Your English-speaking guide and private car will meet you at 8:00 am in the lobby of your Urumqi hotel. From there, you’ll head directly to Turpan, a journey of approximately 3 hours. During the drive, your knowledgeable tour guide will provide insights into the Silk Road and its significance in Chinese history and culture. Feel free to discuss your interests with the guide and select 4-6 attractions in Turpan to visit. Your guide will then create a personalized itinerary for you.

• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: This is a collection of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to 14th centuries, located high on the cliffs of the west Mutou Valley beneath the Flaming Mountains. Most of the remaining caves are from the West Uyghur kingdom, around the 10th to 13th centuries.
• Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta): Known as the largest ancient tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic tower among China’s hundred famous towers.
• Karez Irrigation System: Unique to this region, the Karez system is one of China’s three great projects, alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Here, you can learn how locals have irrigated the arid climate of Turpan for centuries.
• Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto): Once the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom, this city resembles a willow leaf and boasts a 2300-year history. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen city globally and was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO on June 22, 2014.
• Flaming Mountains: These barren, eroded red sandstone hills are the hottest place in China, with temperatures reaching up to 47.8 °C (118 °F) and surface temperatures exceeding 70 °C (158 °F) in summer.
• Astana Tombs: Primarily serving as a cemetery for the descendants of Chinese settlers in Gaochang from the 4th to the first half of the 8th century, this complex contains over 1,000 tombs. The arid environment has preserved many significant artifacts, including natural mummies.
• Ancient City of Gaochang: A crucial point along the Silk Road, Gaochang was built in the first century BC and later became the capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th century. By the 14th century, it was damaged and abandoned due to conflicts between Mongolian aristocrats and Uighurs.

Please note: Your 2-day tour includes entrance fees to 4-6 attractions in Turpan, lunches at local restaurants for two days, an English-speaking tour guide, and a private vehicle. Please arrange your own accommodation in Turpan. After the tour, you can choose to be dropped off at your hotel in Urumqi or conclude your journey in Turpan.

Points of Interest

• Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja)
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto)
• Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta)
• Karez System
• Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan)
• Discover Xinjiang Tours

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private tour
• Professional guide
• Bottled water
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• 2 Days Lunches in the local restaurant
• Transport by private vehicle
• Entrance Fee

• Gratuities
• Accommodations in Turpan

Turpan boasts a rich history spanning thousands of years, encompassing numerous empires and religions. On this 2-day guided tour, you can select 4-6 attractions to visit, including Jiaohe Ancient City, Gaochang Ancient City, Karez Irrigation System, Emin Minaret, Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, and Flame Mountain. The tour features a delicious local lunch, all entrance fees (for 4-6 attractions), an English-speaking guide, and transportation by private vehicle.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Dress code is smart casual
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
• Please book your own accommodation in Turpan

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