8 Days South Xinjiang Tour Package with Taklamakan Desert

Tour Overview

This 8-day south Xinjiang tour will take you to visit 5 destinations – Kashgar, Yarkand, Hotan, Aksu, Kucha. Karakule Lake is the first stop of the itinerary, and on the way to it, you will have the opportunity to appreciate Opal Village, the Oytagh Red Mountain. Then head to Tashkurgan to visit the palace of the Tajik Kingdom in emergency times – the Stone Castle.

The highlights of returning to Kashgar Ancient City include Sunday Bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, and a glimpse of the charm of Islam. Afterwards, learn about its past in Yarkand and appreciate exquisite jade artifacts in Hotan. Finally, travel along the Taklamakan Desert to Aksu and KuchA to visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Grottoes and Subashi Ruins.

Highlights of this tour

‌Experience the breathtaking scenery along the Karakoram Highway to Karakul Lake‌.‌
‌Visit the 2,000-year-old Stone Fort in Tashkurgan‌.‌
‌Explore Kashgar Old Town, Sunday Market, and Id Kah Mosque, rich in culture‌.
Visit well-preserved ancient graves‌ in Yarkand Golden Grave Yard‌.
Stroll around Hotan Bazaar & Jade Factory‌ to experience local culture.
‌Drive through Taklamakan Desert Highway‌, the largest desert in China.‌‌
Uncover ancient Buddhist art at the Kizil Thousand Buddha Grottoes.
Learn about the culture of the ancient city at Subashi Ruins.

Basic Trip Information

Travel Route: Kashgar-Tashkurgan-Kashgar-Yarkand-Hotan-Kucha-Urumqi

Travel Length: 8 Days and 7 Nights

Tour Code:

Group Size: Only your family or group

Suitable for: Culture & history lovers, families, adventurers

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 Tashkurgan to Kashgar Tour

Visit the 2,000-year-old Stone Fort and drive back to Kashgar to spend a whole day visiting Kashgar Old Town, Sunday Bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, and Abakh Khoja Tomb.

Day 5 Yarkand Tour

Drive to Yarkand to visit the Yarkand Golden Grave Yard and explore the past of the Yarkand Old Town.

Day 6 Hotan Tour

Enjoy a full day exploring the highlights of Hotan including Hotan Bazaar, White Jade Factory, and Hotan Museum. Then drive on the Taklamakan Desert Highway to Aksu.

Day 7-8 Kucha Tour, Flight to Urumqi, Departure

Travel to Kucha, visiting Kizil Thousand Buddha Grottoes and Subashi Ruins, one of the important cultural relics of the Qiuzi Kingdom. Then, take a flight to Urumqi for departure.

Day-to-day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kashgar

Upon your arrival, our driver will greet you at the airport by holding the board with your name. Then transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of the day.

Meal: N/A

Accommodation: in Kashgar

Day 2 Kashgar to Karakul Lake Tour
Stroll along the Beautiful Karakul Lake

After breakfast, the guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Then we will drive along the Karakoram Highway to Karakul Lake. The car riding would be an excellent chance to see the scenery on the way. The Opal Village, the Oytagh Red Mountain, and the Corner Lake are the highlight sites you may meet on the way.

Karakul Lake is surrounded by a mountain that wears a snow cap almost all year round. The tranquil lake and its surrounding environment make a big contrast to the bustling city area. After the visit, drive to Tashkurgan for the night.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Tashkurgan

Karakuri Lake from Kashgar — Karakuri Lake

Day 3 Tashkurgan to Kashgar Tour
Explore the Palace of the Tajik Kingdom

In the morning, your Xinjiang tour in Tashkurgan takes you to visit the 2,000-year-old Stone Fort. It used to be the palace of the Tajik Kingdom in ancient times. Then the guide will accompany you to trek in the surrounding area to enjoy the scenery of Mt. Mutztah Ata and Mt. Pamir. After the hiking, drive back to Kashgar.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Kashgar

Day 4 Kashgar Highlights Tour
Glimpse Local People’s Real Life by Strolling Around Old Street

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to visit the Old Town of Kashgar. It covers an area of 4.25 square meters. Walking in the interlaced lanes, visitors will see many nearly 100 years old folk houses.

