11 Days Xinjiang Group Tour to Kashgar and Kanas Lake

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kashgar

   Welcome to our 11-day Xinjiang group tour. Upon your arrival, the local driver will pick you up at the airport with a welcome sigh "China Xian Tour" and send you to your hotel by our comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to explore.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Kashgar

2. Day 2: Drive from Kashgar to Tashkurghan (290kms / 5.5hrs)
   Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pamir Plateau lakes

   After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide and local driver will meet you on time in the hotel lobby. Then start our journey! Drive the ​​Karakoram Highway (KKH)​​, passing by the beautiful ​​Pamir Plateau​​. The natural painting unfolds outside the window, with continuous snow peaks reaching straight into the clouds. After three hours, we’ll reach the Baisha (White Sand) Lake - a turquoise lake surrounded by white dunes. Strolling along the lake shore, witness how wind and light make the landscape shine. Photograph the mirror-like reflections.

   Continue driving for 30 minutes to ‌Karakul Lake. Nestled at 3,600 meters on the Pamir Plateau, Karakul Lake (meaning "Black Lake" in Kyrgyz) is Xinjiang's highest alpine lake. It is famous for the ever-changing hues under sunlight. This is an excellent place to shoot the "father of icebergs," Muztagh Glacier. The lake water is like a huge mirror, perfectly reflecting the majestic snow-capped peaks and the leisurely cattle and sheep by the lake shore. Last, we head to Tashkurghan County for an overnight stay.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Tashkurghan

   

3. Day 3: Back to Kashgar (285kms / 5.5hrs)
   Explore the 2,000-year-old Silk Road fortress - Stone City

   Spend your morning exploring Tashkurghan’s highlights! Located at 3,100 meters in the Pamir Mountains, Stone Castle‌ and ‌Golden Grassland‌ are twin marvels of history and nature. The Stone City, a 2,000-year-old Silk Road fortress, shows crumbling mud-brick ruins that whisper tales of ancient kingdoms. At this capital of the ancient Kingdom of Tashkurghan, you can see ruins such as watchtowers, temples, and a still-intact Buddhist stupa. While the Golden Grassland, just under the city, a beautiful wetland beside the Karakul River, bursts with wildflowers and grazing yaks in summer (June to August).

   After lunch, we drive back to Kashgar (about 5-6 hours).

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Kashgar

   

4. Day 4: Kashgar to Urumqi by Flight
   Witness the opening ceremony of the Kashgar Old Town

   This is a whole day exploring the highlights of Kashgar city. Id Kah Mosque, built in the mid-15th century, is the largest Islamic mosque in Xinjiang. Its bright yellow exterior walls are decorated with floral patterns, which will leave a deep impression on you. In the prayer hall, you can see hand-painted wooden pillars and ceilings.

   Around 10:30 am, watch the opening ceremony of the Kashgar Old Town at the East gate, lasting for 30 minutes. Through folk music and dance, performers in colorful costumes reenact Silk Road trade scenes. After that, you will be led to explore the Ancient City, which has a history of 2,000 years along the Silk Road. Walk through the maze-like alleys of mud-brick houses and visit the bustling bazaars.

   In the afternoon, you will be taken to visit the Sunday Livestock Market, one of the largest open-air bazaars in Central Asia. Here you can see traditional trade where locals gather to buy and sell sheep, goats, camels, cattle, and even donkeys. Don’t miss the nearby food stalls serving Xinjiang’s famous beef/lamb skewers and naan bread. On the ‌Handicraft Street‌, a busy section of the old town, you can find Uyghur craftsmanship, from hand-carved wooden boxes to intricate copperware.

   After all visits, be transferred to the airport for a flight to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Upon arrival, the local driver will meet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Urumqi

   

5. Day 5: Drive to Turpan from Urumqi (320kms / 3.5hrs)
   Striking red cliffs, ancient city ruins, Uyghur villages

   After breakfast, drive for about 4 hours to reach Tuyugou Valley in Turpan. Under the carving of wind and time, this valley boasts striking red cliffs, ancient cave dwellings, Uyghur villages, and Thousand Buddha Caves. It was once an important stop on the Silk Road and a home for Buddhist monks and merchants. Strolling through the village, you can see ancient mud brick houses, allowing you to glimpse the unchanged way of life for centuries. In the nearby Thousand Buddha Caves, you can still see faded murals, which hint at the region's Buddhist past.

   Afterwards, drive back to the city center of Turpan and along the way, you can see mountains like flame burning - Flaming Mountains. In the late afternoon, we visit the Jiaohe Ruins. Its history can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. It is known as the "Pompeii of the East" and was once a major town on the Silk Road. Covering an area of 350,000 square meters, the ancient city is shaped like a willow leaf and has palaces, temples, residential areas, and more. It once flourished as the political, economic, and cultural center of the western region. After the visit, your guide will take you to the hotel for a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Turpan

   

6. Day 6: Back to Urumqi (260kms / 3.5hrs)
   Go inside underground Irrigation System and explore International Bazaar

   You'll visit some of the sites located in the city center of Turpan today. The Karez Irrigation System, going back 2000 years, is an ancient subterranean water network. It brings snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains to support agriculture in Turpan. You can visit inside the vertical shafts, learn about the engineering design, and understand its importance ecologically. Afterward, we go to Sugong Pagoda, an 18th-century Islamic construction built by Emin Khoja, a local ruler, and his son. This cylindrical minaret is 44 meters high and features complex carvings and Arabic inscriptions.

