13-Day Xinjiang Silk Road Tours

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Daily Tour 13 day
Urumqi

Tour Highlights

  • Enjoy a nice hike in the Grand Canyon of Tianshan.
  • Discover hand made silk textiles, carpets, papers and unique Jades of Hotan.
  • Experience a journey through middle of the longest desert highway in the World.
  • Enjoy the earliest Buddhism Art, Ancient Xinjiang Buddhism and the Silk Road center of Xinjiang.
  • Visit Karez underground irrigation channels one of the three Great Projects in China.
  • Explore the ancient city of Jiaohe, which was built by dug down the ground.
  • Explore the culture, history and see the real life of Kashgar in the Old City.
  • Visit Royal family Tombs of Yarkend.
Day 1, Arrive in Urumqi

Activities: Warmly welcome you at Urumqi airport and transfer to your hotel
Details:Our guide will pick you up from Urumqi airport and accompany you to your Hotel. For the first day in Xinjiang you are free to explore on you own as you will.
Urumqi is the capital city of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of the people’s republic of China. It is located in the north – west of the country. Urumqi was a major hub on the Silk Road during China’s Tang dynasty and developed its reputation as a leading cultural and commercial center during the Qing dynasty. Literal translation of Urumqi means “beautiful pasture” in Mongolian language. It is the largest city in China’s western region. Since 1990s Urumqi has developed economically and now serves as a regional transport hub, educational,cultural and commercial center.

Day 2, Urumqi to Turpan

Activities: visit Xinjiang Museum in the morning then drive to Turpan
Details:After breakfast, visit the Xinjiang Museum which houses an impressive collection of exhibits, covering artifacts and relics from more than 12 minority groups. By this way you have a good understanding about Xinjiang and the Silk Road.
After lunch drive to Turpan on the first class highway for about 2:30-3:00 hours. On the way stop at Dabancheng power station, the largest wind power station in Asia and second largest in the world, also drive through salt lake which provides the best quality salt in Xinjiang region.

Day 3, Turpan For Whole Day

Activities: Visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Astana tombs, Toyuq village, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves and Flaming Mountains
Details:After breakfast We start our exciting day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century. We’ll spend one hour in this ancient city and then drive to Karakhoja Astana tombs, a Tang-dynasty burial ground which is also known as the “Underground Museum”. Astana means “capital” in the Uighur language and Karakhoja is a name of a legendary hero of an ancient Uighur Kingdom who saved his people by killing a vicious dragon.
Move on to Toyuq village, an old, beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here we visit several local families and have lunch with a local family at their home. This could be the highlight of your tour of the day.
After lunch visit Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves which used to be an important center for Buddhist worshipers under the Xizhou Huigu government of the Idikut (Gaochang) Kingdom.
On the way back to the hotel we will stop at the Flaming Mountains which people claimed to be the hottest and driest along the silk road that “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come” (stop on the side of the road for photos)

Day 4, Turpan to Kucha By Overnight Train

Activities: Visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigations system and Emin Minaret. Take overnight train to Kucha
Details:Following a hearty breakfast at the Hotel we start our wonderful day in Turpan. Our special itinerary today includes sightseeing in Turpan and take overnight train to Kucha.
First we visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city which is one of the best preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices. Workshops,residential houses and the streets are still visible and time there is a time spent in a long lost world.
After an hour of seeing around the ancient city, we’ll drive on to see the world famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.
Later visit Emin Suliman minaret which is a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient minaret in the country. Locals call it “pure tower.”
End of the day Take overnight soft sleeper train to Kucha. The train journey is about 8:00 hours.

Day 5, Kucha For Whole Day

Activities: Visit Kizil Thousand Budha caves and Tianshan mysterious Grand Canyon
Details:In the morning visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha caves which sit high on the cliffs over the Northern bank of the Muzat River, 75km (46miles) from Kucha city. The caves were hewn between the 3rd and 8th century and formED one of the earliest Buddhist art treasure troves in China. In fact the caves were in use one century before the famous Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang.
we have lunch at a restuarant next to the caves and drive to Tianshan mysterious Grand Canyon which is about a little more than an hour distance from the caves. Tianshan Great Canyon is located about 70km from Kucha city. The canyon is attractive not only for its colors but also the formation of the mountains there. Today, Tianshan Grand Canyon is regarded as one of the ten most beautiful in China.
Drive back to Kucha after a long and exciting one day trip and have dinner before going back to hotel.

Day 6, Kucha to Desert

Activities: Drive along the desert Highway and camp overnight on the way
Details:An early start today as we set out for Desert after breakfast and drive into the Desert Highway. This desert highway was built from 2005 to 2007 and opened in 2008. Today we drive about 200km through local villages and 420kms more on the desert highway.
You’ll love the drive with the outstanding scenery of Sand dunes. we can stop whenever you like to take for photos, walking around or fun.
The word ‘Taklimakan’ means Sea of Death: “once you come in you can never go back”, This will certainly be an unforgettable part of your trip.
before the sun sets down to west, we’ll stop at a place with high sand dunes and set up tents.
In the evening make fire and cook kabab for dinner.

