5 Days Best Urumqi and Kashgar Tour by Flight
Tour Overview
The trace of the China Silk Road won’t be complete without a visit to Kashgar, the old city with over 2,000 years of history. This 5-day private Xinjiang tour combining Urumqi and Kashgar by a 2-hour flight covers the highlights – Heavenly Lake, Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, and Karakuri Lake.
You will further explore the rich cultural relics as well as natural landscapes along the ancient Silk Road. Wandering around the bustling Xinjiang International Bazaar and Kashar local handicrafts market, you must be amazed by the prosperity.
Travel destinations: Urumqi, Kashgar
Suitable for: History Explorers, Culture Lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Immerse yourself in local culture at the lively Xinjiang International Bazaar.
- Discover the rich history of Xinjiang from ancient artifacts to ethnic exhibits.
- Stroll along the tranquil shores of Heavenly Lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush greenery.
- Capture the essence of Central Asia’s Silk Road when wandering through the alleyways of Kashgar Old Town.
- Visit the stunning Id Kah Mosque, the largest in China.
- Relax by the serene and beautiful Karakuri Lake.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Urumqi Arrival & Evening TourExperience Strong Ethnic Flavor at the International Bazaar
Upon your arrival at Urumqi airport/train station, the English-speaking tour guide and the driver will pick you up from the exit gate.
Driving around 40 minutes, you will be arriving at the amazing Urumqi city. Duly refreshed in your hotel, follow your guide to explore the interesting evening scenery in Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar.
It's one of the bazaars with the largest scale in the world with a strong Islam flavor in its buildings. You should not miss this site during your tour to Urumqi, even if you are not going shopping, you would favor the experience for the strong ethnic flavor here.
Chinaxiantour's customers in International Bazaar Eyes are dazzled by the overwhelming of goods in the stalls while ears are excited by the hawking, bewildering you if you are traveling through space and time to the ancient Silk Road to glimpse the prosperous trades between different nations.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
- Day 2: Urumqi to Kashgar Tour by FlightLearn about Xinjiang's History and Enjoy Plateau Lake Views
After hotel breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and your Urumqi tour begins! The first site will be Xinjiang Regional Museum. As a cultural landmark in Xinjiang, this museum houses many historical artifacts, silk textiles, and ethnic relics showing the folk customs of local minorities. The most popular exhibits in the museum are the rare ancient mummies from 1500 to 3800 years ago.
Exhibits in Xinjiang Regional Museum Later, drive to the highlight of today - Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain. Undoubtedly, it is a shining pearl in Xinjiang - a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a world natural heritage site. The lake has an elevation of 1,910 meters and an area of about 4.9 square kilometers. It is surrounded by snow-covered mountains such as Bogda Peak. The lake water is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the peaks and blue sky.
Not only does this place feature magnificent natural scenery, but it also contains rich mysterious legends - once the place where the Queen Mother of the West bathed. In addition, tourists can choose to pay an extra fee to take a boat tour to the center of the lake (optional).
Heavenly Lake After the sightseeing, you will be dropped off at the airport for the evening flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival at Kashgar airport, there will be our local driver waiting for you and then escort you to the hotel in Kashgar.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
- Day 3: Kashgar Classic TourExplore Uyghur Architecture and Local Handicrafts Market
Today you will explore the best of Kashgar city! Kashgar Old Town has a long history of over 2,100 years and is an important node on the Silk Road. In the ancient city, the cobblestone roads and colorful Uyghur architecture are arranged in a staggered manner... Strolling along, you can taste authentic cuisine, appreciate Uyghur songs and dances, and experience the rich ethnic customs.
Kashgar Old Town Next, go to admire the largest Islam Mosque in Xinjiang - Id Kah Mosque, whose birth can be traced back to 1442, in the Ming Dynasty. Through the tour guide's explanation, get a glimpse of its long history and unique Arabic-style architecture.
Afterward, continue your Kashgar tour to the Local Handicrafts Market. It is not only a paradise for shopping, but also a melting pot of culture, where every handicraft carries a profound history and story.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Local Handicrafts Market - Day 4: Kashgar to Karakuri Lake TourCapture the Beautiful Snow Peaks Reflecting in the Lake
Today you will enjoy a Kashgar side tour of Karakuri Lake. Also named Karakul Lake, it is a high mountain moraine lake, located at the foot of the Father on Iceberg, 185 km far from Kashgar (3.5-hour driving), and crossed by the Sino-Pakistan Highway.
Karakuli Lake is one of the few plateau lakes in the world (at an altitude of 3,600 meters). Surrounded by ice peaks and snow ridges such as Muztagh Ata, the lake water is clear and changes color with light and weather, sometimes turquoise, sometimes blue, sometimes black. Walk along the shore and enjoy the picturesque scenery.
After finishing the relaxing sightseeing, drive back to Kashgar city.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Karakuri Lake - Day 5: Kashgar Departure
Free and easy on your own until the pick-up time for departure. Our driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Kashgar airport/train station to see you off. This is the end of your 5-day Urumqi and Kashgar tour. Safe travels!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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