Silk Road Tours International Travel Service
Authentic local culture and lifestyles
Real local tour operator
9-Day Xinjiang Tours
Tour Highlights
- Experience the live ancient Tuyuk Village with a lunch at a local house.
- Enjoy the beauty of both Kongur and Muztagh mountains the highest in Xinjiang.
- Visit the picturesque scenery of Heavenly Lake at the Tianshan Mountains.
- Immerse yourself in the streets of the Old City of Kashgar.
- Entertain the liveness of the famous Livestock Market.
- Enjoy ancient cities perspectives by walking in the streets of Jaohe and Gaochang.
Day 1
Arrive Kashgar
Activities: pick you from Kashgar airport and transfer to your hotel
Our professional tour guide and driver will welcome you at Kashgar airport and transfer to your Hotel. Have a good rest after a long flight.
Kashgar, an oasis city in Xinjiang, is one of the westernmost cities of China, located near the borders of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. It has a history of over 2,000 years and served as a trading post and strategically important city on the Silk Road between China, the Middle East and Europe.
Activities: pick you from Kashgar airport and transfer to your hotel
Our professional tour guide and driver will welcome you at Kashgar airport and transfer to your Hotel. Have a good rest after a long flight.
Kashgar, an oasis city in Xinjiang, is one of the westernmost cities of China, located near the borders of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. It has a history of over 2,000 years and served as a trading post and strategically important city on the Silk Road between China, the Middle East and Europe.
Day 2
Kashgar to Tashkorgan
Activities: Drive along the KKH, Stop at Opal Village, Oytagh Kunlunshan Colorful mountain range, Gaz Valley and check point, Bulungkol Valley (Baisha Lake white sand mountain), Karakul lake
We set out along the Sino – Pakistan Karakorum Highway, on the Pamir plateau (the roof of the world)visit Karakul Lake (3600m above sea level). The lake sits at the foot of the notorious, Muztagh Ata (7546m) and Gongur (7719m) mountains. ‘Muztagh Ata’ means Father of the Ice Mountain and is one of the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in the world.
Lunch will be at the lake side restaurant as your like.
You can stop along the way at good spots for photos as much as you like or hiking around Karakul lake for a few hours. Our driver and guide never mind for your many stops or spending time for hiking
Arrive Tashkorgan in the late afternoon and stay overnight.
Activities: Drive along the KKH, Stop at Opal Village, Oytagh Kunlunshan Colorful mountain range, Gaz Valley and check point, Bulungkol Valley (Baisha Lake white sand mountain), Karakul lake
We set out along the Sino – Pakistan Karakorum Highway, on the Pamir plateau (the roof of the world)visit Karakul Lake (3600m above sea level). The lake sits at the foot of the notorious, Muztagh Ata (7546m) and Gongur (7719m) mountains. ‘Muztagh Ata’ means Father of the Ice Mountain and is one of the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in the world.
Lunch will be at the lake side restaurant as your like.
You can stop along the way at good spots for photos as much as you like or hiking around Karakul lake for a few hours. Our driver and guide never mind for your many stops or spending time for hiking
Arrive Tashkorgan in the late afternoon and stay overnight.
Day 3
Tashkorgan to Kashgar
Activities: Visit Stone Fort, Tajik village, Hike on the Grassland and drive back to Kashgar after lunch
Tashkurgan Tajik autonomous county was once an important hub on the old Silk Road. The area borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan via the Kunjerab Pass and Wahan Corridor.
After breakfast, you’ll have an opportunity to see the town’s ancient Stone Fort – still standing after 2200 years! ‘Tashkurgan’ is a translation of ‘Stone Fort.’ Later Hike on the grassland next to the Stone Fort.
After lunch, drive back to Kashgar and you can make stops along the way if you like.
Activities: Visit Stone Fort, Tajik village, Hike on the Grassland and drive back to Kashgar after lunch
Tashkurgan Tajik autonomous county was once an important hub on the old Silk Road. The area borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan via the Kunjerab Pass and Wahan Corridor.
After breakfast, you’ll have an opportunity to see the town’s ancient Stone Fort – still standing after 2200 years! ‘Tashkurgan’ is a translation of ‘Stone Fort.’ Later Hike on the grassland next to the Stone Fort.
After lunch, drive back to Kashgar and you can make stops along the way if you like.
Day 4
Explore Kashgar City
Activities: Visit Grand mosque, Apak Hoja tomb (which is also called Fragrant Concubine Tomb), Old city walking tours, livestock market, Sunday market and dinner at a local Uighur family
Explore the rich, endless culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. First visit livestock market which happens on every Sunday and people bring their horses, sheep, goats, camels,cows,bulls,yaks and donkeys to the market for sale. It provides a great opportunity to take photos of the faces of local people, study traditional local market culture, test-drive a donkey or horse or even make its shoes. Like opening a window, today is a real glimpse into a time lost in the annals of the Silk Road’s past and an opportunity not to be missed.
