Kashgar chartered car: 0991-8585456 (same number)
Day 1
Urumqi
Fly from various locations across the country to Urumqi. Upon arrival, we will arrange a dedicated car and person to pick you up (or train) and take you to the hotel to rest, while enjoying the prosperity of Urumqi both past and present along the way.
Meals: Breakfast (please arrange your own), Lunch (please arrange your own), Dinner √
Accommodation: Urumqi
Day 2
Urumqi – Korla (500 km, driving time approximately 7 hours)
After breakfast, take a car to southern Xinjiang’s city, the second largest city in Xinjiang after Urumqi, and the target city for the Xinjiang Autonomous Region government’s “North Urumqi, South Korla” development plan – “Pear City” Korla; it is the fortress for entering and exiting southern Xinjiang and the watershed between northern and southern Xinjiang. Along the way, view the Ten-Mile Salt Lake and Asia’s wind power station – Dabancheng Wind Power Station; cross the ancient Silk Road “Dry Gulch” and the Malan Base, view the Gobi scenery, and after lunch visit [China’s inland freshwater lake – Bosten Lake, 45 yuan] (Lotus Lake), which is the end of the Kaidu River and the source of the Peacock River. In the warm summer, lotus flowers ripple, fish play in boats; in autumn, the water gently flows, golden reeds flutter, and wild geese convey feelings over long distances. At your own expense, you can take a boat into the lake area to see the dense reeds, clear lake water, and the underwater forest wonders. There is a marker for the source of the Peacock River in the lake, where you can feel the beauty of a lake in the vast Gobi Desert of Xinjiang. Upon arrival in Korla, visit what is known as one of the 26 famous passes of ancient China, [Tiemen Pass of the Western Regions, 6 yuan]. A pass was set up here during the Jin Dynasty, and it was called Tiemen Pass because of its dangerous and solid nature. View its majestic scenery surrounded by mountains and rivers.
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch √ Dinner √
Accommodation: Korla
Day 3
Korla / Taklamakan Desert / Populus euphratica Forest Park / Minfeng (600 kilometers, approximately
After breakfast, take a vehicle to the longest desert highway in the world and enter the second largest desert, the Sea of Death – the Taklamakan Desert. In Uyghur, it means ‘enter but not exit’. Drive along the world’s longest desert highway, feel the Sea of Death, and understand the saying ‘A thousand-year dream of transforming the sandy sea into an oilfield, today a miracle of turning the desert into a thoroughfare’. Observe the magnificent Tarim Bridge and the ‘unrestrained wild horse’ [Tarim River, the mother river], winding through the desert. Then visit the [world’s only original Populus euphratica Forest Park Reserve, 100 yuan/person, including scenic train transportation]. Ten percent of the world’s Populus euphratica forests are in China, and ninety percent of China’s Populus euphratica forests are in the Tarim River basin in Xinjiang. Its ancestors appeared as early as 135 million years ago and are called ‘fossils of the third century’ by geologists, representing one of the world’s oldest types of poplar trees. The original Populus euphratica forest – the ‘desert hero tree’, ‘dead for a thousand years but still standing’ – this Populus euphratica tree gives people a sense of perseverance and the power and spirit to strive upwards in any environment. Along the way, a thousand landscapes and scenes unfold before your eyes. Afterward, take a vehicle to Minfeng County, located in the southwest of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, at the northern foothills of the Kunlun Mountains and on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert.
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch √ Dinner √
Accommodation: Minfeng
Day 4
Minfeng/Hetian Yulong River/King Walnut Tree/Grape Promenade/Hetian (320 km, driving
After breakfast, depart for Hotan, known as the hometown of silk, jade, and carpets. Visit the miracle in the history of grape cultivation – [The Thousand-Mile Grape Corridor, 15 yuan]. To save farmland, farmers in Bagqi Town, Hotan County, utilized farmland roads to plant grapes alongside the roads, with vines stretching over the roads, occupying more sky than earth. After unified planning and gradual expansion over the years, this created a miracle in grape cultivation, highly praised by guests from China and abroad. Next, visit the 560-year-old [Walnut King Tree, 15 yuan]. The tree roughly forms a ‘Y’ shape, with a trunk so large that it takes five people to encircle it with their arms. Twelve meters away from the King Tree, another walnut tree grows from its roots, resembling the old King Tree in shape and also forming a ‘Y’ shape. Upon closer inspection, it looks like a deeply affectionate mother and son, evoking deep emotions. Afterward, visit the Hetian White Jade River, the birthplace of sheep-fat jade. You can get off the bus to pick jade in the White Jade River, visit the Hetian jade market, and then freely explore Hetian Jade Street.
