Twelve-Day Taklimakhan Desert Highway Adventure

Tour Specialty

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1
Place & Transport: Arrive in Urumqi, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Urumqi)

Day 2
Place & Transport: Urumqi to Turpan
Today's Activities: Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Pass through the Flaming Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves is the rock-cut building with the most caves and frescos contents at most in Turpan area.It is located on the west cliffs of the Wood Valley of the Flame Mountain, 45 kilometers away from Turpan city.
- Pass through the Flaming Mountain: The Flaming Mountain is located on the northern verge of Turpan Basin, more than 10 kilometers away from Turpan city.It is the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. Eighty percent of the total natural landscapes and human landscapes in Turpan are located here.

Day 3
Place & Transport: Turpan to Kuerle /Kurla
Today's Activities: Karez Well, Jiaohe Ruin
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Karez Well: The Karez Water System Folkways Paradise is located at the Ya'er country in Turpan city, 3 kilometers away from the city urban, and 2 kilometers away from the 312 national highway in the south. This irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China.
- Jiaohe Ruin : Located in the Yarnaz Valley, 13 kilometers away from the Turpan city in the west, Jiaohe Ruin was built by the old Cheshi people in Qin dynasty and Han dynasty. It was almost dig from natural ground and the tallest building reached three stories high, which is the biggest, oldest and best preserved earth construction city in the world. The present preservation was descended from Tang dynasty during which period it had its Gold Age.

Day 4
Place & Transport: Kuerle /Kurla to Kuche/Kucha
Today's Activities: Grand Kuqa Mosque, Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Grand Kuqa Mosque: It is the second biggest mosque in Xinjiang, first built in the 17th century, but after the burnt down it was rebuilt in 1931. The great praying hall, which can accommodate 1000 prayers, is supported by 88 pillars, embellished with carved designs and in many colors, a fine example of Uygur architecture.
- Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave: Kizil Thousand Buddha caves is one of the four biggest groups of grottoes in China, is national Class A Cultural Relics Reserve, it lies in Mingutag Mountains in Baicheng County.

Day 5
Place & Transport: Kuche/Kucha
Today's Activities: Subash Anceint City
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Subash Anceint City: Though it remains only as ruins, it was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Guici. The city is believed to be even older than the ancient Harappan civilization, which dates back around 4,000 years.

Day 6
Place & Transport: Kuche/Kucha to Hetian/Hotan
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Day 7
Place & Transport: Hetian/Hotan
Today's Activities: Mallikurwatur Ruins
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Mallikurwatur Ruins: Also known as Mallikurwatur Ruins, the ancient city lies 25 km southwest of Hetian, on the west bank of the Jade Dragon Kashgar River. Situated on a 1500 m long belt, it is believed to be the ancient city of Yutian Kingdom although disputes claim it used to be a monastery compound. From 1977, potsherds, ancient coins and other items have been excavated.

Day 8
Place & Transport: Hetian/Hotan to Yarkent
Today's Activities: Yarkant King, Amannishahan
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Yarkant King: This city forms an oasis at the western end of the Taklimakan desert as a trade center. Mainly inhabited by Turkic-speaking Muslims, it has more than 120 mosques. Marco Polo visited the city in 1271 and in 1275; it was on the important Silk Road between China and Europe.
- Amannishahan: The Uygurs are excellent at dancing. The "12 Mukams" (opera) is an epic comprising more than 340 classic songs and folk dances. After liberation, this musical treasure, which was on the verge of being lost, was collected, studied and recorded by Amannisha who is the concubine of Yarkant King.She died aged 34.

Day 9
Place & Transport: Yarkent to Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Day 10
Place & Transport: Kashgar
Today's Activities: Lake Karakuli, Pass to Lake Kalakuli
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Lake Karakuli: The lake is in Kashgar, about 1500 kilometers from Urumqi in southwest Xinjiang, and about 3600 meters above sea level. Mount Muztagata (said to be one of the five most beautiful mountains in the world) provides a beautiful backdrop at 7546 meters with the nearby Gongeer Peaks rising to 7719 meters above sea level.
- Pass to Lake Kalakuli: The lake is in Kashgar, about 1500 kilometers from Urumqi in southwest Xinjiang, and about 3600 meters above sea level. Mount Muztagata (said to be one of the five most beautiful mountains in the world) provides a beautiful backdrop at 7546 meters with the nearby Gongeer Peaks rising to 7719 meters above sea level.

Day 11
Place & Transport: Kashgar to Urumqi, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Kashgar), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Urumqi), Sunday bazaar, The Etigar Mosque, Abakh Khoja Tomb, Kaxgar ancient city
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Sunday bazaar: The famous Sunday bazaar has been operating since ancient times, and the scale has become larger and larger, attracting merchants from all over Xinjiang and neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan. Farmers from the suburbs of Kashi come to the bazaar early in the morning, using various means of transportation, such as bicycles, motorcycles, tractors, trucks and donkey-drawn carts. The highways leading to Kashi are crowded with these vehicles and pedestrians on Sunday mornings, as well as with flocks of sheep.
- The Etigar Mosque : on Jiefang Road in central Kashi ．key preserved unit of cultural relics in autonomous region．
- Abakh Khoja Tomb : The tomb served as the family tomb of Abakh Khoja, the powerful ruler of Kashgar in the 17th century who was revered as a prophet and second only to Mohammed
- Kaxgar ancient city: Kaxgar ancient city is a really old city, located at the north of new Kaxgar city area. Compare to the modern society it still owns its special charm of long history. 'Kaxgar' means 'colorful city' in Uygur language, although it is dusty and damaged now but it must be a colorful and wonderful city thousands years ago.

Day 12
Place & Transport: Depart Urumqi , Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Urumqi)
Meals: Breakfast

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Tour Prices

(per person and in US dollars)

* Price are in US dollars, for one person. Price are for references only, may vary according to your travel time.
* Better discount is available when travel in low season from Nov to March.

Note:

Our quotations are not valid in the following situation, the first week of May and October—the national two holidays. Shanghai F1,Guangzhou Fair, Chinese New Year.

Service Inclusions

Entrance Fees:
To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
Meals:
All meals as specified in the itinerary.
If the restaurant indicated is not available on the day, your guide will arrange another restaurant from our list of approved restaurants. Breakfast is usually a western style buffet. We endeavor to ensure that a choice of western and Chinese breakfasts is supplied, however there may be occasions when only a Chinese breakfast is available in some remote locations.
Private Transfers:
Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in Hohhot , Erdos, Baotou by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as listed above).
Your comfort is our priority! Click here to get a description of the vehicles that we use for our tours.
Guide:
As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided, who will remain with you throughout your time in these cities.
Hotels:
Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin beds.
All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
Service Charge & Government Taxes:
Luggage Transfers:
Between airports and hotels.
Arrangements:
The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Service Exclusions