This 6-day-5-night journey to the Western Region starts from Urumqi, traveling through the ancient Silk Road, with the quiet beauty and intoxication of Tianshan Tianchi. Turpan ruins, grapevine enthusiasm, reproduce the Western Region style. Kashgar Xiangfei tomb mysterious, solemn mosque, Silk Road Pearl charm. Kara Kule Lake is magnificent, Ta Xian scenery is attractive, nature and culture blend. Feel the bustle of the Kashgar bazaar.
This journey is not only a feast for the eyes and palate, but also a baptism of the soul, which makes people full of infinite fondness and yearning for this ancient and vibrant land.
Urumqi Arrival
4+ stars Hotel
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Welcome to Urumqi, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. You can choose to have a good rest in the hotel to prepare for tomorrow's journey, or you can enjoy free time in the hotel annex to feel the rhythm of life of Urumqi people.
Xinjiang Museum - Tianchi lake 4+ stars Hotel Breakfast After breakfast, you will visit the Xinjiang Museum.
This is China's most important museum on the theme of the Ancient Silk
Road. The most unique collection here is the mummies. It has a
collection of 10 almost intact mummies from more than 4,000 years ago,
mostly found in the remains of the ancient kingdom of Loulan. After leaving the museum, you will explore Heavenly Lake of Tianshan (or Tianchi lake in Chinese)
In order to protect the natural environment, visitors' cars are only
allowed up to the park entrance. Next you will take a park bus to the
depths of the scenic area. It is said that the mythical event of the
Peach Banquet organized by the Xiwanmu was held here. Surrounded by
hills, green grass and flowers, it is known as the Pearl of Tianshan. There are generally three ways to explore Tianchi. You
can take a walk around the lake, take a boat tour, or ride the cable car
to the top of the mountain. (Boat trips and cable cars will be charged extra. If time permits, you can even enjoy all
of these experiences.Recommended Activities
Urumqi - the Flaming Mountain - Tuyu Valley - the Village of Mazar - the Karez Well - The Ruins of Jiaohe - Turpan
4+ stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, you will go to Turpan to visit the Flaming Mountain. It is a fiery peak that the monk Xuanzang must pass through in the classic Chinese novel《Journey to the West》.The mountain is barren and extremely hot in summer.
Then you will reach Tuyu, a migratory valley with many historical sites. The village of Mazar,
the oldest surviving Uyghur village with more than 2,600 years of
history. It used to be a Buddhist center as well before Islam. There are
many Buddhist grottoes in the village, but the statues and murals have
not survived.
Next, you will explore the splendid project of the Karez Well, which is a special type of irrigation system. The tunnel system provides water for local people to drink as well as to water their crops.
Your last stop is the famous ruins of Jiaoha, an ancient city located along the ancient Silk Road and now is known as the best-preserved earthen structure in the world.You can also walk to the central platform for a magnificent view of the entire park. As night falls, you will enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the ruins.
After visiting Turpan, you will take a 3.5-hour drive back to Urumqi.
Experience Xinjiang Food
Xinjiang's cuisine is rich and varied, and every kind of food is delicious. Rich and creamy, aromatic roasted meat, sweet and delicious fruits will satisfy your taste buds and make you unforgettable, so ask your guide to take you to try different cuisines.
Urumqi - Flight to Kashgar - Apakhoga Tomb - The Etigar Mosque - Old Town of Kashgar 4+ stars Hotel Breakfast Early this morning, you will take a flight
(approximately 2 hours) to Kashgar, which was once a center of regional
trade and cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road for more than
2,000 years. After rest in the hotel, you will first visit the Apakhoga Tomb,
which is not a simple mausoleum but an elaborate complex that is the
best place in the region to appreciate the extraordinary aesthetics and
Islamic architectural skills of the Uyghur people. It also offers a rare
opportunity to see and learn about the funeral customs of Uyghur
families. Next, you will visit Kashgar's landmark--The Etigar Mosque,
which is considered a holy place for Muslims. Every day, thousands of
Muslims worship here. Historically, the mosque used to be a school where
Islamic culture and history were taught. Many scholars and respected
clerics graduated from it. A few minutes' walk from the mosque is the exotic Old Town of Kashgar,
where you can experience the authentic Uyghur way of life. The ancient
city of Kashgar has a history of more than 2,100 years and is known as
the "soul of Kashgar". This is a
great place to buy some interesting souvenirs for your family and
friends. This is the end of today's activities, next you can have free time or go back to your hotel in Kashgar for a good rest.
Baisha Lake (White Sand Lake) - Karakul Lake 4+ stars Hotel Breakfast Today,
you will visit the famous Karakul Lake, which is about 190 kilometers
away from the center of Kashgar, about 3 hours by car. Although it is a
long drive, the continuous landscape of the Pamir Plateau is
breathtaking, with harsh and lonely snow-capped mountains, inhabited
barren lands, vast grasslands, pristine glaciers, peaceful villages You will stop at the White Sand Lake (Baisha Lake), a serene lake beneath the towering snow-capped mountains of the Pamir Plateau. You will arrive at Karakul Lake around noon. At an
altitude of 3,600 meters, Karakul Lake is one of the most beautiful
alpine lakes in Central Asia. It is a mix of endless grasslands,
deserts and valleys. Some Kyrgyz nomads keep yurts by the lake and graze
herds of sheep, horses and camels. Here you can spend some time Strolling around the lake, enjoying the scenery and taking photos until
it's time to return. Finally, drive back to Kashgar have a good rest.
Kashgar Bazaar - livestock Bazaar - Kashgar Departure 4+ stars Hotel Breakfast In the morning you will come to Kashgar Bazaar.
It is a grand, busy, crowded, awe-inspiring, chaotic, fun and colorful
place. In Uyghur, bazaar means a grand marketplace. The Kashgar Bazaar
has been the largest and busiest trading hub in West and Central Asia
since the rise and prosperity of the Silk Road. You'll find everything
from Muslim mills and authentic Iranian saffron to Pashmina wool and
fine carpets, as well as fresh fruit, spices, cradles and even camels. If you're lucky enough to visit Kashgar on a Sunday, don't miss the livestock market
experience, which takes place every Sunday. At midday, Uyghur farmers
and herders drive herds of sheep, camels, horses, cows and donkeys
through the gates of the market to trade. The scene is dusty, smelly and
crowded, but it offers a unique and exotic experience for most people. After the tour, we will transfer you to the airport
for your flight to your next destination. Or if you plan to leave China
via the land border, we will arrange a vehicle to take you straight to
the border.
Take about 2 minutes to fill the form to tell us how you like to travel, and get a reply within 1 working day.