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch √ Dinner √
Accommodation: Hotan
Day 5
Hotan/Yingjisha/Kashgar
After breakfast, depart for Kashgar, a major town in southern Xinjiang. You haven’t truly been to Xinjiang if you haven’t been to Kashgar! Historically known as ‘Shule,’ Kashgar is a renowned Chinese cultural city with a history of over two thousand years. It is also the intersection of the northern and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road, once a prosperous and culturally brilliant city renowned throughout Asia. It is also a place to experience ethnic minority culture. Along the way, visit the [Yingjisha Knife Factory]. Enjoy the vast Gobi Desert and the scenery of southern Xinjiang. On the way from Kashgar to Hotan, the lush oasis scenery showcases the rich Uyghur culture. Arrive in Kashgar later for a rest.
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch √ Dinner √
Accommodation: Kashgar
Day 6
Kashgar/Karakul Lake (one-way 190 kilometers, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive)
After breakfast, depart for Karakul Lake, known as the Black Lake (collectively obtain border passes), via National Highway 314 – the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, heading to the Pamir Plateau, a photographer’s paradise, to appreciate the magnificent scenery of the majestic Kunlun Mountains. Along the way, enjoy views of Red Mountain, the Gaizi Ancient Post, White Sand Mountain, Quicksand River, and yaks on the plateau, experiencing the hardships of the ancient Silk Road. During the journey, you can explore the idyllic Uyghur countryside and feel the tranquility of Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall in the depths of the desert. You can also take photos in front of the White Sand River, known as the Quicksand River, and the breathtaking布伦口White Sand Mountain. Ancient Silk Road posts can also be seen along the way. Head to Karakul Lake (50 yuan) – [meaning ‘black lake’ and ‘great lake,’ it is one of the world’s highest lakes, with an altitude of over 4000 meters and an area of 10 square kilometers]. By the lake is the pasture of the Kyrgyz people. Kyrgyz shepherd girls in flower hats weave through herds of cattle and sheep on the lush green grass. Under the setting sun, herdsmen drive their cattle and sheep here to drink water, with the sound of camel bells echoing from afar, creating a picturesque grassland scene. This place also tells the mythical story of the Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou. From here, you can view Mount Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh, and Kongur Tobe, three mountains standing tall like celestial pillars, with an altitude of 7546 meters, earning them the title of ‘Father of Glaciers.’ Afterward, return to Kashgar by car.
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch √ Dinner √
Accommodation: Kashgar
Day 7
Folk customs in Kashgar City / Urumqi
After breakfast, visit Abakh Hoja Tomb – [Xiangfei Tomb, 30 yuan], built in 1640, and [Bazaar – Farmers’ Market] (praised by foreign tourists as ‘Central Asia’s First Grand Bazaar’), a street of ethnic handicrafts with various handicraft products. After dinner, take a flight back to Urumqi.
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch √ Dinner √
Accommodation: Urumqi
Day 8
Korla / Taklamakan Desert / Populus euphratica Forest Park / Minfeng (600 kilometers, approximately
After breakfast, take a vehicle to the longest desert highway in the world and enter the second largest desert, the Sea of Death – the Taklamakan Desert. In Uyghur, it means ‘enter but not exit’. Drive along the world’s longest desert highway, feel the Sea of Death, and understand the saying ‘A thousand-year dream of transforming the sandy sea into an oilfield, today a miracle of turning the desert into a thoroughfare’. Observe the magnificent Tarim Bridge and the ‘unrestrained wild horse’ [Tarim River, the mother river], winding through the desert. Then visit the [world’s only original Populus euphratica Forest Park Reserve, 100 yuan/person, including scenic train transportation]. Ten percent of the world’s Populus euphratica forests are in China, and ninety percent of China’s Populus euphratica forests are in the Tarim River basin in Xinjiang. Its ancestors appeared as early as 135 million years ago and are called ‘fossils of the third century’ by geologists, representing one of the world’s oldest types of poplar trees. The original Populus euphratica forest – the ‘desert hero tree’, ‘dead for a thousand years but still standing’ – this Populus euphratica tree gives people a sense of perseverance and the power and spirit to strive upwards in any environment. Along the way, a thousand landscapes and scenes unfold before your eyes. Afterward, take a vehicle to Minfeng County, located in the southwest of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, at the northern foothills of the Kunlun Mountains and on the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert.
Day 9
Urumqi
After breakfast, free activities. Then, based on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport to conclude your pleasant journey and return to your lovely home!
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch (Please prepare on your own) Dinner (Please prepare on your own)
Xinjiang Dawakun Desert Chartered Car: 0991-8585456 (Same)