Yili Grassland and South Xinjiang Adventure to Kuqa & Kashgar

Welcome to Xinjiang! As the saying goes: You will never know how broad China is before coming to Xinjiang. Start your wonderful journey from now on! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to have hotel check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Urumqi or just have a good rest.

Freshen yourself up in the Heavenly Lake in the morning. It is a picturesque alpine lake, with snow mountains surrounded and meadows dotted around. We will change to the shuttle bus of the scenic area and you will be amazed by the lush forest and magnificent mountains on the way. Find a place to sit down and feel the gentle breeze under the blue sky.

Afterwards, we will head to Kuitun to have overnight stay.

Besides the beautiful grassland, lakes in Ili is also the things that you should never miss out. Today we will start our trip from Sayram Lake! It is known as the last drop of tears of the Atlantic. It is the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang and also the most ocean-like lake. The lovely wildflowers surrounding the lake almost change their type every week by themselves. The unique blue of the lake cannot be seen elsewhere, so people call “Sayram Blue”.  

Continue to drive ahead, we will pass by a famous bridge – Guozigou Bridge. It is the most important and expensive bridge in Xinjiang with a cost of 45 million dollars for 1 meter's construction! The picturesque Guozigou valley will bring you the epitome of the best scenery of northern Xinjiang.

Then there is a lovely place waiting for you. You will suddenly smell the pleasant scent of flower and that means you have arrived in the Lavender Farm. Immersing in the dream-like flower sea and the scent will linger in your clothes for a very long time.

Arrive in Yining at night. Have a good rest after hotel check-in.

You will be picked by your local guide and driver at the hotl lobby in the morning. Today we will start our exciting day from visiting Liuxing Street. It gets its name from the hexagonal structure. It was built in 1930s and after a hundred years of development, the street has become a sharp scenery line in Yining. Walking into the street, you will feel like in a beautiful canvas and surrounded by endless blue. Discover the surprises of the street by yourself and you can also pay a visit the Alexander Accordion Museum.

Then run to the grassland! We will leave for the fascinating Karajun Prairie. Different from Naraty, Karajun is more wild and wet. Streams are interwoven on the carpet-like grassland and springs are densely distributed. Karajun in Kazak means “dark wildness”, which truly lives up to its name. Release yourself in the interminable wilderness and experience the nomadic life style! 

Afterwards, drive to Gongliu to have overnight stay.

Another day for grassland scenery! Today we will pay a visit to Naraty Air Grassland. It is the essential part of Naraty grassland. It is called air grassland because of its altitude of more than 2200 meters above sea level. The grass on the land looks like green velvet and the wildflowers dotted is like the scattered little gems set on it. It has been the best pasture of local Kazakh people for thousands of years. The tranquil river valley, lush mountains and the deep gorges together formed the stunning scenery of the heaven on earth.

Today we will drive across the most beautiful road in China – Duku Highway to head to Kuqa! Driving on the winding mountain road is extremely enjoyable and comfortable! Pay a visit the Kuqa Old Town upon arrival, which is just in the city center of Kuqa. Strolling around the street, exploring the interesting shops and stores alongside the street and even playing with the kids, you relaxing morning will be spent in the lovely old town. Then go to the local bazaar to buy some souvenirs or try some local street food.

Today we will have a full day exploring Kuqa. Our first stop today is Kizil Grottoes. It is one of the 4 main grottoes in China and also the oldest one as Buddhism is spread from Xinjiang to the other places of China. Although it has been there for more than 2000 years, the relics inside are mostly well-preserved. Different from Han Buddhism, the characteristics of the wall paintings and frescos of the grottoes are much closer to the original Buddhism. Discover the mysterious Quici Kingdom via these heritages and get to know more about the Buddhist culture here.

Thereafter, head to the Tianshan Grand Canyon. As the masterpieces of nature, it is one of the most beautiful canyons in the world. It is formed by the millions of years of wind and rainwater erosion of the red coconut rocks. The reddish-brown mountains in the two sides of the canyon tower into the clouds, like the burning flames. Standing at the bottom of the canyon and looking up to the cliffs, the cliffs seem to be falling which may make you feel dizzy. No matter what you want to experience, taking awesome pictures or taking adventure by exploring the winding trails, you can gain lots of funs and joys there.

