Ancient Silk Road Panoramic Crossing 11-Day Tour: Lanzhou + Zhangye + Jiayuguan + Dunhuang + Turpan + Urumqi + Kashgar

Welcome to Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu Province, China. Our driver will greet you at the airport/train station exit and escort you to your hotel in Lanzhou for check-in and rest! For the remaining time, you can arrange your own activities or consult your guide for travel suggestions based on your interests! Lanzhou is the only provincial capital in China through which the Yellow River flows, and an important hub on the ancient Silk Road connecting the Central Plains with the Western Regions, historically known as "Golden City." Today, as a core node city of the national "Belt and Road" initiative, Lanzhou blends Yellow River culture, Silk Road culture, and diverse ethnic customs, making it an excellent starting point for exploring Northwest China's culture and natural scenery. Good places to go in your free time After arriving in Lanzhou, don't miss the chance to visit Lanzhou's landmark buildings, such as Zhongshan Bridge (the First Bridge over the Yellow River, named in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with a history of over a hundred years), White Pagoda Mountain Park (with a long history, offering panoramic views of Lanzhou City, Zhongshan Bridge, and the Yellow River), the Yellow River Mother Statue (a symbol of Chinese culture), and the Waterwheel Expo Park (Yellow River waterwheel culture). You can also taste authentic Lanzhou cuisine at Zhengning Road Night Market, such as Lanzhou beef noodles, hand-grabbed mutton, milk and egg fermented rice, gray beans, and liangpi. Or enjoy a cup of Sanpaotai/gaiwan tea by the Yellow River, waiting quietly for the night views of Zhongshan Bridge and White Pagoda Mountain to arrive, fully savoring the leisurely life of the Northwest. Suggestions for reaching Lanzhou 1. By plane: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (LHW) is Lanzhou's only airport and one of the main airports on the edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Northwest China, with multiple domestic direct routes, such as Beijing (2 hours), Shanghai (3 hours), Guangzhou (3 hours 10 minutes), Guilin (2 hours 25 minutes), Chengdu (1 hour 35 minutes), Xi'an (1 hour 15 minutes), Urumqi (2 hours 40 minutes), Dunhuang (1 hour 50 minutes), and Jiayuguan (1 hour 35 minutes). 2. By high-speed train: Lanzhou Railway Station and Lanzhou West Railway Station are the main railway hubs in Lanzhou. Among them, Lanzhou West Railway Station is an important high-speed rail station in Lanzhou, with direct high-speed trains to Beijing (8.5–9.5 hours), Shanghai (11–12 hours), Xi'an (3–4 hours), Chengdu (7–8 hours), Chongqing (7–7.5 hours), Urumqi (11–11.5 hours), Xining (1–1.5 hours), Tianshui (1.5 hours), Wuwei (1–2 hours), Jiayuguan (4–5 hours), Zhangye (2–3 hours), and Dunhuang (8–9 hours). Lanzhou Railway Station also has trains to the above cities, but mainly conventional-speed trains.

