Warmly welcome you at Urumqi airport and transfer to your hotel
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.
Visit Xinjiang Provincial Museum, then Drive to Heavenly lake; Spend time around Dongkuruk Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar in the evening.
After breakfast Our guide and driver see you at the hotel lobby and 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 some understanding about Xinjiang and the Silk Road
Then Leave for Heavenly Lake after which is 115 kms (71 Miles) over two hours by vehicle.
This beautiful and crystal-clear waters of Heavenly Lake is guarded by the Tianshan mountain and once you are at the like, you will have free time to roam around the lake, simply trekking up the mountains through the various valleys as long as you want. You can go for boating or take cable car (own expense) up to the top of the mountain for full scenery of the lake.
whenever you are ready at the lake, drive to Urumqi city and spend time around Dongkuruk Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar which which is the Minority center of Urumqi.
Leave for Turpan after breakfast and visit Tuyuq village, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves
After breakfast, drive to Turpan on the for about 2.5 -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.
upon arrival in Turpan first visit to the Tuyuq 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 today.
After lunch we will have some hiking around Tuyuq Canyon before moving to 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 on road side 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”
Visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigation system and Emin Minaret. Take afternoon flight to Kashgar
Following breakfast at the Hotel we start our another wonderful day in Turpan. Our special itinerary today includes sightseeing in Turpan and take afternoon flight to Kashgar
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 head 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.
Finally visit Emin Sulaiman 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”.
Finally, our guide and driver will transfer you to Turpan airport for your flight to Kashgar
Visit Grand mosque, Apak Hoja tomb (which is also called Fragrant Concubine Tomb), Old city walking tours, livestock market and handcrafts street
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.
Next to this market, there’s a bustling bazaar. Rows of local – style restaurants line the area. You can see all sorts of special local foods everywhere. There’s delicious roast meat, different kinds of kebabs, chewy hand – pulled noodles, and lots of fresh fruits. The restaurant workers are shouting to get more customers, and it makes the place feel even more alive.
Once you’re here, you’ll love it. Time seems to slow down, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to ancient Silk Road. It’s a great place to experience the real local life and enjoy some amazing food
When we finish lunch, a journey of exploration deep into the historical and cultural deposits quietly begins. The destination is the Id Kah Mosque and the Apak Hoja Tomb, two renowned sacred places that carry the history and beliefs of Kashgar for hundreds of years.
As the largest mosque in China, Idkah mosque is not only a religious place but also an important symbol of Kashgar’s culture, witnessing numerous religious ceremonies, cultural inheritances, and the spiritual sustenance of the people
Leaving the Id Kah Mosque, we head to the equally remarkable Apak Hoja Tomb. This cemetery, known as the “Tomb of Fragrant Concubine”. The legendary Fragrant Concubine, that beautiful and mysterious woman, adds a touch of romance and legend to this cemetery
Later, we’ll also take a stroll through the Kashgar Old City area. Boasting a history of over 2,000 years, it offers you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the ancient world. Here, You can explore the local bazaars, filled with the rich aroma of spices, the vibrant colors of handicrafts, and the friendly chatter of the locals.
Atmosphere in the Old City 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.
Afterwards, we will amble along Ostangboyi Handicraft Street, where you can appreciate the exquisitely hand-made musical instruments, uniquely designed teapots and all kinds of handicrafts passed down from generation to generation, and feel the profound cultural connotations and the inheritance of exquisite craftsmanship they contain.
Drive along the KKH, Stop at Opal Village, Oytagh Kunlunshan Colorful mountain range, Gaz Valley and check point, Bulungkol Valley (Baisha Lake white sand mountain), Karakul lake, Tagharma Wetland
We start our journey from Kashgar and drive along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway (also known as the Karakoram Highway). After about 50 Kms, we stop at Upal Village. Here, buy some fresh fruits, nang (a kind of local bread) and other food for the journey. Meanwhile, you can also taste some local snacks like baked buns and experience the atmosphere of the local village market.
Then continue to drive to the Oytagh Red Mountain and stop for taking pictures to record the wonderful moment and feel the amazing power of nature and the grandeur of the Kunlun Mountains.
Keep driving to White Sand Lake (Baisha Lake). The lake water is clear and blue while the sand dunes are snow-white, forming a unique landscape. Walk along the lakeside, enjoy the beautiful view of the lake and mountains, and take pictures.
Then continue to 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.
You can take a break by the lake, admire the magnificent reflections of Muztagh Ata and nine peaks of Kongur Mountains.
Lunch will be at the lake side restaurant as your like and then continue the journey to Taghrma Wetland which is the largest wetland in Tashkurgan, with lush grass and flocks of sheep and cattle.
Once arrive at Tashkurgan check in your hotel and later taste local delicacies in the town, such as yak hot pot, plateau mutton and so on. Then have an early rest to adapt to the high-altitude environment.
Drive to Panlong Road , Bandir Blue Lake and return to Kashgar after lunch
Drive to Panlong Road , Bandir Blue Lake and return to Kashgar after lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, start driving to Panlong Ancient Road which is about 30kms from Tashkorgan and it is a famous coiling dragon road with more than 600 S turns, Total round trip is about 150Kms, about 4-5 hours
After lunch, return to Kashgar. Enjoy the scenery along the way on the journey back, review the experiences of these two days, and arrive in Kashgar later in the evening and check in your hotel
Note: if you like you can stop at Muztagh Ata Glacier Park for visiting
See you off at Kashgar airport
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
