8 Days Southern Xinjiang Tour to Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar
Tour Overview
This 8-day southern Xinjiang trip will take you to experience ancient history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture as you travel to the three most popular destinations in the region – Urumqi, Turpan, and Kashgar. The stunning Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), enchanting Jiaohe Ruins, unique Karez Wells, lush vineyards, bustling Kashgar bazaar, tranquil Karakuli Lake… Finally, appreciate rich heritage and traditional craftsmanship on Zhiren Street. This trip is perfect for those seeking a true Silk Road adventure.
Highlights of this tour
- Stroll or cruise along the breathtaking alpine Heavenly Lake.
- Discover rich history and culture of Turpan through ancient Jiaohe Ruins, long-lasting Karez Wells, and local vineyards.
- Marvel at the shimmering Karakuli Lake against the majestic Muztagata Mountains.
- Explore the bustling bazaars, lively Handicrafts Market, and traditional Zhiren Street in Kashgar.
- Visit China’s largest mosque to admire intricate Islamic architecture.
Basic Trip Information
Travel Route: Urumqi-Turpan-Kashgar
Travel Length: 8 Days and 7 Nights
Tour Code:
Group Size: Only your family or group
Suitable for: Culture & history lovers
Departure: Any day you want
Your tour – quick look
Day 1-3 Arrival & Urumqi Tour
Two days exploration of the beautiful Heavenly Lake (with optional boat trip), lively Erdaoqiao International Bazaar, and modern Xinjiang Region Museum rich in well-preserved collections.
Day 4-5 Turpan Tour & Flight to Kashgar
Enjoy 2 full days exploring the highlights of Turpan including Sugong Pagoda, Tuyoq Valley, Grape Valley, Karez Well, and Jiaohe Ruins. After that, take a flight to Kashgar.
Day 6-8 Kashgar Departure
Take a Kashgar side trip to Karakuli Lake for free time to stroll around. Then spend a whole day visiting Kashgar covering Id Kah Mosque, Local Bazaar, Handicrafts Market, and Zhiren Street.
Day-to-day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Urumqi
Welcome to our 8-day classic southern Xinjiang tour! After arrival, you will meet your local private driver at the airport and be transferred to the well-selected hotel. The driver will help you with your luggage and the check-in.
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 2 Urumqi to Heavenly Lake Tour
Take an Optional Cruise on the Stunning Alpine Lake
After breakfast, your Xinjiang adventure starts with a 1.5-hour drive to the amazing Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain. Heavenly Lake is an alpine lake nestled against the slope of the snow-covered Bodga Mountain. You can choose to admire the beautiful surroundings by trekking along the lake or taking a cruise…
Note: Taking a cruise on the lake is an optional activity, which will be at your own expense if you want to experience it.
After the experience at Heavenly Lake, drive back to Urumqi city center for a visit to Erdaoqiao International Bazaar. It’s one of the bazaars with the largest scale in the world with a strong Islam flavor in its buildings. The goods and the exhilarating cries of sales make people feel as if they have traveled through time and space to the ancient Silk Road and caught a glimpse of the prosperous trades between different nations.
After the visit, go back to your hotel for rest.
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Day 3 Urumqi to Turpan Tour
Witness Well-preserved Collections from Silver Works to Corpses
In the morning, take a guided tour of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, which has collections of silver works of art, stone steles, currency, ceramics, wooden articles, and paintings. One of the highlights is the well-preserved collection of 4,000-year-old corpses, unearthed along the Silk Road. A modern-style building occupying 11,000 square meters, it is located on Xibei Road, 2 km north of People’s (Renmin) Park.
After that, we will drive to Turpan for the night.
Accommodation: in Turpan
Day 4 Turpan Highlights Tour
Explore the Ancient Mud Brick Houses and a Local Family-run Vineyard
Your Xinjiang trip in Turpan begins at the Sugong Tower. It is the biggest ancient tower existing in Xinjiang and the only ancient Islamic minaret in the country.
