consists of drought-resistant shrubs like Haloxylon, rose willow, and Calligonum, maintained through drip irrigation from well houses, some of which are solar powered.
Driving down this Taklamakan Desert highway, you will not only see the vast area of sand, but the green belt and well houses too. This is a unique feature of the route.
Alar – Hotan: Best Route from Aksu
The Alar – Hotan highway is about 425 km long.
If you’re traveling to Hotan from Aksu or Alar, there’s no need to make a big detour via the Luntai – Minfeng highway.
Yuli – Qiemo: For Visiting Eastern South Xinjiang
First opened in 2022, the Yuli – Qiemo highway is 334 km long with 307 km in the desert.
For visitors traveling from Korla or Yuli to Qiemo or Ruoqiang, this will be a smooth route. It passes by landscapes other than sand dunes, like Tarim River and poplar forests.
Tumushuke – Kunyu: For In-Depth Road Trips
The fourth highway through Taklamakan Desert is the Tumushuke – Kunyu highway, 276 km long, opened in December 2023.
If you’re visiting Xinjiang for the first time, this is not necessarily the most common route to take, but it offers more options for in-depth South Xinjiang road trips.
Making the choice shouldn’t be complicated. Just choose the highway based on your starting point and destination. There’s no need to go out of your way just to experience a certain route.
- Kuqa/Luntai → Minfeng/Hotan: Luntai – Minfeng
- Aksu/Alar → Hotan: Alar – Hotan
- Korla/Yuli → Qiemo/Ruoqiang: Yuli – Qiemo
Best Time to Visit the Taklamakan Desert
May–June: Good Season Overall
Late spring to early summer is usually a good time for Xinjiang travel. The weather will be relatively warm but not yet as hot as in summer.
If you’re hoping to make your Taklamakan Desert road trip with Kashgar, Tashkurgan, Kuqa, and Hotan, May to June will be a great time.
September–October: Another Good Choice
The weather in fall starts to cool down, making it a great travel season as well.
If you’re hoping to see the golden poplar forest, you should consider visiting in October. However, the time for its change in color depends on the temperature and specific location, so check the latest updates before you go.
July–August: Possible but Hot
You can visit Xinjiang in the summer, but it may get very hot in the desert. Stay protected from the sun, hydrated, and check your vehicle condition if you’re taking a road trip in the summer. For your first South Xinjiang tour, late spring and autumn are usually the best seasons.
Winter: Fewest Crowds, Big Temperature Swings
Winter has the fewest crowds, but the temperature swings widely between day and night.
How Many Days Do You Need for the Taklamakan Desert?
It usually takes a full day to drive through Taklamakan Desert on a highway. The best plan is to include it in a Southern Xinjiang tour instead of planning a trip to Xinjiang just to see the desert.
6 Days: Choose One Area
With only about 6 days, you can focus your trip on: Kashgar & Tashkurgan & Hotan. The following sample itinerary is for your reference:
Day 1: Arrive in Kashgar → Free Time
Day 2: Kashgar Ancient City → Id Kah Mosque → Century-Old Tea House → Handicraft Street
Day 3: Kashgar → Dawakun Desert → Dawakun Lake → Return to Kashgar
Day 4: Kashgar → Baisha Lake (White Sand Lake) → Karakul Lake → Tashkurgan
Day 5: Tashkurgan → Stone City → Golden Grassland → Return to Kashgar
Day 6: Free Time in Kashgar → Airport Transfer & Departure
You may feel rushed if you add in a road trip through Taklamakan Desert with a full day of driving.
Recommended 6-Day Xinjiang Tour
A 6-day cultural journey from Urumqi to Tashkurgan via Kashgar, featuring Heavenly Lake, Kashgar Old Town tea houses, Karakuri Lake, and ancient Stone City on the Pamir Plateau.
10 Days: With a Road Trip across the Desert
With 10 days, you can fit a Taklamakan Desert road trip into your South Xinjiang itinerary. Consider a travel plan like this:
Kuqa – Luntai/Tarim River – Luntai – Minfeng highway – Minfeng – Hotan – Kashgar
Recommended 10-Day Desert Road Trip Tour
A 10-day in-depth southern Xinjiang tour through Kuqa canyons, the Taklimakan Desert, Hotan's vibrant bazaars, and the ancient streets of Kashgar Old Town.
12–14 Days: A More Complete Southern Xinjiang Trip
To visit Kuqa, Taklamakan Desert, Hotan, Kashgar, and the Pamir Plateau all in one trip, you will need 12–14 days.
That way you won’t spend long hours on the road every day. You’ll have time to explore classic Xinjiang attractions, the old city, bazaars, and local villages.
Recommended Complete South Xinjiang Tour
A twelve-day adventure through Southern Xinjiang from Urumqi to Kashgar via Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, and Hotan, featuring Jiaohe Ruins, Taklamakan Desert, and Karakuri Lake.
Practical Tips for Foreign Travelers
Driving Permit
Having a foreign driver’s license or International Driving Permit (IDP) does not mean you can drive in China. China has its own policies for driving permits.
If you do not meet the requirements for driving in China, it is usually easier to arrange private local transport and hire a driver. If you’re planning on driving yourself, before you leave for your trip, make sure you check for the latest policy on temporary driving permits, your car rental confirmation, and local traffic laws.
Fuel, Water, and Food
Before driving into Taklamakan Desert, make sure you’ve got a full tank of fuel, enough water, and food.
Don’t expect the same facilities or services on desert highways as on city highways. Don’t wait until you run out of fuel or water to look for supplies.
Weather and Clothing
You will not need equipment for professional desert exploration on the road trip.
Practical items that you should pack include sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and layers of clothes for the temperature difference. The summer may have high temperatures. If you encounter strong winds or dust storms, adjust your itinerary depending on the road and weather condition.
Navigation and Safety
Download your map offline in advance. Do not rely entirely on mobile data.
Do not drive off the highway to the sand dunes in a regular car. Hiking or camping in the desert on your own is not recommended unless you’re traveling with a professional and organized outdoor group.
Plan Your Desert Adventure with China Xian Tour
There is no need to visit Taklamakan Desert just for a desert adventure. It’ll be better as part of a South Xinjiang itinerary. Start your road trip from Kuqa, Aksu, or Korla, choose the best desert highway to reach Hotan, and continue your journey on to Kashgar or Pamir Plateau. You’ll be able to experience a road trip across the desert without making any unnecessary detours.
If you’re not sure which desert highway is best for your travel plan, China Xian Tour can help you with a customized South Xinjiang itinerary depending on your travel dates, season, and your destinations. We can include classic Xinjiang destinations like Kuqa, Hotan, Kashgar, and Tashkurgan along with your desert road trip.
