Dream of the Silk Road | 13-Day In-Depth Ancient Silk Road Exploration Tour of Kashgar + Urumqi + Turpan + Dunhuang + Jiayuguan + Zhangye + Xining

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 in 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 have lived together and a stage for diverse cultural exchanges. It was also the western terminus where the northern, middle, 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 trade distribution center where "envoys could see one another on the road, and merchants never ceased along the way," 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. Permit office hours: 10:30~18:00 Suggested ways to arrive 1. By air: Kashgar International Airport has direct flights to major cities in China, 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 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 highest international highways in the world, accompanied by the magnificent scenery of the Pamir Plateau, known as the ancestor of all mountains and the source of all waters, to Tashkurgan. The total distance is about 300 km, taking about 7 to 8 hours, and along the way you will visit two famous attractions, White Sand Lake and Karakul Lake. White Sand Lake, also known as Kakelake Lake, is a plateau lake with an area of 44 square kilometers. On both sides of White Sand Lake stand the distant Kongur Tiube peaks, and such beautiful scenery makes the snow mountains and lake 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, and what is wonderful is that the deserts and sand mountains here are all white. Seen from afar, against the blue sky, white clouds and snow mountains in the distance, the sky is like a mirror, the white clouds like snow, and 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, where millions of years of natural creation have left people with endless reverie and imagination. 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, at an elevation of 3,600 meters with a total area of 10 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by ice peaks and snow ridges, and 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, at 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 Peak and Kongur Tiube stand together like pillars holding up the sky on the beautiful Pamir Plateau, and are landmark landscapes of the Pamir Plateau.

After breakfast, set out 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' Qiepantuo Kingdom. The fortress was built on a high mound, extremely steep and precipitous. Outside the city are multiple layers of broken or continuous walls, with stone mounds overlapping between the walls and piles of scattered rocks, forming the unique scenery of Stone City. Although only ruined walls remain, it is surrounded by snow peaks, with grasslands and rivers below, complemented by rich Tajik ethnic customs, possessing a rugged and unrestrained beauty. After visiting the fortress ruins, proceed 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 here is beautiful, dotted with herders' tents and herds of cattle and sheep. Standing on the grassland, one feels relaxed and joyful, with blue sky and white clouds, snow peaks and green grasslands—boundless beautiful scenery. At sunrise and sunset, the grassland is dyed golden by the sunlight, creating a stunning sight. After the visit, return to Kashgar along the China-Pakistan Highway by the original route.

After breakfast, head to visit [Kashgar Old Town]. When you arrive at the old town, you must not miss the opening ceremony, where you can feel the local warm atmosphere. Holding our cameras, we slowly enter the old town, capturing everything—people, things, and events—all worth collecting as memories. Strolling through the deep alleys gives you a sense of traveling through time, as if returning to ancient Kashgar. When you are tired from walking, sit in a teahouse and fully experience the local folk atmosphere. Afterwards, go to the [Id Kah Mosque], where you can see grand prayer scenes and feel the strong religious atmosphere. The Id Kah Mosque is a courtyard-style temple. On the east side, right at the main entrance, is the huge Id Kah Square, a landmark of Kashgar. Usually, many people relax and play on the square; long-bearded grandfathers and children sit together by the square basking in the sun, very leisurely. After the tour, we will transfer you to the airport to fly to Urumqi. Upon arrival at Urumqi Airport, our guide will greet 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 kilometers (about 1~1.5 hours) to visit Tianchi of the Tianshan Mountains. [Tianchi of the Tianshan Mountains], anciently known as "Yaochi," 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 of Tianchi is 1,910 meters above sea level, with the deepest point reaching 105 meters. Bogda Peak is reflected on the lake surface, surrounded by spruce forests, and the scenery is like a fairyland. The scenic area includes natural landscapes such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows, and forested gorges, and as the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green up close and blue in the distance, which is very beautiful. You can stroll along the lakeside trail (12.5 km in total, about 3~5 hours) and enjoy the surrounding stunning lake and mountain scenery. Optional activities at Tianchi of the Tianshan Mountains (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: Take a cruise to roam Tianchi and immersively enjoy the wonderful scenery of Yaochi 2. Mayashan Cableway: Take the cableway to the summit at 3,056 meters above sea level to overlook the panoramic view of Tianchi and gaze at the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. Afterward, return to Urumqi and visit the grand Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. A bazaar means a 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 architecture here is elegant and beautiful, with a rich Islamic style. Here, you can browse local shops featuring goods with strong ethnic minority characteristics, 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 km, about 3 hours, to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest and hottest fiery prefecture. 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 Asia's largest wind power station at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. After arriving in Turpan, you will continue along the Flaming Mountains Grand Canyon by car to Tuyugou, enjoying along the way Turpan's most representative landscape, the Flaming Mountains. The Flaming Mountains are composed of red sandstone, conglomerate and mudstone, stretching more than 100 km, with the mountain body reddish-brown. Because under the scorching sun the mountain glows and sparkles like raging flames, it got its name. The Flaming Mountains are also an important location in the Chinese classic Journey to the West, and you can stop for a while at a suitable spot along the way for photos. Afterward, follow the winding mountain road along the cliff edge of the Flaming Mountains directly to Mazar Village in Tuyugou. Mazar Village is an ancient Uyghur village in Xinjiang, and the village 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 the traditional Uyghur way of life and customs. Then go to visit the Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. The Jiaohe Ancient City was founded and built by the Cheshi people from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, and was once the capital of the Cheshi Front Kingdom, one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. The existing ruins are the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen architecture city in the world, and also the most complete urban relic preserved in China for more than two thousand years. Here you can walk along the paths to the core scenic area, admire the remains of residential areas, government offices and Buddhist temples, enjoy a panoramic view from the central platform, and under the guide's explanation look back on the bustling Silk Road trade scene. After the visit, continue to visit the Karez, one of the three great ancient Chinese projects. The Karez is a special irrigation system in desert areas and is as famous as 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 snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains dozens of kilometers away through the Karez to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of mu of vineyards in a great feat. Then continue to visit the Emin Minaret, one of Turpan's landmark buildings. The Emin Minaret is also called the Emin Tower or the Emin Khoja Thanksgiving Tower. It was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and is a commemorative building erected 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. 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, go to Turpan for check-in and rest.

