South and North Xinjiang 12-Day Tour: Kashgar, Taxkorgan, Urumqi, Turpan, Kanas and Hemu

Welcome to Kashgar, the historical city on the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Enjoy your free time if you arrive early.

Today you will take a car ride to the Pamir Plateau. Firstly, the red mountains on the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway are amazing. Then the White Sand Lake beside the snow-capped mountains is impressively pretty. At lunch time, you will arrive at the Karakul Lake, which is situated by the renowned Muztag Ata, the father of Ice. Karakul Lake is a beautiful mountain lake with altitude nearly 3600 meters. It is a stunning scenery to view the lake and the snow-capped mountains at the same time.

The Kirgiz are local people living in the houses and yurts near the lake.

Later, you will continue the driving to Taxkorgan that is situated at the border between China and Pakistan, where there are Tajik people living here. Tonight you will stay in a hotel with the altitude around 3300 meters. 

You could taste the yak hot pot for your dinner.

Enjoy the small town scenery in Taxkorgan this morning, then you will visit the Stone City that was built 2000 years ago, and the ruin still can trace back its original style. It said the stone city used to be the small state in the history in the ancient Silk Road.

Moreover, you will also view the grassland on the Pamir Plateau, where there are yaks, sheep and horses etc.

Later, you will take a car ride back to Kashgar.

Today it is a busy day to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will take the city tour by the first stop to visit the Apa Hoja Mausoleum which was built in 1640 by local Imam for his father, and later it became a family graveyard to bury 72 people for 5 generations. The mausoleum is impressive for its delicate Uyghur architectural style including the blue tiles, the dome and the minaret. 

Next, you will visit Kashgar old town to explore the interesting area where there are old houses for shops, workshops, restaurants, bakery, and tea houses etc. It displays the long history and vivid lifestyle in Kashgar from ancient Silk Road period to today. you will also visit the old Id Ghar Mosque, the biggest mosque in Xinjiang.

If it is Sunday, you will also visit the Animal Bazaar.

Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar airport to catch flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, transferred to hotel.       

Today you will take a private vehicle for one hour from Urumqi to Tianchi or Heavenly Lake in English. It is high-mountain lake hidden in Tianshan Mountains, with an altitude of 1980m. Walking beside the lake to view the snow-covered mountains is a pleasant experience.

Then you will drive about  5 hours to Beitun via the huge Gurbantunggut Desert. Check in hotel upon arrival. 

Today you take car ride along the Ertix river this morning to Hemu Village, a quiet place hidden the Altai mountains. It is a Tuwa ethnic group residential village, which still keeps the original life style in the traditional wooden houses.

Then you will explore the picturesque village this afternoon, viewing the mountains, river, and woods.  Moreover, you can enjoy the sun set in the evening. Tasting some local kebab is a unforgettable experience.

Enjoy the morning scenery in Hemu Village, then take the sightseeing bus to Kanas Lake. This is very popular attraction in China with its fantastic lake and rive landscape. You will visit the Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Fairy Bay. It is a must-do to climb up the Observation Fish Pavilion to look at the lake.

Later, you will check in the hotel in Jiadengyu that is a place to accommodate the travelers.

Enjoy the quiet early morning landscape in the mountains, the drive back to Buerjin for about 3 hours. Upon arrival, you will visit the Multi-colored Bay, which is a colorful clay bay beside the Ertix River, about 20km from Buerjin County. 

Then you will wander around the Buerjin Night Market this evening to taste the local roasted fish, and drink some local beer.

After hotel breakfast, you will take about 3.4-hour car ride to the Urho Ghost City that is a yardan landform park with all sorts of clay formations. It is a wonderful place to take fantastic wester photos.

Then you will continue driving for about 4 hours to get back to Urumqi, and check in hotel.

Today you will take 3-hour car ride to Turpan, which used to be a hub on the ancient Silk Road in the history.  

In Turpan, you will visit the endless Kumtag Desert, which is wonderful place to walk on the Sand.

Today you will visit the impressive Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves where you will learn the history of Turpan on the ancient Silk Road.  The caves are situated in the amazing Flaming Mountain valley, it is a wonderful place to take photos.

Moreover, you will view Emin Minaret, the token of the city of Turpan with typical Uyghur architecture, which was built in 1777AD. 

Then you will head to hotel to check in Turpan.

Today you will explore the Ancient City of Jiaohe that is a huge city ruin built on a big terrace being protected by two rivers. 

Then, you will visit the Karez Irrigation System, which supplies the water to the people living in the dry Turpan Depression by the underground system. 

Then you will drive back to Urumqi, you have opportunity to visit the Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar before moving back to hotel.

Today you will depart from Urumqi. You will be transferred to Urumqi airport to catch your flight, where the wonderful tour concludes.