7-Day Xinjiang Cultural Tours

big
Daily Tour 7 day
Urumqi

Tour Highlights

  • Experience the live ancient Tuyuk Village with a lunch at a local house.
  • Visit the picturesque scenery of Heavenly Lake at the Tianshan Mountains.
  • Understand the secrets of the longest ancient underground irrigation system Karez.
  • Visit the vast grassland and stone fort in Tashkorgan roof of the world.
  • Enjoy the most interesting livestock market on the Silk Road.
  • Admire the construction art of tallest minaret of China.
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, Urumqi to Turpan

Activities: Drive to Tupan and visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigations system and Emin Minaret
Details:After breakfast, drive to Turpan on the first class highway 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.
Once you arrive Turpan first 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 on to see the world famous Karez Underground 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.
Then 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.”

Day 3, Turpan Tours And Take Overnight Train To Kashgar

Activities: Visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Toyuq village, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves; Flaming Mountains and Drive to Turpan train station for your overnight train to Kashgar
Details:We start our exciting day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century.
We’ll spend about 40 minutes in this ancient city then drive 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.
Later Move on to Toyup 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 in their home. This could be the highlight of your tour today.
After lunch we drive to Urumqi airport for your flight to Kashgar.
On the way to Urumqi, we will stop at the Flaming Mountains 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”.
End of the day drive to Turpan Railway station for your overnight train to Kashgar. It is about 15:00 hours train journey.

Day 4, Arrive Kashgar And Explore Kashgar City

Activities: Pick up you from railway station and 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:Our guide and driver will pick up you from Kashgar railway station and start the tour. First visit Livestock market which is the most interesting and traditional part of the Sunday market; Then drive to one of the largest bazaar in Central Asia Kashgar Sunday Bazaar;
After lunch visit the Id Kah mosque which is the largest mosque in China and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Mausoleum which is also called Fragrant Concubine Tomb.
We’ll also spend some time by walking in the zigzagged endless streets of the Old City.
Finally have dinner with one local Uighur family for tasting real family foods

Day 5, 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 6, 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 7, 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

 Call Center: Wechat: chinasilkroadtours