16-Day South & North Xinjiang Adventure Tours

Daily Tour 16 day
Kashgar

Tour Highlights

  • Admire the best combination of mountian, river, grassland and hot spring of the Koktokay Park.
  • Experience the live ancient Tuyuk Village with a lunch at a local house.
  • Kanas Lake “Paradise on Earth” “Garden of Gods”.
  • Discover the beauty of Hemu village “a virgin forest in China” by walking around or riding horse.
  • Enjoy scenery of the highest and the biggest lake Sayram in Xinjiang.
  • Enjoy interesting geological erosion of the Ghost City.
  • Taste of Silk Road by Exploring the cultural city Kashgar as well historical city Tupan
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, Day Trip to Heavenly Lake, Visit Xinjiang Museum and Dongkuruk Grand Bazaar

Activities: Visit Xinjiang Provincial Museum, then Drive to Heavenly lake; Spend time around Dongkuruk Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar in the evening.
Details: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.

Day 3, Urumqi To Turpan

Activities: After breakfast drive to Turpan and visit Tuyuq village; Flaming Mountain; Bezeklik Thousand Buddha caves and Grape Valley
Details:Today after breakfast at the hotel we’ll drive to Turpan for a full day sightseeing around Turpan: which will include visiting picturesque Tuyoq ancient village the oldest in Turpan area, Buddhist caves dated back to the 4th century. Visit local Uygur families enjoy beautiful mountain and grape sceneries. Have a lunch break then visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves on the flanks of the Flaming Mountains and Grape Valley. We’ll have dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight at hotel in Turpan.

Day 4, Turpan to Urumqi

Activities: Visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigations system and Emin Minaret. After lunch drive to Urumqi
Details:Following the breakfast at the Hotel start your wonderful day in Turpan. Our special itinerary today includes sightseeing in Turpan and drive to Urumqi after Lunch.
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 touring around the ancient city, we’ll drive 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.
Next 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.”
After lunch drive to Urumqi which is 180Kms and takes about 2.5-3 hours.

Day 5, Urumqi to Sayram Lake

Activities: whole day drive along the Northern Silk Road to Sayram lake
Details:Our guide and driver will pick you up from your Hotel at 7:00am local time and drive along the Northern Silk Road to Sayram Lake which is about 650kms from Urumqi city. The road to Sayram lake is all new highway which takes about eight hours including lunch stop at Jing county.
We arrive at Sayram Lake by dinner and stay overnight by the lake.
As the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang Sayram Lake holds a special name as the pearl of the Silk Road. Like a picture postcard of tranquility, the water of the lake is pure and crystal clear; Sayram lake is home to Kazakh and Mongol nomads. surrounding area of the lake is the best grazing place for their horses, cattles, sheep and camels in summer.

Day 6, Sayram Lake to (Ghulja )Yinning

Activities: Hiking around Sayram lake in the morning and drive to Yining after lunch, visit Guozigou (Fruit Valley on the way)
Details:Sayram Lake and its surrounding area is a great place for hiking or horse riding. Your stay at the Sayram Lake is your the time to explore the hills on horseback, take photos or simply trek around the lake for the whole morning.
When finished, we leave for Yining after lunch and drive through some small Kazak Nomad villages to enjoy the fantastic scenery of Guozhaigou (Fruit Valley) with its many pastures and pine trees along the way.

Day 7, Yining to Bayinbulak Grasslands

Activities: Drive through Narat Grassland , visit Kanzak and Mongol Nomadic people, have tea in their yurt , visit Swan lake and nine streams with Eighteen Angles at Sunset.
Details:Leave from Yining after breakfast, drive through some villages, grasslands and farming lands, arrive in Narat Grassland at about noon and have lunch here.  locals from Xinjiang boasts the beauty of Xinjiang with Narat Grasland as it is one of the most beautiful parts of our region.
After lunch keep driving along the Narat River lined up with pine trees to Bayinbulak Grassland which is the second largest in China. Once arrive in Bayinbulak, visit swan lake which is made of a group of small lakes and ponds as opposed to one massive body of water.
We highly suggest you to stay till sunset and snap photos on a hill that overlooks the river. The numerous bends in the river, especially against the backdrop of a sunset makes incredible scenery.
Optional activities: You can visit Narat tourist park and take shuttle bus up to the mountain on your own expenses

