22 Days Grand Xinjiang Tour

Upon your arrival in Urumqi airport/train station, our local guide will wait you by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to your hotel in city area. Accommodation: Urumqi

In the morning board the car and drive for about 1.5 hours to Heavenly Lake. 100 kilometers away from city of Urumqi, Heavenly Lake gives the impression of nobleness, elegance and beauty. Clear lake, snow mountains and soaring trees compose the charming scenery of the Heavenly Lake. Come to Heavenly Lake, and you will find words are so weak for the surrounding. It will make you totally relaxed no matter you are sitting in a boat, walking in the mountains, or just standing by the lake. In the afternoon drive back to city area and visit the Grand Bazaar. Accommodation: Urumqi

Today we will head to Burqin. Before departing we will firstly pay a visit to Uygur Autonomous Region Museum where you will have a glimpse of Xinjiang history and costume. The museum collects thousands of precious cultural relics unearthed in Xinjiang. Arriving in Burqin we will check in hotel directly. Accommodation: Burqin

After breakfast meet your guide and driver and head to the most beautiful mountain lake – Kanas Lake. Cruising on the lake you will see beauty hidden in each corner of the lake. After that visit a Tuwa People Village to see life of these local people living on hunting and grazing. Accommodation: Kanas

In the morning drive to Hemu Village, one of the most beautiful village in Xinjiang. Walking in the village you will see the nice natural scenery and feel the slow pace life here. If you like you could optionally explore more around the village by horse riding. Accommodation: Hemu Village

Meet your guide and driver and driver to Karamy, a city famous for the rich petroleum resource. While today we will visit the Ghost City which is the most beautiful Yadan Landform in this area. Accommodation: Karam

Today we will driver for about 7.5 hours to visit Sarym Lake to see the picturesque scenery consists of lake, grassland, wild flowers, cattle and sheep herds, and Kazaks people and their yurts. Accommodation: Sarym Lake

In the morning board the car. After a 4-5 hours’ driving we will arrive in Yili. If your tour is in Summer or Autumn, we will arrange the visit to a local Fruit Valley. The various vibrant fruit trees will protect you from burning weather and also treat you with lots kinds of fruits. Due to the big temperature difference between day and night, fruits in Xinjiang is of the best quality and taste in China. Accommodation: Sarym Lake

After breakfast drive along highway that across Tianshan Mountain to Naraty Grassland. That grassland enjoys high fame as the pasture base in history. There are vast grassland, wide river valley, high mountains, the crisscrossed deep gorges, the flowering forest, etc. Accommodation: Naraty

Today we will move to visit breath-taking beautiful Bayinbuluk Swan Lake Natural Reserve.  Here is the paradise of swans. Accommodation: Bayinbuluk

Drive along the national highway to Kuqa. On the way we will see the beautiful scenery of Tianshan Mountain, the most important mountain in Uyghur people’s mind. Accommodation: Kuqa

Kuqa used to be an important spot that connected China and Western countries along Silk Road. Today we will visit three highlight sites. The first one will be Subashi Ruins. It is the ruins of a city existed in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and is called “Lady Kingdom” in the novel Journey to the West. Then visit Kuqa Mosque, the 2nd largest Mosque in Xinjiang. It is a representative of Uygur architecture of the Qing Dynasty. In the afternoon roam in the Kuqa Old Town to meet some facts of old Kuqa. Accommodation: Kuqa

In the morning drive to visit Kizil Grottoes, the earliest Buddhist grottoes in Xinjiang and China. By visiting there you will have more information about local history, Buddha’s life history, and story of Kama. Then pay a visit to Tianshan Grand Canyon. The Canyon used to be the river course of Kucha River and today it becomes the most stunning canyon in China. At last drive to Kashgar.  Accommodation: Aksu

In the morning after a 7 hour’s driving we will arrive Kashgar. Upon arrival we will visit Id Kah Mosque which is the holy land for the Muslims, receiving thousands of Muslims worshipping here every day. In the history, Id Kah Mosque used to be a school for people learning Islamic culture where many scholars and honored clergies graduated from here. Next you will visit the Handcraft Street where you will meet lots of delicate local folk artworks. Accommodation: Kashgar

Today we will pay a full day tour at the Karakuri Lake. After hotel breakfast, we will drive about 3 hours to the lake spot. The lake is surrounded by the mountain who wears snow cap almost all year round. The tranquil lake and its surrounding environment make a striking contrast to the bustling city area. After the pleasant visit here, we will drive to Taxkorgan County. Accommodation: Taxkorgan County

In the morning pay a visit to Stone City, a ruins of ancient city. Through the relics one can still see the layout of this city used to prosper along the ancient Silk Road. Afterward pay drive to visit Honjirap Border which means “red wall” in local Tajik Language. In the afternoon walk in the Old Town to see what it looks like in past. Then drive back to Kashgar. Accommodation: Kashgar

After breakfast you will visit the Abakh Khoja Tomb which used to be the family graveyard of the powerful ruler, Abakh Khoja, in 17th century. At last take a walk at the Old Town to see the past of Kashgar. Next pay a visit to the famous Sunday Market. The market opens every day but it is most bustling on Sundays. You will see lots of local folk goods trading here. Then drive to Yarkent Town, the best preserved ancient city in Xinjiang. Accommodation: Yarkent

In the morning visit the Karsu Desert and enjoy the camel riding. Then you will pay a visit to the Atlas Silk Workshop to appreciate beautiful silk products and learn about how these silk products produced. Accommodation: Khotan

Before departing to Minfeng County we will visit Khotan Museum to learn about the local history. The museum will tells you the position and importance of Khota in ancient Silk Road. After arriving in Mingfeng check in local hotel. Accommodation: Minfeng

Today we will spend most of time (8-9) hours on the way. We will drive through Taklamkan Desert- the largest desert in China where lots of ancient city ruins lie under the thick layers of sand. On the way we will also meet the Poplars Forest Scenic Park. It is a good site for sightseeing, entertainment, adventure, scientific expedition and vacation. Accommodation: Korler

In the morning visit the Tiemen Pass (Iron Gate Pass). It was an ancient strategic gateway constructed at the entrance of the Peacock River Gorge. After that drive to Urumqi. Accommodation: Urumqi

Picked up from hotel lobby according to your flight time and transferred to the airport for flight departing Urumqi. Service ends here.