10 Days Classic Southern Xinjiang Historic Tour
Tour Overview
As the middle line of the ancient Silk Route, South Xinjiang attracts millions of worldwide tourists every year. This 10-day classic Southern Xinjiang tour departs from Kashgar, through Tashkurgan, Shache, Kuqa, and Turpan, and ends in Urumqi.
You will take on a true adventure of both cultural relics and natural landscapes with the oldest grottoes, the earliest Mosques as well as the biggest baked Nang. Accompanied by friendly tour guides and professional drivers, you can get a lifetime experience of Northwest China.
Travel destinations: Kashgar, Tashkurgan, Shache, Kuqa, Urumqi, Turpan
Suitable for: History Explorers, Culture Lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Discover the famous Id Kah Mosque, a complex of ancient buildings with strong ethnic style and religious characteristics.
- Feel the local lifestyles and splendid culture in Shache Old City and Kashgar Old Town.
- Explore the unique mountains and rivers in breathtaking Karakuri Lake.
- Immerse yourself in the picturesque scenery of Heavenly Lake.
- Trace the history and story in Jiaohe Ruins and Kizil Grottoes.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Kashgar Arrival
Upon your arrival at Kashgar airport, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate and transfer you to a downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
- Day 2: Kashgar City TourGlimpse Local People’s Lifestyle and Unique Architecture
After breakfast, meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby. You will start the Kashgar tour with the Kashgar Old Town to have a glimpse of the local people’s lifestyle and unique architectural styles. Next, go on to Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and the most famous mosque in Xinjiang.
Then, come to stroll down the local Handicraft Street, a special exhibition center for traditional handicrafts of Kashgar and Central Asia to learn further about local culture.
Id Kah Mosque In the afternoon, continue your visit to the local Sunday Bazaar (Livestock Market). It is said to be the largest livestock market in Asia, mainly with the trade of flocks and herds. You can see ancient primitive ways of trading in this lively market. Here you can also purchase various things from general merchandise, local specialties, handicrafts, food, livestock, and even second-hand items.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
- Day 3: Kashgar to Tashkurgan TourCapture the Magnificent Reflection of Muztagh Ata and Lake
Today you will head to the amazing Karakuri Lake. The driving lasts around 4 hours from Kashgar city to the lake, and you can enjoy the mountain-and-lake view of White Sand Lake on the way.
Karakul Lake, at an altitude of 3,656 meters, is the largest natural lake on the Eastern Pamir Plateau, whose color changes according to the weather, sometimes blue like a jewel, sometimes turquoise like emerald, and even turning black.
Standing by the lake are magnificent snow capped mountains such as Muztagh Ata, reflecting in the lake, creating a breathtaking sight. This is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Later, continue driving to Tashkurgan for an overnight stay.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurgan
Karakul Lake - Day 4: Tashkurgan to Kashgar TourLearn about Stone City's History and Enjoy Golden Grassland
After breakfast, the tour guide will take you on a tour of Stone City and Golden Grassland to experience the history and culture of the Tajik people.
Stone City, one of the three major stone cities in China, is built with stones and tells the story of a thousand years of vicissitudes of history. Golden Grassland is located at the foot of Stone City, with abundant water and grass, cattle and sheep everywhere, forming a beautiful painting with distant snow capped mountains, blue sky and white clouds.
After the visit, drive back to Kashgar and admire the magnificent reflection of Muztagh Ata and Karakul Lake again on the way.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Enjoy the Stunning Natural Views of Stone City - Day 5: Kashgar to Shache Tour, Shache to Kuqa Tour by TrainVisit a Royal Mausoleum and Uighur-style Old City
Get up early in the morning and drive about 3 hours to a trade center, Shache, which is also an oasis at the western end of the Taklimakan Desert.
After lunch, the first stop in Shache is Ye'erqianghan Mausoleum. The mausoleum was originally built in 1533 containing the remains of 11 emperors and other royal family members. Its unique layout and exquisite decoration attract plenty of visitors each year.
Next, continue your visit to the mysterious Shache Old City. This is a typical Uighur settlement where you will deeply understand the lifestyle of the local people.
In the evening, you will head to Shache railway station to catch an overnight train to Kuqa (around 10 hours).
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight on Train
Shache Old City - Day 6: Kuqa Highlights TourExplore the Earliest Grottoes and a Magnificent Geological Park
Kuqa, known as Qiuci in ancient times, 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.
In the early morning, you will be picked up and transferred to visit a typical Buddhist grotto first, Kizil Grottoes. 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.
Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves Afterward, continue your south Xinjiang trip to 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.
At last, take a stroll around Kuqa Old City to savor local gourmet food and experience the life of the local people. This pristine place will definitely leave you with an unforgettable memory.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Kuqa
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Day 7: Kuqa to Urumqi Tour by Flight, Turpan Arrival
Taking a morning flight from Kuqa to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Upon arrival, there will be a local English-speaking guide picking you up at the exit gate.
After lunch, drive about 3 hours to Turpan, a transportation hub connecting central China with Central Asia, South Xinjiang, and North Xinjiang in ancient times and also a major stop on the ancient Silk Road. You can have a nap in the car or enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
- Day 8: Turpan to Urumqi TourVisit Ancient Undergroud Well, Step Back in Time at Historic Ruins
Today you will officially your guided Southern Xinjiang trip in Turpan. The first stop will be 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. Next, go on to admire the largest ancient tower in Xinjiang, Sugong Pagoda, aka the Emin Minaret.
Sugong Pagoda 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
- Day 9: Turpan to Urumqi TourEnjoy Well-preserved Earth Buildings and Uyghur Customs
After breakfast, continue your Xinjiang tour in Turpan. We will take you to visit a highlight attraction in the eastern part of the city.
With a history of over 1,700 years, Tuyoq Valley is the oldest surviving Uyghur village in Xinjiang and a place where Buddhist and Islamic cultures intersect. Here, you can enjoy well-preserved earthen architecture and unique folk customs.
Tuyugou Valley After that, drive back to Urumqi and be guided to visit Xinjiang Regional Museum where you will learn more about the famed Silk Road and minority culture and appreciate the precious unearthed relics.
In the evening, you can explore the Erdaoqiao International Bazaar on your own, the largest bazaar in Urumqi. You will see all kinds of stuff such as fruits, clothes, crafts, knives, and rugs in the bustling market. You can buy some souvenirs or local dried fruits and nuts for your family and friends if you would like to.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Erdaoqiao International Bazaar - Day 10: Urumqi to Heavenly Lake Tour, DepartureRelax by the Serene Lake on an Optional Boat Ride
In the morning, the Urumqi tour takes you on a 1.5-hour drive to the 2,000-meter-high Heavenly Lake in Tianshan Mountain. The mountain is covered with snow all year round. The Heavenly Lake Scenic Area centers on an alpine lake with picturesque scenery. Snow-capped peaks are reflected in the turquoise lake, and the lake surrounded by spruce trees is smooth like a mirror. If you are interested, you can stroll along the lake or take a boat to see the lake from different angles.
Rent a Boat and Explore the Heavenly Lake The 10-day private Southern Xinjiang tour will end here. The driver will see you off at Urumqi airport/train station. Wish you a pleasant journey! (Note: you are suggested to book a flight departure after 5:00 pm.)
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: N/A
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