Arrival in Kashgar

Kashgar - Today, your flight will land in Kashgar. Our team will greet you at the airport exit with a welcome sign and escort you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to 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, we will explore the Stone Fortress. This oval-shaped city features walls made from sun-dried bricks on stone foundations, with an outer circumference of 1,285 meters. In recent years, new wooden pathways have been added, allowing tourists to stroll through the stunning Golden Grassland. From here, you can capture even more impressive photos of the Stone Fortress. Wander around the pastureland to immerse yourself in local Tajik traditions.

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. We will visit Idigar Mosque, the largest mosque in China and a sacred site for local Islamic practices. Around 10:30, we will explore the Old Town, where a cultural show welcomes all tourists during the opening ceremony. Delve deeper into the unique local culture by visiting a Uighur family. The Kashgar city tour concludes with a stroll along the lively 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.

Urumqi to Heavenly Lake (120kms, 1.5hrs)

Urumqi - Today, you will travel 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. Discover a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets, and more.

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

Karez Well, Sugong Minaret, train to Dunhuang

Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes & Echoing Sand Mountain

Dunhuang - Today, we will explore the ‘cultural treasure’ — Mogao Grottoes. Here, you can admire the stunning grottoes and mural art, and learn about the history of Buddhism in Dunhuang through guided explanations and film displays — a must-see for visitors to Dunhuang. Afterward, we will visit Echoing Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake. When strong winds blow, the sands create a loud echoing sound. You will also find Crescent Lake, which has remained for centuries without being buried by sand. In the evening, explore the lively 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 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, and then we will head to the magnificent 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, we will 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 enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will take a high-speed train along the Qilian Mountains at around 9 am, enjoying splendid scenery on the way to Xining. At 16:00, we will visit Ta’er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), which has the largest monk population outside Tibet. Standing on Thangka Sunning Terrace, you will have 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 also 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. It includes 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

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

• 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.