D1 Urumqi City Tour

 

Meals: None

 

Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Depending on your arrival time, meet your private guide and driver and begin a city tour.

 

Visit Red Hill Park, one of Urumqi’s best-known landmarks, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. Later, explore the lively Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, a great place to experience the multicultural atmosphere of Xinjiang. Browse traditional handicrafts, ethnic textiles, dried fruits, spices, souvenirs, and other local specialties.

 

Stay overnight in Urumqi.

 

D2 Urumqi – Tianchi Lake – Kuitun

 

Distance: about 359 km | Driving time: about 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drive to Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake), about one hour from Urumqi.

 

Nestled among the mountains, Tianchi Lake is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise water, alpine forests, and dramatic mountain scenery. Take a relaxing walk around the lakeshore and enjoy the peaceful natural landscape. On a clear day, you may also see snow-capped peaks rising in the distance.

 

After the visit, continue west toward Kuitun in the afternoon. Arrive in Kuitun and check in to your hotel.

 

Stay overnight in Kuitun.

 

D3 Kuitun – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Nalati

 

Distance: about 228 km | Driving time: about 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Today begins your journey along the spectacular Duku Highway, one of China’s most scenic mountain roads. Travel from Dushanzi, near Kuitun, toward Nalati and enjoy dramatic changes in scenery along the way.

 

Your first stop is the impressive Dushanzi Grand Canyon, where deep valleys, steep cliffs, and rugged mountain formations create a spectacular landscape.

 

Continue along the winding Duku Highway through the Tianshan Mountains. The road crosses different elevations and landscapes, allowing you to experience dramatic changes in vegetation and scenery within a single journey.

 

Arrive in Nalati Town in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel.

 

Stay overnight in Nalati.

 

D4 Nalati – Bayinbuluke – Kuqa

 

Distance: about 355 km | Driving time: about 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Continue your journey along the southern section of the Duku Highway today.

 

Travel through the spectacular Tianshan mountain landscape toward Bayinbuluke, a vast highland grassland famous for its open meadows, rivers, wetlands, and surrounding snow-capped mountains. Enjoy the changing scenery as the road crosses high mountain passes and alpine valleys.

 

Continue your drive south toward Kuqa (Kucha) and arrive in the late afternoon.

 

Stay overnight in Kuqa.

 

D5 Kuqa City Tour

 

Meals: Breakfast

 

Begin your Kuqa sightseeing with a visit to the Kuqa Palace, a historic residence associated with the rulers of the former Kuqa region. Explore the traditional architecture and learn more about the local history and culture.

 

Continue to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, one of the most important Buddhist cave complexes along the ancient Silk Road. Admire the surviving murals and sculptures while learning about the development and prosperity of Buddhism in this historic region.

 

In the afternoon, explore Kuqa Grand Canyon, a spectacular geological landscape featuring towering cliffs, deep valleys, and striking red rock formations. The canyon provides an excellent opportunity to appreciate the distinctive geological scenery of southern Xinjiang.

 

Stay overnight in Kuqa.

 

D6 Kuqa – Tarim Poplar Forest – Korla

 

Distance: about 350 km | Driving time: about 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Leave Kuqa in the morning and travel toward Luntai County to visit the Tarim Poplar Forest.

 

Located on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, the forest is famous for its ancient diversifolious poplar trees (Populus euphratica), whose twisted trunks and unusual shapes create a striking contrast with the surrounding desert landscape.

 

Explore the forest and enjoy the remarkable scenery where golden poplar trees meet the vast desert. The journey also offers opportunities to appreciate the changing landscapes of the Tarim Basin.

 

Continue to Korla in the afternoon and arrive in the city later in the day.

 

Stay overnight in Korla.

 

D7 Korla – Turpan

 

Distance: about 377 km | Driving time: about 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast

 

Drive from Korla to Turpan today, traveling through the distinctive desert and oasis landscapes of Xinjiang.

 

Upon arrival in Turpan, visit the remarkable 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 from the ancient city.

 

Explore the ruins and learn about the history of this important Silk Road settlement, which dates back more than 2,000 years.

 

Stay overnight in Turpan.

 

D8 Turpan – Urumqi

 

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

Meals: Breakfast

 

Begin the morning with a visit to the Karez Well System, an ingenious ancient irrigation network that transported underground water from the surrounding mountains to the Turpan oasis. Learn how this remarkable system supported agriculture and settlements in one of China’s driest regions.

 

Continue to the spectacular Flaming Mountains, famous for their red-orange ridges and their association with the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and the legendary Monkey King.

 

Then visit the ruins of Gaochang Ancient City, another important Silk Road settlement near Turpan. Walk through the remains of the ancient city and learn about its role as a major center of trade and cultural exchange.

 

In the afternoon, drive back to Urumqi.

 

Stay overnight in Urumqi.

 

D9 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 9-day Xinjiang 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 8 nights’ hotel, 4 star level hotels. Every two people share one room.

5. Service Charge & Government Taxes.

6. 8 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.