Southern Xinjiang’s Grand Circle: 16-Day An Epic Silk Road Journey

Upon arrival at Urumqi airport in Xinjiang, our dedicated 24-hour pickup team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Settle in, rest, and prepare for the incredible Xinjiang journey that awaits.

Urumqi → Bosten Lake → Korla (490 km, approx. 6.5h)

After breakfast, we travel to Korla. En route, we’ll visit Bosten Lake, the largest inland freshwater lake in China. Its Mongolian name means “Standing Lake,” named for three islets that stand in its waters. This vast expanse, set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, green oases, and desert dunes, is a vibrant tapestry of life and color, truly earning its name as a “pearl in the desert sea.” The smaller lake districts, with their fragrant reeds and lotus flowers, feel like a world apart—a true “paradise on earth.”

Korla → Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon → Kuqa (430 km, approx. 5.5h)

Today we journey to the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon. Formed 140 million years ago, its massive red rock formations have been sculpted by eons of wind and water. The canyon’s entrance, flanked by three majestic peaks, is especially stunning at sunrise and sunset, glowing with a fiery intensity that rivals the famous Flaming Mountains. Its “mystery” stems from eerie sounds, shifting, phantom-like shadows, and the enigma of its unique winds and water—a place that must be experienced to be understood.

Kuqa → Kuche King’s Mansion → Old Streets → Flame Spring → Aksu (340 km, approx. 5h)

We begin by visiting the Kuche King’s Mansion, a site embodying the saying, “One mansion holds half the history of Southern Xinjiang.” First built in 1759, it witnessed the glorious fusion of the Western Regions with the Qing Dynasty. Now a “living museum,” it offers a profound dialogue with the ancient Qiuci (Kucha) Kingdom. We’ll then explore Kuqa’s old streets, including the photogenic Restan Street, Men Bazaar, and Guizi Alley. Later, we’ll witness the incredible Flame Spring, a natural phenomenon where underground gas meets the air, creating flames that dance upon boiling spring water—a millennium-old spectacle of fire and water in harmony.

Aksu → Kashgar Old City Photoshoot → Kashgar (480 km, approx. 5h)

We travel to Kashgar, China’s westernmost city and the soul of Xinjiang’s Silk Road heritage. We’ll head straight into the Kashgar Old City, the only preserved labyrinthine urban block of its kind in China. With over a thousand years of history, its culture and atmosphere are unique. Here, we’ve arranged a special ethnic-style photoshoot experience (complimentary, includes 1 set of makeup & styling, 6 retouched photos, and 30 original digital files) to capture your memories against this timeless backdrop. Afterwards, check into the hotel.

Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakoram Lake → Stone City → Tashkurgan (340 km, approx. 5.5h)

Today, we ascend the Pamir Plateau. The journey along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway (G314) is a spectacle in itself, passing through the crimson Gez Canyon. Our first stop is the surreal Baisha Lake (White Sand Lake), set against the pale, sand-dusted mountains. We then continue to Karakoram Lake, nestled at the foot of Muztagh Ata Peak, the “Father of Ice Mountains.” We will take a light trek along its shores before visiting the ancient Stone City, a formidable fortress ruin perched on a high mound. We’ll end the day at the Golden Grassland Wetlands, where a golden meadow, grazing yaks, and the silent, watchful Stone City create a scene of perfect tranquility.

Tashkurgan → Panlong Ancient Road → Bandir Blue Lake → Glacier Park → Kashgar (480 km, approx. 8h)

An epic day awaits as we conquer the Panlong Ancient Road. This 75km mountain pass, with its more than 600 hairpin turns, is a true marvel of engineering and a highlight of the Pamir Plateau. As the local saying goes, “Today you have traveled all the winding roads; henceforth your life will be a smooth path.” We then visit Bandir Blue Lake, a series of five connected reservoirs of an impossibly deep, arresting blue. Finally, we’ll visit the Muztagh Ata Glacier Park, located on the slopes of the 7,546-meter “Father of Ice Mountains.”

Kashgar → Westernmost Frontier Exploration → Kashgar (470 km, approx. 7h)

Today, we journey to the “Westernmost Point” of China. Along the way, we’ll see the Rainbow Yardang landforms, visit Shell Mountain (where ancient sea fossils are clearly visible), and witness the geological junction of the Tianshan and Kunlun mountain ranges. We’ll ascend the Westernmost Point Observation Tower for panoramic views. Our destination is Simhana Village, the last village in China to see the sunset. We will visit the Irkeshtam Port, a historic land gateway to Kyrgyzstan, and stop at the Westernmost Post Office to send a postcard from the edge of the nation.

