- Information
- Itinerary
- Gallery
- Trip Notes
Destinations
- Kashgar
- Kuqa
- Tashkorgan
- Turpan
- Urumqi
- Xinjiang
Tour Price
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Tour Start and End
Urumqi, Kashgar
Price Includes
- Accommodation
- Licensed English-speaking tour guide
- Private air-conditioned vehicle/bus
- Guide & driver accommodation + meals
- Train tickets
Price Excludes
- International/domestic flights
- Meals (can arranged if need)
- Entrance fees to monuments/attractions(can arranged if need)
- Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, laundry)
- Tips for guide/driver
Tour Overview
Discover ancient trade routes, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes
A 12-day journey through Xinjiang’s Silk Road highlights, blending history, culture, and natural wonders. Explore ancient cities, desert highways, Buddhist caves, and vibrant bazaars while experiencing Uyghur, Tajik, and Han Chinese traditions.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi
Highlights: Urumqi Grand Bazaar
After airport pickup and hotel check-in, visit the Grand Bazaar, A sprawling 10-story market blending Uyghur, Kazakh, and Han cultures. Explore stalls selling Jade from Hotan, hand-forged knives, and embroidered doppa hats. Food Corner: Sample dapanji (spicy chicken stew), charcoal-grilled lamb skewers, and honey-drenched baklava. Cultural Insight: Visit the rooftop terrace for evening folk dances accompanied by the rawap (Uyghur lute). Overnight: UrumqiDay 2: Urumqi → Heavenly Lake (120 km, 2 hrs)
Highlights: Xinjiang Museum, Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)
After breakfast, Visit Xinjiang Museum, Must-See: The “Loulan Beauty” (3,800-year-old Tarim mummy), Silk Road coins, and Tang Dynasty silk paintings. Then drive to Heavenly Lake, Spot snow leopards’ prey like ibex and golden eagles (binoculars recommended). Take a cable car to the lakeside, hike the Wanglong Pavilion Trail for panoramic views. Overnight: UrumqiDay 3: Urumqi → Turpan (200 km, 3 hrs)
Highlights: Tuyuq Village, Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Caves
In the morning, Travel to Turpan, First stop will be Flaming Mountains, Geology: Red sandstone ridges formed by 100 million years of erosion. The Thermometer Monument marks record highs of 80°C (176°F). Then visit Tuyuq Village, One of Xinjiang’s oldest Uyghur villages, with 1,700-year-old Mazha Tombs carved into cliffs. Sip tea with locals in courtyards shaded by grapevines. After lunch at the Uyghur house, drive to Bezeklik Caves, Faded murals showing Sogdian merchants and Tocharian donors. Note the vandalism from early 20th-century explorers. Overnight: TurpanDay 4: Turpan → Kuqa (Overnight Train)
Highlights: Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Wells, Emin Minaret
In the morning, visit Jiaohe Ruins, Divided into temples, residential quarters, and a necropolis. The Buddhist Monastery has a rare underground chamber for meditation.Then to Karez Wells, Descend into a 20-meter-deep vertical well to see the ancient tunnel system. Local guides demonstrate how water is distributed. Afternoon, Visit Emin Minaret, A 44-meter tapering brick tower adorned with 14 geometric patterns. Built in 1777 to honor a Turpan hero. Overnight: TrainDay 5: Kuqa Tour
Highlights: Kezil Caves, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kuqa Old Town
After breakfast, drive to Kezil Buddha Caves, Located 75 km west of Kuqa, carved into cliffs above the Muzat River in the Tianshan Mountains. Built between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE, predating Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves. A UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of the Silk Road: Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor), showcasing early Buddhist art fused with Hellenistic, Persian, and Indian influences. Then drive to Tianshan Grand Canyon, Hiking the 5-km trail through wind-sculpted red cliffs. Look for the “Karma Rock,” a heart-shaped boulder balancing on a narrow base. After that, visit Kuqa Bazaar and old town, Try tonur kebab (lamb baked in a clay oven) and buy khushtar (scented rosewood prayer beads). Overnight: KuqaDay 6: Kuqa → Hotan via Taklamakan Desert Road (550 km, 8–9 hrs)
Highlights: Taklamakan Desert Highway
On the way, Stop some places to see sand dunes, desert poplar forests, the , the Ancient traders skirted Taklamakan desert edges via northern and southern routes, avoiding the deadly interior. Derived from Uighur: “Takla Makan” = “Place of No Return” or “Abandoned Desert”, Buried Cities, Ruins like Loulan and Niya lie beneath the sand, along with 4,000-year-old Tarim mummies (Caucasian features, preserved by arid conditions). Overnight: HotanDay 7: Hotan Tour
Highlights: Hotan Carpet Factory, Silk Workshop, Night Market
