Southern Xinjiang 12D: Kashgar, Tashkurgan, Hetian, Taklimakan, Kuqa, Turpan, Urumqi

Welcome to Kashgar, the historical city on the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Enjoy your free time if you arrive early.

Today it is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret. 

Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. Handicraft Street is a must-see section in the old town, where the huge music instruments and bronze vessels are very impressive. You might taste some local snacks here, such as Nang Bread, grilled eggs, dried fruits etc. before visiting the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. Enter the mosque at non-praying time to appreciate its architecture and decor, please wear long pants and cover the shoulders for ladies while visiting this mosque. 

Lunch is arranged at a local Uyghur's house for you to taste the authentic and traditional Uyghur food including nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau...etc. 

The animal bazaar is relocated near Kashgar Airport and opens only on Sundays. If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar.

When your tour is finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Today you will take a 4-hour car ride to the pretty Karakul Lake which is situated by the renowned China-Pakistan friendship highway. Karakul Lake is a beautiful mountain lake with altitude nearly 3600 meters, it is an imposing picture to view the lake and the snow-capped mountains at the same time. The Muztagata(7546m) is just standing beside the Karakul Lake, creating a stunning picture. You will also visit the White Sand Lake on the way, and view the yurts speading on the grassland.

Afterwards, you will drive on to Taxkorgan that is situated at the border between China and Pakistan.

Enjoy the small town scenery in Taxkorgan, then you will visit the Stone City that was built 2000 years ago, and the ruin still can trace back its original style. Enjoy the grassland view outside the town.

Later you will take a car to drive back to Kashgar.

After hotel breakfast, you will take 6-hour car ride to Hetian or Hotan. Upon arrival, you will explore Hetian Bazaar, Silk Factory, and Carpet Factory with your guide.

Today you will drive through the Taklimakan Desert highway from Hetian(Hotan) to Kuqa. Enjoy the fantastic desert landscape.

Lunch is packed meal today as no restaurants are available on the way.

This morning you will take one-hour ride along the ancient Silk Road to Kizil Caves, the earliest one in China, which was built 1700 years ago and still can see the colorful frescos and paintings in the caves. The Kizil is famous for its various Jataka stories that were painted on the diamond paintings. 

Later, you will head another one hour to explore the red Tianshan Mysterious Canyon, that is a 5-km long canyon in the southern Tianshan Mountains.

Afterwards you will be transferred back to Kuqa hotel.

After hotel breakfast, you will visit the well-known Subash Monastery Ruin that was the royal family supported temple for Qiuci Kingdom 1500 years ago, and still there are clay walls, rooms and gates exhibiting its splendid history.

Afterwards you will head to Kuqa old town to visit the Kuqa Mosque that is a well-known mosque for the Islamic Court in the past.

Take 4-hour ride to Kuqa from Korla in the afternoon.

After hotel breakfast, you will drive from Korla to Turpan through Hougou Valley in the Tianshan mountains.

Upon arrival, you will visit the Jiaohe Ancient City Ruin.

Turpan is a hub on the ancient Silk Road, and there are lots of historical sites that are renown for its well-preserved conditions. Today you will visit Bezklik Grottos, Astana Ancient Tombs, the Ancient City of Gaochang, Karez Irrigation System, Toyuk Valley, and Emin Minaret with a local guide. You will taste some dried fruits and eat Uyghur food.

You will take a 3-hour ride to Urumqi where you will visit Xinjiang Museum(Close on Mondays), mummies are a must-see in it, particularly Loulan Beauty and Xiaohe Beauty. 

Afterwards you will be transferred to visit the stunning Heavenly Lake.

Then you will be transferred to the hotel in Urumqi for a rest. 

Today you will depart from Urumqi. You will be transferred to Urumqi airport to catch your flight, where the wonderful tour concludes.