7 Days Xinjiang Highlights Tour

Xinjiang was a key link on the Silk Road and a hub for east-west cultural exchanges in ancient times. This Xinjiang Highlights tour provides a memorable experience to three must-see cities, Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar.

Highlights:

  • Witness the great ruins of significant historical cities.
  • Experience the “heat” of “fire land” – Turpan.
  • Learn about Xinjiang Muslim culture.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Kashgar Arrival
  • Day 2: Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
  • Day 3: Kashgar
  • Day 4: Kashgar – Urumqi
  • Day 5: Urumqi
  • Day 6: Urumqi – Turpan
  • Day 7: Turpan – Urumqi

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Kashgar Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Kashgar
Meals:

Upon your arrival, escorted to your hotel and explore this city at leisure.

Day 2 Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar

Sightseeing and Activities: Karakul Lake
Accommodation: Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, drive about 200km to view the fantastic scenery of Karakul Lake. It is the highest lake of the Pamir Plateau. Enjoy the crystal water, the peaks and blue sky, and also the creatures here.

Then drive back to Kashgar for overnight.

Day 3 Kashgar

Sightseeing and Activities: Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb, Grand Bazaar
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today visit the famous attractions in Kashgar, including Id Kah Mosque, one of the biggest mosque in China, which was built by Saqsiz Mirza in 1442; Abakh Hoja Tomb, the largest Islamic mausoleum of Xinjiang and most known as the Tomb of Xiang Fei, who is one of theimperial concubines of Emperor Qianlong; and Sunday Bazaar, the busiest part of the city, which covers a total area of 0.17 square kilometers with more than 5,000 stable stalls.

After all the tour, take a flight to Urumqi.

Day 4 Urumqi

Sightseeing and Activities: Heavenly Lake
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After the breakfast, head to Heavenly Lake, 98km northeast of Urumqi downtown. It is a crescent alpine lake in the north of Bogda Peak, which enjoys crystal water due to melted snow as its source. Cruise on the lake and stroll around the lake after that.

Day 5 Southern Tianshan Rangeland

Sightseeing and Activities: Southern Tianshan Rangeland
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today head to another facet of Mt. Tianshan – Southern Tianshan Rangeland. Experience a natural sightseeing and a carefree lifestyle of local herdsmen.

Drive back to Urumqi for overnight.

Day 6 Urumqi – Turpan

Sightseeing and Activities: Gaochang Ancient Ruins, Astana Graves, Buddha Caves in Tuyuq Valley
Accommodation: Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive to Turpan city for visiting Gaochang Ancient Ruins, 46 kilometers southeast of Turpan. Built on the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert and to the south of the Flaming Mountains, its old palace and city ruins can be seen today as they’ve been well-preserved.

Then head to Astana Graves, an underground cemetery of ancient Gaochang residents, which is considered to be one of the humblest burial sites in China.

Afterwards visit Buddha Caves in Tuyuq Valley.

Day 7 Turpan

Sightseeing and Activities: Emin Pagoda, Karez well system, Grapes Valley
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Today we will visit Emin Pagoda, the largersrt pagoda in Xinjiang, which is an elegant-shaped Muslim minaret in honor of a great Turpan general. Then head to Karez well system. Located in the Turpan Depression, it is a vertical tunnel system adapted by the Turpan people. At last, visit Grapes Valley. After all the visit, transferred back to Urumqi for your next destination.

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
  • Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

  • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  • Chinese visa fees;
  • Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.