6 Days Xinjiang Culture-tracing Tour of Urumqi-Kashgar-Tashkurgan

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Urumqi Arrival
   Free Day

   Upon landing at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) or arriving at Urumqi Railway Station, your professional driver awaits at the exit holding a personalized welcome sign. Then you will have a smooth ​​Urumqi airport transfer  to your downtown hotel (30-40 mins). After check-in, the evening is yours to discover the city's nightlife.

   If you are interested, you can climb up to the iconic Hongshan Park and enjoy the city's night view against the backdrop of the Tianshan Mountains. Or try Uyghur grilled lamb and beef skewers and Naan bread at the busy night market in the park (no tour guide service today).

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

2. Day 2: Urumqi Must-sees
   Enjoy beautiful natural views, see well preserved ancient mummy

   After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide in the lobby and drive for 1.5 hours to the Heavenly Lake on Tianshan Mountain. This beautiful alpine lake sits at the base of the snow-covered Bogda Mountain. Thanks to its location, the area stays cool even in summer. You’ll see snowy peaks reflected in the clear turquoise waters, wildflowers blooming across the grasslands, and hear your guide share the legend of the Queen Mother of the West. The breathtaking natural views will delight both your eyes and heart. Boat tour on the lake is available at extra fee.

   After that, drive back to city center for a guided visit to the Xinjiang Regional Museum. It holds over 40,000 items, including various cultural relics and specimens, displayed in 14 different halls. Many of these treasures once traveled along the famous Silk Road. The most famous exhibit is an ancient mummy, incredibly well preserved - even the tiny fingernails are still intact.

   Before ending today’s itinerary, you will be transferred to the Erdaoqiao International Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Central Asia, blending Islamic architecture with Uyghur culture. Walk through the maze-like alleys, filled with hand-made carpets, fragrant spices, and glazed potteries. Bargaining is expected here. Don't miss tea houses or live folk music performances that serve butter tea (optional, at your own expense).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

   

3. Day 3: Urumqi to Kashgar by Flight
   Trace 600-year walls, visit Xinjiang’s largest mosque

   After breakfast, take a flight to Kashgar. Upon landing, your local guide will pick you up and take you directly to Kashgar Old Town for a tour. As one of the last remaining ancient cities on the Silk Road, Kashgar's labyrinthine alleys have been inhabited by Uyghur families for over 600 years. It is filled with Islamic-style buildings. On the streets, you may see locals singing and dancing in brightly colored costumes.

   The largest mosque in China with over 500 years of history, the Id Kah Mosque features sunflower-yellow walls and a central courtyard shaded by ancient poplars. There are exquisite floral carvings and hand-painted Quranic verses on the blue domed ceiling of the prayer hall. If you happen to visit on a Friday, you can witness the “Jummah Gathering” where thousands of devotees unfold prayer mats under the sun. You will be asked to remove your shoes and be quiet before entering. You are allowed to take photos in the courtyard.

   Last, we come to the Local Handicrafts Market. Visiting this market is one of the best things to do in Kashgar. Walk slowly with the locals, stop at any stall that catches your eye, and chat with friendly vendors in traditional clothing. If you find something you like as a souvenir, don’t forget to bargain for a better price. After the visit, you will be escorted to your hotel for check-in. Have a good rest tonight.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

   

4. Day 4: Drive from Kashgar to Tashkurgan
   Frame Pamir’s blue jewel and breathe at 3,600m’s dark mirror

   Depart from your hotel in Kashgar at 8:30 in the morning for an epic ​​193km (4-hour) drive along the Sino-Pakistan Friendship Highway (aka Karakoram Highway)​​. This engineering marvel snakes through the Pamirs Plateau, where you can get a beautiful view of glacier-carved valleys and snowy peaks.

   On the way, we will stop at the Baisha Lake. Here you can take pictures of the turquoise lake mirroring dramatic ​​White Sand Mountains​, sculpted by Pamir winds. The ​​best photo spot is at the lake’s northwest corner for surreal desert-meets-alpine scenery.

   Continue driving to reach today’s highlight - Karakuri Lake. This is a glacial "Dark Ocean" at 3,600m elevation beneath ​​Muztagh Ata (7,509m)​. In sunny days, you can witness the mirror-like ​​snowy-capped peak reflections​; while in cloudy days, storms transform the lake into moody, slate-grey waters. Here you can also see Kirgiz nomads' yurts dotting the shoreline where herds graze against a backdrop of ​​"Father of Ice Peaks"​.

   After Karakul sightseeing​, we will drive​​ to ​​Tashkurgan Town​, the ancient Silk Road fortress. Check into a local comfortable hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurgan

   

5. Day 5: Tashkurgan Back to Kashgar
   ‌Explore Silk Road ruins, optionally ride a yak through golden grasslands

   After breakfast, you’ll visit the Tashkurgan Stone City, a famous historic site along the ancient Silk Road. It played an important role in ancient military defense. During the Han Dynasty, it was the capital of the Puli Kingdom (蒲犁), and in the Tang Dynasty, it became a key stronghold to control nearby regions. Thanks to its importance in trade and politics, the city once flourished. Today, tourists can still see many old treasures unearthed here, such as pieces of pottery, gold and silver items, jewelry, scriptures, and silk.

   Under the city is the Golden Grass Beach. This area is full of water and green grass, with cattle and sheep all around. In the distance, you can enjoy views of snowy mountains, white clouds, and a bright blue sky. If you like, you can try fun activities like horseback riding or riding a yak, though these cost extra.

   After the tour, we drive for 5.5 hours back to Kashgar.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

   

6. Day 6: Kashgar Departure

   Your 6 days Xinjiang tour ends after breakfast. Free and easy on your own. A local driver will pick you up at the lobby hotel and then escort you to Urumqi airport / train station to see you off. Safe travels! If you are interested in the culture of Turpan (a trade and cultural exchange that connects the East and the West with a history of four thousand years), we can customize an itinerary for you and arrange your trip to Turpan behind Urumqi.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A