Western Regions Charm | Xinjiang Urumqi + Tianshan Tianchi + Jiaohe Ancient City + Karez Wells + Kashgar Old Town + Baisha Lake + Stone City 8-Day Nature and Culture Journey

Welcome to Urumqi~! Our guide will meet you at the exit of Urumqi Airport and take you to a hotel in downtown Urumqi for check-in. After that, you can rest at the hotel or go out and look around the surrounding area. Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the city farthest from the ocean in the world, about 2,500 kilometers from the nearest coastline. It is also a necessary route of the new northern route of the world-famous ancient Silk Road, which promoted trade and cultural exchanges between China and Western countries and formed a unique ethnic cultural atmosphere in western China. Urumqi is located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in northwestern China, surrounded by mountains and water, with vast fertile fields. The people who have lived here for generations affectionately call it "Urumqi," meaning "beautiful pasture." It lies in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent, adjacent to Central Asian countries, and has long enjoyed the reputation of "Capital of Asia's Heart." PS: Xinjiang uses the unified Beijing time, i.e. UTC+08:00, but because Xinjiang is geographically in the UTC+6 time zone, the actual local sunrise and sunset times in Xinjiang are about 2 hours later than Beijing time. Suggested arrival options 1. By air: Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) is the main airport of Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. It has many direct domestic routes, such as Beijing (about 4 hours), Xi'an (about 3.5 hours), Shanghai (about 5.5 hours), Guangzhou (about 5 hours), Shenzhen (about 5.5 hours), Chengdu (about 3.5 hours), Chongqing (about 4 hours), Lanzhou (about 2.5 hours), Kunming (about 4.5 hours), and Zhengzhou (about 5 hours), as well as direct routes to Central Asia, such as Islamabad, Almaty, Astana (now Nur-Sultan), and Tehran.

After breakfast, you will drive about 70 km (about 1 to 1.5 hours) to visit the Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake of Tianshan). [Tianshan Tianchi], known as "Yaochi" (Jade Lake) in ancient times, is a crescent-shaped lake on the north side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The lake surface sits at an elevation of 1,910 meters, with a maximum depth of 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak, surrounded by spruce forests, with scenery like a fairyland. The scenic area encompasses natural landscapes such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows, and forested canyons, and as the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green up close and blue in the distance, which is very beautiful. Upon arrival, 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 flora and fauna. Optional activities at Tianshan Tianchi (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: Take a boat tour around Tianchi and immerse yourself in the splendid scenery of Yaochi. 2. Mayashan Cable Car: Take the cable car to the summit at an elevation of 3,056 meters, overlooking the panoramic view of Tianchi and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. After lunch, you will return to Urumqi and then visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of the human history of Xinjiang and the ancient Silk Road. [Xinjiang Museum] is the largest comprehensive museum in the Xinjiang region. Here you can admire a rich collection of cultural relics, including precious artifacts from the ancient Silk Road, traditional costumes of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, folk handicrafts, and more. The museum also features temporary exhibitions showcasing artworks and historical relics on various themes. In addition, famous national treasures such as the ancient corpse of the "Loulan Beauty" and the Han Dynasty brocade armguard with the inscription "Five Stars Rise in the East" can be seen here. Museum tips: The Xinjiang Museum is closed on Mondays. If you visit on a Monday, you can go to the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar instead. Suggestions for free time If there is still time, you can visit the grand Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Bazaar means market. The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the most ethnically distinctive place in Urumqi and the largest castle-style bazaar in the world. The architecture here is elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here you can browse shops featuring goods with strong ethnic minority characteristics, such as Uygur clothing, carpets, spices, accessories, and handicrafts, and you can also taste various local delicacies such as Xinjiang fruits, pilaf, and lamb.