In the early morning, you will drive about 75 km (about 2 hours) to visit [Liujiaxia Reservoir], praised as the "Pearl of the Plateau." This is China's first million-kilowatt-level hydropower station, located on the upper reaches of the Yellow River (China's second-longest river and the mother river of the Chinese nation), with rich natural wonders and cultural heritage. After arriving, you will board a boat at Liujiaxia Dam (about 2 hours) to tour the stunning natural scenery of Liujiaxia. The red cliffs and danxia landforms on both banks and the blue lake water complement each other, very charming. When the cruise passes the confluence of the Yellow River and Tao River, you can also photograph the "clear and muddy distinctly separated" wonder (best time: before 10 a.m. or after 18:00 in the evening; the scenery is most spectacular in summer). Finally, arrive at the boat's terminal, Bingling Temple Grottoes, and it is recommended to reserve 1.5 hours for the visit. [Bingling Temple Grottoes] was first built in the first year of Jianhong of the Western Qin (AD 420), with a history of more than 1,600 years, more than 100 years earlier than the Mogao Caves. It is the earliest Yellow River grotto on the Silk Road and a famous World Cultural Heritage site, known as the "encyclopedia of Chinese grottoes." Its grotto art integrates multiple cultural elements from the Central Plains, the Western Regions and Tubo, and is a treasure of Silk Road Buddhist art. A large number of exquisite murals, statues and other relics remain. Focus on visiting Cave 171's 27-meter-high Maitreya Buddha of the Tang Dynasty, China's fifth-largest Buddha, with the upper body in stone carving and the lower body in clay sculpture, very spectacular. Notes 1. Liujiaxia Dam speedboat: Usually the boat departs only when full, so there may be some waiting time before departure, or you can choose to rent a speedboat at your own expense to avoid waiting. Because the wind in the valley is strong and the temperature is low, it is recommended to wear warm and windproof clothing. 2. Please note that for the round trip by speedboat, the time to visit the Bingling Temple Grottoes is about 1.5 hours, and visitors must return to the boat on time to go back to the dam. If you do not visit the special caves, usually 1.5 hours of touring time is enough. For lovers of grotto art, it is recommended to go by land (although the mountain road may be challenging) or rent a boat (faster than land but more expensive) to ensure you have enough time to explore the site. 3. Photography is allowed in the ordinary caves of Bingling Temple, but flash is prohibited. The other 5 special caves (Caves 169, 172, 126, 128 and 132) prohibit photography. It is recommended to bring binoculars to view the details of the grottoes. The special caves require an additional fee, including the guide fee. If you are particularly interested in the statues of the Western Qin and Tang Dynasty, you can pay to visit Caves 169 and 172 (located above the Great Buddha of Cave 171). 4. There are few dining options in the scenic area, and the itinerary may be tiring, so it is recommended to bring high-calorie food such as chocolate and beef jerky. After touring the Bingling Temple Grottoes, in the afternoon you will return to Lanzhou and take a high-speed train to Zhangye (about 3 hours). The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you can enjoy the magnificent natural landscapes of the Hexi Corridor and the unique danxia landforms. Zhangye is named after "extending the nation's arm to reach the Western Regions" and has the praise, "If you do not look at the snow atop the Qilian Mountains, you will mistake Zhangye for Jiangnan." It was an important and prosperous city on the ancient Silk Road, known as "Golden Zhangye," and has deep connections with Xuanzang's journey to the west and the legends of Journey to the West. In the evening, you can leisurely stroll through the night market and taste authentic donkey meat and apricot juice tea and other delicacies, then stay overnight in Zhangye.

Today, you will fully explore Zhangye. After breakfast, visit the Great Buddha Temple (about 1–2 hours). [Great Buddha Temple], also known as "Reclining Buddha Temple," was first built in the first year of Yong'an in the Western Xia Dynasty (1098), more than 900 years ago, and is one of the four existing royal temples in China. Inside the temple is the largest indoor clay reclining Buddha in China and even Asia, with a body about 34.5 meters long and shoulders about 7.5 meters wide; even a person could lie flat on one finger. In addition to the great Buddha, the hall also contains many Buddhist statues such as the Ten Great Disciples and the Eighteen Arhats, as well as murals depicting stories from Journey to the West and Classic of Mountains and Seas. In addition, the couplet outside the Great Buddha Hall—"The sleeping Buddha sleeps long, sleeping for a thousand years without waking; the questioner asks forever, asking for a hundred generations yet still unclear"—is worth careful observation. There is also a couplet in Western Xia script with the same content; remember to ask the guide to explain the differences between its stroke structure and Chinese characters. Moreover, artifacts such as Persian silver coins unearthed in the temple further confirm the prosperity of Silk Road