Day 1 – Arrive in Kashgar

Activities:

Airport pickup, hotel check-in, city orientation

Details:

Arrive at Kashgar Airport. Meet your guide/driver and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may rest or take a short walk around the old city area to get a first taste of Kashgar’s unique Uyghur culture. Overnight in Kashgar.

Day 2 – Kashgar to Tashkorgan (Karakoram Highway)

Activities:

Drive along the Karakoram Highway, visit and hike around Baishui White Sand Lake and Karakul Lake, all good spots along the highway

Details:

Morning depart from Kashgar and embark on the legendary China-Pakistan Karakoram Highway (KKH), one of the highest paved international roads in the world. Your first major stop is Baishui White Sand Lake – a stunning turquoise lake surrounded by pure white sand dunes. Take a short hike along the lake shore for spectacular photos. Continue to Karakul Lake (3,600m), nestled at the foot of the majestic Muztagh Ata (7,546m), also known as the “Father of Ice Mountains.” Enjoy a leisurely hike around the lake, breathe in the fresh Pamir air, and take in the breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks. Stop at various viewpoints along the KKH before arriving in Tashkorgan, the westernmost county of China bordering Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Overnight in Tashkorgan.

📍 Distance: ~290 km | 🚗 Driving time: 6-7 hours (including sightseeing and hiking stops)

Day 3 – Tashkorgan to Kashgar

Activities:

Visit Stone Fort and Golden Grassland hiking, drive back to Kashgar after lunch, optional detour to Muztagh Ata Glacier Park

Details:

After breakfast, visit the ancient Stone Fort (Tashkurgan Fort), a 1,400-year-old fortress that once guarded the Silk Road. From the fort, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Then head to Golden Grassland for a relaxing hike through the lush meadows dotted with yurts and grazing livestock. After lunch in Tashkorgan, drive back to Kashgar along the Karakoram Highway. If time and weather permit, take an optional detour to Muztagh Ata Glacier Park for closer views of the magnificent glacier-covered peak. Arrive in Kashgar in the evening. Overnight in Kashgar.

📍 Distance: ~290 km | 🚗 Driving time: 6-7 hours (including optional detour)

Day 4 – Kashgar City Culture Tours

Activities:

Apak Hoja Tomb (Fragrant Concubine Tomb), Kashgar Old City walking tour, ancient hundred-years-old tea house, handicraft street, spices market, hat market, livestock market (if Sunday), Id Kah Mosque, Ham Bazaar Night Market

Details:

Today is dedicated to exploring the cultural heart of Kashgar. Start with a visit to Apak Hoja Tomb, also known as the Fragrant Concubine Tomb, a magnificent example of Uyghur Islamic architecture. Then immerse yourself in the labyrinthine Kashgar Old City – a living museum of traditional Uyghur life. Stop for tea at the ancient hundred-years-old tea house, where locals gather to chat and sing. Walk through the handicraft street, spices market, and hat market, where you can watch artisans at work and shop for unique souvenirs. If your visit falls on a Sunday, don’t miss the famous livestock market – a chaotic and colorful experience. Visit the historic Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in Xinjiang. In the evening, explore the bustling Ham Bazaar Night Market to sample local street food such as roasted lamb, hand-pulled noodles, and fresh pomegranate juice. Overnight in Kashgar.

📍 Distance: ~20 km (local city driving) | 🚗 Driving time: 1-2 hours total

Day 5 – Kashgar to Aksu (Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon)

Activities:

Drive to Aksu, visit Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon

Details:

After breakfast, depart from Kashgar and drive east to Aksu (approx. 5-6 hours). Upon arrival, visit the spectacular Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon, also known as the “Grand Canyon of Xinjiang.” This lesser-known gem features dramatic red sandstone cliffs, narrow ravines, and unique erosion formations sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. Take a walk or jeep ride into the canyon to admire the towering walls and play with the interplay of light and shadow. After exploring, transfer to your hotel in Aksu for overnight stay.

📍 Distance: ~500 km (Kashgar to Aksu via canyon detour) | 🚗 Driving time: 6-7 hours including canyon visit

Day 6 – Aksu to Kucha (Kezil Thousand Buddha Caves & Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon)

Activities:

Drive to Kucha, visit Kezil Thousand Buddha Caves and Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon

Details:

After breakfast, drive from Aksu to Kucha. En route, stop at the Kezil Thousand Buddha Caves – one of the oldest Buddhist cave complexes in China, dating back to the 3rd century. The caves feature exquisite murals and statues that reflect the rich fusion of Indian, Persian, and Chinese artistic traditions along the ancient Silk Road. Continue to the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, a stunning red sandstone canyon with winding paths, towering cliffs, and dramatic light effects. Take a moderate hike into the canyon to explore its hidden corners. After the visit, drive to Kucha for overnight stay.

