Day 1 – Kashgar to Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon
Activities:
Drive from Kashgar to Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon – explore dramatic red sandstone cliffs and rock formations
Details:
After breakfast, depart from Kashgar and drive east toward Wensu County. Visit the Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon, a magnificent red sandstone canyon framed by the snow-capped Tomur Peak. 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 exploration, check into your hotel in Wensu or the nearby area for an overnight stay.
🏨 Overnight in Wensu or nearby
🚗 Driving distance: ~450 km
⏱️ Driving time: 5-6 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
🏨 Hotel: Local 3-star or best available
Day 2 – Wensu Grand Canyon 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 Wensu 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.
🏨 Overnight in Kucha
🚗 Driving distance: ~300 km
⏱️ Driving time: 5-6 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
🏨 Hotel: Kucha Hotel (4-star or local equivalent)
Day 3 – Visit Kucha Old City, Grand Mosque, Subash Ruins & Drive to Korla
Activities:
Explore Kucha Old City and Grand Mosque, visit Subash Ruins, then drive to Korla
Details:
After breakfast, explore Kucha Old City, a historic center of the ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Kucha. Visit the Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang. Then head to the Subash Ruins (Suvash), the remains of two large Buddhist temples dating back to the Tang Dynasty. These ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s Buddhist past along the Silk Road. After lunch, drive to the modern oasis city of Korla, famous for its fragrant pears, for overnight stay.
🏨 Overnight in Korla
🚗 Driving distance: ~300 km
⏱️ Driving time: 3.5-4 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
🏨 Hotel: Korla Loulai Hotel (4-star)
Day 4 – Korla to Turpan – Emin Minaret, Karez System, Local Uyghur Dinner
Activities:
Drive to Turpan, visit Emin Minaret and Karez Underground Irrigation System, enjoy dinner and cooking with a local Uyghur family
Details:
After breakfast, drive from Korla to Turpan. Upon arrival, visit the Emin Minaret, a stunning 44-meter-tall Islamic tower built in 1777, which is the largest ancient minaret in Xinjiang. Then explore the Karez Underground Irrigation System, an ancient water engineering marvel that has sustained Turpan’s agriculture for over 2,000 years. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local Uyghur family’s home, where you can join in cooking traditional dishes such as hand-pulled noodles or polo (pilaf). Overnight in Turpan.
🏨 Overnight in Turpan
🚗 Driving distance: ~400 km
⏱️ Driving time: 5-6 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (cooking experience included)
🏨 Hotel: Turpan Oasis Hotel (4-star)
Day 5 – Turpan – Jiaohe Ancient City, Tuyuq Village & Canyon, Drive to Urumqi
Activities:
Visit Jiaohe Ancient City and Tuyuq Village & Canyon, then drive to Urumqi
Details:
After breakfast, visit Jiaohe Ancient City, a remarkable Tang Dynasty-era ruin built on a cliff between two rivers – one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China. Then drive to Tuyuq Village, a historic Uyghur village nestled in the Flaming Mountains, and explore the dramatic Tuyuq Canyon. After lunch, drive to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, where your tour ends upon arrival.
🏨 Overnight in Urumqi
🚗 Driving distance: ~200 km
⏱️ Driving time: 2.5-3 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
🏨 Hotel: Not included
