Crossing Duku Highway + Southern Xinjiang 8-Day Tour | Duku Highway + Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon + Thousand Buddha Caves + Kashgar Old Town + Pamir Plateau 8 Days 7 Nights Group Tour

Welcome to beautiful Xinjiang! After airport pickup, you will be transferred to the hotel to rest, and then enjoy free time. If time permits, you may visit recommended attractions on your own (separate vehicle use not included). 【Warm Tips】 1. Xinjiang is very large, and the drive between attractions is long. Travel is very physically demanding, so please prepare some food or snacks for unexpected needs 2. Keep your mobile phone reachable before departure. The butler or driver will contact you in advance.

08:00-09:00 We are very happy to meet you in Xinjiang in this season! The driver will arrive at the hotel at the time agreed in advance and pick up everyone in order according to distance. The small-group pure sightseeing journey is about to begin. 09:00-19:30 Accompanied by cheerful music, we chat, laugh, and head to the [Duku Highway]. After entering the Duku Highway, we will stop and go along the winding mountain road. Along the way, we pass snow mountains, lakes, pine forests, and grasslands, cross the Tianshan Mountain passes, and experience the scenery of four seasons in one day—surely a wonderful experience on this trip! Along the way there are vast grasslands with charming scenery, towering cloud-shrouded snowy ridges, and the world-famous hundred-meter snow-proof corridor. The beautiful scenery along the way is endless. Riding over this highway, you experience the wonder of ice and fire. There are several viewpoints along the way for stopping and taking photos, including snow scenery at the Hashilegen Tunnel, the barrier lake, the panoramic view of the Duku Highway at Tianlu, and the Tianshan Watching Stone Tablet. 19:30-20:30 Head to Nalati Town to check into the hotel. Dinner is at your own expense. [Warm Tips] 1. The ultraviolet rays are strong. Please prepare sun protection measures. 2. The Duku Highway is a mountain road. The entire route is asphalt road and relatively flat, but because there are many bends, narrow roads, and many uphill and downhill sections, it is easy to get motion sickness. Friends prone to motion sickness should prepare motion sickness medicine in advance. 3. Mountain roads are highly dangerous. The driver will make appropriate stops at safe parking spots for photos, but the overall timing should follow the driver's arrangements. 4. Some sections of the Duku Highway are more than 3,000 meters above sea level. Temperatures drop, so please prepare thick clothing in advance. 5. Because the Duku Highway is affected by weather, as a rule it is only passable from June to September each year. During the period when it is not passable, the plan is as follows: the itinerary is changed to Urumqi-Flaming Mountains-Grape Valley-Korla.

09:00-15:00 After breakfast, drive to Kuqa County in the Aksu region of Southern Xinjiang. Once again cross the [Southern Section of the Duku Highway] to experience a Xinjiang road journey. Along the way, pass [Big and Small Dragon Pools] and seek the legend of the Queen Mother of the West: winding up along the curved mountain road, amid surrounding mountains and layered peaks, a stretch of green water suddenly appears, inlaid among the mountains like a gem, set beneath the azure sky, bringing an unexpected surprise. Green shade and lake water blend into one, and the water surface is as smooth as a mirror. Blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, green grass, distant pale-yellow barren mountains, and beautiful snow peaks harmoniously form the most magical scenery beyond the Great Wall, like two oil paintings. One hangs in the sky, one is reflected in the water. In mythology, the Queen Mother of the West of the Western Heaven loved Big Dragon Pool very much and often bathed in its broad, clear waters 15:00-18:00 In the afternoon, arrive at [Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon]. Entering the valley and walking among the reddish-brown mountains feels like entering a quiet and cool world. The canyon mouth is very wide, but deeper inside, peaks turn and paths wind, sometimes broad, sometimes narrow, with some places allowing only one person to pass sideways. The canyon floor is relatively flat, and much of the time you can stroll at ease. On both sides are towering stone walls, beneath your feet fine sand, and many sections are covered with a shallow layer of water and a thin layer of ice. After the tour, stay overnight in Kuqa 18:00-19:30 After the tour, go to Kuqa to check into the hotel. Dinner is at your own expense; you may also split the bill with fellow group members or enjoy local specialties on your own [Warm Tips] 1. There is a fair amount of walking in Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon Scenic Area; comfortable shoes are recommended 2. In rainy weather, the Grand Canyon may experience flash floods and mudslides. Please pay extra attention while visiting and follow scenic area arrangements 3. Daytime ultraviolet rays are strong; pay attention to sun protection. 4. Because the Duku Highway is affected by weather, by convention it is only passable from June to September each year. During periods when it is not passable, the plan is as follows: the itinerary is changed to Korla-Populus Euphratica Forest Park-Kuqa (the subsequent itinerary remains unchanged).

