If you think you already know the highlights of tourism in Xinjiang, it's time to look again. A growing trend of combining rural life with tourism is changing the way visitors engage with the region's landscapes, peoples, cultures and cuisines. So, if you're planning a trip to Xinjiang, consider including rural tourism on your itinerary.

One of the region's new rural tourism ventures was established by the local bureau of culture, sports, radio, TV and tourism in Aksu Prefecture, which recently introduced four rural tourism routes, ranging from one to four days. Below is a rundown of what to expect:

One-day tour: agri-technology and culture 

The first stop on the one-day tour is the Hongqipo Eco-Tech Agricultural Park, where visitors can join the harvest of Aksu apples and take a closer look at modern agricultural practices. The apples grown in the prefecture are most famous for their distinctive "crystal sugar heart," a translucent core formed by naturally high sugar content.

The next destination is the Aksu Museum, which houses exhibitions on the civilization of the ancient Qiuci State, which was founded in Aksu more than two millennia ago.

Two-day tour: folk culture and natural scenery 

The two-day route leads travelers into Aksu's Awati (Awat) County to explore the rich folk traditions there. Visitors watch authentic song and dance performances and try musallas, a distinctive local grape-based beverage.

On the second day, the journey continues to Wensu County to experience the dramatic and mysterious landscape of the Tomur Grand Canyon in the Tianshan Mountains. Stops at Tacun Village and Bozidun Kirgiz Township, set amid snow-capped mountains and forested slopes, offer a glimpse into the harmonious relationship between local communities and their natural surroundings.

Three-day tour: history and rural life 

For those with more time, this three-day itinerary takes visitors from historical exploration to the countryside. The journey begins in Kuche (Kuqa) City, where the Subash Buddhist Ruins and the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower offer visitors a glimpse into the region's rich civilizational history. Both are part of the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The next stop is Jiayi Village in Xinhe County, famous for its residents' craftsmanship in producing traditional musical instruments. Visitors can observe the meticulous processes, try making an instrument themselves and explore the nearby sea of flowers the villagers have cultivated in the desert.

On the final day, travelers head to Shaya County. The Yanqi Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism Area offers hands-on experiences of modern farming, while the Shayanzhou Scenic Area presents a striking tableau where desert poplar forests meet sweeping desert landscapes.

Four-day tour: rural sightseeing and leisure 

This four-day route blends ecology, history and rural experiences. Departing from Aksu City, capital of the prefecture, visitors spend their first day visiting the Aksu National Wetland Park and the Kekeya Memorial Hall, which tells the story of transforming the desert into an oasis. The day concludes in Tacun.

Day two focuses on Baicheng County, home to the world-famous Kizil Grottoes, which are among the earliest Buddhist cave complexes in China, and the striking red stone forest. 

On day three, visitors tour the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower before returning to Xinhe County to explore the Grand Anxi Frontier Command Cultural Park. It was one of the two frontier commands the Tang Dynasty (618-907) established to administer the Western Regions, as which Xinjiang was known in ancient times.

The final day returns travelers to Shaya County for peaceful farmland scenery and agritourism activities, bringing this layered journey to a close.