Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi
Activities:
Airport pickup, hotel transfer, free time near the International Grand Bazaar
Details:
Upon your arrival at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting, enjoy free time to explore the area around the International Grand Bazaar, one of the largest bazaars in the world. Stroll through its lively alleys filled with spices, dried fruits, hand-woven carpets, and traditional Uyghur crafts — a perfect introduction to Xinjiang’s vibrant culture and Silk Road heritage.
🏨 Overnight in Urumqi
🚗 Driving distance (airport → hotel): ~25 km
⏱️ Driving time: 40 minutes
Day 2: Urumqi – Heavenly Lake – Turpan
Activities:
Drive to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), hike around the lake, explore forest and waterfall, then drive to Turpan
Details:
After breakfast, depart for the majestic Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), cradled in the eastern Tianshan Mountains. Spend the morning hiking around the crystal-clear alpine lake, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense pine forests. Venture into the forest trails leading to a picturesque waterfall where glacial meltwater tumbles down the mountainside. After lunch near the lake, you’ll continue your journey south to the Turpan Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth. Arrive in Turpan in the evening for your overnight stay.
🏨 Overnight in Turpan
🚗 Driving distance (Urumqi → Heavenly Lake → Turpan): ~350 km
⏱️ Driving time: 5–6 hours
Day 3: Full Day in Turpan – Tuyuq Village, Gaochang Ancient City, Flaming Mountain, Karez System & Uyghur Family Dinner
Activities:
Visit Tuyuq Village & Canyon, Gaochang Ancient City, Flaming Mountain, Karez Underground Irrigation System, and enjoy dinner with a local Uyghur family
Details:
Spend a full day exploring the treasures of the Turpan Depression. Begin at Tuyuq Village, a historic Uyghur village nestled in the Flaming Mountains, and hike through the dramatic Tuyuq Canyon. Continue to Gaochang Ancient City, a vast Silk Road ruin dating back to the 1st century BC, once a thriving Buddhist kingdom. Next, ascend the fiery red slopes of Flaming Mountain, made famous by the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” Discover the ancient Karez Underground Irrigation System, a 2,000-year-old engineering marvel of underground channels that brought water to this arid oasis. In the evening, enjoy an authentic dinner at a local Uyghur family’s home near the village — join in cooking traditional dishes like hand-pulled noodles or polo (pilaf) if you wish.
🏨 Overnight in Turpan
🚗 Driving distance (local sightseeing): ~100 km
⏱️ Driving time: 2–3 hours total
Day 4: Turpan to Korla
Activities:
Visit Jiaohe Ancient City and Emin Minaret, then drive to Korla
Details:
After breakfast, step back in time at Jiaohe Ancient City, a remarkably well-preserved ruined city built on a cliff plateau between two rivers. Founded over 2,300 years ago, Jiaohe was a thriving Silk Road hub until its destruction by the Mongols in the 13th century. Unlike most ancient cities built from the ground up, Jiaohe was carved from the top down — streets, houses, and temples were excavated from the natural rock. Then admire the Emin Minaret (also known as Sugong Pagoda), a towering 44-meter (144-foot) symbol of local Islamic architecture, built in 1777 with a distinctive ribbed brick design. After lunch, drive to the modern oasis city of Korla, famous for its fragrant pears, for your overnight stay.
🏨 Overnight in Korla
🚗 Driving distance (Turpan → Jiaohe → Emin Minaret → Korla): ~450 km
⏱️ Driving time: ~5–6 hours
Day 5: Korla to Kuqa (Kucha)
Activities:
Drive to Kuqa (Kucha), visit Old City, Grand Mosque, Subash Ancient Ruins, and Beacon Tower
Details:
After breakfast, drive to Kuqa (also known as Kucha), an ancient Buddhist kingdom on the Silk Road and the gateway to the Taklamakan Desert. Upon arrival, explore the Old City, where traditional Uyghur architecture and lively local markets transport you back in time. Visit the Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang. Then head to the Subash Ancient Ruins (Suvash), the remains of two large Buddhist temples dating back to the Tang Dynasty — a testament to Kucha’s importance as a Buddhist center before the arrival of Islam. Finally, see the ancient Beacon Tower, part of the Tang Dynasty’s military signaling network along the Silk Road. Overnight in Kuqa.
🏨 Overnight in Kuqa
🚗 Driving distance (Korla → Kuqa): ~300 km
⏱️ Driving time: 3.5–4 hours
Day 6: Kuqa to Wensu Grand Canyon
Activities:
Visit Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon and Kezil Thousand Buddha Caves, then drive to Wensu County (Aksu)
Details:
After breakfast, drive 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 — the rock formations shift color throughout the day, creating a truly otherworldly landscape. Continue to 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. After your visit, drive to Wensu County (near Aksu) for your overnight stay.
🏨 Overnight in Wensu / Aksu
🚗 Driving distance (Kuqa → Tianshan Grand Canyon → Kezil Caves → Wensu): ~270 km
⏱️ Driving time: 5–6 hours including sightseeing
Day 7: Aksu to Kashgar
Activities:
Visit Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon, then drive to Kashgar
Details:
After breakfast, visit the Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon, a magnificent red sandstone canyon framed by the snow-capped Tomur Peak — the highest mountain in the Tianshan range. Walk through its dramatic cliffs, narrow gorges, and surreal rock formations shaped by wind and water over millennia. The canyon offers stunning contrasts between the red rocks and the distant white peaks of the Tomur Mountain range. After lunch, continue your journey west to Kashgar, the legendary Silk Road oasis city known for its rich Uyghur culture, bustling bazaars, and ancient mosques. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Your tour ends here, though you may wish to extend your stay to explore Kashgar’s Old City, Id Kah Mosque, and Sunday Bazaar.
🏨 Overnight in Kashgar
🚗 Driving distance (Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon → Kashgar): ~450 km
⏱️ Driving time: 5–6 hours