Day 8, Bayinbulak to Kucha

Activities: Drive through Tushuk Tagh (the mountain with Tunnel) and visit big dragon lake, small dragon lake and Tianshan mystery Grand Canyon
Details:Set out for Kucha after breakfast and drive through Tushuk Tagh which is another adventure driving day for you. First we drive up to the top of the mountain a long zigzagged road which provides better opportunities for taking photos of the mountain sceneries from different location.
We arrive the big dragon lake and stop here for lunch and hike around. This is a village with some nomad people and the area is really beautiful with grassland, the dragon lake, pine trees, sheep, cows, horse, goats and snowcapped mountains.
Then keep drive till small dragon lake which is not far away from big dragon lake, it is sparkling like a gem.
Before arriving Kucha , you’ll enjoy a glorious Grand Canyon and a good opportunity to stretch your legs by a walking around this dramatic, mysterious formation of the mountain which is very attractive not only by its colors but also for the strange shapes. 
Kucha Grand Canyon was voted by the Chinese National Geography magazine (2005) as one of the ten most beautiful Canyons in China.
Arrive Kucha in the evening and check into the hotel before dinner

Day 9, Kucha For Whole Day

Activities: Visit Kizil Thousand Buddha caves, Kucha grand mosque, old city, Bazaars, Subash Ancient Ruins and Kizil Kagha Beacon.
Details:Whole day sightseeing in Kucha, followed by dinner and a visit to the famous Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (5th and 6th century AD), which lie 75km (46miles) from Kucha and formed one of the earliest treasure troves of Buddhist art in China as well as one of the four largest cave systems in China. The caves were once hewn high on the cliffs of the Northern Bank of the Muzat River during the early 3rd to 8th Centuries of the first Millennium AD. Today there are 236 coded caves, divided into west and inner valley and rear mountain areas extending over 3 kilometers (1.86 miles). It takes about 2 hours to see the caves and learn about local Buddhist culture.
After lunch at a restuarant near Caves, we drive to ancient city of Subash (2nd-3rd century A.D.) as well as the Ancient Kizil Kagha Beacon tower which is an ancient military outpost.
Before dinner we’ll also return to Kucha to spend some time in the old town area , local bazaars and visit Kucha grand mosque which was built in 17th century and roof of the mosque was constructed with 300,000 eggs, cement and bricks. We’ll end our day with a dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 10, Kucha to Hotan

Activities: Drive through Taklimakan desert Highway.
Details:An early start today as we set out for Hotan after breakfast and driving 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 on the desert highway.
You’ll love the drive with outstanding sceneries of Sand dunes and we can stop whenever you like for photos, walking around or have 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.
We arrive Hotan in the evening and check into the Hotel.

Day 11, Hotan For Whole Day

Activities: Grand Market, Silk Fabric, Jade River, Carpet factory, Hotan museum and Night Market
Details:After breakfast, visit 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. later also visit Carpet weaving workshop where you can see how beautiful Hotan carpets weaved by hand. Silk, Carpet and Jade, all of these three products are very indigenous to this area of Xinjiang and famous along the Silk Road of Central Asia for thousands of years.
In the afternoon visit Hotan Museum which houses some impressive cultural relics unearthed from Ancient Cities in the Taklamakan desert as well as Mummies from Ancient tombs near Hotan.
In the evening, walk around Hotan Night Market where you will experience some most authentic Xinjiang cuisine including Roast goose eggs, Goat soup, yogurt dumplings, Pumpkin dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, Many different kind of Kebabs, Fruits and pigeon soup.
There are more than 260 stalls where you can choose what you like as well as enjoy local dance performance
Options Activities: if you want to ride camel in Taklamakan Desert, we can arrange it if you let us know in advance. It is on your own expenses.

Day 12, Hotan to Kashgar

Activities: Drive to Kashgar along the Jade Road and stop in Kaghilik and Yarkant and towns for local sight-seeing
Details:Leave for Kashgar early in the morning. Stop at Yarkand for lunch and a few hours to enjoy the local culture and do some sightseeing.
Yarkand became important city in ancient times and was an important station on the old Silk Road. It has more than 2000 years of history.
Arrive Kashgar in the evening and check into the Hotel

Day 13, 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 14, 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 15, 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 16, 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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