📍 Distance: ~270 km (Aksu to Kucha including detours) | 🚗 Driving time: 5-6 hours including sightseeing

Day 7 – Kucha to Korla

Activities:

Visit Subash Ancient Ruins, Kucha Old City and Grand Mosque, then drive to Korla after lunch

Details:

After breakfast in Kucha, first visit the Subash Ancient Ruins – the remains of a large Buddhist monastery complex that once stood as a major spiritual center on the Silk Road. Explore the crumbling stupas and temple foundations. Then wander through Kucha Old City and visit the Grand Mosque, a beautiful example of local Uyghur-Islamic architecture. After lunch, drive east to Korla (approx. 3-4 hours), a modern oasis city known for its fragrant pears. Arrive in Korla in the evening. Overnight in Korla.

📍 Distance: ~280 km (Kucha to Korla) | 🚗 Driving time: 4-5 hours including sightseeing

Day 8 – Korla to Turpan

Activities:

Drive to Turpan, arrive by lunch time, visit Jiaohe Ancient City and Karez Underground Irrigation System in the afternoon

Details:

After breakfast, depart from Korla and drive northeast to Turpan (approx. 4-5 hours), a low-lying oasis basin famous for its grapes and extreme heat. Arrive around lunch time. In the afternoon, explore the Jiaohe Ancient City – one of the best-preserved earthen cities along the Silk Road, dating back over 2,000 years. Walk through the ancient streets, houses, and temples carved directly into the clay. Then visit the Karez Underground Irrigation System, a remarkable 2,000-year-old water engineering marvel that uses underground channels to bring glacial meltwater to the desert oasis. Overnight in Turpan.

📍 Distance: ~400 km | 🚗 Driving time: 5-6 hours including afternoon sightseeing

Day 9 – Turpan to Urumqi (with Tuyuq Village, Flaming Mountain & Emin Minaret)

Activities:

Visit Tuyuq Village, Tuyuq Canyon, Flaming Mountain (roadside stop), Emin Minaret, then drive to Urumqi in the afternoon

Details:

After breakfast, visit Tuyuq Village, one of the oldest Uyghur villages in Xinjiang, nestled in a lush oasis canyon. Explore the mud-brick houses and the nearby Tuyuq Canyon – a dramatic gorge with red cliffs. Stop briefly at the famous Flaming Mountain (from roadside) – its reddish-brown sandstone ridges resemble leaping flames under the sun. Then visit the Emin Minaret (also known as Sugong Pagoda), the tallest ancient Islamic minaret in China, built in 1777. After lunch in Turpan, drive to Urumqi (approx. 3 hours). Arrive in the evening. Overnight in Urumqi.

📍 Distance: ~200 km (Turpan to Urumqi via sights) | 🚗 Driving time: 4-5 hours including sightseeing

Day 10 – Day trip to Heavenly Lake and Xinjiang Museum

Activities:

Visit Xinjiang Museum and Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), hiking around lake and forest, see waterfall

Details:

After breakfast, first visit the Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi, which houses an impressive collection of Silk Road artifacts, including ancient mummies, Buddhist relics, and cultural exhibits from Xinjiang’s diverse ethnic groups. Then drive (approx. 1.5 hours) to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), a stunning alpine lake nestled in the Tianshan Mountains at 1,900 meters above sea level. Take the scenic shuttle bus up the mountain. Spend the afternoon hiking around the lake and through the surrounding spruce forest. Follow the trail to see a beautiful waterfall cascading down the mountainside. Enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped Bogda Peak reflected in the turquoise waters. Return to Urumqi in the evening. Overnight in Urumqi.

📍 Distance: ~120 km (round trip from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake) | 🚗 Driving time: 3-4 hours total driving plus sightseeing

Day 11 – Urumqi Departure

Activities:

Transfer to Urumqi Tianshan Airport for departure

Details:

Breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping or a relaxed walk. When ready, your guide/driver will transfer you to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (Tianshan Airport) for your departure flight. End of your Southern Xinjiang Silk Road journey.