12 Days Southern Xinjiang Silk Road Tour for Cultural Expedition

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Urumqi Arrival

   Since ancient times, Urumqi has been located on a transportation artery leading to the Western Regions and Central Asia. As early as the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), Urumqi was an important node on the Silk Road.

   Upon your arrival at Urumqi, a local private driver will pick you up from the exit gate and transfer you to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

2. Day 2: Urumqi Highlights Tour
   Visit Snow-capped Peaks, Explore Urumqi’s Silk Road History

   In the morning, drive about 1.5 hours to visit the 2,000-meter-high Heavenly Lake in Tianshan Mountain. The mountain is covered with snow all year round. The Heavenly Lake Scenic Area centers on an alpine lake with picturesque scenery. Snow-capped peaks are reflected in the turquoise lake, and the lake surrounded by spruce trees is smooth like a mirror. If you are interested, you can stroll along the lake or take a boat (optional) to see the lake from different angles.

   

   Afterward, drive back to Urumqi city and continue your Urumqi tour to visit Xinjiang Regional Museum where you will learn more about the famed Silk Road and minority culture and appreciate the precious unearthed relics.

   In the evening, you can stroll around the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar on your own, the largest bazaar in Urumqi. You can see all kinds of stuff such as fruits, clothes, crafts, knives, and rugs in the bustling market. Buy some souvenirs or local dried fruits and nuts for your family and friends if you would like to.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

3. Day 3: Urumqi to Turpan Tour (195kms/3hrs)
   Marvel at Underground Well and Ancient Ruins

   After breakfast, we will drive about 3 hours to Turpan, a transportation hub connecting central China with Central Asia, South Xinjiang, and North Xinjiang in ancient times and also a major stop on the ancient Silk Road. You can have a nap in the car or enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way.

   Arrival in Turpan, your tour guide will take you to admire the largest ancient tower in Xinjiang, Sugong Pagoda. Next, head to Karez Well, an underground irrigation system created by ancient Xinjiang people. This project can be called the source of life for the arid northwestern region.

   

   Then, be guided to visit the Jiaohe Ruins, the largest, oldest, and best-preserved raw-soil building in the world with a history of more than 2,000 years. Wander around this ancient city stepping back in time to trace past civilizations.

   If time permits, you will be transferred to Tuyugou Valley. It is the oldest Uyghur village in Xinjiang and a nice place to soak up Buddhist and Islamic culture.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan

4. Day 4: Turpan to Korla Tour (380kms/5-6hrs)
   Understand the Historical Significance of Iron Gate Pass

   Today, continue your Silk Road tour in Southern Xinjiang to Korla. On the way, you firstly will visit the Iron Gate Pass.

   Lying in the Iron Pass Valley, upstream of the Kongque River, Iron Gate Pass is regarded as the throat of the middle route of the ancient Silk Road, connecting South and North Xinjiang. Those great men like Zhang Qian, Ban Chao, and Xuan Zang who made incredible contributions to history left their footprints here.

   

   A day's enjoyment comes from the leisurely walking along the Kongque River. Although there are high buildings rooted in the land to declare its modern time, the elegant river embraces the city in its soft water to wash out the impatience and fickleness seen on those metropolises. Stroll in the bath from dusk with your loved one and then have a good rest to welcome tomorrow's exploration.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Korla

5. Day 5: Korla to Kuqa Tour (300kms/4hrs)
   Admire the Earliest Large-scale Grotto Group in China

   After breakfast, drive around 4 hours to Kuqa. Known as Qiuci (龟兹) in ancient times, Kuqa boasts lots of cultural relics such as ancient city walls, temples, caves, and tombs. Today the knowledgeable tour guide will lead you to learn more about this city.

   You will visit a typical Buddhist grotto first, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. It is the earliest and westernmost large-scale grotto group in China. There are 4 grotto areas with 236 officially numbered grottoes. Most of the statues have been destroyed, but 81 caves still have delicate murals which are valuable historical and cultural remains of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom.

   

   Afterwards, the Kuqa tour transfers you to explore the magnificent Tianshan Grand Canyon, the best geological park in the world. It records the entire process of crustal movement in Xinjiang for nearly 400 million years. Last, pay a visit to the Kuqa Old City to savor local gourmet food and experience the life of the local people. This pristine place will definitely leave you with an unforgettable memory.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Kuqa

6. Day 6: Kuqa to Aksu Tour
   Enjoy the Natural Sights on Your Own

   After breakfast, you will take a 3-hour car ride to reach Aksu, located on the northwest edge of the Taklimakan Desert. The history of this region can be traced back to over 2000 BC and it was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road.