Today we will arrange for you to travel to Dunhuang by high-speed train or plane according to actual circumstances. High-speed train: Our driver will take you to Turpan North Railway Station to take the high-speed train to Liuyuan South Station, about 3.5 hours. Upon arrival at Liuyuan South Station, our local driver will meet you at the station exit and take you to the hotel for check-in (about 120 kilometers, about 2 hours). Plane: Our driver will take you to Turpan Jiaohe Airport to fly to Dunhuang, with a flight time of 1 hour 15 minutes. Upon arrival at Dunhuang Airport, our local driver will meet you at the airport exit and take you to the hotel for check-in (about 13 kilometers, about 20 minutes). Afterward, you can enjoy free time, rest at the hotel, or explore the surroundings. Free time suggestion: In the evening, you can visit Dunhuang Shazhou Night Market, the largest night market in Dunhuang and the best place to explore local specialty foods and snacks. You can taste apricot juice, donkey meat yellow noodles, pao'er yougao, mutton soup with vermicelli, hezhi, hand-grabbed mutton, and other delicacies.

After breakfast, you will visit Mogao Caves, one of China's four great grottoes. [Mogao Caves], also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, is hailed as an oriental art treasure house. It is the world's largest and richest existing site of Buddhist art and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage. The caves were carved over a thousand years and contain vast and rich murals, caves, and cultural relics, making it a world-famous Buddhist art destination. After arriving at the Mogao Caves scenic area, you will first go to the [Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center] to watch a wonderful digital film, "Millennium Mogao", for a preliminary understanding of the Mogao Caves. Then take a shuttle bus to the cave area. Led by a guide, visit 8 caves in sequence, such as the Library Cave (Caves 16–17, the largest cave), the Nine-Story Building (the common name for the wooden structure outside Cave 96, one of the iconic buildings of Mogao Caves), and the Nirvana Cave (Cave 148, where the reclining Buddha is located)... The specific caves visited depend on the actual site conditions, but several classic caves will be included. 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, with peaks over a hundred meters high and steep slopes. The sand patterns on the slopes are wave-like. When people slide down from the top, it produces a sound like a bell, hence the name. It is said that on cloudless days, when the wind stops and sand is still, one can even hear the sound of string and bamboo instruments, which is very marvelous. Crescent Lake, located at the foot of Mingsha Mountain, is named for its shape like a crescent moon. The spring water is clear to the bottom. Despite years of strong winds and yellow sand blocking the sun, for thousands of 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 smoke 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". You can also choose various activities (at your own expense), such as camel riding, sand sliding, beach motorcycles, off-road vehicles, hang gliders...

