Start with whatever is hardest to recover if missed
The first stop should not be chosen by map distance alone. Look first for anything that becomes difficult to recover later: a prime morning entry window, a long transfer after lunch or a hotel target that you do not want to push too late. On those days, clearing the farthest or most sensitive section first often protects the whole route.
When the group starts slowly, a nearby light stop can stabilise the day
Family groups are often delayed less by roads than by real-life morning friction: tired children, seniors who need more time to get moving, slow breakfasts or late-night recovery. In that case, beginning with a nearby flexible stop often helps the whole vehicle settle into rhythm before handling the heavier part of the day.
Return pressure matters as much as the outbound distance
Some days look easy on paper because the first drive is short, but the real stress appears later in the form of afternoon congestion, repeated parking, or a longer final run to the hotel. If the unstable section sits at the back of the day, it often makes sense to move the most demanding part earlier rather than saving it for when everyone is already looser and more tired.
For first-time Xinjiang travellers, smooth rhythm beats one extra stop
A common mistake is to place a small nearby sight first and then chase the main distant stop afterward. That can overload the morning with parking, toilets, walking and regrouping before the day has properly started. For first-time family visitors, the first stop should help the group enter the day smoothly, not prove that the itinerary is packed.