Later move on to Sunday market main Bazaar which is considered one of the largest market in Central Asia. From fluffy sheepskin hats to rugged camel-hide boots, not to mention beads, buttons and buckets of locals. Everything – including plenty of kitchen sinks – is for sale at this fairytale bazaar. It is the best chance to practice your bargaining skills.
After lunch spend some time by the Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Tomb which is also known as Fragrant concubine tomb).
We’ll also spend time in the Kashgar Old Town and have some walking tours through some ancient historical parts; Stop at a century-old tea house for a short break and taste local medicinal teas such as those containing rose, saffron, honey and many other ingredients.
Finally conclude our city tour with a dinner at a local family in old city area
Activities: Visit Grand mosque, Apak Hoja tomb (which is also called Fragrant Concubine Tomb), Old city walking tours, livestock market, Sunday market and dinner at a local Uighur family
Explore the rich, endless culture of the Uighurs in Kashgar. First visit livestock market which happens on every Sunday and people bring their horses, sheep, goats, camels,cows,bulls,yaks and donkeys to the market for sale. It provides a great opportunity to take photos of the faces of local people, study traditional local market culture, test-drive a donkey or horse or even make its shoes. Like opening a window, today is a real glimpse into a time lost in the annals of the Silk Road’s past and an opportunity not to be missed.
Later move on to Sunday market main Bazaar which is considered one of the largest market in Central Asia. From fluffy sheepskin hats to rugged camel-hide boots, not to mention beads, buttons and buckets of locals. Everything – including plenty of kitchen sinks – is for sale at this fairytale bazaar. It is the best chance to practice your bargaining skills.
After lunch spend some time by the Id Kah mosque, the largest mosque in China and marvel at the intricate architecture of Kashgar’s historic Apak Hoja Tomb which is also known as Fragrant concubine tomb).
We’ll also spend time in the Kashgar Old Town and have some walking tours through some ancient historical parts; Stop at a century-old tea house for a short break and taste local medicinal teas such as those containing rose, saffron, honey and many other ingredients.
Finally conclude our city tour with a dinner at a local family in old city area
Day 5
Day trip to Dawakol Desert, then take overnight train to Turpan
Activities: Experience camel ride in the desert and then take overnight train to Turpan in the afternoon from Kashgar
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Dawakol desert which is about two hours driving distance.
Dawankul is a perfect desert experience if you’re short on time. There’s a section of sand dunes of the Taklamakan Desert, only a couple of hours drive from Kashgar. Camel rides and dune buggies are available.
When you are finished with the desert, drive back to Kashgar and take overnight soft sleeper train to Turpan after lunch. It is about 16:00 hours train journey.
Activities: Experience camel ride in the desert and then take overnight train to Turpan in the afternoon from Kashgar
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Dawakol desert which is about two hours driving distance.
Dawankul is a perfect desert experience if you’re short on time. There’s a section of sand dunes of the Taklamakan Desert, only a couple of hours drive from Kashgar. Camel rides and dune buggies are available.
When you are finished with the desert, drive back to Kashgar and take overnight soft sleeper train to Turpan after lunch. It is about 16:00 hours train journey.
Day 6
Turpan tours
Activities: Arrive Turpan and visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigation system
Our guide and driver will meet you at Daheyan train station and then drive to Turpan city. First check into your hotel and start your Turpan tours after a short rest.
Start with Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city which is one of the best preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices. Workshops,residential houses and streets are still visible and time there is a time spent in a long lost world.
After an hour of visiting around the ancient city, we’ll head on to see the world famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.
Finally back to the hotel
Activities: Arrive Turpan and visit Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city, Karez underground Irrigation system
Our guide and driver will meet you at Daheyan train station and then drive to Turpan city. First check into your hotel and start your Turpan tours after a short rest.
Start with Yargul (Jiaohe) Ancient city which is one of the best preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices. Workshops,residential houses and streets are still visible and time there is a time spent in a long lost world.
After an hour of visiting around the ancient city, we’ll head on to see the world famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.
Finally back to the hotel
Day 7
Turpan For Whole Day
Activities: Visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Toyuq village, Flaming Mountains and Emin Minaret
After breakfast We start our exciting day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century. We’ll spend about one hour in this ancient city and then drive to Toyuq village, an old, beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here we visit several local families and have lunch with a local family in their home. This could be the highlight of your tour today.
