14 Days Best Xinjiang Silk Road Tour of Ethnic Experience
Tour Overview
This 14-day best Xinjiang Silk Road trip is a perfect one to provide you with a real expedition to North and South Xinjiang! From Urumqi, you will measure, by your footprints, all those enchanting places along the ancient Silk Road such as Kanas, Hemu, Nalaty, Kashgar, and Tashkurgan.
If you have 2 weeks for a China Silk Road tour of Xinjiang, this adventure would be your first selection! Xinjiang is a paradise-like place that boasts both natural and cultural landscapes, satisfying your imagination for a lifetime adventure about deserts, snowy mountains, plateau lakes, Yardang landforms, ancient city ruins, tombs, mosques…
Travel destinations: Urumqi, Burqin, Kanas, Ili, Naraty, Turpan, Kashgar, Tashkurgan
Suitable for: Natural Lovers, Culture Explorers, Photographers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Immerse in the breathtaking scenery of Karakul Lake and Sayram Lake.
- Feel the local lifestyles and splendid culture in Kashgar Old Town and Hemu Village.
- Take pretty pictures of nature in Karamay and Kanas Nature Reserve.
- Marvel at the magical masterpiece of god – Gurbantunggut Desert, Yardang Ghost City, and Nalaty Prairie.
- Discover the famous Id Kah Mosque, a complex of ancient buildings with strong ethnic style and religious characteristics.
- Explore the ancient ruins along the ancient Silk Road in Turpan.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Urumqi Arrival
Welcome to our 14-day Best Xinjiang tour package! Upon your arrival at Urumqi airport/train station, your local driver will pick you up by holding a welcome board with "China Xian Tour" and transfer you to the downtown hotel. The rest of the day is at your disposal. You can have a good rest at the hotel or freely explore the city.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
- Day 2: Urumqi to Burqin TourWitness Wild Donkeys and Goats in the Gobi Desert
After breakfast at the hotel, you will officially start the Xinjiang tour. Driving along the National Highway 216 through the Gurbantunggut Desert and feel the charm of wildlife paradise, Kalamaili Nature Reserve. If you are lucky, you may see wild donkeys and goats running in the Gobi desert.
Passing by Huoshaoshan Mountain, be amazed by the vast expanse of red sea. The rocks that were not red originally turned into red due to spontaneous combustion of the underlying coal seam. It looks as if the mountain is still burning. Pulling over to take some beautiful pictures here would be great! Then, continue driving and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Burqin
Kalamaili Nature Reserve - Day 3: Burqin to Kanas TourImmerse in the Beautiful and Legendary Kanas Lake
The mesmerizing Kanas Nature Reserve is a must-see for visitors to Xinjiang. After about a 3-hour ride on the winding road, you will arrive at Jiadengyu for lunch, and then take the scenic shuttle bus to the legendary Kanas Lake.
You may have never seen so beautiful mountain lake. As the seasons change, the lake bursts into different colors, crystal blue, dark green, or even gray. Walking from one bay to another and taking some pictures, you will have a relaxing time immersing yourself in the idyllic beauty and embracing nature. Because the natural beauty is unspoiled and local people still keep the original simple lifestyle here, it is dubbed as "the pure land on earth" as well as "oriental Switzerland".
Strolling along the Kanas River, you will see the virgin forests, Fairy Bay, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Wild Duck Lake which would be a perfect chance to take nice pictures! After finishing the relaxing sightseeing, you will check into the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Kanas
Kanas Lake - Day 4: Kanas to Hemu TourTake Pictures of Hemu Village's Landscapes
If weather permits, you can get up early to catch the stunning sunrise of Kanas Scenic Area, and then drive to Hemu Village. Hemu Village is one of the three settlements of Tuva people in China. We will enter the village on a shuttle bus. It's truly a paradise for photographers. The tranquil village, dense woods, and herds of cattle and sheep make a picturesque landscape. You can freely walk around the village to experience the unique lifestyle of the local Tuva people who have lived here for centuries.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Hemu
Hemu Village - Day 5: Hemu to Karamay TourMarvel at the Yardang Landforms
Early birds will be rewarded with the amazing sunrise of Hemu Village.
After saying goodbye to the pristine village, driving for 6 hours to the famous oil city, Karamay. You will be guided to see Urho Ghost City. The Ghost City is also known as "Wind City" because of the howling winds throughout the year. The eerie landform is the joint result of intermittent torrential scouring and strong wind erosion. You can tour the whole Ghost City on a shuttle bus. After visiting this seemingly horrifying site, check into a local hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Karamay
Urho Ghost City - Day 6: Karamay to Ili TourVisit the Atlantic Ocean's Last Teardrop
Today, your driver will take you to Yili. On the way, we will stop at the amazing Sayram Lake. It definitely will be a highlight of your northern Xinjiang trip. The lake is the highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang with intoxicating scenery.
