James Wilson
January 22, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Explore the one-of-a-kind landscapes and rich Silk Road cultural heritage of northwest China on this 7-day Xinjiang discovery tour, stopping at four unmissable iconic destinations: regional capital Urumqi, scenic Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), the ancient oasis city Turpan, and the historic border hub Kashgar. Curated as a top pick for travelers eager to experience Xinjiang’s magic for the first time, this tour delivers unbeatable value with friendly pricing and fully secure, trusted payment processes for a hassle-free booking experience.
This 7-day immersive discovery tour takes you along the ancient Silk Road through China's culturally rich, visually stunning Xinjiang region. Starting in the regional capital Urumqi, we'll first explore the breathtaking alpine gem Heavenly Lake in the Tianshan Mountains, then travel south to the sun-baked ancient oasis of Turpan to explore its legendary ruined cities and ancient engineering feats. From Turpan, we head west to Kashgar, the historic heart of the Silk Road, where we'll visit the otherworldly mountain lakes of the Pamir Plateau before diving into the living culture of Kashgar's well-preserved old town. This curated route balances natural beauty and cultural history to give you the full, unforgettable Xinjiang experience.
After your arrival in Xinjiang's bustling capital Urumqi, you'll be escorted to your 5-star accommodation to check in and settle in after your journey. You'll have the rest of the day free to rest, or wander the nearby neighborhood to sample local street snacks if you're feeling energized. 🏨 Accommodation: Urumqi Hilton Hotel or Urumqi Wanda Vista
Kick off your full day of sightseeing with a trip to stunning Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), where you can stroll along the turquoise shore, breathe in the fresh alpine air, and admire views of snow-capped Tianshan peaks reflected in the lake. After a filling lunch, we head back to Urumqi to explore the Xinjiang Museum, home to rare ancient relics that tell the story of Xinjiang's multicultural history. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Urumqi Hilton Hotel or Urumqi Wanda Vista
Today we travel to the ancient sunbaked oasis city of Turpan, where we explore three iconic historic sites. First, we walk through the 2000-year-old ruined cliffside city of Jiaohe, one of the best-preserved ancient Silk Road outposts in China. Next, we learn about Turpan's incredible ancient engineering at the Karez Irrigation System, an underground canal network that still waters the oasis today. We end the day at the towering Emin Minaret, Xinjiang's largest ancient Islamic tower. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Turpan Hengze Hotel
Before departing Turpan, we visit two more iconic historic sites: the sprawling ruined ancient capital of Gaochang, once a key stop on the Silk Road, and the Bezklik Grottoes, home to stunning ancient Buddhist murals that showcase the region's mixed cultural history. After breakfast and lunch, we transfer to Kashgar, the legendary western Xinjiang Silk Road hub, and check in to our accommodation for the next few nights. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Kashgar Hilton Garden Inn or Kashgar Radisson Blu Hotel
We set out early for a scenic day trip to the Pamir Plateau's most beautiful lakes. First, we stop at otherworldly White Sand Lake, where pale golden sand dunes slope down to soft turquoise water. Next, we arrive at Karakul Lake, a high-altitude alpine lake ringed by snow-capped Pamir peaks. On our drive back to Kashgar, we stop to explore the charming traditional Uyghur town of Upar. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Kashgar Hilton Garden Inn or Kashgar Radisson Blu Hotel
Today we dive deep into Kashgar's vibrant living culture. We start with a visit to the stunning Apa Hoja Mausoleum, a 17th-century Islamic tomb complex covered in colorful glazed tile work. Next, we wander the winding cobblestone alleyways of Kashgar Old Town, the best-preserved traditional Uyghur old town in China. We browse Handicraft Street, where local artisans sell handwoven carpets, wooden carvings and other traditional goods, before visiting the grand Id Ghar Mosque, China's largest mosque. Lunch today is an authentic spread of traditional Uyghur food at a local home, including crispy nang bread and hand-pulled noodles. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Authentic Uyghur Lunch | 🏨 Accommodation: Kashgar Hilton Garden Inn or Kashgar Radisson Blu Hotel
Your 7-day Xinjiang discovery tour comes to a close after breakfast this morning. You'll have free time to make your own arrangements for onward travel, taking all your unforgettable memories of Xinjiang with you. 🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast
Min 2 · Max 10 people per group
Traveler reviews
January 22, 2026
As someone who has long been fascinated by Silk Road history, this tour checked every box on my travel wishlist. I got to explore the ancient sun-baked adobe architecture in Turpan, wander the centuries-old caravanserai lanes of Kashgar Old City, and watch sunrise paint snow-capped peaks reflected in Tianchi’s crystal-clear lake. Every stop highlighted the incredible mix of ethnic cultures that have called Xinjiang home for thousands of years, and every local meal we tried was full of bold, delicious flavors. I’d absolutely recommend this tour to anyone looking to get off the beaten path and experience a truly unforgettable side of China.
September 14, 2025
The incredible diversity of landscapes across this 7-day trip absolutely blew me away. One day I was hiking among cool pine trees beside Tianchi’s alpine lake, the next I was exploring the fiery red Flaming Mountains in Turpan, and a few days later I was browsing handwoven carpets and fresh dried fruit in Kashgar’s famous night bazaar. It’s impossible to leave Xinjiang without falling in love with its warm, welcoming people and unforgettable scenery.
May 2, 2025
I visited during the peak May holiday week, so several popular spots like the Tianchi overlook and Kashgar Old City were much more wonderful than I anticipated. Even with that, the well-planned itinerary let me experience all the incredible diverse scenery and culture that makes Xinjiang so one-of-a-kind.
February 18, 2025
Every stop on this Xinjiang discovery tour felt magical, from the blue glacial waters of Tianchi to the vibrant, bustling bazaars of Kashgar.
December 5, 2024
My consultant Sunny from HelloChinaTrip organized everything perfectly for this trip, so I never had to worry about travel permits or intercity transport. The mix of dramatic otherworldly landscapes and ancient Silk Road history was exactly what I wanted out of a China tour.