D1 Urumqi City Tour – Red Hill Park – Xinjiang Museum – Tianchi Lake
Meals: Lunch
Your private guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Urumqi in the morning and begin your Urumqi sightseeing tour with a visit to Red Hill Park, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Red Hill is named for its distinctive reddish-brown rocks and rises above the center of Urumqi. At the summit stands the nine-story Zhenlong Pagoda, offering panoramic views over the city and the surrounding mountains. Take a leisurely walk through the park and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Urumqi from the hilltop.
Next, visit the Xinjiang Museum, an excellent place to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s diverse history and cultures. Established in 1953, the museum houses collections featuring ethnic minority cultures, archaeological discoveries from the ancient Silk Road, textiles, and other historical artifacts. Its exhibits also include well-preserved ancient human remains discovered in Xinjiang’s desert regions.
After lunch, drive to Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake), located in the Tianshan Mountains about an hour and a half from central Urumqi. Known as Yaochi, or the “Jade Lake,” in ancient Chinese legends, Tianchi is a high-mountain alpine lake formed by ancient glacial activity.
The crescent-shaped lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and alpine scenery. Fed mainly by melted snow from the surrounding mountains, Tianchi Lake offers one of the most impressive natural landscapes near Urumqi. Enjoy a relaxing walk along the lakeshore and take in the spectacular views before returning to Urumqi for the night.
Overnight: Urumqi
D2 Urumqi – Turpan – Jiaohe Ancient City – Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves – Flaming Mountains
Meals: Lunch
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive from Urumqi to Turpan, a journey of approximately two hours.
Upon arrival, visit Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites along the ancient Silk Road. Once the capital of the Jushi (Chechi) Kingdom, Jiaohe later became an important military and administrative center during the Han and Tang dynasties.
Built on a naturally elevated plateau between two river valleys, Jiaohe is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved earthen architecture. Walk through the ancient streets and explore the remains of temples, government buildings, residential areas, and defensive structures while learning about Turpan’s important role on the ancient Silk Road.
Continue to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, a historic Buddhist grotto complex set among the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains. Dating mainly from the Gaochang Kingdom and later periods, the caves were once an important Buddhist center in the Turpan region. The surviving murals and architectural remains provide valuable insights into the religious and cultural exchanges that took place along the ancient Silk Road.
After lunch, visit the spectacular Flaming Mountains, located in the heart of the Turpan Depression. The mountains are famous for their striking red sandstone landscape and their association with the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.
Under the intense Xinjiang sunlight, the red rock formations can appear to glow like flames, giving the mountains their evocative name. Enjoy views of the rugged landscape and learn about the geological and cultural significance of this famous Turpan landmark.
After sightseeing, your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel in Turpan, where your 2-day Urumqi and Turpan tour comes to an end.
Overnight: Turpan
Our prices included:
1. Hotel Pick-up and drop-off
2. Air-conditioned tour vehicle
3. English Speaking tour guide
4. Two typical Chinese lunches
Our prices not included :
1. Tips to the guide and driver
2. Accommodation in Urumqi.
Pick-up point and time: Your Hotel between 7:00am and 8:30am
Finishing point and time: Your Hotel around 6:00pm
If you require, we can book hotels in Chengdu, and make private airport and city tour necessary.
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