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12 Days South Xinjiang Adventure tour
12-Day South Xinjiang Adventure tour
City
Urumqi
Turpan
Korla
Kuche
Experience China's Ancient Capitals: Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of China, located in the northwest border, known as China’s “Pearl” and “Jiangnan Hero”. Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural region with rich natural scenery and unique folk culture. Traveling to Xinjiang, you can visit natural landscapes such as the Tianshan Mountains, the Taklimakan Desert, and Kanas Lake, and feel the magnificence and mystery of nature. In addition, you can also visit historical and cultural attractions such as the ancient city of Kashgar, the famous Silk Road ruins, and the Kuche Grand Canyon to appreciate Xinjiang’s unique cultural heritage. During your trip to Xinjiang, you can also taste delicious hand-pulled rice, roasted whole lamb and other specialties, and experience a different style and flavor from the mainland. Xinjiang’s blue sky, white clouds, vast grasslands and unique ethnic culture will leave you with unforgettable travel memories.
This package includes accommodation in a top four-star or five-star hotel, daily breakfast, an English-speaking local guide, all transportation services, and customized experience options. This is an ideal introduction to China for first-time travelers brought to you by Hello China Trip.
Travel Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Urumqi Capital International Airport , your dedicated tour guide will greet you outside the baggage claim area. During the transfer to your pre-booked four or five-star hotel in the city center, your guide will share insights about Urumqi’s rich history and key landmarks. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this fascinating city at your own pace.
Meals included: None
Go to Turpan in the morning and visit Tuyugou Village in the evening to experience the traditional lifestyle of the Uyghur people. Explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and see the Huoyan Mountain on the way. Visit the ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City. This amazing city was not built from the ground up, but from the heights down!
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: If the activity attraction is closed on the day, the itinerary may be adjusted.
Visit the Emin Tower in the morning. The early morning sun casts beautiful shadows on the tower walls. Then, you will go deep underground to explore the Karez system and discover the wisdom behind Turpan’s ancient irrigation system and water supply. In the afternoon we will drive to Korla as a transit point.
Meals included: Breakfast
Leave Korla and head to Kuche, the birthplace of the ancient Kucha Kingdom, to visit the ruins of the Subashi Ancient Temple in the gravel desert, a representative site of the ancient Kucha Kingdom.
The Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is a witness to the exquisiteness of the Silk Road and is also the earliest and best-preserved beacon tower along the northern route.
Continue to drive along the edge of the desert and visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves to witness the exchange and integration of Buddhist culture in the broken but beautiful murals. Explore the Tianshan Grand Canyon, which is a combination of the Antelope Canyon in Arizona and the Grand Canyon in Colorado. The red sandstone mountains are a masterpiece of wind and water erosion. In this place with few tourists, you will feel the primitive, wild and desolate temperament of Xinjiang.
Meals included: Breakfast
Appreciate the beauty of the Kuche Grand Mosque and feel the integration of traditional Chinese culture and Islamic culture. Then, visit the Kuche Palace, which displays some historical relics and exhibits related to the Uyghur rulers. In the afternoon, we drive to Aler City, where you can enjoy the Tarim River, the longest inland river in eastern China.
Meals included: Breakfast
You will cross the “Sea of Death” – the Taklimakan Desert. The vastness of the desert highlights the insignificance and death of human beings, while the poplar forest shows you the tenacity of life, and the wheat straw cubes on the roadside (China’s secret to sand control and reverse desertification) show the dividends of the wisdom and hard work of the Chinese people.
The Hotan Museum gives you a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Hotan region. You will see stone tablets, pottery and woodware, textiles and sculptures of the Kharosthi and Hotan people, which show the daily life of past residents. The ancient city of Yotgan is a charming town full of historical and cultural atmosphere. The town is bustling at night, with a spectacular show from 8pm to midnight. This unique show uses the entire city as a stage to vividly reproduce the prosperous history of the Silk Road.
Meals included: Breakfast
Driving from Hotan to Kashgar, passing through Yarkand County, the entire journey is nearly 500 kilometers and takes about 6 hours. Visit the mausoleum of Princess Amanisha Khan of Yarkand on the way.
Explore the old city of Kashgar. Walk from the old city to the handicraft street. Walk into the shop, touch the semi-finished handicrafts, and test the timbre of exotic instruments.
Experience the region’s religion at Xinjiang’s largest mosque. Appreciate the beauty of Islamic architecture in a quiet atmosphere.
