11 Days China Silk Road Muslim Tour from Kashgar to Lanzhou
Tour Overview
This 11-day China Silk Road trip focus on the Muslim experience. Tour guides from every city will take you on a private tour of China to trace the footsteps of ancient merchants amidst the rich cultural heritage.
Kashgar is the first stop of the itinerary, exploring ancient markets and marveling at the spectacular Karakul Lake… Continue traveling to Urumqi, Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, and Lanzhou, visit historic mosques along the way, admire high mountains and lakes, and marvel at the colorful Danxia Mountains… Enjoy halal cuisine and explore Islamic landmarks on this specially designed Silk Road tour package.
Highlights of this tour
- Marvel at the amazing Karakul Lake, reflecting the snow-capped mountains.
- In Kashgar Old Town, explore ancient Uyghur architecture and rich Silk Road history.
- Enjoy the beauty of the Heavenly Lake surrounded by snow peaks and lush forests.
- Walk through Jiaohe Ancient City, the world’s largest and best-preserved raw earth city.
- Ride a camel across the golden dunes of Mingsha Mountain.
- Visit Dunhuang Mosque to see the unique blend of Islamic architecture and local cultural influences.
- Witness the dazzling Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains.
- Stroll along the Yellow River in Lanzhou, visiting the Zhongshan Bridge and the Mother River Sculpture.
Basic Trip Information
Travel Route: Kashgar-Urumqi-Turpan-Dunhuang-Jiayuguan-Zhangye-Lanzhou
Travel Length: 11 Days and 10 Nights
Tour Code:
Group Size: Only your family or group
Suitable for: Muslim people, culture lovers
Departure: Any day you want
Your tour – quick look
Day 1-2 Arrival & Kashgar Tour
Take a Kashgar side trip to Karakul Lake for free time to stroll around.
Day 3-4 Kashgar to Urumqi Tour
Spend a whole day visiting Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Handicraft Street, and Livestock Bazaar. Then take a flight to Urumqi. Enjoy the breathtaking Heavenly Lake and visit drive back to the city center to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum.
Day 5-6 Turpan & Dunhuang Tour
A day and a half to explore the most popular attractions in Turpan including Tuyoq Valley, Flaming Mountains, Jiaohe Ancient City, and Karez Wells. After that, take a noon high-speed train to Dunhuang and enjoy the fun desert activities at Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring.
Day 7-9 Jiayuguan and Zhangye Tour
In the morning in Dunhuang, you will visit the only mosque in the area – Dunhuang Mosque. Then travel to Jiayuguan and Zhangye to visit the Jiayuguan Pass, Jiuquan Mosque, and the Rainbow Mountains Scenic Area. After the tour, take a high-speed train to Lanzhou.
Day 10-11 Lanzhou Tour
The one-day Lanzhou tour takes you to the Xiguan Mosque, the largest mosque in Gansu Province, learn about the history of Gansu at Gansu Provincial Museum and walk along the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1 Kashgar Arrival
Hello, welcome to our 11-day Silk Road Muslim tour package! Upon arrival, a local private driver will wait for you at the airport terminal exit by holding a welcome sign with your name. Then drive you to the well-selected hotel and have a good rest. The rest of the day is free for you at leisure.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Kashgar
Day 2 Karakul Lake from Kashgar
Witness the Color-changing Beauty of Karakul Lake
After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby then drive along the Pamir Plateau to Karakul Lake. Along the way, you will pass by Baisha Lake (White Sand). Adjacent to National Highway 314, the crystal clear waters of lake reflect the blue sky and white clouds and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. From the lakeside observation deck, you can have a close-up view of the entire lake area.
Continue driving for half an hour to reach our destination. Karakul Lake is the largest natural lake on the Eastern Pamir Plateau. The lake changes color with the light and weather. A walk around the lake will give you a view of the majestic Muztagh Ata – a beautiful combination of snow peaks and the lake. In addition, you can enjoy horseback riding (at your own expense) and hiking in the meadows around the lake.