After breakfast, you will drive about 180 kilometers (about 3 hours) from Urumqi to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest, and hottest fire region, to enjoy rich historical relics and cultural heritage and taste the sweetest grapes. Summer temperatures here can reach around 50°C, and it was also an important outpost on the Silk Road. Along the way, you will also pass the charming Salt Lake and the Dabancheng Wind Power Station at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, the largest wind power station in Asia. After arriving in Turpan, you will continue along the Flaming Mountains Grand Canyon to Tuyugou. Along the way, you can admire Turpan's most representative landscape, 【Flaming Mountains】. The Flaming Mountains are composed of red sandstone, conglomerate, and mudstone, stretching over 100 kilometers. The mountain body is reddish-brown and gets its name because under the scorching sun it glows as if burning with raging flames. The Flaming Mountains are also an important location in the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West. You can stop at suitable spots along the way for photos. Then, follow the winding road along the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains directly to Mazar Village in 【Tuyugou】. 【Mazar Village】 is an ancient Uyghur village in Xinjiang with a history of more than 2,600 years, and the village has completely preserved traditional Uyghur living customs and architectural style. People here use the ancient Uyghur language and wear the most distinctive ethnic clothing. Strolling through it, you can feel the unique folk customs of this thousand-year-old village and admire one of China's rare and best-preserved rammed-earth building complexes. These earthen houses are arranged in a picturesque disorder, paired with brightly colored door frames, and set off by the surrounding red mountains, making them very photogenic. After the tour, visit 【Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves】, the Buddhist cave complex with the most caves and the richest mural content among the surviving caves in Turpan. It is also one of the largest Buddhist cave temple ruins in Xinjiang, once one of the most important and beautiful caves on the Silk Road, and the royal temple of the Gaochang Kingdom, witnessing the rise and fall of Buddhist culture here. Here, you can immersively appreciate the breathtakingly exquisite murals and sculptures and gain an in-depth understanding of the diverse culture and splendid history of the Silk Road. Optional Activity (at your own expense): July to September is the grape ripening season in Turpan. You can visit a local farm and experience the fun of picking and tasting grapes. The grapes here are of high quality and very high in sugar content, thanks to the high temperatures and abundant sunshine of the Turpan Basin.

After breakfast, you will visit [Jiaohe Ancient City], one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved rammed-earth city in the world, and the most complete urban relic 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 between the 2nd century BC and 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 relics of residential areas, government offices, and Buddhist temples, feel the vicissitudes of a thousand years of civilization and the weight of history, and go to the central platform to enjoy a panoramic view of Jiaohe Ancient City. With the guide's vivid explanations, it feels as if you have traveled through time and returned to the bustling prosperity of the Silk Road. Then, continue to visit [Karez], one of the three great ancient projects of China. Karez is 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 the ancient ancestors, and learn about the great feat of how ancient craftsmen channeled snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains dozens of kilometers away through karez to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of mu of vineyards and turning barren land into lush oases. Afterwards, continue to visit [Sugong Tower], one of the landmark buildings of Turpan. Sugong Tower, also known as Emin Tower, with the full name 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, a minaret, and a mazar. It is the only ancient tower in 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 a visit. After the visit, return to Urumqi to rest.

This morning, you will take a flight (about 2 hours) to Kashgar. Our local guide will meet you at the exit of Kashgar Airport and take you to a hotel in downtown Kashgar for check-in. Kashgar is located in the southwestern border region 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 have lived together, a stage for diverse cultural exchanges, the westernmost general junction of the northern, middle, 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 commercial distribution center where "envoys could see one another on the road, and merchants and travelers never ceased along the way," earning it the reputation of the "Kingdom of Bazaars (trade markets)." Today you will begin your exploration with the [Kashgar Old City]. The Kashgar Old City is located right in the city center. It is the only completely preserved labyrinth-style urban district in China, one of the largest earthen architectural complexes in the world, one of the important post stations on the ancient Silk Road, and a representative of Uyghur culture. When visiting the old city, you must not miss the city-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 City, admire the traditional and exquisite Uyghur architecture and simple historical relics, browse handicraft shops with strong ethnic characteristics, and taste the most authentic Xinjiang cuisine. The calls of the vendors and the pleasant sound of bells on the camels' necks make people feel as if they have traveled through time and returned to Kashgar's most prosperous and flourishing period. In addition, you can also visit Kashgar's landmark building—the Id Kah Mosque. This is the largest mosque in Xinjiang, one of the largest mosques in China, and one of the three most influential mosques in Central Asia. Here, you can not only see the grand scene of worship and experience the strong religious atmosphere up close, but also relax and bask in the sun with local people in Id Kah Square. If you want to deeply experience the daily life of the local people, you can go to a century-old teahouse, order a pot of local specialty tea, chat with the hospitable Uyghur people, and enjoy a rare leisurely slow time. If you are lucky, you can also hear the pleasant singing and playing of Uyghur elders, and may even join in and dance together. If you happen to visit Kashgar on a Sunday, then you must not miss the Kashgar Livestock Bazaar. This is the largest live livestock trading market in Xinjiang and even Asia, full of the original joy of trading and rich Uyghur culture. Every Sunday, it is as lively as a festival. You can see the most traditional and ancient methods of livestock trading, and "bargaining in the sleeve" is the most interesting part, full of wit and fun. Tip: The Kashgar Livestock Bazaar has a large number of livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, donkeys, and camels, and there will be a strong smell. If you are sensitive to smells, it is recommended to bring a mask.