After breakfast, drive to Carpet Factory, Each carpet has 1.2 million knots (360 knots per square inch). Watch artisans use natural dyes from indigo and walnut husks. Silk Workshop, From silkworms feeding on mulberry leaves to hand-reeling threads into iridescent fabric. Buy scarves with Uyghur ikat patterns. After noon, visit Hotan Bazaar, there you will enjoy local food, handcrafts, fabrics, Jades etc. In the evening, your guide will take you to the Hotan Night Market, it is the most famous night market in Xinjiang with it’s various delicious foods and size. Overnight: HotanDay 8: Hotan → Kashgar (500 km, 7–8 hrs)
Highlights: Yarkand Amanisha Khan Tomb
After breakfast, Travel to kashgar along the Oasis villages, two sides of the road you can see different kind of crops, you will have lunch in Yarkand, after Lunch, visit Amanisha Khan Tomb, A hexagonal structure with a 22-meter dome. The interior walls are inscribed with Persian poetry. Overnight: KashgarDay 9: Kashgar Tour
Highlights: Livestock Market, Idkah Mosque, Apak Hoja Tomb, Old Town
Start your day at the Kashgar Livestock Market, where the clamor of sheep auctions and camel traders offers a raw glimpse into Silk Road commerce. After soaking in the market’s energy, drive to the Apak Hoja Tomb, its turquoise domes and floral mosaics reflecting Persian-Uyghur artistry. After lunch, visit Idkah Mosque, From the mosque’s tranquil courtyard, walk 10 minutes through shaded alleys End the day by wandering Kashgar Old Town, where the rhythmic hammering of coppersmiths and the scent of freshly baked Nan from clay ovens transport you back to the city’s medieval heyday. You can collect last-minute souvenirs like camel-bone knives or silk scarves. Overnight: KashgarDay 10: Kashgar → Tashkorgan (300 km, 6 hrs)
Highlights: Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata, Opal Village
Depart early along the Karakoram Highway, stopping first at Opal Village, there you can see village Bazaar, and can buy hot Nan bread and other local snack, then traverse the stark beauty of Oytagh Valley’s red cliffs, and beautiful Sand mountain Lake, Continue driving southwest to Karakul Lake, arriving by midday to photograph the snow-capped Muztagh Ata Peak mirrored in the glacial waters. Share a meal of laghman noodles in a Kyrgyz yurt by the lakeshore, reaching Tashkorgan by sunset. Overnight: TashkorganDay 11: Tashkorgan → Kashgar (300 km, 6 hrs)
Highlights: Stone City, Golden Grassland
Begin at Stone City, a crumbling Tang Dynasty fortress perched above the Taxkorgan River Valley—scout for ancient pottery shards and imagine Silk Road caravans passing below. Visit the Golden Grassland to stroll through amber-hued meadows (autumn) or summer pastures dotted with grazing yaks. Drive back along the Karakoram Highway. Overnight: KashgarDay 12
Kashgar Departure
Airport transfer (10km, 20 mins from downtown).Xinjiang Silk Road Trip ends here.
No Details Found
- Information
- Itinerary
- Gallery
- Trip Notes
Tour Overview
Discover ancient trade routes, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes
A 12-day journey through Xinjiang’s Silk Road highlights, blending history, culture, and natural wonders. Explore ancient cities, desert highways, Buddhist caves, and vibrant bazaars while experiencing Uyghur, Tajik, and Han Chinese traditions.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi
Highlights: Urumqi Grand Bazaar
After airport pickup and hotel check-in, visit the Grand Bazaar, A sprawling 10-story market blending Uyghur, Kazakh, and Han cultures. Explore stalls selling Jade from Hotan, hand-forged knives, and embroidered doppa hats. Food Corner: Sample dapanji (spicy chicken stew), charcoal-grilled lamb skewers, and honey-drenched baklava. Cultural Insight: Visit the rooftop terrace for evening folk dances accompanied by the rawap (Uyghur lute). Overnight: UrumqiDay 2: Urumqi → Heavenly Lake (120 km, 2 hrs)
Highlights: Xinjiang Museum, Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)
After breakfast, Visit Xinjiang Museum, Must-See: The “Loulan Beauty” (3,800-year-old Tarim mummy), Silk Road coins, and Tang Dynasty silk paintings. Then drive to Heavenly Lake, Spot snow leopards’ prey like ibex and golden eagles (binoculars recommended). Take a cable car to the lakeside, hike the Wanglong Pavilion Trail for panoramic views. Overnight: UrumqiDay 3: Urumqi → Turpan (200 km, 3 hrs)
Highlights: Tuyuq Village, Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Caves
In the morning, Travel to Turpan, First stop will be Flaming Mountains, Geology: Red sandstone ridges formed by 100 million years of erosion. The Thermometer Monument marks record highs of 80°C (176°F). Then visit Tuyuq Village, One of Xinjiang’s oldest Uyghur villages, with 1,700-year-old Mazha Tombs carved into cliffs. Sip tea with locals in courtyards shaded by grapevines. After lunch at the Uyghur house, drive to Bezeklik Caves, Faded murals showing Sogdian merchants and Tocharian donors. Note the vandalism from early 20th-century explorers. Overnight: TurpanDay 4: Turpan → Kuqa (Overnight Train)
Highlights: Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Wells, Emin Minaret
