Arrival in Kashgar

Kashgar - Your flight is scheduled to land in Kashgar today. A warm welcome awaits you at the airport exit, where you will be greeted with a sign and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy and explore this captivating city at your own pace.

Journey from Kashgar to Taxkorgan (320kms, 6hrs)

Return from Taxkorgan to Kashgar

Kashgar - Before heading back to Kashgar today, a visit to the Stone Fortress is planned. The city is oval-shaped, with city walls constructed from sun-dried bricks on stone foundations, measuring 1,285 meters in circumference. In recent years, new wooden pathways have been added, allowing tourists to stroll through the stunning Golden Grassland. This spot offers excellent photo opportunities of the Stone Fortress. Take a walk around the pastureland to immerse yourself in the local Tajik culture.

Kashgar City Tour and Flight to Urumqi

Kashgar - Today, meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby for a full-day city tour of Kashgar. The itinerary includes a visit to Idigar Mosque, the largest mosque in China and a sacred site for local Islamic practices. At around 10:30, the Old Town will welcome tourists with a cultural show during its opening ceremony. Delve deeper into the local culture by visiting a Uighur family to experience their lifestyle firsthand. The city tour concludes with a stroll along Handicraft Street, showcasing dazzling jewelry, primitive pottery, unique musical instruments, and everyday items of the locals. As a special treat, spend some time in a tea-house to relax and soak in the local culture and traditions. After the tour, say goodbye to Kashgar as you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Urumqi.

Drive from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake (120kms, 1.5hrs)

Urumqi - Today, embark on a drive to the scenic Heavenly Lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, vibrant wildflowers, and evergreen pine trees. Enjoy a trek along the lake in the fresh air, or take a cable car up to Maya Mountain for breathtaking mountain views. Later, return to Urumqi in about 1.5 hours and visit the Xinjiang International Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Urumqi. Here, you’ll find a lively market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets, and more.

Drive to Turpan, Tuyoq Village, Jiaohe Ruins (200kms, 3hrs)

Turpan - Today, travel to the historical sites and oasis landscapes of Turpan. The first stop is the ancient Uyghur village of Tuyoq, located in the heart of the Flaming Mountains canyon. The village is divided into four distinct areas: the canyon scenery, the Mazar tombs, and the historic architecture of the old settlement. Next, visit the Jiaohe Ruins, one of China’s best-preserved ancient city ruins, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on June 22, 2014.

Karez Well, Sugong Minaret, and Train to Dunhuang

Turpan - In the morning, depart from the hotel to visit the Karez Well, a unique underground irrigation system. Here, you can explore this ancient engineering marvel and escape the summer heat. Next, visit a must-see attraction in Turpan’s Gaochang District—a private collection house run by a friendly 71-year-old man who enjoys chatting with visitors. Locals affectionately call his shop “Turpan Grandpa’s Antique Museum.” Later, explore the Sugong Minaret, the tallest Islamic minaret in China, built in 1778. After the tour, you will be transferred to the train station to catch a bullet train to Liuyuan South Station. Upon arrival, our driver will meet you and take you to your hotel in downtown Dunhuang for an overnight stay.

Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes & Echoing Sand Mountain

Dunhuang - Today, visit the ‘cultural treasure’ — Mogao Grottoes. Here, admire the magnificent grottoes and mural art, and learn about the history of Buddhism in Dunhuang through guided explanations and film displays — an essential experience for tourists visiting Dunhuang. After the visit, head to Echoing Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake. When strong winds blow, the sands create a loud echoing sound. You will also find Crescent Lake, which has endured for centuries without being buried by sand. In the evening, explore the vibrant Shazhou Night Market, where various treasures and local delicacies await. It’s easy to lose track of time while wandering the market, enjoying your leisure time, and sampling some local cuisine.

Drive from Dunhuang to Zhangye Danxia Park (590kms, 6-7hrs)

Visit Rainbow Mountain, then Drive to Mati Temple

Zhangye - Meet your guide and driver at the hotel, then head to the stunning Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, a typical arid region in northern China. Ribbons of red, orange, and yellow slice through the rock, creating a rainbow vista framed by the contours of jagged mountain peaks. Many refer to it as “Rainbow Mountain.” After the visit, drive to Mati Temple and check into a hotel in the scenic area.

Fast Train to Xining and Visit Ta’er Monastery (1hr train ride)

Xining - After breakfast at the hotel, take a high-speed train along the Qilian Mountains at around 9 am, enjoying the splendid scenery on the way to Xining. At 16:00, visit Ta’er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), which has the largest monk population outside Tibet. From Thangka Sunning Terrace, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the monastery and its surrounding scenery. Inside the monastery, apart from magnificent Buddha stupas and wall paintings, prayer wheels are a must-see attraction. The entire monastery is surrounded by prayer wheels — walk along the corridor, rotate the wheels, and pray for blessings. Butter sculpture is one of the “Three Wonders of Art” at Ta’er Monastery, featuring various artistic works, such as Buddha statues, figures, landscapes, pavilions, birds, animals, flowers, and trees, all crafted from butter.

Enjoy the Beautiful Qinghai Lake, Drive to Chaka (300kms, 4hrs)

Chaka Salt Lake, then Xining Departure

• Travel insurance
• Airfare from Kashgar to Urumqi
• Entrance fee listed in the itinerary
• Government tax
• Excellent English speaking guide (professional and friendly)
• Breakfast
• 2 bottles of water per person daily
• Allowance for the guide and driver
• 4-star hotel located downtown with breakfast (2 persons per room)
• Private transportation
• Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)

• Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
• Lunch and dinner throughout the itinerary
• Personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned
• Some activities such as boating, camel riding, culture show etc.
• Flight arrive in Kashgar and leave from Xining

Join a 13-day group tour along the Silk Road, journeying through Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai. Discover timeless attractions such as Kashgar’s vibrant Sunday Bazaar and the Idigar Mosque. Be amazed by natural wonders like the turquoise waters of Karakul Lake and the rainbow-colored peaks of Zhangye Danxia. Explore historical sites including the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and Jiayuguan Pass, the western terminus of the Ming Great Wall. Experience local cultures, from Turpan’s ancient Karez Well irrigation system to the intricate butter sculptures at Ta’er Monastery. Highlights include a camel ride at Echoing Sand Mountain, a walk through Urumqi’s International Bazaar, and a scenic drive along the China-Pakistan Highway through the Pamirs Plateau.

• Private transportation with excellent air conditioning
• Professional and friendly English-speaking guide service
• Bottled water and paper napkins
• 24/7 English service online.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.