Enter from South, Exit from North | 7-Day 6-Night Classic Group Tour from Kashgar to Urumqi in Xinjiang

Welcome to Kashgar~! Our driver will meet you in the airport arrival hall and take you to a hotel in downtown Kashgar for check-in. After that, you can rest at the hotel or explore the surrounding area. Kashgar is located on the southwestern frontier of Xinjiang. In ancient times it was called Shule and was once one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. Since ancient times it has been a place where many ethnic groups live together and a stage where diverse cultures meet and flourish. It was also the westernmost general junction of the northern, central and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road and the meeting point of the four great ancient civilizations. Its unique geographical advantage made Kashgar a trade distribution center where "envoys could see one another on the road and merchants never ceased coming and going," earning it the reputation of the "Kingdom of Bazaars." Tip: It is recommended to take a morning flight to Kashgar. You need to apply in advance for the border pass required for the next day's itinerary. Pass processing hours: 10:30~18:00. Suggested ways to arrive 1. By air: Kashgar International Airport has direct flights to major Chinese cities such as Beijing (about 6h), Shanghai (about 7h), Guangzhou (about 7h), Chengdu (about 5h), Urumqi (about 2h), Lanzhou (about 4h)... 2. Border ports: Irkeshtam Port and Torugart Port are important ports connecting China and Kyrgyzstan; Karasu Port is the only land port between China and Tajikistan; Khunjerab Port is the only land port between China and Pakistan. If you plan to enter Kashgar through a land port, please contact your consultant in advance for specific arrangements and costs.

This morning, you will drive along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, also known as the Karakoram Highway, one of the world's highest international highways, accompanied by the magnificent scenery of the Pamir Plateau, known as the ancestor of ten thousand mountains and source of ten thousand waters, heading to Tashkurgan. The total distance is about 300 kilometers, taking about 7–8 hours. Along the way, you will visit two famous attractions: Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake. [Baisha Lake], also known as Kakelake Lake, is a plateau flat lake with an area of 44 square kilometers. On both sides of Baisha Lake stand the Kongur Tiube peaks in the distance. Such beautiful scenery makes the snow mountains and lake water that have slept for ten thousand years appear even more pure and silent. Here there are not only large areas of desert hills but also rolling sand mountains. What's wonderful is that the deserts and sand mountains here are all white. Viewed from afar, against the distant blue sky, white clouds, and snow mountains, the sky is like a mirror, white clouds like snow, the world vast and majestic. It is said that this is also the White Sand Mountain and Flowing Sand River of Sha Wujing in "Journey to the West." Thousands of years of natural creation leave people with endless reverie and imagination. [Karakul Lake], also known as Kalakul Lake or Black Lake, is one of the world's rare plateau lakes, a glacial moraine lake at an altitude of 3,600 meters with a total area of 10 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by ice peaks and snow ridges. On calm days, the gleaming silver peaks, green grasslands, and livestock by the lake are reflected in the water, exceptionally beautiful. Opposite the lake is Muztagh Ata, known as the Father of Ice Mountains, at an altitude of 7,509 meters (often cited as 7,546 meters in mountaineering circles). Muztagh Ata belongs to the Kunlun Mountains and is the third highest peak of the Western Kunlun range. Muztagh Ata, Kongur Peak, and Kongur Tiube—three mountains standing like pillars supporting the sky on the beautiful Pamir Plateau—are iconic landscapes of the Pamir Plateau.

After breakfast, set off to visit the Stone City, a fortress of great strategic importance on the ancient Silk Road. [Stone City] was once the capital site of the ancient Western Regions' thirty-six kingdoms, the Kingdom of Qiepantuo. The castle was built on a high mound, extremely steep. Outside the city, there are multiple layers of broken or continuous walls. Between the walls, stone mounds overlap and rocks pile up, forming a unique Stone City landscape. Although only broken walls remain, surrounded by snow peaks, with grasslands and rivers below, and rich Tajik ethnic customs, it has a rugged and unrestrained beauty. After visiting the castle ruins, go to the vast Golden Grassland below Stone City. [Golden Grassland], also known as Alar National Wetland Park, consists of wetlands, grasslands, rivers, marshes, snow mountains, and plateaus. The scenery is beautiful, dotted with herdsmen's tents and flocks of cattle and sheep. Standing on the grassland, you feel relaxed and happy, with blue sky and white clouds, snow peaks and green grasslands, infinitely beautiful. At sunrise and sunset, the grassland is dyed golden by the sun, a stunning sight. After the tour, return to Kashgar along the China-Pakistan Highway.

