OVERVIEW

Xinjiang is an amazing province in China with its well-known and spectacular history  as well as the fantastic landscapes attracting travelers to explore. This is a 8-day comfort tour to travel from Urumqi to Tianchi, Turpan, Kashgar, Karakul, and Taxkorgan by flight and car in Xinjiang. You will enjoy the adventure on the impressive land with your local guide.

ITINERARY

Day 1Urumqi Arrival Transfer

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. Upon arrival Urumqi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy your free time to explore.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

Day 2Urumqi to Turpan by car, sighteeing in Turpan

Today you will take 3-hour car ride to Turpan, which used to be a hub on the ancient Silk Road in the history.  

In Turpan, you will visit the endless Kumtag Desert, which is wonderful place to walk on the Sand.

Today you will visit the impressive Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves where you will learn the history of Turpan on the ancient Silk Road.  The caves are situated in the amazing Flaming Mountain valley, it is a wonderful place to take photos.

Moreover, you will view Emin Minaret, the token of the city of Turpan with typical Uyghur architecture, which was built in 1777AD. 

Then you will head to hotel to check in Turpan.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3Turpan to Urumqi by car after sighteeing Jiaohe City Ruin and Karez

Today you will explore the Ancient City of Jiaohe that is a huge city ruin built on a big terrace being protected by two rivers. 

Then, you will visit the Karez Irrigation System, which supplies the water to the people living in the dry Turpan Depression by the underground system. 

Then you will drive back to Urumqi, you have opportunity to visit the Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar before moving back to hotel.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4Urumqi to Tianchi, fly to Kashgar

This morning you will take 1-hour ride to Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi in Chinese, which is a high mountain lake with stunning scenery in the Tianshan Mountains. 

Then you will catch 2-hour flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel.

Transport: Private vehicle + Flight
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Kashgar city tour

Today you are busy to explore the historical city Kashgar with a local guide. You will visit the old Id Ghar Mosque, the old town,  Apa Hoja Mausoleum, and Animal Bazaar (Only on Sundays). It is so interesting to wander around in the old town of Kashgar to view the old houses, traditional shops, fruit stands, markets, and mosques. You can taste some local drinks and snacks if you wish. 

Transport: Public transfer/Taxi
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

Day 6Kashgar to Karakul & Taxkorgan by car(320KM 6H)

Today you will take a car ride to the Pamir Plateau. Firstly, the red mountains on the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway are amazing. Then the White Sand Lake beside the snow-capped mountains is impressively pretty. At lunch time, you will arrive at the Karakul Lake, which is situated by the renowned Muztag Ata, the father of Ice. Karakul Lake is a beautiful mountain lake with altitude nearly 3600 meters. It is a stunning scenery to view the lake and the snow-capped mountains at the same time.

The Kirgiz are local people living in the houses and yurts near the lake.

Later, you will continue the driving to Taxkorgan that is situated at the border between China and Pakistan, where there are Tajik people living here. Tonight you will stay in a hotel with the altitude around 3300 meters. 

You could taste the yak hot pot for your dinner.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurgan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7Taxkorgan back to Kashgar by car (320KM 6H)

Enjoy the small town scenery in Taxkorgan this morning, then you will visit the Stone City that was built 2000 years ago, and the ruin still can trace back its original style. It said the stone city used to be the small state in the history in the ancient Silk Road.

Moreover, you will also view the grassland on the Pamir Plateau, where there are yaks, sheep and horses etc.

Later, you will take a car ride back to Kashgar.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8Departing from Kashgar

Transferred to Kashagr airport to catch your flight heading for your next destination, where the wonderful Silk Road tour concludes.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDED

- Local guide

- 4-star hotel 6 nights in Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan

- 3-star hotel in Taxkorgan 1 night

- Flight Kashgar/Urumqi(Economy Class)

- Private car for transfer

- Entrance fees 

- 7 Chinese breakfasts

EXCLUDED

- Dinners and lunches

- Arrival/Departure transfer

- China Visa 

- Gratuity

TRIP NOTES

Tour duraton: 8 days

Difficulty: Easy

Group size: Min 2 - Max 15

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The tour can be tailored.