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Venture across Southern Xinjiang on a nine-day journey where the Silk Road reveals deserts, snow peaks, ancient grottoes, and living traditions. From Urumqi’s mountain lakes to the crimson cliffs of Kuqa, the Buddhist caves of Aksu, and the high-altitude landscapes of Tashkurghan, the route unfolds in dramatic contrasts. In Kashgar, history endures in its bazaars, mosques, and winding alleys, offering a deep immersion in Uyghur heritage. This journey blends geological wonders with cultural encounters, carrying the echoes of empires across Central Asia’s frontier.
Arrive in Urumqi, where your driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Take the rest of the day to rest, acclimate, and prepare for the journey ahead.
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Meals: None
Travel through Gangou Valley and past the Dabancheng Wind Power Plant, where turbines rise against the mountains. Stop in Toksun County for a cruise on Bosten Lake, one of China’s largest inland freshwater lakes. Continue to Korla, crossing landscapes that shift from grassland to desert.
Accommodation: Overnight in Korla
Meals: Breakfast
Drive to Kuqa County and explore the Kuqa Grand Canyon, its red cliffs carved into surreal shapes by centuries of wind and water. For a closer experience, ride camels along the canyon floor and take in the vast scale of the formations.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kuqa
Meals: Breakfast
Journey to Aksu, where the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves reveal intricate murals and Buddhist heritage along the Silk Road. Continue to the Wensu Grand Canyon, where dramatic cliffs and deep gorges create one of Xinjiang’s most striking landscapes.
Accommodation: Overnight in Aksu
Meals: Breakfast
Travel through Maralbexi County to visit the Bachu Red Sea Scenic Area and the ancient Populus Euphratica Forest, a desert woodland known for its resilience and golden autumn colors. Enjoy a traditional roasted fish lunch before continuing to Kashgar across vast southern Xinjiang landscapes.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Drive the Karakoram Highway, pausing at White Sand Mountain and White Sand Lake, where sand dunes meet alpine lakes. Continue to Karakuri Lake, set beneath Muztagh Ata, whose snowy summit reflects in turquoise waters. By evening, reach Tashkurghan, a highland town on the Pamir Plateau.
Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkurghan
Meals: Breakfast
Visit the Alar National Wetland Park and the ruins of Tashkurghan Stone City, offering sweeping views over grasslands and mountains. Later, drive the Panlong Ancient Road (Waqia Highway), a dramatic mountain route with serpentine bends and panoramic vistas, before returning to Kashgar.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast
Immerse yourself in Kashgar’s Ancient City, where Uyghur traditions continue in winding alleys and mud-brick homes. Witness the ceremonial gate-opening, visit the Id Kah Mosque, and pause for tea at Bainian Tea House, a local institution alive with conversation. End the day with a farewell dinner celebrating Xinjiang flavors.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the airport or train station for your onward journey, taking with you memories of deserts, mountains, and the enduring spirit of the Silk Road.
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
