I would go with your 1st route option as gaining a KAZ visa shouldn't be hard and Kyrg are now visa free.
Whichever option you chose will require a RUS visa which is likely to cause you the most hassle. Return option looks good to.
The only alternative route I can suggest is the ferry across the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan but this route can be tricky (we have now decided to drive around from Georgia/RUS/KAZ instead).
Cant help you with China entry points sorry as its not somewhere we are going. There is however another entry point in Tajikistan but I think this may only be for locals.
Let us know your plans, we will be in that area next year.
G
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