7 Days Classic Xinjiang Tour for First-Timers: Urumqi Tianchi Turpan Kashgar

Welcome to Urumqi! Upon arrival, our local team will meet you at the exit at the airport or train station and provide comfortable private transfer to your downtown hotel in Urumqi.

About Urumqi: Nestled at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, Urumqi is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the city furthest from any ocean (over 2,500km). Once a pivotal hub on the Ancient Silk Road, it remains a vibrant melting pot of Uyghur, Kazakh, and Han cultures—truly the "Urban Heart of Asia."

Getting to Urumqi: As the primary aviation hub for Northwest China, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) connects you to major domestic cities like Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Central Asian capitals. Whether arriving from across China or across the border, your Silk Road odyssey begins here.

Local Insight: While Xinjiang officially follows Beijing Time (UTC+8), its geographical position means the sun rises and sets two hours later, offering you long, golden summer evenings to explore.

In this morning, your day begins with a scenic drive to the Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled 1,980 meters above sea level. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense forests, this alpine sanctuary is steeped in legend - it is said that the Queen Mother of the West once hosted the Eight Immortals here.

Upon arrival, you'll first take 40-minute sightseeing bus ride through the dramatic mountains. Then, enjoy 10-minute walk to the picturesque lake. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Heavenly Lake, taking in the fresh mountain air and diverse flora and fauna.

In the afternoon, we return to Urumqi to explore the Xinjiang Regional Museum, a cornerstone of Silk Road history. This is where the region's past comes to life, housing world-renowned artifacts such as the 3,800-year-old "Loulan Beauty," the iconic "Five Stars Rise in the East" Han Dynasty brocade, and the ancient "Fu Xi and Nu Wa" silk painting. These exhibits offer a profound look at the cultural exchanges that have shaped Xinjiang for millennia.

Free Time Idea in This Evening

As the sun sets, your evening is on your own to explore the Urumqi Grand Bazaar. This bustling marketplace is the perfect place to immerse yourself in local life. Wander through stalls filled with handmade carpets, silk scarves, and spices, and be sure to sample authentic regional delicacies like lamb kebabs, polu, and freshly baked naan. It is the ideal conclusion to a day that bridges the gap between ancient history and modern Xinjiang culture.

In this morning, you will travel 180 kilometers southeast to Turpan, a pivotal Silk Road hub. The drive itself is a visual experience, taking you past the vast wind farms at the base of the Tianshan Mountains and into the heart of the Turpan Depression. Here, the ingenious ancient Karez irrigation system has allowed life to flourish in what is otherwise one of the hottest, most arid environments in China.

We begin our exploration at the Flaming Mountains, where the landscape glows with a fiery intensity that has inspired legends for centuries.

We then venture into the Tuyoq Valley to visit Mazar Village, the oldest surviving Uyghur settlement in the region. The village is a masterclass in earthen architecture; the earth-toned dwellings, set against the backdrop of the red mountains, provide a stunning backdrop for photography and a quiet moment to appreciate the enduring traditions of the local culture.

Finally, we visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Mutou Valley, this ancient site is a testament to the region's spiritual history. The caves house a remarkable collection of murals that illustrate the fusion of Buddhist art and Silk Road trade.

As we finish our tour and head to your hotel in Turpan, you will have experienced the full spectrum of Turpan - from its legendary geography to its profound historical and cultural depth.

Have a good rest tonight in Turpan.

On this day, your day begins at the Jiaohe Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stands as one of the most remarkable examples of ancient urban planning. Unlike cities built from the ground up, Jiaohe was "carved" directly into the plateau, leaving behind a haunting, intricate labyrinth of residential quarters and temples. As you explore these ruins, you will walk the same paths that facilitated trade between the Western Regions and the Central Plains over 2,000 years ago.

Next, we uncover the secret to Turpan’s survival: the Karez System. Often called the "Underground Great Wall," this ancient irrigation network is a marvel of hydraulic engineering. By channeling snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains through subterranean canals, ancient inhabitants transformed an unforgiving, arid basin into a lush oasis. It is no exaggeration to say that without the Karez, there would be no civilization in Turpan. Stepping into these cool, subterranean channels offers a rare, firsthand look at the ingenuity required to sustain life in one of the world's hottest regions.

We conclude our time in Turpan at the Emin Minaret, the tallest Islamic minaret in Xinjiang. Built in 1778, this 44-meter tower is a masterpiece of Uyghur craftsmanship, featuring 15 distinct, intricate brick patterns that loop elegantly toward the sky. It serves as both a religious monument and a tribute to local history, reflecting the unique architectural heritage of the region.

