D1 Arrive in Kashgar

 

Meals: None

 

Fly to Kashgar from Beijing, Chengdu, or another major city according to your travel arrangements. Upon arrival, meet your private guide and driver and transfer to your hotel.

 

Depending on your arrival time, take a short city tour in the afternoon or evening. Explore the lively streets of Kashgar and get your first impression of this historic Silk Road city and its distinctive Uyghur culture.

 

Stay overnight in Kashgar.

 

D2 Kashgar City Tour

 

Meals: Breakfast

 

Begin your Kashgar sightseeing with a visit to the Abakh Khoja Tomb, also known as the Fragrant Concubine Tomb. This historic mausoleum provides an introduction to the history, architecture, and cultural traditions of the local Uyghur people.

 

Continue to the Kashgar Livestock Market, also known as the Cow and Goat Bazaar. Local farmers and traders gather here to buy and sell livestock, offering an interesting glimpse into traditional commerce and everyday life in southern Xinjiang.

 

In the afternoon, return to the city and explore Kashgar Old City. Visit the exterior grounds of Id Kah Mosque, one of Kashgar’s most important Islamic landmarks, and admire its distinctive architecture.

 

Then take your time wandering through the old town’s narrow lanes and traditional neighborhoods. Browse local handicraft shops and discover regional specialties and Muslim cuisine while experiencing the lively atmosphere of this historic city.

 

Stay overnight in Kashgar.

 

D3 Kashgar – Tashkurgan

 

Distance: about 290 km | Driving time: about 5.5 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Today, travel from Kashgar toward Tashkurgan across the spectacular Pamir Plateau, close to China’s borders with Pakistan and other Central Asian countries.

 

Along the way, visit Baisha Lake, a striking alpine lake surrounded by white sand dunes. Enjoy the unusual contrast between the pale desert-like landscape and the clear blue-green water.

 

Continue your journey through the Pamir mountains and enjoy magnificent views of Muztagh Ata (Muztagh Peak) and Karakul Lake. The snow-capped mountains, high-altitude grasslands, and tranquil lake create some of the most impressive scenery in southern Xinjiang.

 

Arrive in Tashkurgan in the late afternoon. Take a leisurely walk around the highland town and experience the distinctive culture and traditions of the local Tajik people.

 

Stay overnight in Tashkurgan.

 

D4 Tashkurgan – Kashgar

 

Meals: Breakfast

 

Spend the morning exploring the beautiful landscapes around Tashkurgan. Enjoy the vast plateau grasslands, mountain valleys, and snow-capped peaks while experiencing the peaceful atmosphere of this remote highland region.

 

In the afternoon, begin your return journey to Kashgar.

 

Arrive in Kashgar later in the day and check in to your hotel.

 

Stay overnight in Kashgar.

 

D5 Kashgar – Hotan

 

Distance: about 500 km | Driving time: about 5.5 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Leave Kashgar in the morning and travel east toward Hotan, one of the historic oasis cities of southern Xinjiang and an important center of Uyghur culture.

 

Today’s journey takes you along the edge of the vast Taklamakan Desert. Enjoy the changing scenery as fertile oasis landscapes gradually give way to dry desert terrain.

 

Arrive in Hotan in the late afternoon. Take a relaxing walk around the city to stretch your legs after the long drive. If time permits, you can also visit the Hotan Museum to learn more about the history and archaeology of this ancient Silk Road region.

 

Stay overnight in Hotan.

 

D6 Hotan – Minfeng – Qiemo

 

Distance: about 583 km | Driving time: about 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Continue your overland journey along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert.

 

Travel through Minfeng and continue toward Qiemo, enjoying the changing desert scenery along the way. Depending on road and weather conditions, you may have opportunities to stop at small villages and oasis settlements to observe local life.

 

If time permits, visit the Niya Archaeological Site or Niya Museum to learn about the ancient Kingdom of Jingjue and the Silk Road settlements that once flourished in this remote desert region. Archaeological discoveries from the area include remarkably preserved ancient remains dating back more than a thousand years.

 

Continue to Qiemo and check in to your hotel.

 

Stay overnight in Qiemo.

 

D7 Qiemo – Tazhong

 

Distance: about 216 km | Driving time: about 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Today, enter deeper into the Taklamakan Desert as your overland journey continues across its vast interior.

 

The landscape becomes increasingly dominated by sand dunes and desert vegetation. Along the way, you may see hardy poplar trees, including diversifolious poplars, growing in this extremely arid environment.

 

Enjoy the vast and remote desert scenery before arriving at Tazhong, a small settlement in the heart of the Taklamakan Desert.

 

Stay overnight in Tazhong.

 

D8 Tazhong – Luntai

 

Distance: about 331 km | Driving time: about 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Continue your desert-driving adventure today as you travel north across the Taklamakan region toward Luntai County.

 

Enjoy the ever-changing desert landscape, with vast sand dunes, desert vegetation, and isolated poplar trees along the route.

 

Upon arrival in Luntai, visit the Tarim Poplar Forest Park, one of the most scenic natural areas in the Tarim Basin. The park is famous for its diversifolious poplar trees (Populus euphratica), which are known for their unusual shapes and remarkable ability to survive in harsh desert conditions.

 

Stay overnight in Luntai.

 

D9 Luntai – Turpan

 

Distance: about 555 km | Driving time: about 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Today is another long driving day as you travel from Luntai to Turpan.

 

Enjoy the changing landscapes of the Tarim Basin and the desert scenery along the way. As you approach Turpan, the landscape gradually changes from desert to oasis.

 

Upon arrival, visit Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient earthen cities along the Silk Road. Built on a naturally formed plateau, the ruins preserve the remains of streets, temples, residences, and other structures.

 

Explore the ancient city and learn about its important role in the history of the Silk Road, with a history dating back more than 2,000 years.

 

Stay overnight in Turpan.

 

D10 Turpan – Urumqi

 

Distance: about 198 km | Driving time: about 2 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Begin your Turpan sightseeing with a visit to the Karez Well System, an ingenious ancient irrigation network. The underground channels transported water from the surrounding mountains to the Turpan oasis, allowing agriculture and settlements to thrive in this extremely dry region.

 

Then visit Gaochang Ancient City, another important Silk Road settlement near Turpan. Walk among the extensive ruins and learn about the history of this once-prosperous oasis city and its role in cultural and commercial exchange along the Silk Road.

 

In the afternoon, drive back to Urumqi and check in to your hotel.

 

Stay overnight in Urumqi.

 

D11 Urumqi Departure

 

Meals: Breakfast

 

After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to Urumqi Airport or Railway Station according to your onward travel arrangements.

 

Take your flight or train to your next destination.

 

Your 11-day Southern Xinjiang desert overland tour ends here.

Price Inclusions and Exclusions:

 

Our prices included:

1. Entrance tickets: The tickets of all the scenic spots listed above.

2. Guide. An English speaking guide will be provided, who will accompany you from the start of tour to end of tour.

3. Private Transfers during tour. Our guide and driver will pick-up you at your hotel on time and drop-off you after the tours. And an air-conditioned vehicle will be provided during the tour.

4. Hotel. Provide 10 nights’ hotel, 4 star level hotels. Every two people share one room.

5. Service Charge & Government Taxes.

6. 9 lunches.

7. Insurance.  We provide a free insurance of accident and casualty for each traveler. The highest refund is RMB 300000.00. Detailed terms please view our contract with Ping An of China.  

 

Our prices not included :

1. The tips to the driver and guide.

2. Your personal expenses.

3. Anything not mentioned.