South to North | Classic 7-Day, 6-Night Tour from Kashgar to Urumqi, Xinjiang

Kashgar, located in the southwestern border region of Xinjiang, was formerly known as Shule. It was one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions and has been a multi-ethnic community since ancient times. It is also a stage for the exchange and gathering of diverse cultures. Furthermore, it is the westernmost intersection of the northern, central and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road and the meeting point of the four ancient civilizations. Its unique geographical advantages have made Kashgar a commercial distribution center where "envoys traveled back and forth and merchants never stopped on the road," earning it the reputation of "Kingdom of Bazaars (trade markets)."

Tip: It is recommended to take an early morning flight to Kashgar. You will need to apply for a border pass in advance, which will be required for your trip the next day. The permit processing hours are 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Suggested way to get there:

1. By Air: Kashgar International Airport has direct flights to major cities in China, such as: Beijing (approx. 6 hours), Shanghai (approx. 7 hours), Guangzhou (approx. 7 hours), Chengdu (approx. 5 hours), Urumqi (approx. 2 hours), Lanzhou (approx. 4 hours)...

2. Border crossings: Irkeshtam and Torugart are important border crossings connecting China and Kyrgyzstan; Karasu is the only land border crossing between China and Tajikistan; Khunjerab Pass is the only land border crossing between China and Pakistan. If you plan to enter Kashgar via a land border crossing, please contact your travel advisor in advance for specific arrangements and costs.

【White Sand Lake】, also known as Kakrak Lake, is a plateau lake covering 44 square kilometers. The Kongur Jiubie Peak rises majestically on either side of the lake, making the millennia-old snow-capped mountains and lake appear even more pristine and serene. Here, there are not only vast desert hills but also rolling sand dunes; remarkably, both the desert and the sand dunes are white. Looking out from afar, against the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, and snow-capped mountains, the sky is like a mirror, the clouds like snow, creating a vast and majestic landscape. It is said that this is also the White Sand Mountain and Flowing Sand River of Sha Wujing (Sandy) in the classic novel *Journey to the West*, a testament to the enduring power of nature and inspiring endless contemplation and imagination.

Karakul Lake , also known as the Black Lake, is a rare high-altitude lake in the world, belonging to the category of alpine glacial lakes. It sits at an altitude of 3600 meters and covers a total area of ​​10 square kilometers. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the lake's reflection, along with the green grasslands and livestock grazing along its shores, is exceptionally beautiful on calm days. Across the lake stands Muztagh Ata, known as the "Father of Glaciers," at 7509 meters (often stated as 7546 meters in mountaineering circles). Muztagh Ata belongs to the Kunlun Mountains and is the third highest peak in the western Kunlun Mountains. Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh, and Kongur Jiubie Peak rise majestically like jade pillars supporting the sky on the beautiful Pamir Plateau, forming a landmark of the Pamir Plateau.

After visiting the castle ruins, we will proceed to explore the vast Golden Grassland below the Stone City. Also known as the Alar National Wetland Park, the Golden Grassland comprises wetlands, grasslands, rivers, marshes, snow-capped mountains, and plateaus. The scenery here is breathtaking, with herders' tents and herds of cattle and sheep dotting the landscape. Standing on the grassland, one feels refreshed and invigorated by the blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped peaks, and green meadows – a truly magnificent sight. At sunrise and sunset, the grasslands are bathed in golden sunlight, creating a truly awe-inspiring scene. After the tour, we will return to Kashgar along the Karakoram Highway.

After the tour, we will take you to the airport for your flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival at Urumqi Airport, our guide will meet you at the airport exit and take you to your hotel for check-in. After that, you are free to do as you please.

Optional activities at Tianchi Lake (at your own expense):

1. Lake cruise: Take a cruise around Tianchi Lake and immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery of the Jade Pool;

2. Mayashan Cableway: Take the cableway to the top of the mountain at an altitude of 3056 meters, overlook the panoramic view of Tianchi Lake and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance.

Afterwards, return to Urumqi and visit the grand Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. A bazaar, meaning market, is the most ethnically vibrant place in Urumqi and the world's largest castle-style bazaar. The architecture here is elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here, you can browse local shops selling goods with distinctive ethnic characteristics, purchase Xinjiang specialties such as raisins, dried apricots, and essential oils, and sample various Xinjiang fruits, hand-pulled noodles, mutton, and other local delicacies.

Upon arrival in Turpan, you will continue your journey along the Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon to Tuyugou. Along the way, you can admire Turpan's most representative landscape – the Flaming Mountains. The Flaming Mountains are composed of reddish-brown sandstone, conglomerate, and mudstone, stretching for over 100 kilometers. The mountains are reddish-brown in color and are named for their shimmering appearance under the blazing sun, resembling a raging fire. The Flaming Mountains are also an important location in the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West." You can stop at suitable spots along the way to take photos.

Afterwards, follow the winding mountain road along the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains directly to Mazar Village in Tuyugou . Mazar Village is an ancient Uyghur village in Xinjiang, which has completely preserved ancient Uyghur traditions and customs. People communicate in the ancient Uyghur language and wear the most distinctive ethnic costumes. Here you can learn about the traditional Uyghur way of life and customs.

Afterwards, we will visit Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. Jiaohe Ancient City was founded and built by the Cheshi people from the 2nd to the 5th centuries BC. It was once the capital of the "Former Cheshi Kingdom," one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions. The existing ruins are the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen city in the world, and also the most complete urban remains in China, dating back over two thousand years. Here, you can walk along the paths to the core scenic area, admiring the ruins of residential areas, government offices, and Buddhist temples. You can enjoy panoramic views from the central platform and, with a guided tour, look back at the bustling trade scenes of the Silk Road.

After the main tour, we will then visit the Karez irrigation system, one of the three great engineering feats of ancient China. The Karez is a unique irrigation system in arid regions, renowned alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Here, you can experience the unique coolness of Turpan's scorching summer, appreciate the wisdom of our ancient ancestors, and learn how ancient craftsmen channeled snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains, dozens of kilometers away, through the Karez system to create clear spring water that irrigates tens of thousands of acres of vineyards – a truly remarkable achievement.

Afterwards, we will continue to visit Sugong Pagoda, one of Turpan's iconic landmarks. Also known as Emin Pagoda or Emin Khoja's Gratitude Pagoda, it was built during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty as a memorial to repay the grace of Heaven for the Turpan Hui people. It consists of a mosque, minaret, and mazar (shrine). Here, you can admire its unique Islamic architectural style and learn about its long history and culture. The adjacent mosque is also well worth a visit. After the visit, we will proceed to Turpan for overnight rest.