trade. Note: At present, significant progress has been made in the digital restoration of the reclining Buddha statue at Zhangye Great Buddha Temple. The opening time of the digital exhibition hall is subject to official notice. Once open, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the historical and cultural background of the reclining Buddha through an immersive experience. After lunch, you will visit Zhangye Rainbow Danxia, the area with the largest, best-developed, and most richly shaped Danxia landforms in China (about 3–4 hours). [Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Scenic Area] is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 230 kilometers southeast of Jiayuguan. It is one of China's seven most beautiful Danxia landforms and has honors such as "one of the world's top ten magical geographical wonders" and "one of the world's twenty-two most unforgettable landscapes." Its grandeur, spectacular scale, peculiar shapes, and brilliant colors are unparalleled. Standing amid it, you feel as if you have entered a colorful fairy-tale world. The scenic area has four viewing platforms, with shuttle buses running between them. The shuttle route from the North Gate is: Qicai Xianyuan Platform (No. 2) → Qicai Yunhai Platform (No. 1) → Qicai Jinxiu Platform (No. 5) → Qicai Hongxia Platform (No. 4). Among them, Platform No. 1 (the largest viewing platform in the scenic area, offering a panoramic view of the Danxia landforms and the S-shaped road, and the best place to photograph sunrise) and Platform No. 4 (the most brilliantly colored, where at sunset the Danxia under the evening glow looks like a "mountain of knives and sea of fire," called by visitors "pork belly mountain") are most recommended. Travel tips: 1. At sunrise, the light is soft, the colors are vivid, and the contrast is high, making it an excellent time to photograph the panoramic rainbow mountains and fine textures. At sunset, the warm afterglow falls on the hills, forming golden silhouettes, also an excellent time to capture the beauty of the rainbow mountains. If you want to capture the sunrise scenery, please confirm with your travel consultant to stay overnight at a hotel near the rainbow mountains. 2. Another best time to appreciate the Danxia landforms is after rain, when the colors become more vivid and enchanting due to moisture. 3. The scenic area may require climbing slopes, so comfortable shoes are essential. 4. The scenic area also offers entertainment projects such as camel riding, hot air balloons, gliders, and helicopters (additional charge required). After the tour, proceed via Jiuquan to Jiayuguan (about 210 kilometers, about 3 hours by car). Overnight stay in Jiayuguan.

Today, you will fully explore Jiayuguan, known as the "First Pass Under Heaven." [Jiayuguan] was historically called the throat of Hexi. Because of its strategic terrain and magnificent architecture, it is known as the "key to the frontier" and was an important transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road, as well as the western starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. After arriving, first visit Jiayuguan Fort. Jiayuguan Fort was first built in the fifth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1372). It is the first pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall and the most spectacular fort along the Great Wall. This is not merely a single pass; it is divided into an inner city, outer city and moat. From the Xiongguan Water Fort in the outer city, you can take distant photos of the fort's exterior. Entering the inner city and climbing the gate tower, you can see the foot of the Qilian Mountains. There are also many stalls in the scenic area, offering ancient costume photography, calligraphy and paintings for sale. In addition, you can also experience the old exit procedures here (optional, at your own expense), and at the city gate exit receive a "guanzhao" issued by the pass commander in armor, that is, a pass permit for entering and leaving the pass. Optional places to visit 1. Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum: China's first thematic museum comprehensively and systematically displaying Great Wall culture. Completed at the end of 1988 (officially opened in 1989), the exhibition is divided into four major sections: Great Wall history, Great Wall military affairs, Hexi Corridor and the Silk Road, and Jiayuguan ancient and modern. Among them, the Han Dynasty roast pig's trotter and the Ming Dynasty Great Wall work plaque are treasures of the museum and worth a closer look. Afterwards, go to visit the Overhanging Great Wall, known as "the end of the Great Wall." The Overhanging Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty, about more than 500 years ago. It is named because the wall winds up from the foot of the mountain and looks like the Great Wall hanging upside down on the ridge, an iron wall suspended in the air. You can climb along the Great Wall walkway to the highest watchtower and look far into the distance, taking in the frontier scenery and the vast Gobi desert. The Great Wall is like a swimming dragon, from east to west, sometimes broken and sometimes continuous, sometimes hidden and sometimes visible, stretching for thousands of miles. After the visit, proceed to Dunhuang via Guazhou, and stay overnight in Dunhuang.

