13 Days Xinjiang Silk Road Tour with Taklamakan Desert

Welcome to Xinjiang! Upon your arrival at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC), our local team will greet you at the exit. We will escort you directly to your downtown hotel and assist with smooth check-in.Know More About Urumqi:Unique Geography: Known as the "Urban Heart of Asia," Ur

Morning: The "Celestial Mirror" of TianshanIn this morning, you will embark on 70km drive (1.5 hours) to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nestled at 1,980 meters, this alpine gem is framed by the snow-capped Bogda Peak and lush pine forests.Enjoy a scenic 40-minute sh

After breakfast, you will have 3-hour scenic drive (180 km) to Turpan. Along the way, marvel at the vast Salt Lake and Asia’s largest wind power station at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.Situated 154 meters below sea level, Turpan is the world’s second-lowest depression. Known as the "Fire

Morning: Jiaohe Ancient CityIn this morning, we will take you to visit the UNESCO-listed Jiaohe Ruins, the world’s best-preserved earthen city.A City Carved, Not Built: Unlike most cities, Jiaohe was carved downward into a loess plateau 2,000 years ago. Walk through ancient government offices, templ

Today we will drive about 300 km (approximately 4 hours) to Kuqa (also known as Kuche). Upon arrival, we\'ll explore the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower and Subash Buddhist Ruins in the Kuqa city.Kuqa (库车) or Kuche, formerly known as “Qiuci Kingdom (龟兹国)," was one of the thirty-six countries of the Weste

This morning, we will drive to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, located about 70 kilometers away (approximately 1.5 hours). It\'s listed as a World Cultural Heritage site as part of the "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang\'an-Tianshan Corridor."The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (克孜尔千佛洞),

Start your day with a visit to the Kuqa Grand Mosque (库车寺), the largest mosque in Kuqa and second only to the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar. This mosque boasts a history of over 500 years and is renowned for its towering entrance and exquisitely crafted domes. The prayer hall can accommodate up to 3,000

Today, we will embark on our next adventure from Alar to Hotan. We\'ll traverse the Taklamakan Desert Road, a route that promises an exhilarating experience across one of the world\'s most captivating landscapes. Stretching over 450 kilometers and requiring about a 6-hour drive, this journey through t

Today, we will explore some of Hotan\'s interesting places before we depart for Kashgar.Jade Bazaar (玉石巴扎): This bazaar in Hotan is specifically designed for jade trading and is one of the largest gatherings for jade transactions in the region. Visitors have the unique opportunity to observe a wide a

Kashgar (喀什), located in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, was historically known as Shule ( (疏勒国), and was one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. For centuries, Kashgar has been a significant city in southern Xinjiang. It served as the western terminus for the northern, central, an

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Kashgar to embark on an exhilarating road trip along the China-Pakistan Highway. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Pamirs Plateau, visit Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, admire the distant and mysterious Muzta

Today, you will be exploring Tashkurgan County before driving back to Kashgar along the scenic China-Pakistan Highway.Tashkurgan or Taxkorgan, officially known as Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County (塔什库尔干塔吉克自治县), is situated in the eastern part of the Pamir Plateau, at an elevation of about 3,600 me

After breakfast, it is time to end your 13 Days Xinjiang Silk Road Tour. You will have some free time in Kashgar and explore more at your own pace till your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.Departure IdeasKashgar Airport: Kashgar International Airport (IATA: