Xinjiang Highlights Tour: Urumqi, Turpan & Kashgar

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang! Surrounded by the Tianshan Mountains, the city is the gateway to many Xinjiang and Silk Road journeys, known for its lively markets, diverse cuisine, and easy access to natural attractions like Heavenly Lake.

Upon arrival at Urumqi’s airport or railway station, meet your local guide and driver for a comfortable transfer to your hotel in the city center. Take the rest of the day to relax, or head out to explore the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace famous for its Uyghur-style architecture, energetic atmosphere, delicious local snacks, and traditional handicrafts.

This morning, drive about 1-1.5 hours to visit the breathtaking Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), set high in the Tianshan Mountains. Surrounded by evergreen forests and snow-capped peaks, the lake offers a peaceful escape and stunning alpine scenery.

Upon arrival, take a 40-minute scenic shuttle ride along winding mountain roads to reach the lakeside area. From there, it’s a short walk to the lake, where you can choose to enjoy an optional boat ride or hike along the shore to enjoy panoramic viewpoints. For even more dramatic views, you may take the cable car to Maya Mountain (optional, additional fee), offering sweeping vistas of Bogda Peak, the highest mountain in the eastern Tianshan range.

In the late afternoon, return to Urumqi and visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum (closed on Mondays), known for its extensive exhibits on Silk Road history, local ethnic cultures, and the remarkable Tarim Basin mummies dating back more than 3,800 years.

In the morning, make the 3-hour drive to Turpan, an oasis city southeast of Urumqi and one of the lowest places in China. Along the way, you will pass one of the country’s largest wind power bases stretching across the desert.

Your first stop is the Gaochang Ruins, once a bustling Silk Road city that welcomed traders and monks from across Central Asia. Although abandoned for centuries, its remaining walls and temple foundations still hint at its former importance.

Continue to Tuyuk Valley, one of the oldest Uyghur villages in Xinjiang, where you will enjoy a traditional Uyghur lunch surrounded by quiet lanes, vineyards, and mud-brick homes. After lunch, visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, tucked into the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains and known for their ancient Buddhist murals that reflect the region’s diverse cultural history.

As you travel through the area, you will also see the Flaming Mountains, famous for their deep red slopes and legendary connection to the story of Journey to the West.

In the late afternoon, head into downtown Turpan to explore a local bazaar with your guide, offering a chance to experience everyday life, sample local snacks, and browse traditional crafts before settling in for the night.

Begin the day with a visit to the Jiaohe Ruins, a well-preserved ancient earthen city set on a natural plateau between two rivers. Walk through its old streets and foundations to imagine what life was like in this important Silk Road settlement more than two thousand years ago.

Continue to the Karez Well System, one of China’s most impressive ancient engineering achievements. This underground irrigation network brings mountain water beneath the desert to nourish Turpan’s fields and vineyards. Seeing how the system works up close offers a deeper appreciation of how people adapted to life in this harsh but fertile landscape.

Next, visit the Sugong Pagoda, the tallest ancient Islamic-style tower in Xinjiang. Built with traditional brickwork that blends Uyghur and Han influences, the pagoda is an important cultural landmark and a symbol of Turpan’s diverse history.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore on your own until it is time to take your evening flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and settle into your hotel for the night.

Kashgar, once a major crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, remains one of the most culturally rich cities in Central Asia. Its markets, mosques, and old neighborhoods offer a vivid glimpse into the traditions of the Uyghur people.

Begin today at the Sunday Livestock Market, where herders trade sheep, cattle, camels, and horses in a lively scene that has remained unchanged for generations. Continue to the Grand Bazaar, a bustling central marketplace filled with spices, textiles, local foods, and traditional handicrafts.

After lunch, visit the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and a spiritual center for the local community. Then head to the Apak Hoja Tomb (Abakh Khoja Mausoleum), known for its beautiful glazed tiles and the legendary story of Xiangfei, the “Fragrant Concubine.”

End the day with a walk through Kashgar Old Town and Ostangboyi Handicraft Street, where artisans craft musical instruments, copperware, and woodwork, offering an authentic look into Uyghur craftsmanship and daily life.

Begin your adventure in Kashgar and travel along the world famous Karakoram Highway, one of the highest and most spectacular mountain routes on earth. Your first stop is Upal Village, where you can buy fresh fruit, local nang bread, and simple snacks while enjoying the lively atmosphere of a traditional Xinjiang market.

Continue driving along the Karakoram Highway toward the dramatic Oytagh Red Mountain, stopping to photograph its brilliant red cliffs framed by the snowcapped Kunlun Mountains.

Arrive at Baisha Lake, also called White Sand Lake, where turquoise water meets snow white sand dunes to create one of the region’s most unique landscapes. Take a short lakeside walk and enjoy the peaceful highland scenery.

Continue west along the highway to Karakul Lake at 3600 meters. Set beneath the towering peaks of Muztagh Ata at 7546 meters and Kongur at 7719 meters, the lake offers magnificent reflections and classic Pamir Plateau views. Spend time exploring and relaxing by the lakeshore. Late afternoon drive to Tashkorgan, suggest to try local famous yak meat hot pot.

Overnight in Tashkorgan.

After breakfast, visit the ancient Tashkorgan Stone Fortress, one of the most important fortifications on the Silk Road. Surrounded by vast grasslands and snowcapped peaks, the site preserves remnants from the Tang and Qing dynasties including old city walls, temples, and administrative ruins that once oversaw Silk Road caravans.

Walk through the nearby Tajik grasslands to experience local pastoral life and take in wide open views of the Tashkorgan valley.

In the afternoon, rejoin the Karakoram Highway for the scenic return drive to Kashgar, arriving at your hotel in the evening.

Today marks the end of your Xinjiang Highlights Tour. Your local driver (or w/ guide) will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.

If you wish to continue exploring Xinjiang and other parts of China, we are happy to assist with tailor-made extensions to help you make the most of your travels.