After visting, drive to Aral to have overnight stay

Let us go further south to Makit today! It will be a long journey on the way, get your eyes ready for the stunning desert scenery! Upon arrival, we will go directly to appreciate the famous Dolan Farmer Painting. You can tell the features of this kind of painting from its name. Farmers paint after a day's hard working to express their love toward the land there are relying on. They prefer bold and bright color with rough lines to show their passion and enthusiasm. The paintings are favored by artists for its lovely and rich emotion.

Today we will drive to Kashgar in the morning. When arrive in the afternoon, it is just the busiest time of Sunday Bazaar. There were 2 bazaar befoe, one in the outside selling the items for daily use, the other in the inside for livestock transaction. Now for the construction of that area, the outside bazaar is temporarily closed while the livestock bazaar is still in its original appearance. People are still doing business as what their ancestors did thousands of years ago. You can have your lunch in this interesting place and having the freshest lamb and beef for barbecue is also an excellent idea.

Thereafter, we will visit today is the Handicraft Street. You will find numerous amazing stores and shops on the street. Buying some souvenirs for your friends and family there and looking for some local specialties like shoes, instruments or decorations, you will have a leisure afternoon in the lively place! 

After enjoy your breakfast, we will leave for Taxkorgan county. Driving on the famed Karakoram Highway is really enjoyable! You eyes will always be filled with the stunning scenery on the way. It is one of the most important highways in China as it directly connects Pakistan with China. Driving about 3 hours, you will meet the White Sand Lake, which is just in the right side of your window. Get off the car and have a rest there. The gentle wave of the lake sparkles under the sunshine, and the lake is always in milky blue regardless of the weather. 

Enjoy your lunch beside the Karakul Lake. The lake is highest alpine lake in the world. Not like the white sand lake, this lake changes color according to the angles of sunlight. It is an ideal place to know the life style of the Kirghiz herdsmen, who have been settled down and had nomadic life here for more than a thousand of years. The famed Muztagh Ata is just in front of you when you are facing to the Karakul Lake.

You will see lost of stunning scenes on the way to Taxkorgan. The dream-like milky blue aquamarine streams alongside the highway will accompany you till the end of today's trip!

You must have had a nice dream last night! The lovely morning on the Pamir Plateau is very enjoyable especially when the morning gentle sunlight falls on your face. We will head directly to the Stone Fortress where to see the historic relics that has been existed for over 2000 years. The outskirt of the city is protected by the firm stone walls and that is where the city gets its name. There is no conclusion about who built this city, but the wisdom of the designer is well presented by the solid fortress. In front of the city is a meadow named Golden Wetland. The grass on the wetland is always golden, which makes it different from the other wetland. There is a newly constructed pathway where you can have an excellent view of the stone fortress to take great pictures.

After visiting, we will drive back to Kashgar and you will renew your sweet experience of Karakul lake and white sand lake. Upon arrival, have hotel check-in and have a good rest.

Today is the last day of your tour. Go to the Id Kah Mosque in the morning. It is in the city center of Kashgar and also the landmark of it. As the largest Mosque in China, you will learn many things about Islam and how it developed in China here by the interpretation of your guide. Then just crossing the road and walking for a while, we will arrive at the Kashgar Old City. We should be there before 10:30 to attend the interesting opening ceremony. Appreciating the performance of the Uygur girls and boys, you will feel the passion and hospitality of local people. At the crossroad inside the old city, there is a old tea house that has been there for more than 100 years. Have a cup of tea and enjoy the Uygur dance and songs with Uygur elders playing Uygur traditional instrument in the second floor. Listening to the locals chatting and laughing, even with no idea what they are talking about, you will suddenly have a nostalgia of old days. 

Then it is time for say goodbye to Xinjiang. Your tour will end with airport or train station transfer based on your schedule. Wish you a pleasant journey home and hope to see you again in your next China trip!