8-Day Classical Xinjiang Silk Road Tour

Tour Overview
In ancient times, there was once a big section of the Silk Road traversed Xinjiang, China. This vicinal Xinjiang tour will lead you to explore the most famous historical sites in Central Asia, unique Uighur civilization, wonderful natural views of Xinjiang, and the special local customs...

Day 1 Beijing/Urumqi /Turpan (no meals)
Fly to Urumqi from Beijing. Meet your guide at the airport and then be transferred to city center hotel. In the evening take a walk in the Grand Night Market with an option of trying the local food including a big variety of BBQs.

Day 2 Urumqi (B, L, D)
This morning, visit the Provincial Museum housing a rich collection of relics dating back to more than 3000 years ago. Later drive to the Heavenly Lake. After a lake side picnic lunch walk around the Lake. Drive back to Urumqi for dinner near the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy an evening walk in the Grand Bazaar and then transfer back to hotel.

Day 3 Turpan (B, L, D)
After breakfast, drive to Turpan (3hrs). Upon arrival, visit Emin Minaret (Sugong Pagoda) which was built in 1777 by a local hereditary religious leader. Lunch at a local family in the Grape Valley, and then visit the Ancient City of Jiaohe which is located on a bluff above the confluence of the two major rivers. Jiaohe Ruins is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Day 4 Turpan (B, L, D)
Drive through the mountains, passing some legendary sites like the Flamming Hill, depicted in the Monkey King stories. Visit the Gaochang City Ruins, where the famous Monk (the Monk in the Monkey King story) made his sermons. Gaochang witnessed the Chinese garrison town on the silk road 1st century AD. To stay away from the heat, a ride on a donkey cart is a good experience. The Astana Tombs is a 3rd century burial ground for the nobles of Gaochang Kingdom, now known as an underground museum. Drive to the Bezeklic Caves (built in 4th century) for the Buddhist Art. In the afternoon you visit Toyuk valley, a beautiful landscape housing more Buddhist arts in the Grottos. Drive to Urumqi and check in your hotel. Dinner at Jam Restaurant.

Day 5 Urumqi/Kashgar (B)
After breakfast, be picked up to the train station for overnight train to Kashgar. Lunch and dinner would be on your own on the train.

Day 6 Kashgar (B, L, D)
Arrive Kashgar and be picked up to the hotel. After lunch visit the Mausoleum of Abjak Hoja (a 17th century Muslim leader), and take a walk through the old town quarter. Pay a visit to the Id Kah Mosque with its dome and minarets. The busiest, and some say the biggest, mosque in China, Id Kah Mosque, occupies the central square of Kashgar, where it has stood since 1442. The streets are full of craftsmen including musical instrument craftsmen, jewelers and goldsmiths.

Day 7 Kashgar (B, L, D)
Drive to Karakul Lake (396km round trip), on the way you can enjoy the scenery of the magnificent Karakoram Highway, pass from beautiful village Opal, then visit Mohamat Tomb (famous Uygur scholar and linguist ).

Day 8 Kashgar/ Urumqi/Beijing (B)
Be free until you are escorted to the airport for the flight to Urumqi.  At Urumqi Airport, you will transfer to Beijing (or other destination).

Services End