9 Days Xinjiang Photography Tour

The beautiful scenery of Xinjiang is the place you want in your life. There are magnificent natural landscapes, the “exotic” ethnic minorities with their unique customs, as well as the great ruins of significant historical cities along the silk road. During this tour, we will visit the highlights of Kashgar, Urumqi and Turpan cities, as well as exlporing the famous Karakul Lake and Heavenly Lake.

Highlights:

  • Witness the great ruins of significant historical cities.
  • Enjoy the beautiful Karakul Lake and Heavenly Lake.
  • Visit the highlights of Kashgar, Turpan, and Urumqi cities.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Kashgar Arrival
  • Day 2: Kashgar – Karakul Lake
  • Day 3: Kashgar
  • Day 4: Kashgar – Urumqi
  • Day 5: Urumqi – Turpan
  • Day 6: Turpan – Urumqi
  • Day 7: Urumqi – Heavenly Lake
  • Day 8: Heavenly Lake – Urumqi
  • Day 9: Urumqi Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Kashgar Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Kashgar
Meals:

Upon you arrival, met by our tour guide and escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this city.

Day 2 Kashgar – Karakul Lake

Sightseeing and Activities: Karakul Lake
Accommodation: Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning head to view the fantastic scenery of Karakul Lake. It is the highest lake of the Pamir Plateau. Enjoy the crystal water, the peaks and blue sky, and also the creatures here.

After the tour, drive back to Kashgar for overnight.

Day 3 Kashgar

Sightseeing and Activities: Id Kah Mosque, Handicraft Street, Apak Hoja Tomb, Sunday Bazaar, Old Town,
Accommodation: Kashgar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today start the tour with Id Kah Mosque, one of the biggest mosque in China, which was built by Saqsiz Mirza in 1442. Then head to handcraft street, which is full of unique and exotic goods. It is one of the most featured street in various local handicrafts in and around Kashgar Xinjiang China.

After that, visit the Abakh Hoja Tomb, the largest Islamic mausoleum of Xinjiang. It is most known as the Tomb of Xiang Fei, who is one of theimperial concubines of Emperor Qianlong. Continue the tour to Sunday Bazaar, the busiest part of the city, which covers a total area of 0.17 square kilometers with more than 5,000 stable stalls.

At last, visit Kashgar Old Town, a major stop along the Silk Road, where is full of Uygur style folk residences.

Day 4 Kashgar – Urumqi

Sightseeing and Activities: Xinjiang Museum, Erdaoqiao International Bazaar
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Xinjiang Urumqi International Grand Bazaar

Today take a morning flight to Urumqi. Upon arrival, tour guide will pick you up and transfer to hotel for a short rest. Then head to Xinjiang Museum for a visit. A visit to Xinjiang’s capital of Urumqi would be incomplete without a visit to the Xinjiang Museum. It is a comprehensive historical museum in China built in 1953, and famous for holding artifacts and mummies of Caucasians who lived in the region 1500 and 4000 years ago.

Afterwards continue the trip to International Bazaar, one of the most famous landmarks in Urumqi city, which is the largest bazaar in the world by scale, combining Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, tourism and entertainment.

Day 5 Urumqi – Turpan

Sightseeing and Activities: Jiaohe Ruins, Karez Well System, Sugong Minerat, Local Uyger family visit
Accommodation: Turpan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, drive to Turpan. After arrival, head to visit Jiaohe Ruins. It is a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys. Then move on to Karez Well System. Located in the Turpan Depression, it is a vertical tunnel system adapted by the Turpan people.

After that, continue the tour to Sugong Minaret. At 44 meters high, it is the tallest minaret in China. Afterwards visit a local Uyger family with vineyard, and experience their local lfestyle.

Day 6 Turpan – Urumqi

Sightseeing and Activities: Bezklik Grottoes, Astana Graves, Tuyoq Valley
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today visit Bezklik Grottoes first, a complex of Buddhist cave grottos. Then move on to Astana Graves, an underground cemetery of ancient Gaochang residents, which is considered to be one of the humblest burial sites in China.

After that, head to visit Tuyoq Valley, splitting the grand Flaming Mountain into two parts, which is a gorgeous valley with a long history, splendid culture and charming natural scenery.

Then drive back to Urumqi.

Day 7 Urumqi – Heavenly Lake

Sightseeing and Activities: Heavenly Lake
Accommodation: Kazak Yurt
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel and then head to Heavenly Lake, 98km northeast of Urumqi downtown. It is a crescent alpine lake in the north of Bogda Peak, which enjoys crystal water due to melted snow as its source. Cruise on the lake and stroll around the lake after that.

Stay overnight in the Kazak Yurt.

Day 8 Heavenly Lake – Urumqi

Sightseeing and Activities: Heavenly Lake
Accommodation: Urumqi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy the morning of Heavenly Lake and drive back to Urumqi in the afternoon.

Day 9 Urumqi Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Transferred to the airport or train stataion for your next destination.

Service Included:

  • Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary;
  • Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
  • Private English-speaking tour guide;
  • Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
  • Service charge & government taxes;
  • Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
  • Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

    • Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
    • Chinese visa fees;
    • Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  • Single room supplement;
  • Tips to guides and drivers;
  • Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
  • Personal travel accident insurance;
  • All optional programs.