08:00-10:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and we can begin today's exciting journey again 10:00-13:30 Visit the [Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves]. As an important cave complex in the history of Buddhism's eastward spread along the Silk Road, it was once filled with the sound of Buddhist chants. After a thousand years, only the remaining caves and faded murals are left, which cannot help but make one sigh. At the entrance, the sculpture of the eminent monk Kumarajiva gazes with half-closed eyes at the footsteps of today's visitors. Climbing the steps leading to the cliff, dozens of cave ruins are distributed on the cliff face, letting people feel the power of faith. After leaving the scenic area, have a simple meal along the way 13:30-17:00 Drive to Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon 17:00-20:00 Visit [Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon]. Transfer to the scenic area's off-road vehicle to enter. This was once a necessary passage on the ancient Muzart Route, an ancient post road connecting the northern and southern Tianshan. Locals call it "Kuduluk Grand Canyon," which in Uyghur means "thrilling and mysterious." Wensu Grand Canyon has China's rare ancient rock salt geological wonders, the peculiar Yardang geological marvels of western China, and China's unique giant karst erosion geological secret realm. It can be called Xinjiang's "living museum of geological evolution." Entering the scenic area is like entering an exquisite and majestic natural gallery 20:00-21:30 After the visit, head to Aksu to check into the hotel. Dinner is on your own [Warm Tips] 1. In the canyon scenic area, if the weather changes and it rains, mudslides are prone to occur and it is relatively dangerous. This attraction will be canceled and replaced with the Duolang River Landscape Belt in Aksu City

07:30-08:00 Enjoy a heartwarming breakfast, and then we can begin today's wonderful journey again 08:00-16:00 Depart from Aksu for Kashgar. Kashgar is the westernmost city in China. Simple meals along the way 16:00-19:00 Arrive in Kashgar. First go to the Kashgar Tourist Service Center to apply for a border pass, then we can stroll around the 【Kashgar Old Town】. In the old town there is also the 【Internet-famous Old Teahouse】. Order a pot of fruit tea unique to southern Xinjiang and a few baked samsas, sit there leisurely, watch Uyghur elders sing and play, and enjoy the slow rhythm unique to southern Xinjiang. In the evening, opposite Kashgar Old Town is the famous 【Kashgar Night Market】, where all kinds of food will satisfy your taste buds 19:00-20:00 Arrive in Kashgar and go to the hotel for accommodation. Dinner at your own expense 【Warm Tips】 1. When enjoying free time, be sure to go with companions, and always carry your ID when going out 2. Do not make loud noises or scribble on cultural relic attractions 3. Today you may wear brightly colored clothing; the old town is great for photos 4. To go to Tashkurgan, you need to apply for a border pass in Kashgar. Xinjiang household registration personnel should apply at the border police station in their place of household registration before travel, while personnel with household registration outside Xinjiang should carry their ID and apply in Kashgar. Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas passport holders should inform us in advance, and choose whether to register according to whether local policy permits.

