10 Days Xinjiang Scenery with Ethnic Flavor Appreciation Tour

Our driver and guide will wait for you at the airport terminal exit by holding a welcome sign with your name on it. Then you will be driven to the hotel and have a good rest. The rest of the day is free at your disposal. Accommodation: Urumqi

In the morning, pick up from your hotel and transfer to Turpan. Upon your arrival in Turpan, the local guide will meet you at train station and transfer to the hotel to check in.Then we will start today’s tour with Ancient City of Jiaohe, one of the most important towns along the ancient Silk Road and the largest, oldest and best-preserved earth construction in the world. Then go to visit the Karez Well— an amazing irrigation system which made Turpan a rich oasis which is honored as the “Underground Great Wall”. So it is regarded as the pride of Turpan. The last stop will be Sugong Pagoda, the largest existed ancient Islamic pagoda in Xinjiang which is also known as the Turpan Pagoda among local residents. Then back to hotel. Accommodation: Turpan

Today you will visit three famous sites all together. The first stop will be Gaochang Ruins, the ruins of capital of ancient Gaochang Kingdom which existed from 500AD to 700AD. Then you will go to the Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Cave, a series of caves with thousands of Buddhism murals that show many Buddhism figures, stories, and the social life about 1,500 years ago in Ancient Gaochang Kingdom. After that you will head to Urumqi by car. On the way back to Urumqi we will drive by Flaming Mountain situated at the north of ancient Silk Road. The temperature is so high that nothing grows on the hill. The record highest temperature of summer could reach 47.8 ℃ (118 ℉). And then go to Urumqi, check in Hotel. Arrive in Urumqi and check in the hotel. Accommodation: Urumqi

In the morning, we will go to airport for flight to Kanas. Upon arrival, met by local guide and transfer to hotel to check in. Afterwards, pay a brief visit to the Kanas Lake, an alpine lake encircled by dense forest. Shaped like a crescent, the lake has the features of both northern vigor and southern grace. Accommodation: Kanas Resort

Today we will spend whole day in the Kanas Nature Reserve to visit Crouching Dragon Bay surrounded by luxuriant forest, colorful flowers and green grassland; the crescent-like Moon Bay which is regarded as the symbol site of Kanas, Duck Swamp Lake surrounded by swampy meadow and vast grassland; the Watching Fish Pavilion, the best place to overview the whole Kanas Lake. Accommodation: Kanas Resort

We will take you to Altay today. On the way, visit Hemu Village which close to Mongolia and Russia. Here you will meet the villagers who still lead the nomadic life. Besides, you wiull also see the rivers, wooden houses, wisps of smoke and birch forest, etc. Accommodation: Altay

After hotel breakfast head to airport for flight to Yining. Upon your arrival our local guide will pick you up and proceed to the Sayram Lake, the highest and largest cold water lake in Xinjiang. Next go to visit the Fruits Valley, which is said to be the ‘No. 1 Attraction Site of Ili’ and once served as a controlling strategic section of the North Silk Road in ancient times. If you travel in summer half year, you could find wild fruits, apricot trees, rare trees and exotic flowers everywhere in the valley. Then move to the Khorgos Port between China and Kazakhstan. Standing at the door of the port, you could see afar to Kazakhstan. On the way to the port, you will also visit Huocheng County, where 29 minority groups live. When the tour ends today, you will return to downtown Yining and stay overnight there. Accommodation: Yili Hotel

In the morning drive to Bayanbulak and on the way we will explore the Narat Grassland, a famous tourism and holiday resort in Xinjiang which boasts beautiful grassland scenery and Kazak ethnic flavor. Accommodation: Bayanbulak

Today’s we will visit two spots: the Bayanbulak Grassland, the second largest grassland in China boasting luxuriant verdant grass, numerous flocks of sheep and varied plants, and the Swan Lake Natural Reserve located in the grassland. Afterwards transfer back to Yining to take the flight to Urumqi. Upon your arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to hotel for rest. Accommodation: Urumqi

Pick up from your hotel and transfer to airport for your homeward flight. Hope the 10 days Silk Road Tour leaves you an impressive and pleasant memory.