10 DAYS HERITAGE OF SOUTHERN XINJIANG

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Arriving into Kashgar, you will meet your local expert guide.  We will apply for border control permit near to the airport before transferring you to hotel.

Kashgar is one of China’s most remote cities, sitting on a plateau (at 1,300 metres) at the base of the lofty Karakorum Mountains and within a day’s drive of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is often said to be the seat of Turkestan identity – a city more rooted in the Islamic cultures of Central Asia than of China.

Jeep Safari: Kashgar to Tashkurgan

We change to take a convoy of 4×4 Toyota Prado from today. We will drive you from Kashgar to Tashkurgan (approx. 300km/6hrs).

You will journey into the Pamir Plateau,  known as “roof of the world”. The Muz Tagh Peak tops all the mountain peaks and got the name of “the father of the icebergs”, while the White Sand Lake was formed from glacier waters in the mouth of the Boulogne River.

At an altitude of 3,600 meters in the Pamir Plateau, lies the picturesque Karakuli Lake. We will enjoy an outdoor picnic by the Karakuli Lake. Thereafter, we continue to Tashkurgan. You will enjoy a yak hot pot for dinner.

Jeep Safari: Tashkurgan to Kashgar

Head to the Golden Grass Beach for sunrise, followed by a visit the Stone City. During the Han Dynasty, this was the royal city of Puli Kingdom, one of the 36 states in the Western Regions. Follow the Panlong ancient road, with over 200 curves in the remote Pamir Darshan. This was the path passed by Xuanzang Zang (602-664) in order to attain the holy Buddhist scriptures, as popularized on “Journey to the West”.

Afterwards, cross the famous Tasha Road, passing through the mouth of the Wakhan Corridor. You will enjoy the spectacular Yarkant River and the Shimosakandi Reservoir.

Visit the Tajik villages of Ta Township. Have lunch in a Tajik home and participate in preparing barbecue, milk tea, etc. If you time your journey between 23 March to 20 April, you may potentially be able to enjoy apricot blossoms in the mountains while the Tajik herders sing and dance to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Continue drive back to Kashgar for the night.

Sunday Markets

In the morning, we can visit the livestock market (open on Sunday only), a lively place to witness the traders in a traditional environment. Thereafter, if time permits and you are interested, we can visit the Sunday Market in the city.

Faces of Kashgar

Explore the Kashgar old town. Most of the houses are of built with adobe brick, it is China’s only labyrinthine city block characterized by Islamic culture. Walking through the intricate Islamic alleys of Kashgar’s old city, you can see the craftsmen who specialize in only one craft during their lifetime. If time permits, enjoy a pot of brick tea entertained by the elderlies in the old street of Ustang Boyi. Proceed to Id Kah Mosque (China’s largest mosque) and the Mausoleum of Abjak Hoja, tomb of Emperor Qianlong’s concubine.

Car Transfer: Kashgar to Hotan via Yarkant

Rise early as we drive approx. 500km/5.5hrs to Hotan. En route, stop for lunch in Yarkant, once an important Silk Road stop. Visit the Altun Mosque Complex with the Tomb of Ammanisahan, a Uyghur musician and queen, and the local old town.

Car Transfer: Hotan to Kuqa

Today, we drive approx. 650km/8h to Kuqa through the Taklamakan Desert Highway on a good road. Take in the landscapes of the world’s second largest desert, the Tarim River and poplar forests, stopping at desert villages along the way.

Ancient Heritage of Kizil Caves & Kuqa

Today, we will visit the Kizil Caves. A large complex of rock-cut Buddhist caves, this area has historically been a thriving Silk Road commercial hub, reflected in the various artistic influences apparent in the cave murals. There are 236 grottoes within the compouned!

Continue approx. 80km/2h to Kuqa Ancient Town, once one of the great powers of ancient China and a major center of Buddhism. Time permitting, we can visit Kuqa King’s Mansion.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport

After breakfast we check out and transfer to Kuqa airport and take an flight to Urumqi.

Flight: Kuqa to Urumqi

Flight   Kuqa / Urumqi             CZ6872                       

0955/1100              1hr 05mins

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel

You will be transferred to your accommodation. Depending on your flight arrival time, we can include a visit to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum.

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum

The museum’s standout exhibit features well-preserved corpses interred in ancient times. These bodies differ significantly from the embalmed mummies of Egypt, as they were naturally desiccated by the environment. Among them, the most renowned is the “Loulan Beauty,” dating back approximately 4,000 years.

Picturesque Tianchi Lake

Today, we devote the entire day to exploring Tianchi Lake, also known as Yaochi (Jade Pool). This renowned attraction of Xinjiang is a half-moon alpine lake nestled on the northern slopes of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the surroundings and enjoy some hiking time amidst this picturesque landscape.

Car Transfer: Hotel to Airport

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to home.