After breakfast, you will drive 400 kilometers, about 5 hours, to visit Jiayuguan, known as the First Great Pass Under Heaven. [Jiayuguan] was historically called the throat of the Hexi Corridor. Because of its strategic terrain and magnificent architecture, it was known as the key to the frontier and was an important transportation stronghold on the ancient Silk Road, as well as the western starting point of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall. After arriving at Jiayuguan, first visit the Overhanging Great Wall, known as the end of the Great Wall. [Overhanging Great Wall] was built during the Ming Dynasty, about more than 500 years ago. It gets its name because the wall winds up from the foot of the mountain and appears on the ridge like an inverted Great Wall hanging in the air. You can climb along the Great Wall trail 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 wandering dragon, from east to west, sometimes broken and sometimes continuous, now hidden and now visible, stretching for thousands of miles. Then continue to visit Jiayuguan Fort. [Jiayuguan Fort] is the first pass at the western end of the Ming Great Wall and the most spectacular fort along the Great Wall. It is not merely a single pass, but is divided into an inner city, outer city, and moat. From the Xiongguan Water Fort in the outer city, you can photograph the exterior scenery of the fort. After entering the inner city and climbing the gate tower, you can see the foot of the Qilian Mountains. There are also many small stalls in the scenic area, offering costume photos, calligraphy, and paintings for sale. In addition, you can also experience the old procedures for passing through the pass here, and at the city gate exit obtain a "passport" issued by the "pass commander" wearing armor, which is a permit for entering and exiting the pass.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Jiayuguan and set off for the next stop, Zhangye, visiting along the way Zhangye Qicai Danxia Geological Park, praised as "the area with the largest and best-developed Danxia landforms and the richest landform shapes in China." Zhangye Qicai Danxia Scenic Area is located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 230 km southeast of Jiayuguan, and is one of China's seven most beautiful Danxia landforms. Its grandeur, spectacular scale, peculiar shapes and brilliant colors are unparalleled, and standing amid it feels like entering a colorful fairy-tale world. After the visit, continue to Zhangye city to visit the Great Buddha Temple. The Great Buddha Temple, also known as "Reclining Buddha Temple," was first built in the first year of Yong'an of the Western Xia dynasty and has a history of more than nine hundred years. Inside the temple is China's largest indoor clay reclining Buddha, with a body length of about 34.5 meters and a shoulder width of about 7.5 meters; even a person could lie flat on just 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 of stories from Journey to the West and Classic of Mountains and Seas for visitors to see.

After breakfast, we will take you to Zhangye Railway Station to catch the bullet train to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. Upon arrival at Xining Railway Station, our local guide will meet you at the exit and begin the Xining tour. You will drive about 145 kilometers (2.5–3 hours) to visit Qinghai Lake. [Qinghai Lake] is China's largest inland saltwater lake, like a brilliant pearl inlaid on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The deep blue, boundless lake water is surrounded by large expanses of golden rapeseed flowers and rolling green grasslands, dotted with colorful prayer flags, yaks, and sheep—a rich, colorful scene unique to Qinghai Lake where water and sky merge. (PS: Best viewing period for Qinghai Lake rapeseed flowers and grasslands: July to August) Upon arrival at Qinghai Lake, visit [Erlangjian Scenic Area], one of the famous attractions of Qinghai Lake. Here you can feel the rippling blue waves of Qinghai Lake up close, enjoy the scenery where lake and sky merge, and optionally take a boat ride (at your own expense), sailing slowly on the lake, feeling the shimmering water and enjoying the harmony of tranquility and nature.

After breakfast, drive to Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area, about 4 minutes by car. [Chaka Salt Lake], as a salt-producing area with a long history, has salt grains forming white crystals. The tranquil lake water without a ripple reflects the sky on the clear silver-white surface. As you walk, it feels like walking in a fantasy above the sky. Here, you can climb the viewing platform to overlook the entire Chaka Salt Lake, or stroll in the salt lake above the clouds, fully enjoying the scenery where water and sky meet. You can also take a retro small train along the tracks deep into the lake center, immersing yourself in the world of salt. After visiting Chaka Salt Lake, drive back to Xining for accommodation, about 3.5–4 hours by car.

After breakfast, head to visit Ta'er Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism in China. [Ta'er Monastery] is named Ta'er Monastery because there was a pagoda first and then a monastery. It has a history of about more than 600 years and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Xining, as well as the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, a master of Tibetan Buddhism and the second Buddha of the world. The monastery's buildings are magnificent, its treasures are rich, and incense burns abundantly. It is one of the best places to learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture. In addition, Ta'er Monastery is also famous worldwide for butter sculptures, murals, and barbola, known as the "Three Wonders of Ta'er Monastery." After the visit, this wonderful 13-day Silk Road exploration journey will come to an end. Our driver will take you to the airport or railway station for your next destination. We look forward to welcoming you again someday in the future.