9 Days South Xinjiang Tour

Today you will arrive in Urumqi, our guide will be ready to meet and greet you outside the Arrival Hall of airport. Then, we will drive you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Urumqi. Have a good rest and get ready for exciting explorations in Xinjiang starting tomorrow!

Today we will start our South Xinjiang Trip!

We will first drive about three hours to Turpan to visit the oldest Uyghur village in the world -- Tuyoq Village. This village is located in the center of Flaming Mountain Canyon. If you are familiar with the legend“Journey to The West”, you must have heard about this place! Yes, it is said to be the hottest place in China. In this village, you will experience the authentic life of Uyghur people.

Then we will drive to take a look at an even older historical site -- Jiaohe Ruins. It has 2,300 years history, which enjoys the reputation of being the oriental Pompeii and was included in the World Heritage List on 22nd, June, 2014. Although this ancient civilization will gradually disappear due to changes from year to year, you can still feel its original charms by walking through these relics. 

Today after breakfast, we will start from crossing the Tianshan Mountain. We will drive at the foot of Tianshan Mountain, and along the way, you can admire the beautiful scenery of Tianshan Mountain.

After arriving in Korla, known as the "City of Pears" and the "City of Petroleum", we will stop before the Iron Gate, which was a very important pass in the ancient Silk Road.

Walking along the Peacock River after dinner, you can experience the local lifestyle.

After breakfast, we will start from crossing the first desert highway in China about 2hrs, which was the center of the ancient Silk Road, and is now the main place for oil exploration and development.

Then discover more in the Populus Euphratica Forest. The tree in here is extremely tenacious and resistant to drought and alkali, so it is also called "Desert Hero Tree". There is an old saying that people do not know the beauty of Populus euphratica until they arrive at Luntai, or the brilliance of life until they see the Populus euphratica.

After visiting, we will drive to Kuqa hotel and rest.

This wonderful day will start from Kuqa and enjoy yourself in the Tianshan Great Canyon, which is an excellent geological park all over the world that records the whole process of crustal movement in Xinjiang during the past 400 million years. 

Then have a silent conversation with Kizil Grottoes and listen to its stories. As one of the four grottoes in China, it is the oldest one, but many architectures and murals in it are in well preservation. Here, you will learn more about the culture and history of Buddhism and ancient Qiuci Kingdom. 

After that, we will stroll around the Kuqa Old Town, you can experience the local culture and history. 

Today will be one of the unforgettable experiences as we will drive 5hrs to Kashgar to pay a visit to the Kashgar Old Town, where you can experience the local lifestyle and explore unique architecture.

Next, let's turn to Idigar Mosque, the largest Mosque in China and most famous one in Xinjiang and enjoy the beauty of Islamic architecture in a quiet atmosphere. We are sure that this experience will provide you with the memory of a lifetime.

Freshen up in the morning and start your day! We will meet you at the hotel lobby and then drive on the China and Pakistan Highway to Taxkorgan. 

Do more to admire the Stone Fortress than just take one or two selfies. This city is oval in shape and the city walls are built with sun-dried bricks on stone foundation. Over the past few years, new wooden pathways have been constructed to allow tourist to walk on these beautiful grasslands, known as the Golden Grassland. Here, you can get even better photos of the Stone Fortress. 

Bid farewell to Taxkorgan today. This morning we will drive back to Kashgar.

On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Karakul Lake, where herds of livestock are reflected as Kirghiz herdsmen usually settle down and graze their herds by the lake.

Next, enjoy your time admiring the magnificent Bulongkol Lake, also known as Baisha Mountain (white Sand Mountain). It is located in the Pamir Plateau, a large plateau in the Pamir mountain, which is one of the highest spots on the way to Karakul lake and Taxkorgan. 

When arrive in Kashgar, we will pay a visit to the famous Sunday bazaar, which consists of two parts, the covered bazaar and animal bazaar. The covered one sells the clothing, nuts, household goods and many things out of your imagination, while the outdoor one is the first bazaar we will visit, where the farmers and buyers arrive by various ways, such as donkey cart, horseback or bicycle, with their animals. 

Today is time to say goodbye to amazing Xinjiang! After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and back to your sweet home. We wish you a happy trip and hope we can serve you again in the future.