2019 Xinjiang South Xinjiang Carpooling Tour | Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, Kashgar 6-day Carpooling Tour
[South Xinjiang Carpooling] Lop Nur Village, Tarim Populus Euphratica, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Thousand Buddha Caves, Pamir Plateau, Kashgar Old Town 6-day Carpooling Tour – Click to view itinerary
Itinerary Highlights:
1. [Young Travel Companions]: Designed specifically for those born in the 80s, 90s, and 00s, young enough to go high;
2. [Carpooling]: The super popular way to travel with others by carpooling, starting from 1 person and capping at 6 people;
3. [Folk Customs]: Each with its own unique charm;
4. [Western Regions Scenery]: Gobi desert, resilient Populus Euphratica, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, and Mount Mushtag, all exuding a desolate yet magnificent atmosphere;
5. [Cultural Journey]: Explore Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and Kashgar Old Town;
6. [Food Experience]: Enjoy authentic Xinjiang cuisine at your leisure, including naan, kebab, pilaf, baked buns, and pigeon soup;
7. [Flexible Return]: Arrange your own return trip after the tour in Kashgar, saving you the trouble of a 1500 km bumpy ride;
Package
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Car + room + tickets
3220
3260
3460
3460
3460
3660
3660
Single room supplement
500
540
640
640
640
660
660
Book and go. Vehicle type will be arranged based on the number of registrations on the day. 1-4 people will travel in a 5-seat car, and 5-6 people will travel in a 7-seat car.
Registration requirements: Sociable individuals who love to travel, born in the 80s, 90s, and 00s
High flexibility for small car travel, but limited trunk space. 2 people are limited to 1x 24-inch suitcase + backpack
————————————– Simplified Itinerary————————————
Day 1: Urumqi – Lop Nur Village – Korla. Accommodation: Korla City
Day 2: Korla – Populus Euphratica Forest Park – Kuqa. Accommodation: Kuqa
Day 3: Kuqa – Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon – Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves – Aksu. Accommodation: Aksu
Day 4: Aksu – Kashgar. Accommodation: Kashgar City
Day 5: Kashgar – Pamir Plateau – Mount Mushtag – Karakul Lake – Kashgar. Accommodation: Kashgar City
Day 6: Kashgar – Kashgar Old Town – Group Disbands
—————————————-Detailed Itinerary————————————–
Day 1: Urumqi – Lop Nur Village – Korla City (approximately 630KM, driving time around 10 hours)
Accommodation: Korla City (Tianhong Hotel, Mingyue Crowne Plaza Hotel, Langang Business Hotel, or other similar hotels)
The driver will pick you up from the hotel at the agreed time. After everyone has arrived, we will leave Urumqi and travel south along the highway, passing through the narrow geographical corridor of the Gangou in the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains. This area is arid and rain-scarce throughout the year, serving as the geographical boundary between southern and northern Xinjiang. The road conditions are good, but speed limits are strictly enforced.
First, arrive at the Lop Nur Village scenic area in Yuli County. Here, you can see the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, as well as the sparse Populus euphratica trees that grow alongside it, the Tarim River disappearing into the desert, the mysterious Lop people, and the primitive and rustic residential architecture. The Lop people who live here once made a living through fishing and hunting in Lop Nur. Later, due to the drying up of the lake and desert encroachment, they were forced to migrate here and continue to make a living through fishing and hunting.
Return to the southern Xinjiang gem, Korla City, in the evening and check into the hotel.
Reference Time:
Depart from Urumqi at 08:00
At 13:00, pass through Toksun County and Heshuo County, and take a lunch break along the way as needed (1 hour)
At 14:00, continue to travel to Lop Nur Village (180 kilometers, driving time around 3 hours)
Arrive at the Lop Nur Village scenic area at 17:00 for sightseeing (3 hours)
Return to Korla City at 20:00 (80 kilometers, driving time around 1.5 hours)
Arrive in Korla and check into the hotel at 21:30
Tips
1. The road conditions today are good, but speed limits are strictly enforced. The driving time is relatively long and can be tiring. Be mentally prepared.
