Today yo will go to the airport to check in for your flight to Kashgar,China. You will be spending the night on the plane, which may be cold, so it is recommended that you bring warm clothing. We wish you a good night's rest.

Today you will fly to Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the largest of China's five autonomous regions (one-sixth of China's total area), with the largest number of ethnic minorities (47 in total), and a must-see city of the south Xinjiang. 

Upon arrival, check into the hotel and take a rest.

Itinerary: Kashgar Old City - Id Kah Mosque - Handicraft Street - Abakh Hoja Tomb

In the morning, first obtain the foreigner travel permit, then explore Handicraft Street, a cultural ancient street with a history of more than 400 years. Taste tea in the Century-old Teahouse, experience the unique tea-drinking culture of the local Uyghur ethnic group. Visit Id Kah Mosque, a large-scale Islamic building that has a history of more than 500 years. The mosque is composed of a prayer hall, an Islamic school, a gatehouse, a pool and some other buildings. The main hall of the mosque is more than 160 meters long, and the corridor eaves are very spacious. On the ceiling, there are exquisite wood carvings and colored paintings. Whenever the grand Islamic festivals, the "Roza Festival" and the "Eid al-Adha" come, the square of the mosque becomes a place where Uyghur people can enjoy themselves

Kashgar Old City is located in the center of Kashgar urban area, Xinjiang. With a history of hundreds of years, it represents the classic culture of Kashgar and the Uyghur people, and is also one of the famous tourist attractions in Kashgar and even in Xinjiang. Most of the buildings in the old city are full of Islamic and Uyghur styles, making it very suitable for taking photos. 

Itinerary: Pamir Plateau - Brenkou Sand Lake - Muztagh Ata - Karakuri Lake 

After breakfast, head for the famous alpine lake at the junction of China and Pakistan, Karakuri Lake. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pamir Plateau and the customs of the Tajik ethnic group, which is praised as the "Alpine Eagle" by the local ethnic minorities. Beside the dark blue lake stands the majestic Muztagh Ata and the beautiful Brenkou Sand Lake. Karakuri Lake is located at the foot of Muztagh Ata, known as the "Father of the Icebergs", and it is an alpine glacial erosion and moraine lake. The water surface sets off the towering and mysterious Muztagh Ata. With snow-capped peaks, the mountains and the water share the same color, and the scenery is extremely charming. Brenkou Sand Lake is located on the Pamir Plateau and is a magical alpine landscape wonderland. The beautiful scenery of the sand dunes and the lake in Brenkou, with its fantastic scenery, is truly captivating. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pamir Plateau here.

Itinerary: Golden Grass Beach Wetland - Stone Citadel

After breakfast, visit the Golden Grass Beach, which covers an area of 20 square kilometers and is a wetland on the Pamir Plateau. Since the Taxkorgan River flows through this place, it is rich in water and grass, with cattle and sheep everywhere. It blends beautifully with the snow-capped mountains, white clouds, and blue sky in the distance. The Stone Citadel is a famous ancient city site on the ancient road within Xinjiang. The castle is built on a high hill and is extremely precipitous. There are multiple layers of continuous or intermittent city walls outside the city. Between the partition walls, stone mounds overlap and piles of rubble are scattered, forming a unique scenery of the Stone Citadel.

Then take bus back to Kashgar.

Itinerary: Xiangfei Garden (Fragrant Concubine's Garden)

After breakfast, we will head to Xiang Fei Yuan (Fragrant Concubine's Garden), located in Haohan Village, 5 kilometers east of Kashgar City. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in the autonomous region. This is a typical ancient Islamic architectural complex and the mausoleum of Islamic saints, covering an area of 2 hectares. According to legend, among the Khoja descendants buried here, there was a woman named Yipar Khan, who was a beloved concubine of Emperor Qianlong. Because she always had the fragrance of Russian olive flowers on her body, people called her the "Fragrant Concubine". After her death, her sister-in-law Sudexiang escorted her body back to Kashgar and buried it in the Apakhhoja Tomb, so this mausoleum is also known as the "Fragrant Concubine's Tomb". Taking the story of Emperor Qianlong and the Fragrant Concubine as the main thread and closely focusing on the theme of great national unity, the scenic area fully demonstrates the good stories of exchanges, interactions, and integrations among all ethnic groups in Xinjiang since ancient times through continuous excavation of scenic content and the Fragrant Concubine's story. Later, we will go to Aksu. Upon arrival, we will have dinner and check into the hotel.

