13 Days South Xinjiang Discovery

Meals: No meal
Accommodation: In Urumqi

Arrival at Urumqi in Xinjiang, an area of the unparalleled scenery and cultural diversity, you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Urumqi City View

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:In Urumqi

Take a driving for 100km northeast to visit the holy Heavenly Lake (Tianchi). The beautiful lake is flanked by rugged pines and cypresses, with clear melting waters reflecting the surrounding of snow capped mount Bogeda. After the tour, be transferred back to downtown, visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Museum,  which is a must for Silk Road aficionados. The highlight is the locally famous ‘Loulan Beauty’, the first of half a dozen 3800-year-old desert-mummified bodies of Xinjiang's erstwhile Indo-European inhabitants. Other exhibits include some amazing silks, decorative arts, pottery and sculpture, a collection of white jade and an introduction to the traditions of each of the province’s minorities.  If time allows, we will have a short visit to Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar, which is believed to be the largest outdoor market in town.

Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:In Turpan

Today, you will take about 3hours driving to Turpan, on the way, you will pass Urumqi Wind Power Mill, which was built for producing electrical power in the area. After cross the valley of Tianshan we will arrive in the lowest depression of China-Turpan City. Upon arrival, we will go to Tuyugou Canyon, which is running in a north-south direction, cuts the Flame Mountain Range into two halves. The view of these majestic mountains with their distinctive, layered appearance – reflecting differences in temperature and in the soil's physical properties – ending in snow-capped peaks silhouetted against deep-blue skies, is an experience to be envied. Visit the Tuyugou Urgur Old Village, s the most ancient village of the Uygur nationality in Xinjiang, with a history of 1,700 years. It is the biggest Islamic place in China and remains the Uygur culture, regarded as the 'living fossil'. The village is famous for its earth architecture, charming natural scenery as well as splendid culture. It has abundant well-preserved folk houses and all of them are made of loess, raw soil and wood with various kinds of carving on doorframes. It is knowns as "the first earth village in China".

Then move to visit The Astana Cemetery, used during the 1st millennium AD by the inhabitants of Gaochang, an ancient oasis city on the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. The Astana Cemetery contains about 1000 tombs, of which about half have been excavated. The archaeological materials obtained from these excavations include mummified human remains, as well as artifacts that traveled along the Silk Road. These materials provide a glimpse into the life and death of the ancient inhabitants of Gaochang. Visit the famous Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Among the Buddhist caves found in Turpan, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are considered most valuable.  It is the royal temple of Huihu (the predecessor of today's Uigur) State and the present remains were enlarged or renovated during that time. The murals take us back to the ancient Huihu State, where we can see the King and Queen and people from all walks of life. 

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:In Turpan

Have another day excursion in Turpan that including the visit the mysterious death city, the Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold 1,600 years ago. And then visit Emin Minaret (Sugong Pagoda) - the biggest ancient pagoda existing in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient pagoda in the country and ancient Karez Well, the underground water supply and irrigation system.

Emin Minaret

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:In Korla

In the morning, take a long drive (8hours) to Korla, an oasis town on Peacock River, at the northern edge on the Taklamakan Desert. During the way, you will have chance to visit the Iron Gate Pass which is of strategically historical significance because it formed a vulnerable bottle-neck on the Silk Road. Upon arrival take a boat trip on Bosten Lake which is the largest fresh water lake in China (CNY600 per boat per time on your own expense).

Bosten Lake

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Kuqa

Today, get up early and continue your long driving journey to Kuqa(300km, about 4hours). Visit Subash Ancient City, which was once a glorious city spanning both sides of a river flowing down eastwards from the Tian Shan Mountains into the Taklimakan Desert of the Tarim Basin. 

Then visit The Kuqa Grand Mosque is the second largest mosque in Xinjiang, right after the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar. Made of bricks, it was reconstructed after the original mosque was burned down in 1931. Within its compound is Xinjiang's sole religious court. Kuqa Mosque is the only mosque in China having preserved the Shariya (Islamic Court) System.

The next stop is Kizilgagha Old Beacon Tower, which was built in Han Dynasty as the alarm tower for the frontier guards. Fire was lighted at night while smokes were set off in day time. 

Kuqa Old City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Shaya

Take another driving to Shaya County (300km), enroute we will stop to visit Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, the largest existing Buddhist stone caves in Xinjiang and the oldest, the largest and westernmost Buddhist grottoes in China. Kizil Caves was originally excavated from about the 3rd century BC, nearly 260 years earlier  than Dunhuang Mogao Caves. Then explore Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, whias was formed by wind and rain over billions of years ago. The canyon is 5.5 kilometers long from east to west with an average depth of 1,600 meters. The reddish-brown mountains of the grand and rugged canyon are in different shapes. Gullies and trenches can be found everywhere.

Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Hotan

Take a drive through the Taklamakan Desert to Hotan (600km), home to some very well known archaeological sites in China. In the late 18th century many explorers from England, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, came to Hotan where some of them almost lost their lives in the desert.

Taklamakan Desert Highway

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:In Hotan

After a breakfast a local hotel, then enjoy a leisure day in Hotan. First, have a leisurely walk around Hotan Old Town. Hotan is famous for its Jade and jade products. Explore in the Jade Bazaar, where you may find something captivating you. Then we could go to Yulong River, where many people try to discover a raw jade stone. Then walk into a silk workshop, where you will learn how the colorful and ethnic featured silk products are made. Hang out in the night market as a local, explore and taste the local snacks. 

Hotan Old City and Night Market

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:In Kashgar

Drive from Hotan to Kashgar for 7 hours ( 500 km), enroute visit the Mausoleum of Amannisa Khan, which was constructed in memory of Amannisa Khan - an excellent musician and poetess. She accomplished many masterpieces and regulated Twelve Muqam with some folk artists. The mausoleum looks like a very fragile building with a round tower and 20 carved pillars around it. There are beautiful plaster carvings on the inner dome and the names of the Twelve Muqam suites on the wall.  Then move to Shache Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park, where you will experience the multi-ethnic Shache folk customs. 

Shache

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:In Kashgar

Today, take a visit to Zhiren Street, an old street with an amazing hand-made stuff from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments. Then continue your trip to Id Kah Mosque, which is one of the largest and busiest in China. Then, you can take a short visit to Apak Hoja Tomb. If it is Sunday, the local Bazaar will be a good place for you to have a visit. This ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan. Then enjoy a leisurely tea break in the Kashgar Old Town. 

Kashgar Old City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Kashgar

Take a tour through the Karakurum Highway to Karakul Lake, enjoy the beautiful snow- capped mountain of Muztagh Ata and the lake. After the tour, drive back to Kashgar for overnight. You could choose to walk around and explore the local market in the free time.

Karakurum High Way and Karakul Lake

Meals: Breakfast
 

Free at leisure then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to next destination.
 

Service Ends