At the Ancient Tombs of Astana, thousands of treasure historical relics had been unearthed, including a mummy, writings, inscriptions, paintings, earthen figurines, stone wares, pottery wares, wood wares, bronze wares, gold wares, silver wares, cotton, silk, wool, ancient coins and so on. Although there are almost 500 tombs in this area only three tombs are open to tourists. One has two mummies and the other two have murals.
Tuyoq Valley is a traditional village of vineyards, orchards, narrow streets and irrigation channels tumbling between ancient mud brick houses and shady trees against the backdrop of the bare, red Flaming Mountains. An easy walk takes you to a group of very ancient caves carved into the mountainside. You can stop and enjoy the surroundings, or climb the steep stairways to view some of the caves, parts of their frescoes still visible, with both Buddhist and Nestorian connections.
Turpan is famous for growing grapes. The Grape Valley is very touristy so we’ll arrange a visit to a local family-run vineyard so that you get a real experience. They plant their grapes at the back of their house. It is a major source of income for local people. You can walk around the farm and talk to local people to learn about their daily life.
Accommodation: in Turpan
Day 5 Turpan Exploration, Urumqi to Kashgar Tour by Flight
Visit the Ancient Ruin and Remarkable Irrigation System
Karez Wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China. These systems are still maintained and functioning today. A small museum provides an insight into their intriguing history and construction, and takes you below ground for a first-hand view.
Jiaohe Ruins was built by the ancient Cheshi people in the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC) and the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). It was dug out of and constructed from the yellow-gray parched ground of a narrow 30-meter-high, 1.5-km-long vertical sided island in a river. It is a good vantage point for seeing the surrounding landscape of vineyards and orchards followed by desert and mountains.
After the tour in Turpan, you will take a flight from Urumqi to Kashgar.
Accommodation: in Kashgar
Day 6 Kashgar to Lake Karakuli Tour
Marvel at the Sparking Glacial Lake
After breakfast, your Xinjiang tour continues today.
Karakuli Lake is a sparking glacial lake located at the foot of “the Father of Glaciers” – Muztagata Mountains. A railway connecting China with Pakistan goes by the lake. The lake is famous for its beautiful scenery and clarity. Colors of its water range from light to dark under reflection. You have free time to stroll around the lake.
Accommodation: in Kashgar
Day 7 Kashgar Old Town Tour
Feel Rich Islamic Heritage and Stroll Vibrant Local Markets
After breakfast, continue your tour of Kashgar at the Id Kah Mosque, one of the largest and busiest in China. You’ll be asked to remove your shoes before entering the Main Hall, which has traditional Islamic pillars, carvings, and rugs strewn over the floors. Women are advised to cover their upper arms and legs. A scarf is not compulsory but is seen as a mark of respect. This is a must-visit place for tourists in Kashgar.
Afterward, explore a local bazaar to discover some of your favorite snacks and interesting souvenirs. After that, you can explore the vibrant Handicrafts Market. Spending time in the market is also a top thing to do in Kashgar. Follow the local crowd to stroll and stop at a stall interesting you or talking with those hawkers with ethnic faces. Do not forget to bargain when you are picking some as souvenirs.
Zhiren Street is close to Id Kah Mosque, an old street with an amazing range of goods being crafted for sale by hand, from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments. There’s not much light industry in Kashgar, so everything is hand-made or imported from afar. Copper, metal, porcelain, woodwork, jewelry, and other goods are seen to be made and you will marvel at incredible devices, such as a small wooden object that prevents babies from wetting the bed.
Accommodation: in Kashgar
Day 8 Kashgar Departure
As you have come to the end of your vacation, your driver and guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport/train station. They will assist you with your luggage and check in to ensure that you will have a stress-free departure. We trust that you have enjoyed your time in China and we look forward to serving you again. Have a pleasant flight home.
Accommodation: N/A