Go to the Pamirs along the China-Pakistan Highway and enjoy the rare scenery of China’s westernmost tip. See the impressive Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake. The snow-capped Muztagh Ata and other tall mountains look like a row of powerful guards guarding the land.
Meals included: Breakfast
End of a pleasant trip to Kashgar, return with full of memories and wonderful experiences, you will be transferred to airport to take a flight back home or to your next destination in China.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: For small group tour participants, a transfer service to the airport can be arranged upon request.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Visit Tuyugou Village, feel the ancient customs：
Stroll among the green mountains, taste the fun of farmers, experience the beauty of rural life, let your heart follow the rhythm of nature, and let your soul fly.
Explore Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves：
The thousand-year-old murals engrave historical legends, immerse yourself in the mysterious Buddhist culture, and feel the protection and charm of ancient civilization.
Step on Huoyan Mountain：
The unique geological wonders show the fiery beauty, and the fiery red rocks are like burning flames, allowing you to appreciate the uncanny workmanship of nature.
Walking in the Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins：
The precipitation of history tells the prosperity and glory of the thousand-year-old capital between each stone, feel the thickness of history, and experience the vicissitudes of time.
Look at the ancient Emin Pagoda：
The ancient pagoda carries the sedimentation of years and the inheritance of culture. It stands quietly between the earth, allowing you to feel the weight of history and the sacredness of religion.
Explore the Subashi Ancient Temple Ruins：
The ruins of the ancient temple retain the marks of time. It is quiet and mysterious, allowing you to travel through time and feel the distant history.
Walking in Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves：
The murals depict the story of thousands of years, the Buddha’s light shines everywhere, and the memory of history flows in the caves, allowing you to appreciate the glory of ancient civilization.
Crossing the Tianshan Grand Canyon：
You can feel the wonders of nature. The steep cliffs and the rushing river outline a magnificent picture, allowing you to appreciate the shock and grandeur of the beauty of nature.
Visiting the Kuche Grand Mosque：
The solemn and majestic architecture shows the magnificence of Islamic culture, and the devout believers and the ancient buildings complement each other, allowing you to feel piety and tranquility.
Stepping into the Kuche Palace,：
The ancient palace is filled with the breath of history, and the gorgeous buildings and exquisite carvings show the brilliance of ancient civilization, allowing you to travel through time and feel the magnificence of the emperor.
Follow the Tarim River flowing, the river water is gurgling：
The scenery on both sides is picturesque, the grassland and the desert complement each other, allowing you to feel the magic and tolerance of nature, and appreciate the tenacity of life and the miracle of growth.
Stepping into the Taklimakan Desert：
The golden sand dunes stretch endlessly, the sand sea is surging, and the hot wind blows the vicissitudes and vastness of the desert, allowing you to appreciate the unique charm of the desert style.
Visit Hotan Museum：
The precious cultural relics show the prosperity and glory of the ancient Silk Road, and the memory of history flows in the museum, allowing you to feel the inheritance of civilization and the accumulation of wisdom.
Stepping into the Amanisa Khan Mausoleum：
The precipitation of history is quietly told in the magnificent buildings, and the luxurious mausoleum shows the imperial style, allowing you to travel through time and feel the ancient glory.
Walking in the old town of Kashgar：
Strolling in the narrow alleys, the ancient buildings exude a strong historical atmosphere, savoring the prosperity and vicissitudes of the ancient Silk Road, and feeling the unique charm of exotic customs.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified.
- Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified.
- Meals: as specified in the itinerary.
- Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide.
- Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified.
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour.
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions
- International flights to/from China.
- China visa fees.
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature.
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
- Small group tour travelers – Airport transfer service from hotel to Xi’an Xi’anyang International Airport.
Important Information
Important information – PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travelers in the group apart from you.
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be added to this tour and taken as an addition to this Private tour.
- Entering and exiting China from Hong Kong and Taipei are also available.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei) can be extended.
Important information – SMALL GROUP TOUR
- This is a small group tour with a fixed itinerary and guaranteed departures.
You will travel with other people (maximum of 12). - Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
- At the conclusion of the tour, a transfer from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport in Shanghai is available upon request at a surcharge.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei) can be extended.
Prices based on twin occupancy. - The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The maximum number of passengers in a small group tour is 12 people.
Want a More Personalized Best China Tour?
Talk to us about booking a private or custom tour for your unique China experience.
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