2. The scenic area has many mosquitoes and the climate is dry. Prepare for mosquito prevention before visiting by wearing scarves and bringing along insect repellent, etc.
Day 2: Korla City – Populus euphratica Forest Park – Kuqa County (approximately 420KM, driving time around 6.5 hours)
Accommodation: Kuqa County (Park Hyatt Boutique Hotel, Kuqa International Hotel, Kuqa Hotel, or other similar hotels)
90% of China’s Populus euphratica trees grow in southern Xinjiang, primarily around the Tarim River. Today, we embark on an exploration of the神奇 Populus euphratica trees, known for their "three thousand years" lifecycle. The National Forest Park of Tarim Populus euphratica Forest in Luntai County, located in the middle reaches of the Tarim River on the northeastern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, is representative of the entire Tarim River basin and even Xinjiang in terms of both area and quantity. The Populus euphratica trees, with their tenacious vitality, defy the arid climate. Whether it’s the lush green leaves, cracked trunks, or dried branches, they all symbolize the power of life. Around October 15th each year, the leaves of the Populus euphratica trees naturally turn golden yellow, creating a magnificent spectacle akin to "the whole city adorned with golden armor".
After visiting the Populus euphratica Forest, return to Kuqa and check in at the hotel.
Reference Time:
09:00 Depart from Korla to Luntai Populus euphratica Forest Park (250 kilometers, about 3.5 hours by car)
12:30 Have lunch at your own expense along the way (0.5 hours)
13:00 Arrive at the scenic area for free sightseeing and photography (about 4 hours)
17:00 Head to Kuqa County (160 kilometers, about 3 hours by car)
20:00 Arrive in Kuqa County and check in at the hotel
Tips
1. Populus euphratica belongs to the unique tree species in the arid regions of Xinjiang. Its green leaves are vigorous, its yellow leaves are beautiful, and its withered leaves are resilient. The yellow leaf period is from mid-October to November each year, which may also vary depending on the weather conditions. Please be aware;
Day 3: Kuqa County — Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon — Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves — Aksu City (about 460KM, about 7 hours by car)
Accommodation: Aksu City (Tianfu Hotel, Kaixuan Hotel, Jiahe Hotel, or other similar hotels)
In the morning, head to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon. The southern slope of Tianshan Mountain is dry with sandy rock formations, especially here where the rock formations appear ochre-red. Under the sunshine, the rock walls seem to be burning red, creating a spectacular sight. The entrance of the canyon is open, and the bottom is flat. Inside the canyon, winding paths lead to secluded spots, with cliffs towering into the sky on both sides. The ever-changing light and shadow with the movement of the sun create an exotic atmosphere.
In the afternoon, visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. As an important grotto on the Silk Road where Buddhism was spread eastward, it was once filled with Buddhist chants. A thousand years later, only remnants of grottoes and faded murals remain, making people sigh. At the entrance, the sculpture of Kumarajiva, a senior monk, with slightly closed eyes, watches the footsteps of today’s visitors. Ascend the steps leading to the cliff, where dozens of grotto sites are distributed across the escarpment, allowing one to feel the power of faith.
Arrive in Aksu in the evening and stay at the hotel.
