Trip Overview
Xinjiang, situated in the west of China, has a vast area covering 966,000 square meters, 16% of China\'s territory. Xinjiang is an extraordinary area due to its rich and ethnically persity. The Tianshan Mountain geographically pides Xinjiang into two parts as the South and the North.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive at Urumqi
Our guide will meet you in Urumqi.
For over two thousand years, the area around Urumqi has been lush pastures populated by many minorities who herded sheep and cattle, Urumqi actually meaning "beautiful pastures" in Mongolian.
In the afternoon, drive to visit the Heavenly Lake, which is a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offering amazing scenery to us.
Tonight, we will enjoy welcome dinner.
Overnight the Hotel World Plaza in Urumqi
Meals: D
Day 2 Urumqi to Kashgar
In the morning, take flight from Urumqi to Kashgar.
On arrival, explore the Sunday Bazaar for the entire day.
Sunday Bazaar, in Uygur means "farm trade market." The bazaar in Kashgar is the biggest in central Asia.
In the evening, enjoy a Tajik dance performance.
Overnight Global Golden hotel in Kashgar
Meals：D
Day 3 Kashgar to Lake Karakul
In the morning, drive about 4 hours to Lake Karakul, known as the father of glaciers.
The Lake Karakul might be frozen as well. In summer time, its pastures were full of yak, horses, and camels belonging to the nearby Kirghiz village of Subashi.We will visit in the local nomad family to visit their daily life and enjoy their butter milk.
Overnight Yurt by Lake Karakul
Meals：B, L, D
Day 4 Lake Karakul to Kashgar
With the delight of viewing sunrise by the lake, drive back to Kashgar after breakfast and visit the old town of Kashgar.
The old town is entirely Uygur, very few Han people around. Then pay a visit to the Id Kah Mosque, the largest in mosque in China.
Keep on exploring the city with the escort of our local tour guide.
Overnight Global Golden hotel in Kashgar
Meals：B, L
Day 5 Kashgar to Khotan
Today, rise early to Taklimakan Desert to Khotan (Hetian), the center of an area growing cotton, corn, wheat, rice, and fruit.
The road to Khotan is lined with many small oasis towns, and occasionally we stop to visit the local mosques and bazaars.
Overnight Khotan Zhejiang Grand Hotel
Meals：B, D
Day 6 Khotan to Minfeng County
Today, visit one or two family workshops to see how carpets, silk, and other handicrafts are traditionally made, and have the opportunity to pick up some of these treasures for ourselves. Then set out for Minfeng, crossing over the heart of the Taklamakan Desert. If departing during the summer, we have the vast and uncompromising wilderness around us.
We are also visit Khotan Jade Carve.
Overnight Niya Hotel in Minfeng County
Meals：B, L
Day7 Minfeng county to Kucha
Today, cross the Taklamakan Desert over 200Kms, get to the land with river, green grass and forest, and highway of Luntai. Then arrive at Kucha on the Northern Silk Road. Having arrived in the late afternoon, firstly freshen up at the hotel before a traditional dinner of Uygur food at a local restaurant.
Overnight Lidu Hotel in Kucha
Meals：B, D
Day 8 Kucha
After the long drive yesterday, enjoy a leisure morning before visiting Kucha Mosque, where the local people come there for their worship every day.
Then see the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, praised as treasury of art is famous for its wonderful murals and statuaries.
Overnight Lidu Hotel in Kucha
Meals：B, L
Day 9 Kucha
In the morning, roam through the open Kucha bazaar and see local mosque while heading out to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves in the afternoon.
On our way to the Kizilya Valley, where the rocks in the red mountain appear to be the result of a huge explosion, visit the ruins of the ancient city of Subashi, or "old Kucha."
Overnight Lidu Hotel in kucha
Meals：B, D
Day 10 Kucha to Urumqi and Depart Urumqi
Enjoy leisure time in the morning, take flight from Kucha to Urumqi, then take connecting fight back home or other destination.
Trip ends.
Meals：B