This morning, you will be driven along the China-Pakistan Highway for an exciting road trip, covering about 400 km over about 8 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Pamir Plateau, gaze at spectacular snow peaks such as Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh, and Kongur Tiube, and stop to visit two famous attractions, White Sand Lake and Karakul Lake. The China-Pakistan Highway, also known as the Karakoram Highway, is the highest-altitude cross-border highway in the world and an important road connecting China and Pakistan. The breathtaking landscapes along the way, including canyons, wetlands, snow peaks, grasslands, lakes, and glaciers, make it the most beautiful three-dimensional scenic route in southern Xinjiang. Once regarded as the most mysterious and dangerous section of the ancient Silk Road, a forbidden zone described as "ten thousand mountains piled with snow, snow pressing down on ten thousand mountains," it has now become a scenic avenue of beautiful landscapes. [White Sand Lake], also known as Kekelake Lake, is a plateau 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," with particularly magnificent scenery. 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 White Sand Mountain, whose slopes are covered with white sand. Under the sunlight, the sand is especially fine and soft, like pure white silk. When strong winds blow, the white sand on the mountain emits a whistling sound, earning it the name "Ringing Sand Mountain." [Karakul Lake], also known as Karakul Hu or Black Lake, is a rare plateau lake in the world and belongs to the alpine glacial erosion and moraine lake type, with an elevation of 3,600 meters and a total area of 10 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by icy peaks and snowy ridges. On calm days, the silvery peaks, green grasslands, and herds of livestock by the lake are reflected in the water, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene. Opposite the lake is Muztagh Ata, known as the "Father of Ice Mountains," with an elevation of 7,509 meters (often cited in mountaineering circles as 7,546 meters). Muztagh Ata belongs to the Kunlun Mountains and is the third-highest peak in the western Kunlun range. Muztagh Ata, Kongur Peak, and Kongur Tiube stand together like towering jade pillars on the beautiful Pamir Plateau, forming its iconic landscape. If you stay long enough by Karakul Lake, you will notice that the water changes color with the light, sometimes azure, sometimes emerald green, and sometimes blue-gray, earning it the name "Color-Changing Lake." After the visit, you will be driven to Tashkurgan County, which "borders three countries in one county, has two ports connecting two Asian regions, and links east and west via two routes." You will visit a local Tajik family. Tashkurgan County has a long history and was the main gateway on the southern route of the ancient Silk Road, boasting magnificent plateau scenery, unique ethnic culture, and majestic historical sites. The Tajiks here are China's only indigenous Caucasian ethnic group, known for their beautiful singing and dancing and exquisite handicrafts. Here, you can chat and interact with the hospitable Tajiks, learn about their unique lifestyle and folk culture, admire their colorful traditional architecture and clothing up close, listen to traditional Tajik music and instruments, and have the chance to see an eagle dance performance, a national-level intangible cultural heritage. You may also wander into local streets and alleys to taste distinctive authentic dishes and snacks.

After breakfast, set off to visit the Tashkurgan Stone City, a fortress of great strategic importance on the ancient Silk Road. The Tashkurgan Stone City was once the capital site of the ancient Western Regions' thirty-six kingdoms, the Kingdom of Qiepantuo (Puli Kingdom). The castle was built on a high mound, making its position extremely precipitous. Outside the city, there are multiple layers of city walls, some broken and some continuous. Between the walls, stone mounds overlap and piles of rocks are scattered, creating the unique scenery of the Stone City. Although only broken walls and ruins remain, it is surrounded by snow peaks, with grasslands and rivers below, and combined with the rich Tajik ethnic customs, it possesses a rugged and unrestrained beauty. In addition, the famous Chinese monk Xuanzang once stayed here for 22 days to preach after returning from India, giving it significant historical and cultural importance. After visiting the castle ruins, proceed to tour the vast Alar Golden Grassland below the Tashkurgan Stone City. The Alar Golden Grassland, also known as the Alar National Wetland Park, consists of wetlands, grasslands, rivers, marshes, snow mountains, and plateaus. The scenery here is beautiful, dotted with herdsmen's tents and flocks of cattle and sheep. Standing on the grassland, one feels relaxed and joyful, with blue skies, white clouds, snow peaks, and green meadows creating infinite beautiful scenery. Moreover, at sunrise and sunset, the grassland is dyed golden by the sunlight, creating an extremely stunning view. After the tour, return to Kashgar along the scenic China-Pakistan Highway to rest. You will have the opportunity to appreciate the spectacular snow peaks, lakes, and other natural landscapes along the way from different angles.

After breakfast, you can take some time to explore more of Kashgar's scenery according to your own preferences, and experience up close the unique ethnic culture and rich Silk Road flavor of this ancient city. After the tour, this wonderful and unforgettable 8-day natural and cultural journey through Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar, and Tashkurgan in Xinjiang will come to an end. Our guide will take you to the airport for your flight to the next destination. 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. It has 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 ports: The Turugart Highway Port and the Irkeshtam Port are important ports 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 ports, please contact your in advance to inquire about specific arrangements and costs. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more destinations in China, such as Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Yunnan, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, Tibet, Guilin, etc., you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.