8 Days Southern Xinjiang Tour with Sayram Lake

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Urumqi Arrival

   HELLO! Welcome to our 8-day Southern Xinjiang tour package! Upon your arrival at Urumqi airport/train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate and transfer you to the downtown hotel for check-in. Have a good rest at the hotel or freely explore the city.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi

2. Day 2: Urumqi to Yining Tour by Flight
   Enjoy Stunning Views of Sayram Lake and Optional Boat Ride

   Taking the morning flight from Urumqi to Yining. Upon arrival, you will find the local English-speaking tour guide and a driver waiting for you at the exit gate.

   Then, your Xinjiang tour starts! Sayram Lake is the largest and highest alpine lake in Xinjiang, which has a romantic nickname called "The Last Tear of the Atlantic". In summer, the lake is a fairyland, boasting some of the most spectacular sights on earth like transparent water with changing colors, snow-covered peaks, numerous kinds of wildflowers, and breathtaking sunrise & sunset.

   You can enjoy an optional horseback ride to the lakeside hills overlooking the beautiful lake, or take a boat trip on Sayram Lake (charging an extra fee). The blue, clear water is like a mirror reflecting you and the boat.

   

   Nearby the lake, if you happen to be traveling from mid-June to mid-July, you can visit a beautiful field of lavender in bloom with the glittering snowy mountains as the background.

   Later, move on to Fruit Gully which connects Sayram Lake at north end and Ili River Valley at south end, stretching about 28km. In the bottom and slops of gully, grow lots of wild apple trees, apricots, walnut trees and more, hence the name.

   The nice geographical environment and climates here attracts various animals to nestle, making it a beautiful natural paradise for plants and animals. The best time to visit it is from May to September when trees getting green and flowers blossoming.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Yining

3. Day 3: Yining to Kashgar Tour by Flight
   Explore Kashgar Old Town and Walk Around Handicrafts Market

   In the morning, you can enjoy some peaceful free time on your own. In the afternoon, taking a flight to Kashgar. When you land at Kashgar airport, a local Kashgar tour guide will pick you up and take you to visit the Kashgar Old Town. Enjoy leisurely wandering in this Islamic-style city block, which highlights the centuries-old mud-brick architecture and twisting alleys through workshops.

   

   Later, go to see the Handicrafts Market. Spending some time in this market is also a top thing to do in Kashgar. Follow the local crowd to walk leisurely and stop at a stall interesting you or talking with those hawkers with ethnic faces. Do not forget to bargain when you are picking some as souvenirs.

   Last, be guided to admire the largest Islam Mosque in Xinjiang - the Id Kah Mosque. It's an ancient architectural complex sitting in the city center with strong ethnic and religious color, composed of four parts: the pagoda, garden, scripture hall, and praying hall. Not only function as a center for religious activities, but is the mosque also a place for local people to celebrate festivals.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar

4. Day 4: Kashgar to Aksu Tour (460kms/5hrs)
   Admire Unique Tomb Architecture, Experience Bustling Market Life

   In the morning, follow your guide to further explore the amazing Kashgar by visiting the Abakh Hoja Tomb. The cemetery covers a vast area, with a unique architectural style that blends Islamic culture and local traditions. You can see exquisite buildings such as gatehouses, mosques, and main tombs, as well as explore the legendary story of the tomb owner (one of Emperor Qianlong's concubines).

   

   After that, continue your Kashgar trip to the Livestock Market to get a more in-depth experience of local daily life. It is said to be the largest livestock market in Asia, mainly with the trade of flocks and herds. Here you can purchase various things from general merchandise, local specialties, handicrafts, food, livestock, and even second-hand items.

   In the afternoon, drive around 5 hours to Aksu. You can enjoy the scenery on the way.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Aksu

5. Day 5: Aksu to Kuqa Tour (255kms/3hrs)
   Discover Ancient Buddhist Grottoes & Delicate Murals

   After breakfast, drive around 3 hours to Kuqa. Known as Qiuci 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.

   

   Afterward, continue 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. After the tour, you will be escorted to your hotel in Kuqa for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Kuqa
6. Day 6: Kuqa to Korla Tour (300kms/4hrs)
   Wander through Kuqa Old City for Local Food

   In the morning, follow your guide to further explore Kuqa city. Strolling through the Kuqa Old City, you can admire the Uyghur-style residential buildings - adobe walls, ethnic decorations such as gourds and jars hanging on the walls, and colorful Uyghur costumes. Also, try some local gourmet food. This pristine place will definitely leave you with an unforgettable memory.

   

   Later, pay a visit to the Kuqa Great Mosque, the second largest mosque in Xinjiang, tall and magnificent. The main building is made of brick and wood, consisting of three parts: the minaret, the worship hall, and the religious court. The tour guide will take you to appreciate its exquisite Islamic-style patterns and dome-style roofs.

   After lunch, drive around 4 hours to Korla. You can have a nap in the van.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Korla

7. Day 7: Korla to Turpan Tour (375kms/5.5 hrs)
   Visit Ancient Water Systems, Step Back in Time at Historic Ruins

   Today you will head to another important city along the ancient Silk Road - Turpan, which takes a 5-hour drive from Korla city.

   After lunch, you will officially start today's Xinjiang tour in Turpan by exploring the amazing Karez Well, a famous ancient water conservancy project in Xinjiang. From your tour guide's explanation, you will learn about its construction history and admire the wonderful structure of underground culverts.

   Later, move on to Jiaohe Ruins. Dating back 2,300 years, Jiaohe Ruins was once an important town along the ancient Silk Road. It is now the best-preserved city of earth buildings in the world. Wander around this ancient city stepping back in time to trace past civilizations.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan

   

8. Day 8: Turpan to Urumqi Tour (205kms/3hrs)

   Your 8-day private Xinjiang trip of the South ends today. After breakfast, drive around 3 hours back to Urumqi and drop you off at Urumqi airport to catch your departure flight. Safe travels! Wish you had a pleasant time with us!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A