Kashgar City Cultural Walking Tour

Kashgar - Often hailed as “the best-preserved example of a traditional Silk Road city in Central Asia,” Kashgar is evolving with development. As a cultural hub in China, it ranks among the top Silk Road destinations. Today, enjoy a full-day excursion visiting the Kashgar Sunday Livestock Market, Apak Hoja Tomb, Idkah Mosque, and the old town. Savor local Uyghur dishes like kebabs and hand-pulled noodles at the finest Uyghur restaurant in Kashgar.

Kashgar Livestock Market - The guide will lead you to the livestock market, offering a glimpse into the authentic lives and business practices of Uyghur farmers.

Abakh Hoja Tomb - This well-preserved shrine from the 17th century boasts unique architecture. Experience a live Uyghur wedding and dance performance.

Kashgar-Tashkorgan via Karakoram Highway/5hr drive

Karakul Lake - Karakul Lake, a rare highland lake at 3600m elevation, is located along the Karakoram Highway, 200km southwest of Kashgar. Surrounded by snowcapped peaks like Mt Muztagh Ata (7546m) and Konggur (7649m), there’s an opportunity to hike around the lake if time permits.

Tashkurgan Fort - This stone city ruin has a history spanning 2000 years.

Tashkorgan - Return to Kashgar via Karakoram Highway /5hr drive

Kashgar - Early morning, travel along the renowned “Dragon Road” in Xinjiang, then return to Kashgar. En route, visit Taheman Grassland, Karakul Lake, and Sand Mountain Lake on the Karakoram Highway, arriving back in Kashgar by evening.

Kashgar-Shache - Heitan/Hotan (Khotan/和田）/6hr drive

Hotan Tours/2hr drive

Hotan-Kuqa (Kucha, 库车）via crossing Taklamakan Desert from south to north/9hr drive

Kucha Tours - Night train to Turpan

Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (Kezi’er Qian Fo Dong) - Renowned for its well-preserved ancient Buddhist art, a professional guide will explain each Buddha painting in the caves.

Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Located in the Tianshan Mountains, this canyon is surrounded by red mountains.

Arrive in Turpan and start the tour

Turpan - After breakfast at a local restaurant, begin the Turpan tour, visiting the Karez Well, Tuyuq Valley, Bezaklik Thousand Caves, Gaochang Ancient City, Emin Minaret, and the Turpan Museum.

Turpan Karez Underground Water System - This ancient irrigation system, built over thousands of years, is a marvel of engineering.

Tuyugouxiang - A unique old village, ideal for experiencing the culture of Turpan’s locals.

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - A well-preserved ancient city ruin in Xinjiang.

Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) - The only minaret mosque on China’s Silk Road.

Turpan Tours then drive to Urumqi

Turpan - Situated in the Turpan Basin, the deepest in China, and the northeastern part of the Taklimakan Desert, Turpan is a key city on the Middle Silk Road. It was a significant Uyghur Buddhist cultural center until the 14th century when Islam became the dominant religion. Turpan boasts well-preserved Buddhist historical sites, some protected by UNESCO.

Spend the day visiting historical sites in Turpan, including Emin Minaret, Karez Well Museum, Bezaklik Buddha Caves, Jiaohe Ancient City, Gaochang Ancient City, Tuyuq Village, and enjoy a traditional lunch with a local Uyghur family in Tuyuq Village.

Emin Minaret (Sugong Ta in Chinese): The tallest minaret in China (44m, 144ft), built in 1777, showcasing elegant Uyghur architecture.

Karez Wells: Spanning over 5000km, the Karez system is a remarkable Chinese construction. Turpan’s Karez water system consists of vertically dug wells linked by underground canals, channeling water from the Tian Shan Mountains and Flaming Mountains to the surface, utilizing gravity. The canals are mostly underground to minimize evaporation.

Jiaohe (Yarghul in Uyghur) Ancient City: Known as Yarghul by Uyghurs, this well-preserved, excavated mud city is one of the world’s oldest. Settled as early as 1800 BC, it was abandoned in the 14th century when Islam became dominant. Built on a large islet (1650m long, 300m wide) in a river, it lacked walls due to natural defenses. Recently protected by UNESCO.

Tuyuk Valley: A charming old valley with a typical Uyghur village, offering insights into traditional Uyghur life in Turpan.

Bezaklik Thousand Buddha Caves: A complex of Buddhist grottos from the 5th to 9th centuries, featuring 77 rock-cut caves. The ceilings are adorned with Buddha murals, some masterpieces of religious art.

Night in a hotel in Turpan.

Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) - The guide will explore all parts of this ancient city and explain its history.

Xinjiang Int’l. Dabazha Scenic Spot - Upon arriving in Urumqi, visit the International Grand Bazaar.

Urumqi - Museum - Heavenly Lake

Urumqi - Travel from Turpan to Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital, enjoying the Tianshan Mountain range and numerous wind power plants. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and take a walking tour of the International Grand Bazaar.

Departure from Urumqi, guide and driver will drop you off at the train station.

Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport - The guide and driver will escort you to the airport, concluding your tour.

• Necessary permits for foreigners to travel on the Karakoram Highway to Tashkorgan
• Sleeper train ticket from Kuqa to Turpan
• Knowledgeable tour guide in different languages for the whole trip
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Breakfast
• All entrance fees to attractions and historical sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Airport and train station pick-up and drop-off
• All expenses of the guide and driver (meals, accommodation, fuel, taxes, tolls, parking fees)
• 3-4 hotel accommodations shared by two persons per room

• personal expenses
• costs of luches and dinners
• air ticket cost to arrive to Kashgar and depart from Urumqi
• Tips

This tour begins in Kashgar and ends in Urumqi, allowing you to experience all the must-see places in Xinjiang by visiting top Silk Road destinations along both the southern and northern routes. You’ll drive across the Taklimakan Desert, the second-largest shifting desert in the world, and also traverse the adventurous Karakoram Highway, which extends into Pakistan through stunning snow-capped landscapes. Xinjiang offers a diverse range of scenery, from its dry, continental landscapes in the south to its towering, snow-capped mountain peaks. The region is also rich in historical ruins and archaeological sites. Following the path of Marco Polo on this tour could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.