After soaking in the grandeur of the tower and its adjacent mosque, we will begin our return drive to Urumqi, arriving in the evening.

This early morning, you will take a flight to Kashgar (about 2 hrs). Upon arrival at Kashgar Airport, your local tour guide will greet you and escort you to downtown Kashgar.

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 (西域三十六国). For centuries, Kashgar has been a significant city in southern Xinjiang. It served as the western terminus for the northern, central, and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road, connecting Asia and Europe. It has long been a transportation hub and distribution center for goods between East and West. Trade is highly developed here, earning it the title of "Kingdom of Bazaars (markets)." Diverse cultures from Asia and Europe converge on Kashgar, clashing and blending intensely with the local culture, injecting new vitality into Kashgar. This cultural fusion is specifically reflected in Kashgar's architecture, cuisine, and vibrant markets.The city has been a melting pot of various ethnicities, including Uyghurs, Han, Tajiks, and others. Kashgar's geographical location is near the Taklamakan Desert and surrounded by the Kunlun Mountains and the Pamir Plateau provides spectacular natural scenery.

Your exploration can begin in Kashgar Old City (喀什老城市). The Old City is the soul of Kashgar, encapsulating over two millennia of cultural and commercial exchanges along the Silk Road. Situated at the heart of the city and spread across 3.6 square kilometers, the Old City is a living museum, telling tales of ancient trade and cultural fusion. As a crucial hub for East-West traffic and a distribution center for goods, it offers a vivid glimpse into past prosperity.

Within Kashgar Old City, the streets and alleys intersect intricately, narrow and winding paths with buildings of varying heights, creating a layout that resembles a maze. As you wander through, you'll see traditional Uyghur mud-brick houses and numerous structures with Islamic features, such as pointed arches, domes, intricate woodcarvings, and colorful ceramic tiles. These architectural and street designs perfectly Central Asian and Islamic architectural elements with Uyghur characteristics, creating a sense of time travel for visitors.

The Kashgar Old City thrives with commercial activity, with numerous bazaars and street markets scattered throughout, such as the Pottery Bazaar, Flower Pot (Doppa) Bazaar, Blacksmith Bazaar, Woodwork Bazaar, Medicine Tea Bazaar, Han Bazaar (Food Street)... This area is not only an excellent place to purchase and appreciate various handicrafts but also an ideal spot to savor Uyghur cuisine. Indulge in succulent lamb kebabs (羊肉串), rich and spicy lagman noodles (拉条子), savory samsas (烤包子), and freshly baked Naan (囊). As you wander through, the scenes, sounds, and scents on the streets seem to transport you back to the heyday of the Silk Road. You can almost visualize the bustling caravans, with merchants from China, Persia, Arabia, and many local regions converging here. The air is filled with the melodious ringing of bells on camels' necks.

Furthermore, Kashgar Old City is a hub for numerous cultural and religious activities as well as a place for residents' daily lives and social interactions. One of the most notable landmarks is Id Kah Mosque（艾提尕尔清真寺), one of the largest mosques in China, attracting thousands of worshippers daily. To experience local life firsthand, you can visit a century-old teahouse (百年老茶馆). As you sit, sip tea, and observe, you'll appreciate the traditions and hospitality of Uyghur people. With luck, you might have to a chance to witness locals playing and singing traditional Rawap music.They may even invite you to join in, twirling your hands as you dance.

If you happen to visit Kashgar on a Sunday, you can't miss the famous Kashgar Livestock Market (牛羊巴扎).

On the northern edge of Kashgar city, there is a massive livestock trading market. Every Sunday, this market becomes as lively as a carnival. People from surrounding villages flock here with their sheep, cows, and even camels.

At the market, you can witness Uyghur herders proudly showcasing their livestock. The traders typically grasp each other’s hands inside the spacious sleeves of their robes, silently signaling their price offers with their fingers - an intriguing and silent process full of wit. Once the price is agreed upon, neither party can back out. This traditional method of trade has been continuing for thousands of years. It’s an excellent opportunity for photography and to witness the ancient commercial traditions that are fast becoming rare in the modern world.

Tips: Due to the large number of livestock in the market, prepare yourself for a strong odor.

After the tour, be escorted to your hotel in Kashgar.