Reference Time:
08:30 Depart from Kuqa County to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon (70 kilometers, about 1.5 hours by car)
10:00 Arrive at the scenic area for a 2-hour visit
12:00 Head to Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, have lunch at your own expense with Xinjiang-style simple meals along the way (80 kilometers, about 2 hours by car)
14:00 Arrive at Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves scenic area for a visit (2 hours)
16:00 Head to Aksu City (300 kilometers, about 4 hours by car)
20:00 Arrive in Aksu City and check in at the hotel
Day 4: Aksu City — Xiangfei Tomb — Kashgar City (about 460KM, about 6 hours by car)
Accommodation: Kashgar City (Qiniwake Friendship Hotel, Wenzhou International Hotel, Huanqiu Jinzuo Hotel, or other similar hotels)
Reference Time:
09:00 Depart from Aksu to Kashgar City (460 kilometers, about 6 hours by car)
13:00 Have lunch at your own expense along the way (1 hour)
14:00 Continue to Kashgar (about 2 hours by car)
16:00 Arrive at Xiangfei Tomb for a visit (about 1 hour)
17:00 Head to the Kashgar Frontier Corps Detachment to apply for a pass
18:30 Check in at the hotel
Day 5: Kashgar City – Pamir Plateau – Mount Muztagh – Kalakul Lake – Kashgar City (about 400 km, approximately 10 hours by car)
Accommodation: Kashgar City (Qiniwake Friendship Hotel, Wenzhou International Hotel, Huanqiu Jinzuo Hotel, or other similar hotels)
The movie "Guests from the Mountains on Ice" introduced Pamir Plateau to the world. Pamir means "roof of the world" in Tajik. During today’s visit, please avoid vigorous activities such as running and jumping to prevent altitude sickness and discomfort. The flat China-Pakistan Friendship Highway connects the plateau, climbing up from Kashgar. As the altitude increases, the mountains also rise steeply.布伦口白沙湖 (布伦口 White Sand Lake) in calm weather reflects the sand dunes on the opposite shore like a mirror. Continue forward to explore Kalakul Lake and Mount Muztagh, the "Father of Glaciers", as well as the towering Mount Kongur, Mount Kongur Junior, and Kongur IX. These permanent snow-capped mountains surround Kalakul Lake. On sunny days, the water reflects the snow-capped mountains, and standing by the lake, you can overlook the towering snow-capped mountains and observe the calm lake up close. This lake is endowed with magical and beautiful colors.
Return to Kashgar along the same route in the afternoon.
Reference Time:
08:00 Depart from Kashgar and head to Kalakul Lake (200 km, approximately 5 hours by car)
13:30 Arrange lunch along the way as needed (0.5 hours)
14:00 Arrive at the scenic spot and freely explore and take photos (about 1 hour)
15:00 Return to Kashgar (200 km, approximately 5 hours by car)
20:00 Arrive in Kashgar and check into the hotel
Friendly Reminder: Today’s itinerary involves traveling to a plateau area, so please avoid vigorous activities such as running and jumping; The China-Pakistan Karakoram Highway may be interrupted in case of natural disasters such as flash floods. Please be aware of this; If interrupted, alternative scenic spots will be arranged for visitation according to the season.
Day 6: Kashgar City – Kashgar Old Town – Group Disbands
Kashgar is divided into the new city and the old city. The old city allows you to experience the flavor of Kashgar. Now, the Kashgar Old Town scenic area has been established. The streets and alleys in the old city are crisscross, and most of the residences are earth-wood and brick-wood structures with yellow-gray architectural tones. The brick carvings and wooden doors on the outer walls have distinct ethnic characteristics.
Inclusions Transportation + Accommodation + Ticket Package: Vehicle usage fee, fuel fee, driver service fee, toll fees, parking fees, and driver’s board and lodging, accommodation fee for a single person (if requesting a single room, you need to pay the single room supplement); first-entry tickets to the attractions listed in the itinerary, shuttle buses. The entire itinerary includes the following scenic spots: Lop Nur Village, Tarim Poplar Forest, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, and Kalakul Lake. Complimentary: Tourist travel accident insurance (insurance coverage of 200,000 yuan per person).
*Note: After booking this product, customer service will communicate with you about the itinerary and require your ID number and name for insurance purposes;
Exclusions
3. Transportation + Accommodation + Ticket Package: Excludes meals, entertainment, shopping, and other expenses of tourists;
4. All other expenses for the package: All personal expenses and any expenses not mentioned in the inclusions.
Additional consultation is available