10 Days Oriental Express Tour to Xinjiang

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Getting off the plane, you will find our tour guide is already waiting for you at the airport. Along the way to your hotel, you can enjoy the charming natural scenery and learn more about the history, culture and customs of the vast region from the guide. And you can get a nice rest once arriving at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will be taken to visit the Heavenly Lake. The Lake will offer you picturesque scenery that earns it the name of the “Yaochi”(a fairyland in a Chinese myth). Trekking, and taking the cruise or the cable car to the Maya Mountains, you'll harvest an incredible view of Bogoda Peak. After dinner, you will take on the marvellous Oriental Express.

When you wake up in the morning, you will find the train has already in Yining City, or its Nilek County. Upon arrival, you will be transported to the Nalati Grassland. It is heaven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can choose for a hike or horseback ride through the rolling hills, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and soaking in the panoramic views.When return to Yining, you will be taken to a site popular among online influencers--Liuxing Street. You can stroll along the lively promenade where shops adorned with intricate Islamic architecture line up on both sides, or browse through a dazzling array of handicrafts, from hand-woven carpets and embroidered hats to exquisite jade carvings and traditional musical instruments. Let the rhythmic melodies of dutar and tambourine fill the air as you soak in the vibrant atmosphere. 

Yining is still waiting for you to explore today. Finishing breakfast, you will set off to the Fushou Mountain in Daxigou. The scenery of the scenic area is charming in all seasons, especially in April when you can enjoy the sea of apricot blossoms and the whole view of Daxigou by walking along the trestle path around the mountain. Later, you will be driven to the Sayram Lake through the Guozigou Bridge, the gateway to the Ili Valley. And the Lake will captivate your heart with its crystal-clear turquoise waters which reflect the vast blue. You can stroll around the lake and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.  

Today will be a culture-exploring trip. After picking you up from the Korla station, the car will take you to the Lop Nur People Village for a two-hour tour.You can travel through China's most pristine poplar forest reserve, take a sightseeing bus through the Tarim River to visit the Goddess Lake deep in the desert, or ride a camel to experience China's first mobile desert. Also you will be hospitably welcomed by the Luo Nur at their home, and you can ask them about the key to longevity as there are many centenarians. Hours later, you will be at the Bosten Lake, the source of life, together with the Mongolian tribe forming a fantastic picture. And you will also hear touching legends and unique customs. After that, you will take on the Express again to Kashgar

In the morning, as the train slowly pulls in, you have arrived in Kashgar in the morning. Then you will be driven to the much well-known Karakul Lake which means the “Black Sea Lake”. It is one of the few highland lakes in the world. On the way, you will get a closer look at the remarkable Bulunkou Lake, Mount Kongur Tiube and Muztagh Ata. Over the Lake, you are suggested to take a walk around, immersing yourself in the marvellous natural beauty. And the final stop will be in the history-telling Stone City in the north of Tashkurgan County. It once functioned as a stronghold along the ancient Silk Road which you can't miss. And just embrace the sunset with your arms, it is sure that you'll have nice photos at the Jincao Beach.

Let's continue the tour in Tashkurgan. Today, you will be warmly welcomed by the local Tajik families and experience their culture and lifestyle. Then you will be taken by your driver to the Baisha Lake which has a picturesque natural scenery, with the snow-capped mountains and the lakes and rivers at the bottom of the mountains, forming a grand and imposing spectacle.

You'll officially usher your day with a visit to the Kashgar Ancient City standing for over 2,000 years. Walking on the crisscrossed streets, you will automatically be impressed by the exotic vibe around here. What is the most attractive is the world's largest existing complex of earth buildings inside. Here is also the home of Uyghurs who will welcome you with their singing and dancing. The next stop after lunch is the Id Kah Mosque built in1442 which is not only the largest mosque in Xinjiang, but also the largest mosque across the country. And then you'll visit the Abak Hoja Tomb, also known as the Fragrant Concubine Garden. Here you will be introduced about the amazing stories throughout her the Concubine, and please do have a closer look at the exquisite glazed tiles outside the tombs are an embodiment of the Uyghur aesthetic value. After dinner, the Express will take you back to Kuqa.

Arriving in Kuqa, you'll be taken to the first attraction hiding in the city-the Tianshan Grand Canyon. What makes it charming is not only its magnificence and precipitousness, but also its tranquility, mysteriousness and serene. Apart from that, you can also harvest a camel-riding experience. And then you will visit the Kizil Caves, also known as the second “Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes”. What's else you cant miss is the Kuqa Royal Palace, an ancient architectural complex that blends history and culture, bearing witness to the glorious past of the southern Xinjiang region. And you can stroll along the Rzestan Street and admire the ancient architecture that combines Chinese and Western elements.

Today here comes the end of your whole journey. The Express will take you back to Urumqi and our local guide will transport you to the airport or the train station.