   In the afternoon, we will drive back to Urumqi and be guided to visit the International Grand Bazaar, the largest marketplace in Central Asia and a cultural, trade, and historical center. You can see traditional Uyghur architecture with domes, minarets, and colorful tilework, as well as various stalls selling handicrafts, spices, textiles, and dried fruits. If you're lucky, you can also enjoy live music and dance performances. This place is particularly lively at night. You can even visit again on your own after checking into the hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Urumqi

   

7. Day 7: Urumqi to Beitun (490kms / 7hrs)
   Appreciate high mountain Heavenly Lake in the Tianshan Mountains

   After breakfast today, drive for 1.5 hours to the Heavenly Lake in the Tianshan Mountains. This is a high mountain lake at an altitude of 1910 meters above sea level. Tianchi was referred to as the Goddess Lake and Dragon Pool in ancient China. The scenic spot has a variety of natural landscapes: snow-covered peaks, lakes, forests, flowers, and grasslands. Here is a mysterious legend regarding the Queen Mother of the West. You and your soul will be intoxicated with pure beauty here. If desired, you can take a boat tour on the lake (additional charge).

   After the visit, we will continue the journey to Beitun for an overnight stay.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Beitun

   

8. Day 8: Drive to Hemu from Beitun (240km / 5hrs)
   Discover China's most photogenic village

   Have breakfast in the morning and drive to Hemu Village. Nestled in the Altay Mountains, this is a picturesque Tuvan settlement featuring wooden cabins, birch forests, and beautiful alpine landscapes. Often dubbed "China's most beautiful village," it offers breathtaking views of the Hemu River‌ and surrounding peaks. Photographers usually flock here in ‌late September to October‌, when the autumn foliage paints the valley in vibrant hues, and ‌early winter‌ for dreamy snow-covered scenes. Walk leisurely through the village and pay a visit to a local family (optional, extra fee) to glimpse the Tuvan culture. Sunrise and sunset are magical moments. A must-visit for nature lovers and shutterbugs.

   Notes:

   • We will transfer the shuttle bus to the village. So leave your luggage in the main coach and take a small bag with your necessities.
   • Please have lunch or dinner in this hotel; otherwise, no breakfast will be provided. Chinese-style meals are available in the hotel, around RMB80 per person. Please pay there on your own.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Hemu

   

9. Day 9: Hemu to Kanas (35km / 1hour)
   Hike three mythical bays in turquoise wonderland

   In the morning, you will be picked up and transferred to Kanas National Geopark, boasting crystal-clear lakes, snow peaks, and dense forests. Your guide will take you hike around the ‌three bays‌. ‌Shenxian Bay‌ features its emerald-green waters, while ‌Moon Bay‌ resembles a crescent moon with its curves, and ‌Wolong Bay‌ has winding river bends that look like a dragon's tail.

   The ‌Kanas River‌ twists through the valley, with surrounding mountains and forests reflected in the turquoise waters. At the ‌Fish-Watching Pavilion‌, you can climb 1,068 steps for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake, where legends of the "Kanas Lake Monster" add mystery. The best time to visit is from ‌late May to October‌, with September offering the most beautiful autumn colors.

   Notes:

   • The Fish-Watching Pavilion tickets can only be booked in person on the day of your visit. During peak season, they may sell out quickly.
   • Please have lunch or dinner in this hotel; otherwise, no breakfast will be provided. Chinese-style meals are available in the hotel, around RMB80 per person. Please pay there on your own.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Jiadengyu

   

10. Day 10: Kanas to Urho (390kms / 6-7hrs)
    Wander nature's painted cliffs and ghostly wind sculptures

    After breakfast, we drive for 2 hours to reach the Wucai Beach, Five-colored Beach. At this geological wonder, the Yerqiang River carves through rocks, creating red, yellow, green, and purple "cliffs". Known as the 'dreamy palette of nature', Wucai Beach is a paradise for photographers. You can stroll along the wooden walkways, admire erosion patterns, and spot wildflowers (if you happen to come here in spring). Unlike typical deserts, Wucai Beach combines water and colorful rocks.

    After that, continue driving to Urho Wind City, aka the Ghost City. The characteristic of this place is towering, jagged cliffs sculpted into strange shapes by centuries of wind and sand. It's best to visit at sunset, when golden light casts shadows and photographers gather here to capture amazing landscapes. You can explore the area through off-road vehicles, while local legends add a sense of mystery.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: in Urho

    

11. Day 11: Urho to Urumqi, Departure (460kms / 6-7hrs)

    After breakfast, we drive back to Urumqi. The driver will escort you to the airport for your departure flight. The 11 days group tour in Xinjiang ends here.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A