Today, you will embark on a wonderful Dunhuang cultural journey. After breakfast, visit the Mogao Caves, one of China's four great grottoes. Also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, the Mogao Caves are hailed as a "treasure trove of Eastern art," the world's largest and richest surviving site of Buddhist art, and a witness to the blending of diverse civilizations on the ancient Silk Road. They were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The caves were carved over a thousand years and contain vast and rich murals, painted sculptures, and cave shrines, making them a world-famous treasure trove of Buddhist art. Upon arriving at the Mogao Caves scenic area, you can first go to the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center to watch a wonderful digital film, "Millennium Mogao," for an initial understanding of the site. Then take a shuttle bus to the cave area (PS: photography is prohibited inside the caves). Led by a guide, you will visit 8 caves in succession, such as the Library Cave (Caves 16–17, the largest caves), the Nine-Story Tower (the common name for the wooden structure outside Cave 96, one of the iconic buildings of the Mogao Caves), and the Nirvana Cave (Cave 148, where the reclining Buddha is located)... The specific caves visited depend on actual on-site conditions, but several classic caves will be included. If interested, you can visit the Dunhuang Grottoes Conservation and Research Exhibition Center to see 1:1 replicas of 8 highly representative caves, including Caves 275, 249, 419, 220, 217, 3, and 25 (photography allowed). After the tour, you can return to the hotel to rest. If time permits, you can visit the Dunhuang Museum after lunch (at your own expense). In the afternoon, you will visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, praised as "one of China's five most beautiful deserts." Mingsha Mountain is formed by shifting sand, over a hundred meters high with steep peaks and water-ripple-like sand patterns on its slopes. When people slide down from the summit, it produces a sound like chiming bells, hence the name. It is said that on cloudless days when the wind stops and the sand is still, one can even hear the sound of string and bamboo instruments, which is truly wondrous. Crescent Lake, located at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, is named for its crescent shape. The water is crystal clear, and despite years of fierce winds and sandstorms blotting out the sun, for over a thousand years this clear spring has never overflowed in heavy rain nor dried up in drought. Here you can stroll in the desert and enjoy the beautiful scenery of "a lone plume of smoke rising straight in the vast desert, the setting sun round over the long river" and "silver mountains surrounded by sand on all sides, a pool of clear water with green ripples," or choose to enjoy various activities (at your own expense), such as camel riding, sand sledding, beach buggies, off-road vehicles, and hang gliders... Afterward, you can wander through the Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market (optional) and taste authentic Dunhuang cuisine, such as apricot juice, donkey meat with yellow noodles, pao'er yougao, braised lamb with flatbread, and red willow skewered lamb. Optional evening performances: (at your own expense, advance reservation required) 1. "Music in Dunhuang" (year-round): The world's first cave-style immersive theater, telling the story of Bai Xin, a young man from the Western Regions in the early Tang Dynasty, on his journey to find music. The performance uses modern technology combined with live performances to recreate the music, dance, poetry, costumes, and paintings from Dunhuang murals. 2. "Dunhuang Grand Ceremony" (peak season only): The world's first large-scale desert live-action performance, set against Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, with a 360-degree rotating and moving audience seating, telling the poignant love story of a young painter and a princess, recreating the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road and showcasing Dunhuang's unique cultural charm (including "Molten Iron Fireworks"). 3. "Encore Dunhuang" (peak season only): A large-scale indoor experiential drama directed by Wang Chaoge, one of the chief directors of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The audience travels through the Library Cave and the Mogao Caves, experiencing Dunhuang culture and the splendor of the Silk Road firsthand. 4. "Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes" (peak season only): A large-scale theatrical performance by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe, telling the folk story of "Miaoshan Saving Her Father." The dance movements are graceful, the cultural connotations profound, and the artistic level extremely high. Notes 1. To protect the caves, the Mogao Caves implement a real-name reservation system with daily visitor limits. Tickets are divided into Type A (6,000 per day) and Type B (12,000 per day, with priority for domestic visitors). Type A includes 8 caves and 2 digital films; Type B includes 4 caves and the Cave Conservation and Research Exhibition Center. 2. On the day of your visit, please follow the arrangements of the Mogao Caves management. The order of visiting Mingsha Mountain and the Mogao Caves may be adjusted. 3. If you are particularly interested in the caves, you can also purchase tickets for special caves on site (queuing may be required) to explore more exquisite caves. Special caves (at your own expense) are divided into Line 1 (Caves 45, 320, 321, 420, 9, 428) and Line 2 (Caves 275, 45, 156, 158). 4. During the Dunhuang Expo or in case of severe weather or other factors affecting visits, if the Mogao Caves cannot be visited as planned, our agency will refund the Mogao Caves ticket based on actual costs or arrange a visit to the Western Thousand Buddha Caves as an alternative. 5. Optional paid activities at Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area: shoe covers, sightseeing bus, camel riding, motorcycles, off-road vehicles (3-seater), paragliding, and desert starry sky camping. 6. When participating in desert entertainment activities, please take good care of your photographic equipment to prevent wind and sand from entering your camera. When riding a camel, please follow the staff's instructions when getting on and off.

