10 Days South Xinjiang Tour to Taklamakan Desert, Kuqa, Kashgar

Arrive in Kashgar

Welcome to
Kashgar
! It is the most representative and exotic city in
Xinjiang
. Kashgar is an ancient city with Uighur people as its main inhabitants. It has strong ethnic characteristics and it’s a place where Chinese and Western cultures blend; Kashgar people are warm and hospitable. Your tour guide will meet you at the Airport (or railway station), then escort you to your hotel in a private

Drive on Karakoram Highway to visit Karakul Lake

In the morning, enjoy your nice buffet breakfast. Driving on the
China and Pakistan highway
about 4hrs to enjoy the landscape of Pamirs Plateau. The following day will be spent exploring the stunning landscape surrounding the 
Karakul Lake
, where the herds of livestock around the lakeside are reflected in lake and is extraordinarily graceful, where Kirghiz herdsmen usually settle down and graze

Kashgar Sunday Market, Makit Farmer Painting

Today we will do full day Kashgar city excursion. around 09:00 we will visit the 
Idigar Mosque
,
the largest Mosque in China and the most sacred mosque for the locals to practise their Islamic activities. Around 10:30 we have to visit the 
Old Town
 when the open ceremony ready to greeting all the tourists with the culture show, further exploration to the special culture. Lunch arranged in the l

Taklamakan Desert Adventure, then drive to Aksu

Today you will cross
39° North Latitude
, the longest hinterland of
Taklamakan Desert
, to conquer the dead desert that Swedish Explorer Sven Hedin did not make 122 years ago. Mysterious and seductive, it is a dream destination for both domestic and foreign explorers and outdoor enthusiasts. The entire trip is expected to be 1,500 kilometers, which is incomparably difficult to describe. Crossing

Drive to Kuqa, stop at the ancient Kizil Grottoes

A new day began, we are heading to
Kuqa
where used to be the center of ancient Qiuci and the first stop of Buddhism spreading to the East. Our first stop in Kuqa will go to the
Kizil Grottoes
, as the one of the four grottoes in China, it is the oldest one, but many architectures and murals are in well preservation; here you will learn more about the culture and history of Buddhism and ancient

Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon Exploration

The tour begin from the mysterious
Tianshan Grand Canyon
, which is the excellent geological park all over the world. It recorded the whole process of crustal movement in Xinjiang during the past 400 million years. You can enjoy the red cliffs and hike in the canyon. The charm of Tianshan Grand Canyon lies in its majesty, steepness, deepness, tranquility and mystery. The mysterious A’ai Grottoes

Drive to Turpan to enjoy the beautiful Jiaohe Sunset

Breakfast at the hotel, then we will drive to 
Turpan
 to visit the
Jiaohe Ancient City
. It is an ancient city that was strategically located along the ancient Silk Road. Perching on a plateau, it acted as a natural barrier from the attacking enemies in the old times. Meanwhile, enjoy the sunset of Jiaohe Ruins with a history of 2,300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff

Oldest Uighur Village, Karez Well, Sugong Minaret

Full day sightseeing in Turpan. A must and first visit is the oldest Uighur village
Tuyoq Village
located in the very center of Flaming Mountain Canyon. Tuyoq Valley is a tourist area with both natural scenery and cultural relics, which is also the most mysterious place in western China, Turpan City, Xinjiang Province, about 55 kilometers to the east of Turpan City. This is the cultural land of

Picturesque Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang Regional Museum

After Breakfast, we will meet you at the hotel and then drive you to visit the
Heavenly Lake
 (or Tianchi in Chinese). With an altitude of 1980 meters, Heavenly Lake and its alluring surroundings truly offer you a visual feast like heaven, featuring in serene alpine lake, rugged slopes with snow-capped mountains, pure glaciers, wild forest, vast grassland as well as unique ethnic culture.  

Aft

Depart from Urumqi

After breakfast, you will be escorted to catch your flight or train to the next destination, wish you have a pleasant journey home.

Traffic:
Car

Hotel:
Overnight in Urumqi

Meals:
Breakfast

Altitude:
836m

INCLUDES

Private transportation through out the itinerary. SRT will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your fli