Embark on a lifetime journey through Xinjiang’s Silk Road, crossing the Taklimakan Desert and Karakoram Highway. Discover historical ruins and breathtaking landscapes.
Embark on a lifetime journey through Xinjiang’s Silk Road, crossing the Taklimakan Desert and Karakoram Highway. Discover historical ruins and breathtaking landscapes.
Kashgar City Cultural Walking Tour
Kashgar - Often hailed as “the best-preserved example of a traditional Silk Road city in Central Asia,” Kashgar is evolving with modern developments. As a cultural hub in China, it stands out as a prime Silk Road destination. Today, we’ll embark on a full-day excursion in Kashgar, visiting the Sunday Livestock…
Kashgar City Cultural Walking Tour
Kashgar - Often hailed as “the best-preserved example of a traditional Silk Road city in Central Asia,” Kashgar is evolving with modern developments. As a cultural hub in China, it stands out as a prime Silk Road destination. Today, we’ll embark on a full-day excursion in Kashgar, visiting the Sunday Livestock Market, Apak Hoja Tomb, Idkah Mosque, and the old town. We’ll also savor local Uyghur dishes like kebabs and hand-pulled noodles at the finest Uyghur restaurant in the city.
Kashgar Livestock Market - Our guide will lead you through the livestock market, offering a glimpse into the daily lives and business practices of Uyghur farmers.
Abakh Hoja Tomb - This well-preserved shrine from the 17th century boasts unique architectural styles. Here, you’ll witness a live Uyghur wedding and dance performance.
Kashgar-Tashkorgan via Karakoram Highway/5hr drive
Karakul Lake - Situated at an elevation of 3,600 meters, Karakul Lake is a rare highland lake located 200 km southwest of Kashgar along the Karakoram Highway. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks like Mt. Muztagh Ata (7,546m) and Konggur (7,649m), you’ll have the opportunity to hike around the lake if time permits.
Tashkorgan - Return to Kashgar via Karakoram Highway/5hr drive
Kashgar - Early in the morning, we’ll drive along the recently popular “Dragon Road” in Xinjiang, then head back to Kashgar. On the return journey, we’ll also visit Taheman Grassland, Karakul Lake, and Sand Mountain Lake along the Karakoram Highway, arriving in Kashgar by evening.
Kashgar-Shache-Hotan (Khotan/和田）/6hr drive
Hotan Tours/2hr drive
Hotan-Kuqa (Kucha,库车）via Taklamakan Desert crossing from south to north/9hr drive
Kucha Tours - Night train to Turpan
Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (Kezi’er Qian Fo Dong) - One of China’s best-preserved sites of ancient Buddhist art. Our professional guide will take you through the caves, explaining each Buddha painting.
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Located in the middle of the Tianshan range, this canyon is surrounded by red mountains.
Arrive in Turpan and start the tour
Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - One of the best-preserved ancient city ruins in Xinjiang.
Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) - The only minaret mosque along China’s Silk Road.
Turpan Tours then drive to Urumqi
Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) - Our guide will show you around this ancient city, explaining its rich history.
Xinjiang Int’l Dabazha Scenic Spot - Upon arriving in Urumqi, visit the International Grand Bazaar.
Urumqi - Museum - Heavenly Lake
Urumqi - Today, we’ll drive from Turpan to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, enjoying the stunning scenery of the Tianshan mountain range and numerous wind power plants along the way. After checking into our hotel in Urumqi, we’ll take a walking tour of the International Grand Bazaar.
Departure from Urumqi - Guide and driver will drop you off at the train station
Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport - Your guide and driver will take you to the airport, concluding your tour.
- Necessary permits for foreigners to travel on the Karakoram Highway to Tashkorgan
- Sleeper train ticket from Kuqa to Turpan
- Knowledgeable tour guide in different languages for the whole trip
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Breakfast
- All entrance fees to attractions and historical sites mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport and train station pick-up…
- Necessary permits for foreigners to travel on the Karakoram Highway to Tashkorgan
- Sleeper train ticket from Kuqa to Turpan
- Knowledgeable tour guide in different languages for the whole trip
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Breakfast
- All entrance fees to attractions and historical sites mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport and train station pick-up and drop-off
- All expenses of the guide and driver (meals, accommodation, fuel, taxes, tolls, parking fees)
- 3-4 hotel accommodations shared by two persons per room
- personal expenses
- costs of luches and dinners
- air ticket cost to arrive to Kashgar and depart from Urumqi
- Tips
- personal expenses
- costs of luches and dinners
- air ticket cost to arrive to Kashgar and depart from Urumqi
- Tips
This tour begins in Kashgar and ends in Urumqi, allowing you to experience all the must-see places in Xinjiang by visiting top Silk Road destinations along both the southern and northern routes. You’ll drive across the Taklimakan Desert, the second-largest shifting desert in the world, and also traverse the adventurous Karakoram Highway, which extends…
This tour begins in Kashgar and ends in Urumqi, allowing you to experience all the must-see places in Xinjiang by visiting top Silk Road destinations along both the southern and northern routes. You’ll drive across the Taklimakan Desert, the second-largest shifting desert in the world, and also traverse the adventurous Karakoram Highway, which extends into Pakistan through stunning snow-capped landscapes. Xinjiang offers a diverse range of scenery, from its dry, continental landscapes in the south to its towering, snow-capped mountain peaks. The region is also rich in historical ruins and archaeological sites. Following the path of Marco Polo on this tour could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
