12 Day Southern Xinjiang Tour China Kashgar and Pamir Plateau

Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, Xinjiang - Check into a hotel

1. Urumqi
   2h
   After arriving in Urumqi, Xinjiang today, you will rest and then check into the hotel. If you arrive early today, before 22:00 Beijing time, you can take a taxi or subway to Xinjiang International Bazaar. Today, we only provide airport pick-up and do not provide tourist transportation.
   Please note that our itinerary does not include lunch and dinner. All hotels on the itinerary include breakfast. We will depart after you finish breakfast at the hotel, and the driver will communicate with you about where to dine for lunch and dinner. Xinjiang mainly serves noodles. If you need to communicate with us in advance about the dining locations for lunch and dinner or if you are unsure about the itinerary, you can send us an email for further communication.

Day 2: Urumqi - Bosten Lake - Korla - Check in hotel

1. 2h
   By taking a vehicle around the lake (about half the distance around the lake), you can get off in front of your favorite scenery and take photos for sightseeing.

Day 3: Korla – Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon – Kuqa Royal Palace – Kuqa Grand Mosque – Kuqa.

1. Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast is available at the hotel restaurant at 8:00 AM. We will depart at around 9:00 AM, then drive to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon (approx. 2.5 hours for sightseeing). Lunch will be served at about 14:00. Next, visit Kuqa Royal Palace (approx. 1 hour) and Kuqa Grand Mosque (approx. 30 minutes). After dinner at around 20:00, transfer to Kuqa and check into the hotel.

Day 4: Kuqa – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon – Aksu.

1. Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (Kezi'er Qian Fo Dong)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 AM. Depart around 9:00 AM for the scenic spots. Visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (approx.1.5 hours). Lunch can be taken at the entrance of Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon, or you may bring your own snacks. Explore Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon (approx.4 hours). After dinner at around 20:30, transfer to Aksu and check into the hotel.

Day 5: Aksu –Id Kah Mosque – Fragrant Concubine Garden, check into hotel in Kashgar.

1. Id Kah Mosque
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 AM, we depart for Kashgar around 9:00 AM and arrive at approximately 15:00. Have lunch near Fragrant Concubine Garden(or Id Kah Mosque), then apply for the Border Permit before visiting the garden. We will head back to the hotel for an early rest, as we will travel to highland areas tomorrow. Our driver will drop you at the hotel, and you may find dinner nearby on your own.

Day 6: Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Muztagh Ata Glacier Park – Tashkurgan.

1. Karakul Lake Tours
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 AM. Lunch time and location are flexible today, please bring some snacks. We depart around 9:00 AM to Karakul Lake (approx.1 hour sightseeing), then Muztagh Ata Glacier Park (approx.4.5 hours sightseeing). Arrive in Tashkurgan around 20:00, have dinner and check into the hotel.

Day 7: Tashkurgan – Stone City – Panlong Ancient Road – White Sand Lake – Kashgar.

1. Shitou City Ruins
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast will be served at the hotel at 8:00 in the morning, and the time and location for lunch today are uncertain. You can bring some snacks with you and depart around 9:00 to the Stone City Scenic Area (the sightseeing time in the scenic area is about 1.5 hours. If you have time to play yesterday, you will go there yesterday. If you don't have time yesterday, you will go to the scenic area this morning). Afterwards, you will go to Panlong Ancient Road and Baisha Lake Scenic Area (the sightseeing time is about 1.5 hours), and arrive in Kashgar City. Dinner time is around 21:00, and then you can check into the hotel

Day 8: Kashgar – Kashgar Old Town – Hotan.

1. Kashgar Old Town
   6h
   Breakfast at hotel restaurant at 8:00 AM. Depart around 9:00 AM for Kashgar Old Town. The city opening ceremony starts at roughly 10:00; arrive early to get a good spot. Explore the old town for about 6 hours and have lunch inside the ancient town. We leave for Hotan at 16:30 and arrive around 21:00. Have dinner and check into the hotel.

Day 9: Hotan – Ahe Desert Highway – Aral.

1. 6h
   Breakfast at hotel restaurant at 8:00 AM. Depart around 9:00 AM towards Aral. Today we cross the Taklamakan Desert in China. There are service stations along the route for meals, or you can bring snacks. Arrive in Aral around 20:00, have dinner and check into the hotel.

Day 10: Aral – Tarim Poplar Forest Park – Korla.

1. Tarim Populus Euphratica National Forest Park
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at hotel restaurant at 8:00 AM. Depart around 9:00 AM for Tarim Poplar Forest Park. Lunch near the park at about 14:00, sightseeing lasts approx.5 hours. Then drive to Korla and arrive around 21:00, have dinner and check into the hotel.

Day 11: Korla – Luobu Village – Urumqi.

1. Luobupo Marsh
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at hotel restaurant at 8:00 AM. Depart around 9:00 AM to Luobu Village (approx.3 hours sightseeing). Afterwards drive to Urumqi, arriving at Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar around 18:00. Have dinner nearby and check into the hotel.

Day 12: Departure

1. Urumqi
   1h
   We will arrange airport transfer according to your flight time, and the tour ends after drop-off.

Pickup details

We will pick you up at Urumqi airport arrival hall. Your driver will wait for you holding a sign printed with the lead traveler’s full name. Please stay in the arrival area after landing and keep your phone available.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels