4-Day Kashgar to Tashkurgan Culture & Pamir Nature Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kashgar Arrival

   Welcome to Kashgar! Located in southwestern Xinjiang, this historic city was once a vital stop along the ancient Silk Road, linking China with Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe.

   Upon arrival in Kashgar, your local guide and driver will meet you at the exit and escort you to your hotel for check-in by private vehicle. The rest of the day is yours to take a rest or step out for a first glimpse of Kashgar’s distinctive streets.

   If you're hungry, ask your guide to recommend a local restaurant and kick off your Kashgar tour with Xinjiang-style barbecue or pilaf.

   Rest early tonight to get ready for the upcoming trip to Kashgar’s old town and the Pamir Plateau.

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   4-star hotel in Kashgar
2. Day 2: Kashgar Old City
   City Opening Ceremony, Id Kah Mosque, Century-Old Teahouse

   Today, spend the day exploring Kashgar. Begin at Kashgar Old City to watch the special city opening ceremony. The locals will sing songs and perform ethnic dances to welcome tourists.

   Stroll leisurely along the alleys to appreciate the traditional houses with brightly painted doors and windows, visit small shops that catch your eyes and step into handicraft workshops to browse local crafts such as woodwork, copperware and musical Instruments.

   Visit Id Kah Mosque, the largest Islamic mosque in Xinjiang, featuring a yellow gate tower and two minarets. Learn about the connections between this building and the history and local life of the Kashgar Old City.

   

   Step into a century-old teahouse, known as one of the filming locations for the movie "The Kite Runner". Find a seat and order a pot of local tea. As music plays and life unfolds along the surrounding lanes, sit back and take in the old town views.

   If your visit falls on a Sunday, consider visiting the Sunday Livestock Market. Here, you can see local herders trading cattle, sheep and other livestock.

   Watch closely, and you might witness a unique local custom - the “sleeve deal”. Buyers and sellers would press their sleeves together, hide their hands inside and negotiate prices silently using finger signs under the cloth. A handshake means they've reached an agreement.

   After the day's sightseeing, return to your hotel to rest.

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   4-star hotel in Kashgar
3. Day 3: Kashgar to Tashkurgan by Private Vehicle
   Pamir Highway, Lakes and Snow-clad Peaks

   Leave Kashgar and follow the scenic Pamir Highway toward Tashkurgan. The journey covers approximately 300 km and takes about 5 to 6 hours. Along the way, the landscapes changes from gobi desert and river valleys to the plateau, with snow-capped mountains, lakes and meadows.

   Several stops are planned for sightseeing and rest during the drive, so you won't spend the entire day in the vehicle. The road trip itself is one of today’s highlights.

   Baisha Lake is the first stop, where the blue lake waters meet the white sand dunes with snowy peaks in the distance. Stop by the lake to take photos and have a short rest.

   Continue to Karakul Lake at approximately 3,600 meters. On a clear day, the lake will reflect the distant snow-covered Muztagh Peak. Take a short walk along the lakeside and adjust the pace on how you feel.

   

   Finally, drive to Tashkurgan for an overnight stay. The county is at about 3,100 meters (10,170 ft) above sea level. After checking into your hotel, rest well and acclimate to the altitude to prepare for tomorrow's tour of the Stone City and the Golden Grassland.

   High-Altitude Travel Tip: Today’s journey takes you into the high-altitude Pamir region. Move slowly, stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity. If you are prone to altitude sickness, please let your travel consultant know in advance.

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   4-star hotel in Tashkurgan
4. Day 4: Tashkurgan to Kashgar by Private Vehicle
   Ancient Ruins and Golden Grasslands

   After breakfast, head to the Stone City, an ancient city site perched above the Tashkurgan River Valley. Walk along the paths through the ruins to see the remaining city walls and stone buildings. At the higher viewpoints, get views of the surrounding snow-topped mountains and grasslands.

   Wander across the Golden Grassland at the foot of Stone City. Follow the wooden plank road and take in the plateau scenery of wetlands, rivers, and grazing yaks and sheep. The colors here change in different seasons, making it a great place for taking photos.

   

   After exploring Tashkurgan, drive back to Kashgar, a journey of around 5–6 hours. Breaks will be arranged along the way as needed. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel, airport or railway station according to your travel plans.

   Note: As the return drive from Tashkurgan to Kashgar takes a long time, avoid booking an early departure flight or train. If your schedule allows, consider staying an extra night in Kashgar.