Walking out of the Old Town, pay a visit to Sunday Market (Sunday Bazaar), the largest international trade market on the northwest boundary line of China. Then you will head for Id Kah Mosque, founded in 1442, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang. The architectural style is unique and combines traditional Islamic and Uyghur elements. It is not only an important place for religious activities, but also an important window for understanding Xinjiang culture and religious beliefs.

Last, admire the Abakh Khoja Tomb, a typical ancient Islamic-style mausoleum complex, with 72 people from five generations of a large family. It is named after the legend that Emperor Qianlong’s Fragrant Concubine was buried here.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Kashgar

Kashgar Abakh Hoja Tomb — Abakh Hhoja Tomb

Day 5 Kashgar to Yarkand Tour
Discover the Ancient Yarkand Golden Grave Yard

After breakfast, we will drive to Yarkand. In Yarkand, you will be guided to visit two highlight attractions. The first one is the Yarkand Golden Grave Yard. The graveyard covers an area of 1050 square meters. Though the graves are all centuries old, they are all well-preserved.

After that, pay a visit to the Yarkand Old Town where you can see what the county looks like in the old days. Finishing all visits, check in at the hotel in Yarkand.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Yarkand

Day 6 Yarkand to Hotan Tour
Appreciate Delicate Jade Subjects

Your Xinjiang tour in Hotan will start with a visit to the Hotan Bazaar. Just like many other rural bazaars in Xinjiang, Hotan Bazaar is also bustling on Sundays. In history, Hotan is one of the major places that produce jade. Hotan Jade is of high quality.

Today we will pay a visit to the White Jade Factory to see the manufacturing process of jade artworks and appreciate some delicate jade subjects. Then we will pay a visit to Hotan Museum to learn about the local area’s past.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Hotan

Day 7 Hotan to Aksu Tour

Today, we will spend a full day driving on the Taklamakan Desert Highway. The Highway is named after the desert through which the highway travels. Taklamakan Desert is the largest desert in China and the 2nd largest shifting sands desert in the world. The desert used to be the home of many little states in the Xinjiang area. In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Aksu.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: in Aksu

Xinjiang Hetian Hotan Taklimakan Desert — Taklimakan Desert

Day 8 Aksu to Kucha Tour, Departure from Urumqi
Visit the Buddhist Caves and Understand the Past of Subashi Ruins

After hotel breakfast, continue your Xinjiang tour with a 1-hour drive to Kizil Thousand Buddha Grottoes. It is located 70km from Kucha Township. The Buddhist caves here were excavated from the 3rd century to the 13th century. 236 caves and 10,000 square meters of murals are preserved. In some expert’s minds, Buddhist grottoes are more valuable than Mogao Grottoes.

Then drive to visit Subashi Ruins, one of the important cultural relics of the Qiuzi Kingdom. The city appeared in the 1st Century BC and in the 6th-8th Century, the city welcomed its peak time. In the 14th Century, the city was ruined by wars. At last, you will take a flight back to Urumqi. Your 8-day southern Xinjiang tour ends here.

Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

Accommodation: N/A

Request a Custom Quote Today

The price varies based on the activity, number of people, date of trip, and selected hotel. Kindly get in touch with us for a precise cost according to your specifications.

What’s included?

7 nights’ accommodation in well-selected hotels;

Meals listed in the itinerary;

Private air-conditioned vehicle with licensed drivers;

Excellent local English-speaking tour guides services as mentioned in the itinerary;

Entrance tickets as mentioned in the itinerary;

Second-class train tickets and economic-class flights mentioned in the itinerary;

1 bottle of mineral water per person per day;

China Travel Insurance.

What’s excluded?

Flight/train tickets to Kashgar / off Urumqi;

Any optional activities inside the attractions;

Any item not mentioned in the itinerary;

Single Room Supplement;

All kinds of gratuities for guides, drivers & others.

What You’ll Receive at Chinasilkroadtours

At the heart of Chinasilkroadtours is the seamless service offered together by our 1-on-1 travel consultant, meticulous tour operators, expert local guides, and attentive local drivers. Our service is therefore made to be as unique as you are.