After the tour, we drive back to Kashgar city.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Kashgar
Day 3 Kashgar Highlights Tour, Kashgar to Urumqi
Ancient Uyghur Architecture and Lively Bazaars
On today’s guided tour, you will be led to the highlights of Kashgar. The Kashgar Old Town, with more than 2,100 years of history, is the center of Kashgar culture. Strolling through the ancient city, you will see ancient Uyghur architecture, lively bazaars, and exquisite handicrafts that exude a rich Western flavor.
Id Kah Mosque is a must-see attraction. The largest mosque in Xinjiang, built in 1442, is an example of ancient Uyghur architectural art. The architecture inside the mosque is quite exquisite, blending rich ethnic styles and religious colors. If you happen to be here on Friday, you can witness the spectacular scenes of worship.
After lunch, the guided Kashgar tour continues to the Handicraft Street, where hundreds of craft workshops and stalls are gathered. The street is lined with a variety of Kashgar and even Central Asian handicrafts as well as snacks and teas. You may also enjoy the street musical instruments playing.
Then comes the Livestock Bazaar, open every Sunday. Here you can see the traditional Uyghur way of trading livestock and taste freshly-made mutton delicacies such as Samsa (baked mutton or beef stuffed buns) and mutton soup. After the tour, take a flight to Urumqi.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 4 Urumqi to Heavenly Lake
Walk along the Peaceful Lake, Surrounded by Snow Peaks
Your Urumqi tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel. Then drive for about 1.5 hours to reach Tianchi, the Heavenly Lake, a brilliant pearl embedded in the Tianshan Mountains. The crystal clear water of the lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making the scenery picturesque.
You can take a stroll by the lake and enjoy the fresh air and unparalleled natural beauty. Or take a cruise (optional, at your own expense) to see the forests up close from another angle. In addition, the tour guide will explain more about the legend of Tianchi – where the Queen Mother of the West once bathed.
After lunch, drive back to the city center to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum, the largest cultural relic collection and exhibition center in Xinjiang. The exterior of the museum blends Uyghur architectural style with modern design, while the interior exhibits are rich, including exquisite ancient fabrics, mummies, documents, and more. The well-preserved dead body of a woman is definitely worth a visit, and your guide will explain her story to you.
In the evening, you can stroll around the Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar on your own. You can find Central Asian goods and local features, such as Pakistani bronze ware, Turkish jewelry, grapes from Turpan, carpets from Hotan.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 5 Urumqi to Turpan
Explore Charming Uyghur Village, Visit Impressive Earthen Ruin
After breakfast, your Silk Road tour of China takes you from Urumqi to Turpan with a 3-hour drive. Upon arrival, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, drive to visit the Tuyoq Valley. This place has preserved the old Uyghur villages with buildings made of yellow clay and raw earth, which are called “living fossils of folklore”. Your guide will also take you into the Thousand Buddha Cave to admire the spectacular grottoes and murals.
After the visit, on the way back to the city, you will see the Flaming Mountains, an important landmark on the ancient Silk Road. Looking at the Flame Mountain from afar, it is like a giant dragon lying across the earth. The mountain is so red that it seems to be burning under the sunlight.
In the city center, you will be guided to Jiaohe Ancient City. It is the largest, oldest and best-preserved city of raw earth architecture in the world. Shaped like a willow leaf, the city has no walls, but has a natural defense system. Follow your tour guide to explore the important ruins such as official quarters, residential houses and monasteries, and learn the historical facts behind them.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Turpan
Day 6 Turpan to Dunhuang
Discover Underground Karez Wells, Get Panoramic Desert Views
The Turpan tour in the morning will take you to the amazing Karez Wells. As one of the three major projects in ancient China, it skillfully diverts underground water for irrigation. By visiting this place, you can visualize the process of digging Karez wells and feel the wisdom of ancient working people.