Itinerary: Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon 

After breakfast, take a vehicle to Kuqa (historical name: Qiuci in the Han Dynasty), located in the middle of the southern Tianshan Mountains. As one of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms in the Western Regions, Qiuci served as the seat of the Western Regions Protectorate during the Han Dynasty and both the Anxi Protectorate and Qiuci Governor's Office during the Tang Dynasty. It is a key destination for southern Xinjiang tourism and was the capital of the Qiuci Kingdom in the Western Han Dynasty.

Next, drive to the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan (Native of West), a gorge in the Kizilia Mountains, a branch of the Tianshan range. Formed by red-brown rocks eroded by wind and rain over hundreds of millions of years, the canyon presents a breathtaking landscape. Standing at the bottom and looking up, the steep peaks seem ready to collapse at any moment, showcasing nature’s awe-inspiring craftsmanship—all who visit here marvel at its grandeur. Hike through the canyon to appreciate its unique geological features.

Afterward, visit the Kucha Palace, located in the urban area of Kuqa City, Xinjiang. Built in 1759 by Han craftsmen from inland China under the orders of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, it honored the local Uyghur leader E’dui for his contribution to quelling the rebellion of the Dahuozhuo and Xiaohuozhuo brothers. By the early 20th century, only partial buildings and city walls of the original palace remained. In 2004, the Kuqa Municipal Government invested 13 million yuan to rebuild the palace on its original site.

Itinerary: Heavenly Lake (Tianshan Tianchi )

After breakfast, go to the airport and take a flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, proceed to visit Heavenly Lake (Tianshan Tianchi) , which is located on the halfway up Bogda Peak, the highest peak of the East Tianshan Mountains, at an altitude of 1,980 meters. It is formed by the convergence of melted snowwater from the Tianshan Mountains. Standing on the shore of Tianchi, the snow-capped Bogda Peak across the lake is clearly visible. Walking by the clear blue water, under the blue sky and between the snow-capped mountains, one feels extremely relaxed and comfortable.

After dinner, check into the hotel and rest!

Itinerary: Tuyu Ditch – Mountain of Flames – Jiaohe Ancient City

After breakfast, depart for Turpan. En route, visit the Mountain of Flames, famed for its scorching red sandstone ridges and association with the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

Next, explore Tuyu Ditch, located in the southern valley of the Tuyu Grand Canyon. This ancient Uyghur village, dating back over 2,600 years, lies south of the Mountain of Flames and blends cultural heritage with natural beauty. It exemplifies Islamic-influenced village layouts in eastern Xinjiang, showcasing traditional Uyghur architecture, ancient alleyways, and timeworn trees. The village harmonizes Buddhist and Western cultural legacies, reflecting its role as a historical crossroads.

Later, visit Jiaohe Ancient City, Turpan’s best-preserved ancient ruins. Established in the 2nd century BCE as the capital of the Jushi Qian Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty, Jiaohe served as a military garrison and agricultural hub. It later became a prefecture under the Gaochang Kingdom, submitted to the Tang Dynasty, and housed the Anxi Protectorate. Abandoned after the Yuan Dynasty due to warfare, the city’s earthen ruins now evoke the rise and fall of Silk Road civilizations.

Reminder:

1.Sun protection is essential in Turpan’s intense UV conditions—bring sunscreen, hats, and umbrellas.

2.Stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke in the high temperatures.

Itinerary: Karez Well – Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Karez Well, one of ancient China’s three great engineering marvels (Visit duration: ~40 minutes. This is a complimentary attraction; ticket fees will be refunded in case of closure). Explore this ingenious underground irrigation system, which utilizes natural slopes to channel water for agriculture—a testament to human diligence and wisdom.

After returning to Ürümqi by vehicle, visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Completed on June 26, 2003, it is the world’s largest bazaar (from the Uyghur word for "market"), integrating Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, entertainment, and dining. As a hub for Xinjiang’s tourism products, it serves as the "Window to Xinjiang," "Window to Central Asia," and "Window to the World." Recognized as one of Ürümqi’s "Top Ten Architectural Landmarks" in 2004, the bazaar showcases a distinctive Islamic architectural style. It blends functionality and modernity while recreating the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road, epitomizing the rich ethnic charm and regional culture of the Western Regions.

After the visit, check into the hotel for rest.

After breakfast, you can have some free time. After that, you will be transferred to the airport and return to your warm home.