Day 7, Desert to Hotan

Activities: Keep driving to Hotan and visit Grand Market, Silk Fabric, Jade River,Carpet factory and Museum.
Details:Get up early in the morning and enjoy the sunrise over the sand dunes (on a good day) and pack up tents.
Keep driving to Hotan city and arrive by lunch time.
A shower at the hotel would be nice to get rid of the sands and the dusts of the desert, but the memory remains forever.
In the afternoon walk around Hotan grand Bazaar for a few hours; Then drive to Traditional Silk Fabric where you can see how to get the silk and weave into cloth by the traditional way.

Then visit Carpet factory, Jade carving factory and Hotan Museum.

optional to the night market of Hotan. a number of interesting choices for Dinner or for street food.

Day 8, Hotan to Yarkand

Activities: Drive to Yarkant and stop at Kaghilik. in the afternoon tour around Yarkant
Details:Leave for Yarkand early in the morning. Stop at Kaghilik for visiting the Grand Mosque built in 17th Century and surrounding local bazaars.
Then head to Yarkand to enjoy the local culture and do some sightseeing. visit Golden Mosque (built in 1533) and its graveyard including several hundred years old tombs. Yarkand became the capital of many Uighur Kingdoms in ancient times and was an important station on the old Silk Road.
We also tour around old city of Yarkant which witnessed more than 2000 years its of history

Day 9, Yarkant to Kashgar

Activities: After breakfast Drive to Kashgar and have free time.
Details:After breakfast set out for Kashgar which is about 3 hours driving distance.
Have free time in the afternoon.
If you want,you can walk around the city and our guide will provide you an English Map of the city which helps you walk around by yourself.

Day 10, Kashgar to Tashkorgan

Activities: Drive along the KKH, Stop at Opal Village, Oytagh Kunlunshan Colorful mountain range, Gaz Valley and check point, Bulungkol Valley (white sand mountain), Karakul lake
Details:We set out along the Sino – Pakistan Karakorum Highway, on the Pamir plateau (the roof of the world)visit Karakul Lake (3600m above sea level). The lake sits at the foot of the notorious, Muztagh Ata (7546m) and Gongur (7719m) mountains. ‘Muztagh Ata’ means Father of the Ice Mountain and is one of the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in the world.
Lunch will be at the lake side restaurant as your like.
You can stop along the way at good spots for photos as much as you like or hiking around Karakul lake for a few hours. Our driver and guide never mind for your many stops or spending time for hiking
Arrive Tashkorgan in the late afternoon and stay overnight.

Day 11, Tashkorgan to Kashgar

Activities: Visit Stone Fort, Tajik village, Hike on the Grassland and drive back to Kashgar after lunch
Details:Tashkurgan Tajik autonomous county was once an important hub on the old Silk Road. The area borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan  via the Kunjerab Pass and Wahan Corridor.
After breakfast, you’ll have an opportunity to see the town’s ancient Stone Fort – still standing after 2200 years! ‘Tashkurgan’ is a translation of ‘Stone Fort.’ Later Hike on the grassland next to the Stone Fort.
After lunch, drive back to Kashgar and you can make stops along the way if you like.

Day 12, Explore Kashgar City

Activities: Visit Grand mosque, Apak Hoja tomb (which is also called Fragrant Concubine Tomb), Old city walking tours, livestock market, Sunday market and dinner at a local Uighur family
Details:Explore the rich, endless culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. First visit livestock market which happens on every Sunday and people bring their horses, sheep, goats, camels,cows,bulls,yaks and donkeys to the market for sale. It provides a great opportunity to take photos of the faces of local people, study traditional local market culture, test-drive a donkey or horse or even make its shoes. Like opening a window, today is a real glimpse into a time lost in the annals of the Silk Road’s past and an opportunity not to be missed.
Later move on to Sunday market main Bazaar which is considered one of the largest market in Central Asia. From fluffy sheepskin hats to rugged camel-hide boots, not to mention beads, buttons and buckets of locals. Everything – including plenty of kitchen sinks – is for sale at this fairytale bazaar. It is the best chance to practice your bargaining skills.
After lunch spend some time by the Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Tomb which is also known as Fragrant concubine tomb).
We’ll also spend time in the Kashgar Old Town and have some walking tours through some ancient historical parts; Stop at a century-old tea house for a short break and taste local medicinal teas such as those containing rose, saffron, honey and many other ingredients.
Finally conclude our city tour with a dinner at a local family in old city area

Day 13, Kashgar To Your Next Destination

Activities: See you off at Kashgar airport
Details:Today is the last day of your tour with us, so we hope this shouldn’t be the last. We strive to make every day of your time with us the one that you’ll always remember and if you’d like to book some other tours please Contact us for more information

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