After the visit, head to the train station to take the noon high-speed train to Dunhuang. Upon arrival, your local driver and guide will pick you up and take you to visit the Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring. As its name suggests, the scenic area is composed of the desert and a spring.
Mingsha Mountain is named after the sound of sand movement, and Crescent Spring is embedded in it like a crescent moon. You can hike or ride a camel (at your own expense) across the desert. Climbing to the top of the sand mountain, the beautiful scenery of Crescent Spring can be seen in full view, surrounded by the desert.
In the evening, you can stroll around the Shazhou Night Market on your own.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Dunhuang
Day 7 Dunhuang to Jiayuguan
Visit Dunhuang Mosque Blending Islamic and Local Styles
This morning, your tour along the Silk Road takes you to Dunhuang Mosque, the only mosque in the Dunhuang. This mosque has a long history and exquisite architecture, blending Islamic style with local characteristics. The main hall inside the mosque is spacious and bright, capable of accommodating over a thousand people for worship at the same time.
Then drive for about 4 hours to Jiayuguan city. Upon arrival, check in at a local hotel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Jiayuguan
Day 8 Zhangye to Jiayuguan
Walk along the Majestic Ancient Fortress
After breakfast, start your your Jiayuguan tour to the Jiayuguan Pass. The starting point of the western end of the Ming Great Wall, it is known as the “Number One Great Pass in the World”. The ancient city is majestic and spectacular, built from rammed earth. Ascend the wall and visit buildings such as Arrow Tower, Enemy Tower, and Corner Tower, while overlooking the scenery inside and outside the gate.
In the afternoon, we will head to Zhangye for 3 hours. On the way, stop to visit the Jiuquan Mosque, a typical Islamic style building. Founded in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the sixth year of the Republic of China, it has buildings such as the Main Hall and the Moon Watching Tower. This is not only a place of worship for Muslim communities, but also a great place to learn about Islamic culture and history. Spend the night in a comfortable Zhangye hotel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Zhangye
Day 9 Danxia Landscape Tour, Zhangye to Lanzhou
Marvel at Beautiful Danxia Rainbow Mountains
In the morning, drive 1 hour to reach Zhangye National Geopark. Here you will visit the Rainbow Mountains Scenic Area. The mountains here are colorful, intertwined with red, yellow and orange colors, resembling a palette. You will be led to enter through the north gate and visit four major platforms. Hongxia Observation Deck is the one with the most vivid colors, especially at sunset.
After the tour, transfer you to the railway station to take a high-speed train to Lanzhou. After arrival, the local driver will pick you up and escort you to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Day 10 Lanzhou City Tour
Stroll along the Scenic Yellow River Banks After Museum Exploration
After breakfast, meet your Lanzhou tour guide to start today’s exploration. The first stop is Xiguan Mosque, located in the city center and the largest mosque in Gansu Province. Its architecture is magnificent, blending Chinese and Islamic styles. Through in-depth explanations, you will further understand the Islamic culture and history of the Lanzhou region.
Afterward, we drive back to the city to visit the Gansu Provincial Museum, an excellent place to learn about the history of Gansu and even Northwest China. The museum has a rich collection, especially featuring colored pottery, Han Dynasty documents, Silk Road relics and Buddhist arts. The Bronze Running Horse (Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow) is the treasure of the museum, and your guide will explain its story in detail for you.
Then you will be transferred to the Huanghe River Custom Tourist Line. Strolling along the river, from west to east you can see the Sculpture of the Yellow River Mother, the huge Waterwheel Park, and the Iron Bridge, aka Zhongshan Bridge across the Yellow River.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Lanzhou
Day 11 Departure from Lanzhou
It is time to say goodbye to Lanzhou. After breakfast, your private driver will escort you to the airport / train station for your departure. The 11-day Silk Road Muslim tour in China comes to an end. Safe travels!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
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