1-on-1 Travel Advisor

Your Silk Road experience starts with telling us your travel wishes and your one-on-one travel advisor designing the unique trip for you with their insider expertise.

Once we receive your request, one of our travel consultants will get back to you ASAP, typically within 24 hrs. Your travel consultant will then listen and learn about your travel style, your schedule, your budget, and your aspirations for your Silk Road travel plans. Based on this, she/he will provide you with a custom itinerary or a small group journey that suits your needs perfectly.

Plus, know your trip is taken care of by your 1-on-1 travel advisor with round-the-clock support should you need to alter your itinerary anytime.

Best Local Guides

Our locally-based guides narrate the Silk Road’s history and stories. They also provide with you insider tips, show you all the secret places, and introduce you to the locals.

Our best-selected guides are local people living in the cities along the Silk Road. During your trip, be it a private tour or a small group, they offer more than just things you can learn from the guidebooks, they try to give you a real insight into the Silk Route.

Whether you are traveling with kids or seniors, our guides are very patient and always pay close attention to every detail.

Local Drivers & Vehicles

All our Silk Road tours use well-maintained and air-conditioned vehicles. Different types of vehicles, from cars to vans are selected depending on your group size and tour style. We also offer off-road vehicles for desert adventures.

Our experienced local drivers are familiar with the local road conditions of rough terrain, including desert highways and mountainous areas. They can easily navigate the roads, guaranteeing a comfortable and safe journey. Plus, they are well trained in a professional manner, being friendly and helpful.

Handpicked Hotels

Checking in and checking out the accommodations along the Silk Road every year, we hand-pick the best collection of accommodations.

The accommodations we choose include luxury, boutique, or comfortable hotels in major cities, comfortable or basic hotels in remote towns, and caravanserais and camping sites that offer a unique experience.

It’s your decision about where to stay that best suits your tastes and budget. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us.

Silk Road Foods

We also hand-pick restaurants with a variety of local cuisines, from Uyghur cuisine to Shaanxi Cuisine, to enrich your Silk Road travel experience.

Savor authentic Northwest Chinese, Uyghur, and Central Asian cuisines with the signature dishes and snacks. From delicious mutton soups to a wide range of noodles and a taste of the local “bread” like Roujiamo and naan, enjoy an expansive menu featuring local flavors.

Please let us know if you have any dietary allergies or what foods (e.g. Western foods) you or your kids enjoy.

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

Our 10-day mid Oct Silk Road trip was magical. Lenna at China Silk Road Tours took us through 3 customized our itinerary. We witnessed breathtaking sights along the way, including a Lake in a desert, snow-capped mountains, unreal layer-cake hills, ancient Silk Road ruins, Buddhist grottoes, museums… We enjoy the good meals, nice hotels and comfortable transport with professcional English-speaking guides.
Traveler634605
December 2024
It was a really great Silk Road trip with varying sights and experiences. W love the beautiful alpine mountains..and enjoy the desert experience with camel riding and the full Monti. The
Food arranged was great again. We always like the travel experience, together with different regional cuisines.
Bigg Caesar
October 2024
In Thailand, I run a travel agency. When travelling to the Gansu Silk Road, always use this agency. I think Sophia is an excellent trip operator. quick to respond to messages and attentive to every detail. We are unable to plan quality travel without a competent tour operator. Sally is the best guide as well; she is incredibly knowledgable and pays close attention to every aspect. I’d want to give these two girls a big thank you.
Anothai L
October 2024
Silk Road Tours was able to deliver with both excellence and value—thank you for a wonderful trip! Sophia responded to all requests with excellent suggestions and follow-through. We are a couple of over 60 years old who are very experienced travellers. Our travel style is to find good local guides and/or tours that offer excellent guidance with good value. We were able to travel efficiently with both high speed trains and a comfortable and private car.
Travel745
September 2024
In September, Sophia organised a party of 11 of us to travel the Silk Road from Urumqi to Lanzhou. The vacation was fantastic; the hotel accommodations, the history of each area we visited, and the scenery were all thoughtfully prepared for us. Sophia, thank you!
BYTKWAN
September 2024