   After arrival, you can explore the city on your own. Tarim River and Duolang Park are recommended. The Tarim River meanders and flows, with beautiful scenery along its banks, suitable for strolling and sightseeing. Duolang River Park is the first national wetland park in southern Xinjiang, integrating multiple functions such as sightseeing, vacation, and entertainment.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Aksu

   

7. Day 7: Aksu to Hotan Tour (550kms/7hrs)

   Today you will spend most of your time on the way since the driving lasts around 7 hours along the amazing Taklimakan Desert Highway from Aksu to today's destination, Hotan City. Comfortable shoes and snacks would be suggested.

   After arrival, find a local restaurant at Hotan Night Market to fill your stomach and have a good rest in a local hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: Overnight in Hotan

8. Day 8: Hotan to Kashgar Tour (490kms/5.5hrs)
   Explore Museum Treasures and Mysterious Oasis City

   Get up early in the morning and visit the Khotan Museum. You will be introduced to the rich exhibitions including stoneware, terrines, stone paintings, coins, inscribed wooden slips, and more items, and impressed with the existing civilization here in remote days.

   After that, we drive to Shache, an oasis at the western end of the Taklimakan Desert to visit the mysterious Shache Old City. This is a typical Uighur settlement where you will deeply understand the lifestyle of the local people.

   Later, continue to drive west to Kashgar and check into a local hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

   

9. Day 9: Kashgar City Tour
   Glimpse the Locals' lifestyle and Unique Architectural Styles

   You will start the Xinjiang trip in Kashgar with the Old Town to glimpse the local people's lifestyle and unique architectural styles. Next, go on to Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and the most famous mosque in Xinjiang. Later, stroll down the local Handicraft Street, a special exhibition center for traditional handicrafts of Kashgar and Central Asia to learn further about local culture.

   

   In the afternoon, continue your visit to the Abakh Hoja Tomb, which is well-known to the Chinese because one of the tomb owners is said to be a famous concubine of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Following the tour guide, you will be pleased by the beautiful ancient architecture and also enchanted by the rich historical stories about the people buried in the tombs.

   Last, move on to the local Sunday Bazaar (Livestock Market). The products sold here are large animals such as cows, sheep, donkeys, and camels. You can see the livestock and witness the whole process of selling and buying from pulling the livestock carrier into the field, unloading the animals from the car, bargaining, to making a deal. It can be very interesting for people that never experienced this.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

   
10. Day 10: Kashgar to Karakul Lake Tour, Tashkurgan Arrival
    Immerse Yourself in the Mountain-and-lake Views

    Today you will head to the amazing Karakuri Lake. The driving lasts around 4 hours from Kashgar city to the lake, which would be a good chance to enjoy the mountain-and-lake view on the way.

    Karakul Lake, the name means "Dark Ocean", which is corresponded to its appearance: the water is deep and unfathomable, the grass growing well on the banks where Kirgiz shepherds usually stay for grazing. The Lake embraces the inverted images of the snowy pinnacles, green grass and leisure flocks and herds when sunny days while it turns to be dark and bleak on rainy days. You must relax after the full day of sightseeing.

    Later, the driver will transfer you to Tashkurgan for an overnight stay.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurgan

    

11. Day 11: Tashkurgan Back to Kashgar Tour (290kms/5hrs)
    Discover a Famous Relic along the Ancient Silk Route

    After breakfast, your guide will lead you to enjoy the unique scenery in Stone City which is a famous relic along the ancient Silk Route, occupying a vital position in the sense of the ancient military. It was the Capital of the Puli Kingdom of the Han Dynasty and a stronghold set by the Tang Dynasty to govern the surrounding areas.

    Golden Wetland is located under Stone City, with abundant water and grass, cattle and sheep everywhere. The grassland under the sunset contrasts with the distant snow-capped mountains, forming a stunning painting.

    In the afternoon, drive around 5 hours back to Kashgar and rest yourself at the local hotel.

    Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

    Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

    

12. Day 12: Kashgar Departure

    The 12-day private South Xinjiang trip will end today. The driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby at the appointed time and see you off at Kashgar airport. Wish you a pleasant journey!

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A