In the morning, drive to visit Yumen Pass, about 100 km (about 2 hours) from the Dunhuang city area. [Yumen Pass] was first built during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. It was the gateway from the Western Regions to the Central Plains in the Han Dynasty and the "throat" of the ancient Silk Road. It was named because fine jade from Khotan and other places in the ancient Western Regions entered the Central Plains through this pass. It once witnessed caravans with camel bells coming and going and the blending of Chinese and Western cultures, with a long history of more than 2,000 years, and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014. The famous Tang poet Wang Zhihuan's line, "Why should the Qiang flute complain about the willow? The spring breeze does not reach Yumen Pass," fully expresses the desolation of the frontier and the hardship of garrison duty. The surviving relics of Yumen Pass include Xiaofangpan City (the Han Dynasty Yumen Pass site), Dafangpan City (a Han Dynasty military supply warehouse) and the Han Great Wall site (one of the best-preserved sections of the Han Great Wall in China). Strolling among them, you can closely experience the military defense system from 2,000 years ago. Standing in the boundless Gobi and listening to the wind, it seems you can travel through a thousand years and feel the loneliness of the frontier soldiers of old and the resilience of Silk Road merchants. The scenes of golden spears and iron horses and melodious camel bells seem like events of yesterday. This itinerary focuses on visiting the Han Great Wall, about 5 km from Yumen Pass, reached by sightseeing bus (included). This is one of the best-preserved and most representative sections of the Han Dynasty Great Wall in China. It was built by ramming local red willow, reed branches and sandy soil layer by layer. After 2,000 years of wind and rain erosion, although damaged, its outline is still clear, making it a miracle of ancient architecture. After the visit, you will drive about 3 hours to Liuyuan South Station and take a high-speed train to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest and hottest fiery prefecture (about 3.5 hours by train). After arriving, our driver will meet you at the exit of Turpan North Station and escort you to your Turpan hotel for check-in and rest.

After breakfast, you will visit [Jiaohe Ancient City], one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. This is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen architectural city in the world, and also the most complete urban remains in China preserved for over 2,000 years. As a witness to the development of Western Regions civilization and the Silk Road, Jiaohe Ancient City was founded and built by the Jushi people from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was once the capital of the Jushi Kingdom, one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions, and its architecture and culture are extremely unique and worth careful appreciation. Strolling through it, you can admire the historical remains of residential areas, government offices, and Buddhist temples, feel the vicissitudes of a thousand years of civilization and the weight of history, and also go to the central platform to enjoy a panoramic view of Jiaohe Ancient City. With the guide's vivid explanation, it feels as if you have traveled through time and returned to the bustling prosperity of the Silk Road. Then continue to visit [Karez Wells], one of the three great ancient Chinese 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 scorching summer, appreciate the life wisdom of the ancient ancestors, and learn how ancient craftsmen brought Tianshan snowmelt from dozens of kilometers away through the karez to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of mu of vineyards—a great feat that turned barren land into a lush oasis. Afterward, continue to visit [Sugong Tower], one of Turpan's landmark buildings. Sugong Tower is also called Emin Tower, with the full name Emin Khoja Thanksgiving Tower. It 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," and consists of a temple, a minaret, and a mazar. It is the only ancient tower of Islamic style among China's hundred famous towers. Here, you can not only admire its unique Islamic architectural style but also gain an in-depth understanding of its long history and splendid culture. In addition, the mosque next to Sugong Tower is also well worth seeing. After the visit, you will head to a hotel in Urumqi for check-in and rest (about 180 kilometers, about 3 hours by car). The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you will also pass the charming Salt Lake and the largest wind power station in Asia at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains—Dabancheng Wind Power Station.

