12 Days South Xinjiang Tour

Today your flight will touch down in Kashgar. We will meet you at the airport exit. Then a comfortable drive will send you to the local hotel for check in. Rest up and get ready for tomorrow's adventure! 

Good morning! Today, we will have a full visit in Kashgar city and the journey will begin from the Kashgar Old Town, where you can explore the local lifestyle and unique architecture. Come and join the exciting movement in this well-preserved Uighur residential area. Our speciality: relaxing in the Hundred-years Tea house, taste the local rose tea and nang-bread! Continue to visit Handicraft Street, gathered hundreds of handicraft workshops, which has become a boutique exhibition for handicraft in Kashgar and Central Asia.

After the visit, we are going to Idigar Mosque, the largest Mosque in China and most famous one in Xinjiang. outdoor Animal Bazaar is the first bazaar we visit, where the farmers and buyers arriving by donkey cart, truck, bicycle, horseback, motorbike or on foot, with their animals. It's loud, lively and cheerful as they arrive.

And the last stop is the Apakh Hoja Tomb(Xiangfei Tomb), the largest and most influential Islamic burial Place in Xinjiang.

Today's highlight is a morning excursion to Taxkorgan.

Driving on the China and Pakistan Highway. Our first stop is Oytagh Glacier Park which is the summer resort for the locals. You will have the chance to visit the Kyrgyz villages beside the mountain road and Kyrgyz/Uyghur nomads in the mountains living in Yurts. What's more? Hiking in the mountains near to the glacier which is not dangerous is also a good choice. The scenery is amazing there!

Next take your time admiring the magnificent Bulongkol Lake, also known as Baisha Mountain (white Sand Mountain). It is located in the Pamir Plateau, a large plateau in the Pamir mountain, which is one of the highest spots on the way to Karakul lake and Taxkorgan.

Morning excursion starts from exploring the Stone Fortress. The city is oval in shape and the city walls were built with sun-dried bricks on stone foundation. It is 1285 metres in circumference outside. Over the past few years, new wooden pathways have been constructed to allow tourist to walk these beautiful grasslands, known as the Golden Grassland. From here you can get even better photos of the Stone Fortress.

Then we will visit Panlong Road where you can enjoy the splendid Kunlun Mountain.

Today, before driving back to Kashgar, we will visit two of the must stop spots on the way.

You can first enjoy the beautiful scenery of Karakul Lake, where herds of livestock are reflected as Kirghiz herdsmen usually settle down and graze their herds by the lake. 

Then continue to the Towerman Wetland, known by locals as "the breeding place of divine flowers". Here, cows and horses are like dots of ink, attaching to the dark golden grassland. Walking under the blue sky, among vast grassland and rolling snow mountains, taking a deep breath of fresh air and you'll feel more relaxed than ever.

After visiting, drive back to Kashgar in the late afternoon. Have a good rest!

This wonderful day will start from visiting the Yarkent Culture Center. Exquisite patterns, architecture and history, these attract many people to visit. 

Then, let's turn to explore the Yarkent Old Town, where you will see the local lifestyle, enjoy your time and relax.

Next drive to Hotan, crossed by the Sanju Pass, the Hindu-tagh, and Ilchi passes. You can take a break or enjoy the scenery on the way.

Upon arrival, have a good rest and enjoy the night market!

Your today's trip now kicks off! After breakfast, we will drive to Akesu along the Taklamakan Desert Highway. It is the longest and earliest desert highway in the world that runs through the floating desert. It is also the center of the ancient Silk Road, and on the way we will pass by the Tarim river grand bridge. 

Freshen up in the morning and start your day! The journey will begin from the Tumor Grand Canyon, the most beautiful Danxia geological wonder and the largest rock salt karst geological beauty in China.

Then we will drive to Kuqa. Upon arrival, you will explore the Kuqa Palace, or Kuqa Grand mosque built in 1759 by Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty, which is a recognition of the contribution of the local Uygur leader for helping to pacify the rebellion of Xiaohe and Zhuo. It integrates the Islamic architectural features of palaces and city towers.

In the evening, stroll around the Kuqa Old Town to explore the local culture and history. It will more than live up to all of your expectations!

This wonderful day will start from Kuqa and enjoy yourself in the Tianshan Great Canyon, which is an excellent geological park all over the world that records the whole process of crustal movement in Xinjiang during the past 400 million years. 

Then have a silent conversation with Kizil Grottoes and listen to its stories. As one of the four grottoes in China, it is the oldest one, but many architectures and murals in it are in well preservation. Here, you will learn more about the culture and history of Buddhism and ancient Qiuci Kingdom. 

Morning excursion starts from crossing the first desert highway in China about 2hrs, which was the center of the ancient Silk Road, and is now the main place for oil exploration and development.

Then discover more in the Populus Euphratica Forest. The tree is extremely tenacious and resistant to drought and alkali, so it is also called "Desert Hero Tree". There is an old saying that people do not know the beauty of Populus euphratica until they arrive at Luntai, or the brilliance of life until they see the Populus euphratica.

After the visit, we will drive to Korla hotel to rest.

In the morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine, then we will take a 6-7 hours' driving back to Urumqi. On the way you can see Dabancheng wind power station and take some pictures.

Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel first, then our guide and driver will show you around the Urumqi city, you can shop freely in Grand Bazaar. If you want to buy some special products for your family and friends; or just explore the cultural customs of Urumqi.

Say goodbye to amazing Xinjiang! You will be transferred to the airport and back to your sweet home. We wish you a happy flight home and hope we can serve you again in the future.