In the morning, visit Jiaohe Ruins, Divided into temples, residential quarters, and a necropolis. The Buddhist Monastery has a rare underground chamber for meditation.Then to Karez Wells, Descend into a 20-meter-deep vertical well to see the ancient tunnel system. Local guides demonstrate how water is distributed. Afternoon, Visit Emin Minaret, A 44-meter tapering brick tower adorned with 14 geometric patterns. Built in 1777 to honor a Turpan hero. Overnight: TrainDay 5: Kuqa Tour
Highlights: Kezil Caves, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Kuqa Old Town
After breakfast, drive to Kezil Buddha Caves, Located 75 km west of Kuqa, carved into cliffs above the Muzat River in the Tianshan Mountains. Built between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE, predating Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves. A UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of the Silk Road: Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor), showcasing early Buddhist art fused with Hellenistic, Persian, and Indian influences. Then drive to Tianshan Grand Canyon, Hiking the 5-km trail through wind-sculpted red cliffs. Look for the “Karma Rock,” a heart-shaped boulder balancing on a narrow base. After that, visit Kuqa Bazaar and old town, Try tonur kebab (lamb baked in a clay oven) and buy khushtar (scented rosewood prayer beads). Overnight: KuqaDay 6: Kuqa → Hotan via Taklamakan Desert Road (550 km, 8–9 hrs)
Highlights: Taklamakan Desert Highway
On the way, Stop some places to see sand dunes, desert poplar forests, the , the Ancient traders skirted Taklamakan desert edges via northern and southern routes, avoiding the deadly interior. Derived from Uighur: “Takla Makan” = “Place of No Return” or “Abandoned Desert”, Buried Cities, Ruins like Loulan and Niya lie beneath the sand, along with 4,000-year-old Tarim mummies (Caucasian features, preserved by arid conditions). Overnight: HotanDay 7: Hotan Tour
Highlights: Hotan Carpet Factory, Silk Workshop, Night Market
After breakfast, drive to Carpet Factory, Each carpet has 1.2 million knots (360 knots per square inch). Watch artisans use natural dyes from indigo and walnut husks. Silk Workshop, From silkworms feeding on mulberry leaves to hand-reeling threads into iridescent fabric. Buy scarves with Uyghur ikat patterns. After noon, visit Hotan Bazaar, there you will enjoy local food, handcrafts, fabrics, Jades etc. In the evening, your guide will take you to the Hotan Night Market, it is the most famous night market in Xinjiang with it’s various delicious foods and size. Overnight: HotanDay 8: Hotan → Kashgar (500 km, 7–8 hrs)
Highlights: Yarkand Amanisha Khan Tomb
After breakfast, Travel to kashgar along the Oasis villages, two sides of the road you can see different kind of crops, you will have lunch in Yarkand, after Lunch, visit Amanisha Khan Tomb, A hexagonal structure with a 22-meter dome. The interior walls are inscribed with Persian poetry. Overnight: KashgarDay 9: Kashgar Tour
Highlights: Livestock Market, Idkah Mosque, Apak Hoja Tomb, Old Town
Start your day at the Kashgar Livestock Market, where the clamor of sheep auctions and camel traders offers a raw glimpse into Silk Road commerce. After soaking in the market’s energy, drive to the Apak Hoja Tomb, its turquoise domes and floral mosaics reflecting Persian-Uyghur artistry. After lunch, visit Idkah Mosque, From the mosque’s tranquil courtyard, walk 10 minutes through shaded alleys End the day by wandering Kashgar Old Town, where the rhythmic hammering of coppersmiths and the scent of freshly baked Nan from clay ovens transport you back to the city’s medieval heyday. You can collect last-minute souvenirs like camel-bone knives or silk scarves. Overnight: KashgarDay 10: Kashgar → Tashkorgan (300 km, 6 hrs)
Highlights: Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata, Opal Village
Depart early along the Karakoram Highway, stopping first at Opal Village, there you can see village Bazaar, and can buy hot Nan bread and other local snack, then traverse the stark beauty of Oytagh Valley’s red cliffs, and beautiful Sand mountain Lake, Continue driving southwest to Karakul Lake, arriving by midday to photograph the snow-capped Muztagh Ata Peak mirrored in the glacial waters. Share a meal of laghman noodles in a Kyrgyz yurt by the lakeshore, reaching Tashkorgan by sunset. Overnight: TashkorganDay 11: Tashkorgan → Kashgar (300 km, 6 hrs)
Highlights: Stone City, Golden Grassland
Begin at Stone City, a crumbling Tang Dynasty fortress perched above the Taxkorgan River Valley—scout for ancient pottery shards and imagine Silk Road caravans passing below. Visit the Golden Grassland to stroll through amber-hued meadows (autumn) or summer pastures dotted with grazing yaks. Drive back along the Karakoram Highway. Overnight: KashgarDay 12
Kashgar Departure
Airport transfer (10km, 20 mins from downtown).Xinjiang Silk Road Trip ends here.No Details Found