After breakfast, you will drive about 70 km (about 1~1.5 hours) to visit Tianshan Tianchi. [Tianshan Tianchi], anciently called "Yaochi," is a half-moon-shaped lake on the north side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist resort in Xinjiang. The lake surface of Tianchi is 1,910 meters above sea level, with the deepest point reaching 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak, surrounded by spruce forests, and the scenery is like a fairyland. The scenic area includes natural landscapes such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows, and forest canyons. As the light changes, the lake water appears green up close and blue in the distance, very beautiful. After arriving, you will first take a 40-minute sightseeing bus through the steep and magnificent mountains, then walk for 10 minutes to enjoy the stunning lake and mountain scenery and various interesting animals and plants. Optional activities at Tianshan Tianchi (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: take a cruise to roam Tianchi and immersively enjoy the beautiful scenery of Yaochi. 2. Mayashan Cableway: take the cableway to the summit at 3,056 meters above sea level, overlooking the panoramic view of Tianchi and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. After lunch, return to Urumqi, then visit Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of the humanistic history of Xinjiang and the ancient Silk Road. [Xinjiang Museum] is the largest comprehensive museum in Xinjiang. Here you can admire rich cultural relic collections, including precious relics of the ancient Silk Road, traditional costumes of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, folk handicrafts, etc. The museum also has temporary exhibitions displaying artworks and historical relics of various themes. In addition, famous Chinese national treasure-level cultural relics such as the ancient corpse of the "Loulan Beauty" and the Han Dynasty brocade with the inscription "Five Stars Rise in the East" can also be seen here. Museum tips: Xinjiang Museum is closed on Mondays. If you go on a Monday, you can visit Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar instead. Suggestions for free time If there is still time, you can visit the large-scale Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Bazaar means market. Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the place with the strongest ethnic flavor in Urumqi and the world's largest castle-style bazaar. The architecture here is elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here you can browse shops with highly distinctive ethnic minority characteristics, such as Uygur clothing, carpets, spices, accessories, handicrafts, etc., and also taste various Xinjiang fruits, pilaf, mutton and other local delicacies.

This morning, you will take a flight (about 2 hours) to Kashgar. Our driver will greet you at the Kashgar airport exit and escort you to downtown Kashgar. Kashgar is located on the southwestern frontier of Xinjiang. Historically known as Shule, it was once one of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. Since ancient times, it has been a place where multiple ethnic groups live together, a stage for diverse cultural exchanges, the western terminus where the northern, central, and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road converged, and the meeting point of the four great ancient civilizations. Its unique geographical advantage made Kashgar a commercial distribution center where "envoys could see each other on the road, and merchants never ceased on the way," earning it the reputation of the "Kingdom of Bazaars (trade markets)." Today you will begin your exploration at Kashgar Old Town. Located in the city center, Kashgar Old Town is the only completely preserved labyrinthine urban district in China, one of the world's largest rammed-earth architectural complexes, an important post station on the ancient Silk Road, and a representative of Uyghur culture. When visiting the old town, you must not miss the opening ceremony, where you can watch wonderful folk performances and feel the local enthusiastic atmosphere. You can also leisurely stroll through the crisscrossing alleys of Kashgar Old Town, admiring the exquisite traditional Uyghur architecture and ancient historical relics, browsing handicraft shops with strong ethnic characteristics, and tasting the most authentic Xinjiang cuisine. The cries of vendors and the pleasant tinkling of bells on camels' necks make one feel as if traveling through time and space, returning to Kashgar's most prosperous and flourishing period. In addition, you can visit Kashgar's landmark building, the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in Xinjiang, one of the largest in China, and one of the three most influential mosques in Central Asia. Here, you can not only see grand prayer scenes and experience the strong religious atmosphere up close, but also relax and sunbathe with locals in Id Kah Square. If you want to deeply experience the daily life of the locals, you can go to a century-old teahouse, order a pot of local specialty tea, chat with hospitable Uyghur people, and enjoy a rare leisurely slow time. If you are lucky, you may hear the pleasant singing and playing of Uyghur elders, and even join in the dancing. If you happen to visit Kashgar on a Sunday, don't miss the Kashgar Livestock Bazaar, the largest live livestock trading market in Xinjiang and even Asia, full of primitive trading fun and rich Uyghur culture. Every Sunday, it is as lively as a festival, where you can see the most traditional and ancient livestock trading methods, and "bargaining in sleeves" is the most interesting part, full of wit and fun. Tips: The Kashgar Livestock Bazaar has a large number of livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, donkeys, and camels, and there will be a strong odor. If you are sensitive to smells, it is recommended to bring a mask. After the tour, return to your Kashgar hotel to rest.

