Caravanistan

@PJN
As for hotels, just make bookings with free cancellation on any website, and cancel when your visa is approved.

If you already know China that's a different story ! Too bad you can't ad an other city in Xinjiang before heading west (Hotan for exemple).
Regarding the cities, it's all about personal taste. Make your own choice so that you don't have anyone to blame

Enjoy

I really don't see the point in going to China for a couple of days. Keep China for a dedicated trip and head south from Kazakhstan to Osh through Bichkek, then Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and back to Kazakhstan. As for Osh to Tajikistan, I guess you'll have to go through an agency.

Easier to visit armenia after azerbaijan than the opposite...

In 2019 I flew from Almaty to Urumqi : it all went very smoothly, including the arrival. I feared the agent could ask me many questions, but it didn't happen. Good way to enter Xinjiang if you want to avoid the hassle at land border.

2. Do not go to GBAO during the anti-terrorist operation that took place in the village of Rushan in May 2022 Allegedly anti-terrorist operation. People there would call it differently. The Border is extensively under surveillance. However, try not to make a tent or relax for a very long time aroun...

Day 5 is quite empty. Khorog to Rushan is maybe ... one hour by car. What do you plan to visit that day ?

From Khujand you can also "visit" Isfara on a day trip with public transport. Not that much to see, but still interesting. On the road you'll notice the huge damages caused by last Tajikistan/ Kirghizstan clash. Maybe you can make it to Vorukh (tajik enclave in Kirghizstan).

Did they really call plov "uzbek risotto" ?

Az authorities will never issue a permit to Karabagh for a foreigner travelling alone. End of story.