It has the nickname "Atlantic Ocean's last teardrop" because it is the last place that the warm and humid air of the Atlantic Ocean reaches. The lake water is limpid and pure. You can stroll along the lake and enjoy the colorful wildflowers and rolling grassland.
Besides, you will have the opportunity to see the famous Guozigou Bridge before arriving at Sayram Lake, which is the largest and most important bridge in Xinjiang. You will see many impressive S-shaped curves and admire the most beautiful valley in northern Xinjiang, Guozigou Valley.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Yili
Sayram Lake - Day 7: Yili to Naraty TourApproach and Interact with Nature at Nalaty Grassland
After breakfast, drive for 3 hours to visit the beautiful Nalaty Prairie in the morning! Also named Ili Prairie, which means "the place witnesses the sunrise firstly" by National Geographic, Naraty Grassland impresses visitors with good quality grass, colorful wildflowers in summer, snowy mountains, and blue sky as a background for the lovey animals wandering there. That's a good place for people to approach and interact with nature.
After the tour, check in at a local hotel in Nalaty Town.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Nalaty Town
Nalaty Prairie - Day 8: Nalaty to Urumqi Tour by Flight
After breakfast, take a flight back to Urumqi. Upon arrival, meet your Urumqi tour guide and driver, then drive around 3 hours to Turpan.
Upon arrival, your guide will help you to check in at the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
- Day 9: Turpan Highlights TourExplore the City Essence from Underground Well to Ancient Ruins
Start your Xinjiang tour in Turpan by visiting Karez Well, an underground irrigation system created by ancient Xinjiang people. This project can be called the source of life for the arid northwestern region. Next, move to admire a typical Islamic architecture with the largest scale among all pagodas in Xinjiang - Sugong Pagoda.
Karez Irrigation System Today's last stop is the well-preserved Jiaohe Ruins. Known as the 'Eastern Pompeii', this is the world's largest and oldest city of earthen architecture. Tourists can explore the mysteries of the ruins here and appreciate the wisdom and creativity of ancient humans.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
- Day 10: Turpan Back to Urumqi TourEnjoy the Amazing Lake Views and Interesting Legends
Today we will drive back to Urumqi. Check in at the hotel upon arrival. Afterward, drive for 1.5 hours to Tianchi. Heavenly Lake, formerly known as "Yaochi", has multiple titles such as national 5A level tourist attraction and world natural heritage. The lake has an elevation of 1,910 meters and an area of 4.9 square kilometers.
It is surrounded by mountains, with snow peaks reflecting and spruce trees surrounding it. In addition to the natural scenery, the tour guide will explain myths and legends such as the Queen Mother of the West to you.
Heavenly Lake Later, drive back to Urumqi city. In the evening, stroll around the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, aka Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar, by yourself. The largest bazaar in the world features a strong Islamic architectural style and rich cultural characteristics. You will see various ethnic products from clothing, jewelry, and handicrafts to local specialties and musical instruments.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
- Day 11: Urumqi to Kashgar Tour by FlightSee Local People's Lifestyle and Unique Architectural Styles
In the morning, your driver will escort you to the airport for a flight to Kashgar, an important node on the ancient Silk Road and a commercial hub where Chinese and foreign merchants gather.
Meet your private guide and start your Southern Xinjiang tour in Kashgar Old Town to have a glimpse of the local people's lifestyle and unique architectural styles. Next, go on to visit Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and the most famous mosque in Xinjiang.
Later, 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.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Kashgar Old Town - Day 12: Kashgar to Tashkurgan TourShoot the Magnificent Reflection of Muztagh Ata and Lake
After breakfast, depart from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. This is a journey to explore the natural beauty of the plateau. Along the way you can enjoy the scenery of Baisha (White Sand) Lake. Arrive after about 3.5 hours.
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.
After the tour, we will drive to Tashkurgan for the night.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurgan
Karakul Lake - Day 13: Tashkurgan Back to Kashgar TourLearn about the History and Culture of the Tajik People
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
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Tashkurgan Stone City - Day 14: Kashgar Departure
After breakfast, the 14-day Silk Road Xinjiang trip ends here. Your private driver will transfer for you and wish you a pleasant journey home! If you want to visit more places in Xinjiang or other Chinese cities, please feel free to contact us.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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