Xinjiang Wild Culture Explore 12 Days Tour

 

 Day 1: Bishkek - Urumqi

Take a morning flight to Urumchi. Visiting Red Hills in the city.

 Day 2: Urumqi - Heavenly Lake

After the breakfast we drive to the Heavenly Lake, then visit Regional Museum and Southern Mountains. Stay overnight in Urumqi. 

 

 

 

 Day 3: Urumqi - Turpan 

The day starts with 2-3 hrs drive to Turpan. In the afternoon we visit an ancient water irrigations system (Kariez), which industrious Turpan people built 2000 years ago. Then we visit Emin Pagoda and stay overnight in Turpan.

 

 Day 4: Turpan

Today's sights include Turpan Museum, Gao Cheng Ancient City, Astana Tombs, Bizaklik Caves, Jiaohe Ancient Ruins with Toyuk villages. Stay overnight in Turpan.

 

 

 

 Day 5: Turpan - Kucha 

Drive to Kucha, which is located on the edge of Taklimakan Desert. Kucha one of the ancient famous Buddhist areas between the 3rd and 9th Centuries. Stay overnight in Kucha. 

 

 Day 6: Kucha 

Visit Kucha Thousand Red Buddhas Caves, Red Canyon, Subash Ancient Temples and Kucha Grand Mosque. Overnight in Kucha. 

 

 Day 7: Kucha - Niya

Driving across the Taklimakan Desert Highway to Niya, from north to south of Tarim River. Stay overnight in Kucha.

 

Day 8: Niya - Hotan

After driving through the Takalimakan desert, an oasis of Hotan welcomes us. The name 'Hotan' originates from Tibetan language, means 'Beautiful Jade'. We visit the local art- and handicraft factories, to discover ancient ways of making silk and carpets. Stay overnight in Hotan.

 

 

 

 

 Day 9: Hotan - Rawak

In the morning we drive to Rawak, along the desert and Hotan River to visit the Rawak Ancient Ruins. The ruins a buried in the desert, on the way to Lop County, about 90 km away from the city. In the city we will tranfer into jeeps and the last 40 mins we will ride camels to reach the ruins, as the jeeps cannot enter the area. Rawak was built around the  2nd and 10 centuries. The descriptions coverd areas of the monastery, some other characteristics were 10 meters tall minarets, the preserved Buddha, 3 m tall orginal wall covering more than 45 meters. The Explorer Auriel Stein discovered it and took back some mural pictures, one can still see many characters and Buddha. Then we visit the Ancient Ruins of Malikawat and Yutkan. Stay overnight in Hotan.

 

 Day 10: Hotan - Kashgar

Drive to Kashgar. On the road we visit Yarkant Altyn Cemetery with local Musicians' Tombs. Stay overnight in Kashgar.

 

 Day 11: Kashgar

Visit Sunday Bazaar and Animal Market, Old Town, Idkah Mosque and Abakhoja Tombs. Stay overnight in Kashgar.

 

 

 

 Day 12: Kahsgar - Naryn, via Tourgate Pass

In the morning we drive to Tourgate Pass for customs clearings. Our partner in Kyrgystan will take care of your tour in Kyrgystan.