After breakfast, head to visit [Kashgar Old Town]. When you reach the old town, you must not miss the opening ceremony of the city here and feel the local enthusiastic atmosphere. Holding our cameras, we slowly enter the old town and capture all the people, things, and scenes here, all of which are worth keeping as memories. Walking through the deep alleys will give you a sense of traveling through time, as if you have returned to ancient Kashgar. When you are tired from walking, sit for a while in a teahouse and fully experience the local folk atmosphere. Afterward, head to [Id Kah Mosque], where you can see a grand scene of worship and feel the strong religious atmosphere. Id Kah Mosque is a courtyard-style mosque. Directly at the main entrance on the east side of the mosque is the huge Id Kah Square, a symbol of Kashgar. Usually, many people relax and play on the large square. Long-bearded grandfathers and children sit together by the square basking in the sun, very leisurely. After the visit, we will take you to the airport to fly to Urumqi. After arriving at Urumqi Airport, our guide will meet you at the airport exit and take you to the hotel for check-in. After that, you can arrange your time freely.

After breakfast, you will drive about 70 km (about 1 to 1.5 hours) to visit Tianshan Tianchi. Tianshan Tianchi, called "Yaochi" in ancient times, is a crescent-shaped lake on the northern side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The lake surface is at an elevation of 1,910 meters, with the deepest point reaching 105 meters. Bogda Peak is reflected in the lake, surrounded by spruce trees, and the scenery is like a fairyland. The scenic area includes natural landscapes such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows and forest canyons, and as the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green nearby and blue in the distance, very beautiful. You can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk (12.5 km in total, about 3 to 5 hours) and enjoy the surrounding stunning lake and mountain scenery. Optional activities at Tianshan Tianchi (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: take a boat tour around Tianchi and enjoy the beautiful Yaochi scenery immersively. 2. Mayashan Cableway: take the cableway to the summit at an elevation of 3,056 meters, overlooking the panoramic view of Tianchi and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. Afterward, return to Urumqi and visit the grand Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Bazaar means market. Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the place in Urumqi with the strongest ethnic flavor and is also the world's largest castle-style bazaar. The buildings here are elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here you can browse shops with highly distinctive local ethnic minority goods, buy Xinjiang specialties such as raisins, dried apricots and essential oils, and also taste various local foods such as Xinjiang fruits, pilaf and lamb.

After breakfast, you will drive 180 kilometers, about 3 hours, to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest, and hottest fire-prefecture. Summer temperatures here can reach around 50°C. It is also an important outpost on the Silk Road. Along the way, you will pass the charming Salt Lake and Asia's largest wind power station at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Upon arrival in Turpan, you will continue along the Flaming Mountains Grand Canyon to Tuyugou. Along the way, you can admire Turpan's most representative landscape—the Flaming Mountains. [Flaming Mountains] are composed of red sandstone, conglomerate, and mudstone, stretching over 100 kilometers. The mountain body is reddish-brown. Because under the scorching sun the mountain glows and sparkles like burning flames, it got its name. The Flaming Mountains are also an important location in the Chinese classic "Journey to the West." You can stop at suitable spots along the way for photos. Then follow the winding mountain road along the cliff edge of the Flaming Mountains directly to Mazha Village in [Tuyugou]. [Mazha Village] is an ancient Uyghur village in Xinjiang that completely preserves ancient Uyghur traditions and folk customs. People use the ancient Uyghur language to communicate and wear clothing with the most distinctive ethnic characteristics. Here you can learn about traditional Uyghur lifestyle and customs. Afterward, visit the Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. [Jiaohe Ancient City] was founded and built by the Cheshi people from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was once the capital of the "Former Cheshi Kingdom," one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. The existing ruins are the world's largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen architecture city, and also China's most complete urban relic preserved for over two thousand years. Here you can walk along the paths to the core scenic area, admire the ruins of residential areas, government offices, and Buddhist temples, and enjoy a panoramic view from the central platform. With the guide's explanation, you can look back on the bustling Silk Road trade scene. After the visit, proceed to see the Karez Wells, one of ancient China's three great projects. [Karez Wells] are a special irrigation system in desert areas, ranking alongside the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Here you can experience the unique coolness of Turpan's hot summer, appreciate the life wisdom of ancient ancestors, and learn about the great feat of how ancient craftsmen channeled Tianshan snowmelt from dozens of kilometers away through karez to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of mu of vineyards. Then continue to visit the Sugong Tower, one of Turpan's iconic buildings. [Sugong Tower], also known as Emin Tower or Emin Khoja Thanksgiving Tower, was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a commemorative structure built by Emin Khoja, the Jasak Doroi Junwang of the Turpan Hui region, to "repay heavenly grace." It consists of a temple, minaret, and mazar. Here you can admire its unique Islamic architectural style and learn about its long history and culture. In addition, the mosque next to it is also well worth seeing. After the visit, head to Turpan for overnight rest.

After breakfast, our driver will transfer you to Urumqi Airport to take a flight to the next destination. We look forward to welcoming you again someday in the future.