Kashgar City Cultural Walking Tour

Kashgar - Known as “the best-preserved example of a traditional Silk Road city in Central Asia,” Kashgar is evolving with development. As a cultural hub in China, it ranks among the top Silk Road destinations. Today, enjoy a full-day excursion visiting the Kashgar Sunday Livestock Market, Apak Hoja Tomb, Idkah Mosque, and the old town, while savoring local Uyghur dishes like kebabs and hand-pulled noodles at the finest Uyghur restaurant in Kashgar.

Kashgar Livestock Market - The guide will lead a visit to the livestock market, offering a glimpse into the authentic lives and business practices of Uyghur farmers.

Abakh Hoja Tomb - This well-preserved shrine in Kashgar showcases unique 17th-century architecture. Experience a live Uyghur wedding and dance performance.

Kashgar-Tashkorgan via Karakoram Highway/5hr drive

Karakul Lake - A rare highland lake at 3,600 meters elevation, located 200 km southwest of Kashgar along the Karakoram Highway. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks like Mt. Muztagh Ata (7,546m) and Konggur (7,649m), there’s an opportunity to hike around the lake if time permits.

Muztagata - Upon arrival at Karakul Lake, view the renowned Muztagh Ata peak, standing at 7,546 meters.

Tashkurgan Fort - Explore the stone city ruins with a 2,000-year history.

Tashkorgan - Return to Kashgar via Karakoram Highway /5hr drive

Kashgar - Depart early to drive along the scenic “Dragon Road,” a must-see in Xinjiang, then return to Kashgar. En route, visit Taheman Grassland, Karakul Lake, and Sand Mountain Lake along the Karakoram Highway, arriving back in Kashgar by evening.

Kashgar-Shache - Heitan/Hotan (Khotan/和田）/6hr drive

Hotan Tours/2hr drive

Hotan-Kuqa (Kucha, 库车）via crossing Taklamakan Desert from south to north/9hr drive

Kucha Tours - Night train to Turpan

Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (Kezi’er Qian Fo Dong) - Among China’s best-preserved ancient Buddhist art sites. A professional guide will explain each Buddha painting in the caves.

Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - A canyon nestled in the Tianshan Mountains, surrounded by red peaks.

Arrive in Turpan and start the tour

Turpan - After breakfast at a local restaurant, begin the Turpan tour, visiting the Karez Well, Tuyuq Valley, Bezaklik Thousand Caves, Gaochang Ancient City, Emin Minaret, and Turpan Museum.

Turpan Kariz Underground Water System - An ancient irrigation system in Turpan, operational for thousands of years.

Tuyugouxiang - A unique old village showcasing the culture of Turpan’s locals.

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - A well-preserved ancient city ruin in Xinjiang.

Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) - The only minaret mosque on China’s Silk Road.

Turpan Tours then drive to Urumqi

Turpan - Situated in China’s deepest basin, the Turpan Basin, in the northeastern Taklimakan Desert. A key city on the Middle Silk Road, it was a Uyghur Buddhist cultural center until the 14th century when Islam became dominant. Turpan boasts well-preserved Buddhist historical sites, some protected by UNESCO.

Spend the day visiting Turpan’s historical sites, including Emin Minaret, Karez Well Museum, Bezaklik Buddha Caves, Jiaohe Ancient City, Gaochang Ancient City, Tuyuq Village, and enjoy a traditional lunch with a local Uyghur family in Tuyuq Village.

Emin Minaret (Sugong Ta in Chinese): The tallest minaret mosque in China (44m, 144ft), built in 1777, featuring elegant circular Uyghur architecture.

Karez Wells: A 5,000 km long system, one of China’s greatest constructions. Turpan’s Karez water system consists of vertically dug wells linked by underground canals, channeling water from the Tian Shan Mountains and Flaming Mountains to the surface, utilizing gravity from the Turpan Depression’s slope. Mostly underground to minimize evaporation.

Jiaohe (Yarghul in Uyghur) Ancient City: Known as Yarghul by Uyghurs, this well-preserved, excavated mud city ruin dates back to 1800 BC, abandoned in the 14th century AD when Islam became dominant. Built on a large islet (1,650 m long, 300 m wide) in a river, it lacked walls due to natural defenses. Recently protected by UNESCO.

Tuyuk Valley: A charming old valley with a typical Uyghur village, offering insights into the traditional Uyghur lifestyle in Turpan.

Bezaklik Thousand Buddha Caves: A complex of Buddhist cave grottos from the 5th to 9th centuries, featuring 77 rock-cut caves with murals of Buddha, Indians, Persians, and Europeans. The murals vary in quality, with some being masterpieces of religious art. Overnight stay in a Turpan hotel.

Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) - The guide will lead a tour of this ancient city, explaining its history.

Xinjiang Int’l. Dabazha Scenic Spot - Upon arrival in Urumqi, visit the international grand bazaar.

Urumqi - Museum - Heavenly Lake

Urumqi - Drive from Turpan to Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital, enjoying the Tianshan Mountain range and wind power plants. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and take a walking tour of the international grand bazaar.

Departure from Urumqi, guide and driver will drop you off at the train station.

Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport - The guide and driver will escort you to the airport, concluding your tour.

• Necessary permits for foreigners to travel on the Karakoram Highway to Tashkorgan
• Sleeper Train ticket from Kuqa to Turpan
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Breakfast
• Knowledgeable tour guide in different languages for the whole trip
• Airport and train station pick-up and drop-off
• All expenses of the guide and driver (meals, accommodation, fuels, taxes, tolls, parking fees)
• 3-4 hotel accommodations shared by two persons per room
• All entrance fees to attractions and historical sites mentioned in the itinerary

• personal expenses
• costs of luches and dinners
• air ticket cost to arrive to Kashgar and depart from Urumqi
• Tips

This tour begins in Kashgar and ends in Urumqi, allowing you to experience all the must-see places in Xinjiang by visiting top Silk Road destinations along both the southern and northern routes. You’ll drive across the Taklimakan Desert, the second-largest shifting desert in the world, and also traverse the adventurous Karakoram Highway, which extends into Pakistan through stunning snow-capped landscapes. Xinjiang offers a diverse range of scenery, from its dry, continental landscapes in the south to its towering, snow-capped mountain peaks. The region is also rich in historical ruins and archaeological sites. Following the path of Marco Polo on this tour could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.