08:00-08:30 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and then we can begin today's wonderful journey again. 08:30-14:30 After breakfast, view [Bulun Kou Baisha Lake] along the way, admire the distant Baisha Mountain, enjoy the shimmering water up close, and use your camera to record you and this beauty. In Tajik, Pamir means "Roof of the World." During today's tour, be careful not to run or jump or make other big movements to avoid discomfort from altitude sickness. The flat China-Pakistan Friendship Highway connects to the plateau, climbing all the way from Kashgar. As the altitude rises, the mountains also take on a towering appearance. 14:30-15:30 Enjoy lunch on your own. 15:30-19:00 Head to Tashkurgan. On the way, we view Muztagh Ata from afar. In the distance, yaks and flocks of sheep are scattered like stars, like a painting. The sky scenery all seems to have a built-in filter. 19:00-20:30 Visit the [Pamir Scenic Area]. First go to [Golden Grassland]. Such a high-altitude wetland is rarely seen. Under the setting sun, use your camera to capture flocks of cattle and sheep and the harmony of nature. Then head to [Stone City] to visit the ancient city ruins and recall the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road. [Warm Tips] 1. The distance from Kashgar to Karakul Lake is 300 kilometers, with a speed limit of 40 km/h along the way. The vehicle will be very slow. Please be mentally prepared. 2. There are checkpoints along the way where photography is prohibited. Please cooperate and understand. 3. Today's itinerary goes to increasingly higher altitudes, with the highest point along the way reaching about 4,000 meters. If you feel unwell, oxygen bags are available for rent along the way. Do not run or jump when getting off the vehicle to avoid discomfort. 4. The China-Pakistan Snow Mountain Highway may be interrupted in the event of natural disasters such as flash floods. Please be aware; if interrupted, other scenic areas will be substituted according to the season. 5. Hotel conditions in Tashkurgan are very limited, and it is relatively cold at night. Be sure to keep warm. It is not recommended to take a shower in Tashkurgan.

07:00-08:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and we can begin today's exciting journey again 08:00-12:00 Head to [Waqia Panlong Ancient Road]. Panlong Ancient Road is located in Waqia Township, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar Prefecture. Locally it is called Waqia Highway. The entire winding mountain road has more than 600 curves and a total length of 75 kilometers, at an altitude of about 4,100 meters. The perfect pairing of the black highway and earth-colored mountains, plus the continuous snow mountains in the distance, belongs only to the Pamir Plateau 12:00-13:00 After lunch, return to Kashgar City 13:00-17:00 Along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, coming down from the Pamir Plateau, we can see wild yaks in the high mountains and distant views of Kongur Tiube Peak and Muztagh Ata 17:00-18:00 Visit [Karakul Lake], looking down at the lake's broad waves, and pose for photos to your heart's content. The towering Muztagh Ata, Kongur Peak, Kongur Tiube Peak, and other perpetually snow-capped mountains embrace Karakul Lake. On clear days, the water reflects the continuous snow mountains. Standing by the lake, gazing at the towering snow mountains in the distance and the calm lake up close adds a magical and beautiful color to this lake 18:00-22:30 Arrive in Kashgar urban area, and the Southern Xinjiang journey ends here with group disbandment [Warm Tips] 1. Today's driving time is long; remember to prepare more snacks and water 2. The Pamir Plateau is at a high altitude, so be sure to keep warm. If you have a cold or fever, it is recommended not to go up to the Pamir Plateau 3. There are checkpoints along the way to Karakul Lake; photography is prohibited 4. On the last day, arrival in Kashgar is relatively late. It is recommended to arrange subsequent itineraries in advance or book a hotel at your own expense in advance. It is not recommended to book same-day return flights or trains.

Happy times always pass quickly, and the day has come for us to say goodbye. We hope this short trip to Xinjiang leaves you with wonderful memories, and we look forward to meeting you again~ [Warm Tips] 1. Please make sure your belongings are packed and carried completely to avoid any trouble caused by leaving something behind. 2. For guests with afternoon or evening flights, please check out before 14:00 Beijing time. Any additional charges incurred from late check-out will be at your own expense (be sure to check your belongings again before leaving the hotel, and don't forget anything in the room).