Kashgar → Shache (Yarkand) → Hotan (510 km, approx. 6h)

After witnessing the lively opening ceremony at the Kashgar Old City’s east gate, we journey to Shache to visit the Shache Intangible Cultural Heritage Park. This magnificent, palace-like complex showcases the region’s diverse cultural architecture and 101 forms of intangible heritage, including the Twelve Muqam musical arts. As night falls, our next highlight awaits: the Hotan Night Market. Dive into a dazzling array of local delicacies, from fragrant milk nan bread and rose-flavored bread to unique dishes like “three eggs and a star,” watermelon mutton, and savory stuffed sheep stomach.

Hotan → Kurban Tulum Memorial → Minfeng (300 km, approx. 4h)

This morning, explore Hotan’s “Tuan Cheng” (Round City), a classic example of a traditional folk district radiating from a central point. We then drive to Yutian County to visit the Kurban Tulum Memorial. This patriotic education base commemorates the story of “Uncle Kurban,” whose determination to “ride a donkey to Beijing” to see Chairman Mao became a nationwide tale of unity and patriotism. Afterward, we proceed to Minfeng, the “East Gate” of Hotan, and check into our hotel.

Minfeng → Qiemo Museum → Kunlun Ancient Village → Qiemo (310 km, approx. 3.5h)

Our first stop is the Qiemo County Museum, an important window into the region’s long history, showcasing precious artifacts like an ancient vertical harp. We then venture to the Kunlun Ancient Village, nestled at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains. Here, stunning natural scenery of snow-capped peaks and vast grasslands meets a rich folk culture, including preserved ancient cave dwellings and unique architectural styles. It is a place to trace the remains of the ancient Xiao Wan kingdom of the Western Regions.

Qiemo → Milan Ruins → Loulan Museum → Ruoqiang (280 km, approx. 3h)

We head to Ruoqiang, a “treasure in the desert oasis.” Here we explore the Milan Ancient City Ruins, an important and well-preserved Han-Tang Dynasty site within the Taklamakan Desert, once known as the city of Yixun under the Loulan Kingdom. We then visit the Loulan Museum, the first museum in China dedicated to Loulan culture. See priceless artifacts unearthed from the Loulan and Xiaohe tomb sites, including its most famous exhibit: the “Loulan Beauty” mummy, a silent testament to a lost civilization.

Ruoqiang → Rob People’s Village → Korla (480 km, approx. 6h)

Today we visit the Rob People’s Village, the “only kingdom that hasn’t vanished in the desert.” This tribe, considered living fossils of the ancient Western Kingdoms, guards the last homeland of Loulan in the lowlands of the Tarim River. Here you can explore their unique culture and traditions, see the vast Taklamakan Desert up close, walk through charming poplar forests, and experience the simple resilience of a people who have thrived in one of the world’s harshest environments for centuries.

Korla → Flaming Mountains → Karez Wells → Turpan (380 km, approx. 5.5h)

We journey into the “furnace” of China, Turpan. We’ll pass the spectacular Dabancheng Wind Farm before visiting one of China’s great ancient engineering feats: the Karez Wells. This underground irrigation system ingeniously channels snowmelt from the Tianshan mountains to the arid oasis. Next, we visit the iconic Flaming Mountains, whose barren, red slopes seem to burn under the sun, made famous by the classic novel Journey to the West. We will also explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, a rich repository of Buddhist art with numerous surviving grottoes and murals.

Turpan → Heavenly Lake → Urumqi (380 km, approx. 5.5h)

Our grand circle nears its completion. First, we visit the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, the world’s largest, for a final immersion in vibrant Silk Road commerce and culture. Then, we ascend into the Tianshan mountains one last time to visit Heavenly Lake (Tianchi). This stunning alpine lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a jewel of turquoise water set amidst green pastures and snow-capped peaks—a serene and heavenly conclusion to our epic journey across Xinjiang.

A Fond Farewell, Until We Meet Again in Xinjiang

Your unforgettable journey through Xinjiang concludes today. According to your flight or train schedule, we will arrange your transfer to the airport or station. We hope you leave with cherished memories and look forward to welcoming you back again.