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 Muztagh Ata Peak, Kongur Tagh, Kongur Tiube. Finally, you will drive back to Kashgar. (Total distance:400 kilometers, approximately 8 hours of travel).

The China-Pakistan Highway (中巴公路), also known as theKarakoram Highway (KKH), is one of the world's highest paved international roads.  It connects China and Pakistan across the Pamir Plateau (帕米尔高原) and is locally referred to as the Pamir Highway. Historically, routes across the Pamir Plateau - known as Congling (葱岭) in ancient times - were vital parts of the Silk Road. This section posed one of the most daunting challenges for merchants and travelers due to its harsh, rugged terrain.   Here, several of the world's renowned mountain ranges - the Himalayas, the Karakoram, the Kunlun Mountains, the Tianshan Mountains, and the Hindu Kush - converge and radiate outward, forming a massive mountainous junction. Today, the China-Pakistan Highway has transformed these perilous trade routes of the past into magnificent thoroughfares, attracting numerous tourists to the Pamir Plateau to experience its stunning natural scenery.

Along the way, you will visit the following attractions:

Baisha Mountain-Baisha Lake Scenic Area (白沙山-白沙湖景区):

As you drive along National Highway G314, you'll encounter Baisha Lake (白沙湖), also known as Bulunkou Lake - a striking plateau lake nestled in the Pamir Plateau  (elevation:about 3,660 meters). From its shore, you're treated to a stunning vista: half pristine blue water, and half white sand mountain, both harmonizing with distant snow-capped peaks to create a magnificent spectacle.

On the lake's northern shore stands the renowned Baisha Mountain (白沙山), winding for over 1,200 meters. The dark mountain body, covered with white sand, presents a soft silvery-white color under the clean sunlight of the Pamir Plateau, resembling white silk. Legend has it that as the lake water gradually dries up in autumn and winter, the white sand at the bottom of the lake emerges. In spring, the wind blows this sand onto the mountain, creating the extraordinary spectacle of sand accumulating into a mountain. Whenever strong winds blow, Baisha Mountain emits a sound, earning it the name "Singing Sand Mountain." The southern shore of the lake is embraced by a chain of snow-capped mountains, with the highest peak being Mount Kongur Tagh at an elevation of 7,530 meters, adding further grandeur and mystery to this captivating landscape.

Karakul Lake (喀拉库勒湖)：

Karakul Lake is a high-altitude moraine lake (elevation:about 3,600 meters).Its name in the Kyrgyz language means "Black Lake," attributed to its deep, dark waters. However, if you spend enough time by the lake, you will notice that it changes colors under different lighting conditions, appearing deep blue, emerald green, or ink black, earning it the nickname "the ever-changing lake."

Yet, the true highlights of Karakul Lake are the imposing peaks known as the "Kunlun Trio" that tower behind it: Kongur Tagh, Kongur Tiube, and Muztagh Ata, with altitudes of 7,719 meters, 7,595 meters, and 7,546 meters, respectively. On clear days, their majestic reflections are perfectly cast upon the glistening surface of the lake, creating the most iconic views of Karakul Lake. Among these, Muztagh Ata is particularly striking, covered with many glaciers, and is known as the "Father of Ice Mountains."

After tour, you will you will drive back to Kashgar along the scenic China-Pakistan Highway. You'll have another opportunity to admire the spectacular snow-capped peaks from various angles on both sides.

Stay overnight in Kashgar city.

After breakfast, it is time to end your 7 Days Classic Xinjiang 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 Ideas

Kashgar Airport: Kashgar International Airport (IATA: KHG, ICAO: ZWSH), is one of the westernmost airports in China. The airport hosts a number of airlines that operate regular flights to major cities across China such as Urumqi, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. It also handles international flights, including routes to cities in Central Asia.

Road Border Crossings: The Torugart Pass and Irkeshtam Pass are important channels between China and Kyrgyzstan. The Karasu Port is a crucial gateway between China and Tajikistan. The Khunjerab Pass is the only land border crossing between China and Pakistan. If you're considering departing via a road border crossing and require transportation, please contact your travel advisor for specific cost and arrangement details.

Extension Ideas: If you wish to extend your Xinjiang trip, you can explore other Xinjiang Silk Road cities such as Tashkurgan, Kuqa, and Hotan, or venture to North Xinjiang destinations like Kanas, Hemu, and Yining. We'd be happy to assist with these additional arrangements.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Xinjiang Tour, we are always here working for you and hope to seeyou again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!