This morning, you will be taken on an exciting road trip along the China-Pakistan Highway, about 400 km in total, about 8 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Pamir Plateau and distant views of spectacular snow peaks such as Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh and Kongur Tiube, and stop to visit two famous attractions, Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake. The China-Pakistan Highway, also known as the Karakoram Highway, is the world's highest-altitude cross-border highway and an important road connecting China and Pakistan. The stunning scenery along the way, including canyon wetlands, snow peaks and grasslands, lakes and glaciers, makes it the most beautiful three-dimensional scenic avenue in southern Xinjiang. Once the most mysterious and dangerous section of the ancient Silk Road, regarded as a forbidden zone of "ten thousand mountains piled with snow, snow pressing ten thousand mountains," it has now become a scenic avenue of beautiful landscapes. Along the way you will visit the following attractions [Baisha Lake], also known as Kakelake Lake, is a plateau flat lake with an area of about 44 square kilometers and an elevation of about 3,660 meters. It is praised as "the most beautiful lake on the Pamir Plateau," and its scenery is especially magnificent. The water here is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds and distant snow mountains. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and backed by Baisha Mountain, whose slopes are covered with white sand. Under the sunlight, it is especially delicate and soft, like white silk. Whenever a strong wind blows, the white sand on the mountain makes a whistling sound, hence the name "Resounding Sand Mountain." [Karakul Lake], also known as Kalakul Lake or Black Lake, is a rare plateau lake in the world and belongs to an alpine glacial erosion and moraine lake, with an elevation of 3,600 meters and a total area of 10 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by ice peaks and snow ridges. On calm days, the silvery 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," with an elevation of 7,509 meters (often said in mountaineering circles to be 7,546 meters). Muztagh Ata belongs to the Kunlun Mountains and is the third-highest peak of the Western Kunlun range. Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh and Kongur Tiube stand tall like pillars holding up the sky on the beautiful Pamir Plateau, and are iconic landscapes of the Pamir Plateau. If you stay long enough by Karakul Lake, you will find that the lake water changes color with the light, sometimes azure, sometimes emerald green, sometimes blue-gray, hence the name "Color-Changing Lake." After the visit, you will return to Kashgar along the picturesque China-Pakistan Highway to rest, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular snow peaks, lakes and other natural landscapes along the way again from different angles.

After breakfast, you can take some time to explore more of Kashgar's scenery according to your own preferences, experiencing up close this ancient city's unique ethnic culture and rich Silk Road charm, until our driver escorts you to the airport to catch your flight to the next destination. At this point, this wonderful and unforgettable 11-day panoramic journey along the ancient Silk Road from Lanzhou to Kashgar comes to an end. Suggested Departure Options 1. By Air: Kashgar Laining International Airport (KHG) is the second-largest airport in Xinjiang and one of the westernmost airports in China, with multiple direct domestic routes, such as Urumqi, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Chongqing, as well as direct routes to Central Asia, such as Islamabad. 2. Border Crossings: The Torugart Highway Port and the Irkeshtam Port are important crossings connecting China and Kyrgyzstan, while the Karasu Port is the only highway port between China and Tajikistan; the Khunjerab Port is the only land port between China and Pakistan. If you plan to leave through these land border crossings, please contact your in advance for specific arrangements and cost details.