After lunch drive to Emin Suliman minaret which is a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient minaret in the country. Locals call it “pure tower.”
we will stop at the Flaming Mountains which people claimed to be the hottest and driest along the silk road that “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come”. you can have a walk at the night Market in the evening at your leisure
Activities: Visit Idikut (Gaochang) ancient city, Toyuq village, Flaming Mountains and Emin Minaret
After breakfast We start our exciting day in Turpan with a visit to the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century. We’ll spend about one hour in this ancient city and then drive to Toyuq village, an old, beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here we visit several local families and have lunch with a local family in their home. This could be the highlight of your tour today.
After lunch drive to Emin Suliman minaret which is a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient minaret in the country. Locals call it “pure tower.”
we will stop at the Flaming Mountains which people claimed to be the hottest and driest along the silk road that “flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come”. you can have a walk at the night Market in the evening at your leisure
Day 8
Turpan to Heavenly Lake
Activities: Drive to Heavenly Lake and spend the whole afternoon around the lake
After breakfast drive to Heavenly lake which takes about 4 hours.
Heavenly lake offers some great hiking routes through the valleys on wooden pathways or up to the mountains as you like.
Your stay at the heavenly lake is the time to go for boating, take photos or simply trek around the lake. Spend a night at local Kazak yurt which certainly the easiest way to understand the life of the Kazak people.
Activities: Drive to Heavenly Lake and spend the whole afternoon around the lake
After breakfast drive to Heavenly lake which takes about 4 hours.
Heavenly lake offers some great hiking routes through the valleys on wooden pathways or up to the mountains as you like.
Your stay at the heavenly lake is the time to go for boating, take photos or simply trek around the lake. Spend a night at local Kazak yurt which certainly the easiest way to understand the life of the Kazak people.
Day 9
Heavenly lake to Urumqi airport
Activities: after breakfast hike around the lake for a few hours and then drive to Urumqi airport
Not many tourists spend a night at the lake, it is quiet and not touristy in the morning. enjoy the sunshine in the early morning.
After local Kazak breakfast at the yurt, you will have chance to hike around the lake for a few hours before the lake gets crowded.
Whenever you are ready drive to Urumqi airport for your next flight
Activities: after breakfast hike around the lake for a few hours and then drive to Urumqi airport
Not many tourists spend a night at the lake, it is quiet and not touristy in the morning. enjoy the sunshine in the early morning.
After local Kazak breakfast at the yurt, you will have chance to hike around the lake for a few hours before the lake gets crowded.
Whenever you are ready drive to Urumqi airport for your next flight
Tour price
- [su_quote] Our Tour prices are seasonal, and we are specialized in organizing private tours, if you are interested in this tour, please let us know the time of your travel; the number of the PAX; the hotel star rating and other info as detailed as possible. So One of our tour consultants will contact you within 24 hours with more details. [/su_quote]
Service Includes
- Air-conditioned private Vehicle for whole land transportation
- Private excellent English speaking local Tour guides
- Hotels as listed in the itinerary (one room shared by two people)
- All meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Entrance fee for the sights as listed in the program (including shuttle bus)
- Expenses of the guides, drivers and vehicles (Accommodation and meals for guide and driver; Highway fee, oil and parking fees for the car)
- One way soft sleeper Train ticket from Kashgar to Turpan
- Visa support
Service excludes
- Tips for the guides and drivers
- Beverages
- Arrival and Departure flights
- Chinese visa
- Personal excursions like horse or camel riding at the spots or boating Etc.
Trip Notes
- Here are some notes for the above tour. If you want to make any changes according to your personal request , please let us know , one of our tour specialist will tailor make your tour just for your needs
1. Accommodation
- —Different types of Hotels are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in best locations, good value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the style of the region. —Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin beds at the hotels listed above All hotels listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities –If you have any special requests for hotels, please let us know, our travel experts will try to meet your requests and find out the perfect one for you.
2. Meals
- Breakfast is usually at the hotels. Lunch and dinners will be provided at good conditioned, clean local restaurants or tourist restaurants. You can also taste authentic local dishes of different minorities along the Silk Road. sometime also arrange local family meals wherever it is possible to let you deeply understand local life and culture. You Could also join the cooking if you like.
3. Transportation
- Air-conditioned good conditioned vehicles for whole land transportation including Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing. China is a big country, distance from one city to another is a long way to drive, so We usually arrange flights or trains to your destinations.
4. Drivers and Car Types
- All of our tour guides are very experienced and helpful, who could create unique and unforgettable experiences to share with you. Our tours include excellent English-speaking local tour guides in each destination, so they don??t travel with you on the trains or flights. But our driver/guide always pick up you from railway stations or airports with ??your name?? on a welcome board. All of our drivers are experienced tourism licensed who are very helpful, friendly and easy going. We provide following cars for the tour: 1. 1-2 PAX: Sedan, SUV or MPV 2. 3-5 PAX: MPV 3. 6-8 PAX: 13-15-Seater minibus 4. 9-10 PAX: 17-22 Seater Minibus 5. 11 or more PAX: 33 seater or bigger coaches.
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