Classic Xinjiang Discovery: 8 Days Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar & Pamirs

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive Urumqi — Capital of the Western Regions

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang — a city 1,500km west of Beijing and only 100km from the international borders with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Despite its remoteness, Urumqi is China’s most modern Central Asian city. Visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum — with its famed “Loulan Beauty” (the 4,000-year-old naturally preserved mummy of a Caucasian woman, looking disturbingly modern), and a collection of Silk Road artifacts. Evening try the Uyghur specialty of polu (rice pilaf with lamb and carrots), the signature dish of the entire region. Overnight in Urumqi.

Day 2: Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) — Mountain of the Gods

Drive 110km to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), the emerald lake 1,910m above sea level on Bogda Peak (5,445m). The lake sits in a glacier-carved basin surrounded by snow peaks, alpine meadows, and spruce forests — earning it the nickname “Jade of Tian Shan” (Tian Shan’s Pearl). Take the cable car or hike the 4km around the lake. Among the original Kotuz warriors’ legend is the legend of the heavenly water spirit. Visit the Kazakh cultural area to experience traditional nomadic life (horse riding, eagle-hunting, yurts). Overnight in Urumqi.

Day 3: Drive to Turpan — Oasis City Below Sea Level

Drive 200km to Turpan — an ancient oasis city 154m below sea level (China’s lowest point). The Turpan basin was the Chinese imperial “Anxi” protectorate during the Han Dynasty. Visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (Ming, 7th-9th century) — the cliffside Uyghur Buddhist sanctuaries east of the Turpan oasis. Continue to the Flaming Mountain (Huo Yan), where the rocky cliffs reach 83°C surface temperature in summer. Visit the Astana Karahojia Tombs — the Jushi Kingdom burial complex. Overnight in Turpan.

Day 4: Turpan — Karez & Jiaohe Ruins

Morning at the Karez Underground Irrigation System — a 5,000-year-old network of underground canals that brought water from the Tian Shan mountains to Turpan’s oasis (the same technology as Persia’s qanat). Visit the Jiaohe Ancient City (Jiao He Ch’eng) — the 2,200-year-old abandoned capital of the Jushi Kingdom, a clay fortress cut into the river cliff. Continue to the Gaochang Ancient City — the Tang-era capital of the Gaochang Kingdom with its West Buddha Big Buddha Temple. Wine tasting at Turpan’s underground cellar. Overnight in Turpan.

Day 5: Flight to Kashgar — The Western Silk Road Hub

Morning flight from Turpan to Kashgar (1 hour) — China’s westernmost metropolis and the Silk Road’s most cosmopolitan crossroads. Walk the Old Town (Kashgar Yailishiqiang), the largest surviving mud-brick city in Central Asia. Visit the Id Kah Mosque (1442 AD, the largest mosque in China) — the most important Uyghur Islamic center. Evening at the famous Kashgar Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in the world. Try dumplings (samsa) and lamb skewers (yang rou chuan). Overnight in Kashgar.

Day 6: Karakul Lake & Pamir Plateau

Drive 330km across the Pamir Plateau on the Karakoram Highway — the world’s highest paved highway. Stop at the White Sand Lake (Bai Sha He) where the Karakoram range reflects in turquoise waters. Visit Karakul Lake (3,600m elevation), where glacial meltwater reflects Muztagh Ata (7,509m) — “Father of Ice Mountains” — in a 360° mountain panorama. Walk the Kazakh yurt settlements around the lake. Drive to Tashkurgan Stone Fort, the ancient Tajik fortress guarding the Pamir Plateau. Overnight in Tashkurgan (3,200m elevation).

Day 7: Tashkurgan → Kashgar

Visit Tashkurgan Stone Fort — the 2,000-year-old ruin of the ancient Khunjerab Pass fort. Continue to the Golden Grassland (Huang Jin Cao Yuan). Visit a Tajik family in their Pamir home — try the traditional Pamir Dinner of yak meat soup and flat bread. Drive back to Kashgar. Evening Uyghur dinner with Uighur music and dance. Overnight in Kashgar.

Day 8: Kashgar Bazaar & Depart

Morning walk through Kashgar Bazaar, where livestock, silk, carpets, dried fruit, and handicrafts from across Central Asia converge. Visit the Abakh Khoja Mausoleum (1640 AD), the largest Islamic mausoleum in China, holding the tombs of 72 generations of Kashgar rulers. Walk the colorful Osmanthus Kingdom Road (Ga Er Qaidan) — an ancient Uyghur tea and craft street. Afternoon flight to Urumqi for outbound journey.

Inclusions

• 7 nights (2 Urumqi + 2 Turpan + 2 Kashgar + 1 Tashkurgan)
• Heavenly Lake cable car + Bogda Peak views
• Bezeklik Caves + Flaming Mountain + Astana Tombs
• Karez Irrigation + Jiaohe + Gaochang ancient cities
• Kashgar Old Town + Id Kah Mosque + Bazaar
• Karakul Lake + Tashkurgan Stone Fort + Pamir Highway
• All flights + private transfers + Uyghur meals