7 Days Exotic Xinjiang to Kashgar, Urumqi and Turpan

Today is the first day of your tour. Welcome to Kashgar! Upon arrival, you will be met  transferred to the hotel to have check-in. After some rest, you can either explore the city by yourself freely or just stay in the hotel.

After enjoy your breakfast, we will leave for Taxkorgan county. Driving on the famed Karakoram Highway is really enjoyable! You eyes will always be filled with the stunning scenery on the way. It is one of the most important highways in China as it directly connects Pakistan with China. Driving about 3 hours, you will meet the White Sand Lake, which is just in the right side of your window. Get off the car and have a rest there. The gentle wave of the lake sparkles under the sunshine, and the lake is always in milky blue regardless of the weather. 

Enjoy your lunch beside the Karakul Lake. The lake is highest alpine lake in the world. Not like the white sand lake, this lake changes color according to the angles of sunlight. It is an ideal place to know the life style of the Kirghiz herdsmen, who have been settled down and had nomadic life here for more than a thousand of years. The famed Muztagh Ata is just in front of you when you are facing to the Karakul Lake.

You will see lost of stunning scenes on the way to Taxkorgan. The dream-like milky blue aquamarine streams alongside the highway will accompany you till the end of today's trip!

You must have had a nice dream last night! The lovely morning on the Pamir Plateau is very enjoyable especially when the morning gentle sunlight falls on your face. We will head directly to the Stone Fortress where to see the historic relics that has been existed for over 2000 years. The outskirt of the city is protected by the firm stone walls and that is where the city gets its name. There is no conclusion about who built this city, but the wisdom of the designer is well presented by the solid fortress. In front of the city is a meadow named Golden Wetland. The grass on the wetland is always golden, which makes it different from the other wetland. There is a newly constructed pathway where you can have an excellent view of the stone fortress to take great pictures.

After visiting, we will drive back to Kashgar and you will renew your sweet experience of Karakul lake and white sand lake. Upon arrival, have hotel check-in and have a good rest.

Today we will have a day tour in Kashgar. Go to the Id Kah Mosque. It is in the city center of Kashgar and also the landmark of it. As the largest Mosque in China, you will learn many things about Islam and how it developed in China here by the interpretation of your guide. Then just crossing the road and walking for a while, we will arrive at the Kashgar Old City. We should be there before 10:30 to attend the interesting opening ceremony. Appreciating the performance of the Uygur girls and boys, you will feel the passion and hospitality of local people. At the crossroad inside the old city, there is a old tea house that has been there for more than 100 years. Have a cup of tea and enjoy the Uygur dance and songs with Uygur elders playing Uygur traditional instrument in the second floor. Listening to the locals chatting and laughing, even with no idea what they are talking about, you will suddenly have a nostalgia of old days.

In the afternoon, it is just the busiest time of Sunday Bazaar. There were 2 bazaar befoe, one in the outside selling the items for daily use, the other in the inside for livestock transaction. Now for the construction of that area, the outside bazaar is temporarily closed while the livestock bazaar is still in its original appearance. People are still doing business as what their ancestors did thousands of years ago. You can have your lunch in this interesting place and having the freshest lamb and beef for barbecue is also an excellent idea.

The last spot we will visit today is the Handicraft Street. You will find numerous amazing stores and shops on the street. Buying some souvenirs for your friends and family there and looking for some local specialties like shoes, instruments or decorations, you will have a leisure afternoon in the lively place!

Later in the day, you will be escorted to the airport to catch the flight to Urumqi based on the schedule. Upon arrival, have a good rest in the hotel.

Freshen yourself up in the Heavenly Lake in the morning. It is a picturesque alpine lake, with snow mountains surrounded and meadows dotted around. We will change to the shuttle bus of the scenic area and you will be amazed by the lush forest and magnificent mountains on the way. Find a place to sit down and feel the gentle breeze under the blue sky.

Thereafter, drive back to Urumqi downtown to visit the famed International Grand Bazaar. It is the biggest bazaar in the world which was built in 2003. Not like the Kashgar Sunday bazaar, this one is more exquisite and well-constructed with more cosmopolitan appearance. You will be overwhelmed by the dazzling items in the various shops and stores. There is a big square in the bazaar where gathers hundreds of local Uygur girls and boy and travelers from all over the world dancing and singing together. Lost yourself in the music and dance!

We will head to Turpan today. It is a well-known city in China for its history, legends and special landform. All most all Chinese know Turpan even if a few of they have no idea where Xinjiang is. Because the novel and the drama adapted from the novelTuyoq Village. It is the oldest Uygur village in existence. The village in at the foot of the Flaming Mountain which is famous for its hot summer and the stories depicted in

We then will drive to a UNESCO World Heritage site - Jiaohe Ruins. It is know as the “Oriental Pompeii” for its remaining marvelous ruins that has been there for over 2300 years. The mysterious relics has witness the vicissitudes of Turpan city and its charms attracts millions of visitors every year. 

Turpan adventure is going on today! We will drive to Karez Well in the morning after breakfast. It shows the wisdom of the ancestors of local people as it is one of the most complicated irrigation system of the world. Although thousands of years have past, it is still playing a vital roles in the daily life of Turpan natives by providing the cleanest drinking water. Have a close look at the marvelous program and enjoy the cool breeze there.

After Karez Well visiting, let us go to visit the Sugong Minaret. As the largest minaret in China, it was built in 1778 and has the most precious relics to research the Islamic artworks. Strolling around the minaret, you will feel in the remote central Asia. Everything around you is just like walking out from the history book.

We will drive back to Urumqi after finishing our Turpan tour. Then it is time for say goodbye to Xinjiang. Your tour will end with airport or train station transfer based on your schedule. Wish you a pleasant journey home and hope to see you again in your next China trip!