China's far flung northwest is filled with mystery for most of us. Unlock this unique area as we help you explore Xingjiang
Day 1
Place & Transport: Beijing to Urumqi, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Urumqi)
Day 2
Place & Transport: Urumqi
Today's Activities: Heavenly Lake, Erdaoqiao Market, Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake, Souvenir Shop of the Great Hall of the People
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Jiamu Restaurant (Lunch)
Detailed Itinerary:
Heavenly Lake : The Heavenly Lake is a very beautiful mountain lake formed more than million years ago in the 4th glacial epoch, so the water in it is pure and icy. The altitude of the lake is up to 2150 meters above the sea level and got its fame as the "jewel in the crown". To the east of the lake stands the Bogda Peak-the highest peak in the east part of Tian Shan Mountain, which is capped by glacier and snow glistening in the sun, finely contrasted with blue lake water, forming fabulous scenery,steep forested hills and high meadows with snow peaks behind.
A 3-hour drive from Urumqi along a good road passes a giant windfarm, wide rivers and pastures and up into the mountains. Tented camps line the river valley before a chair lift takes you up to the lake, which is also a favourite hiking and camping area. There you can walk or take electric carts, and a short boat ride (average 80m deep, 180m at its deepest point). Wear comfortable shoes and take sunburn cream and a light jacket.
Erdaoqiao Market: The Erdaoqiao Bazaar is the largest in Urumqi. You'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything that you can imagine. On Sunday, there are more stalls and more goods to buy than any other day. The old streets around the bazaar are really worth seeing.
Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake: It is a different way to visit Heavenly Lake by boat
Jiamu Restaurant : Jiamu is a nationalistic style restaurant, mainly providing Uygur cuisine but no wine allowed while dining. The restroom is in good decoration and there is a short time for live performance during lunch time. Due to some problem for communication as the working staff are Uygur and the higher expense there is few chances to cater to groups?
Souvenir Shop of the Great Hall of the People : A Urumqi urban district's large-scale shopping shop, manages each kind of Xinjiang Hetian jade, the Xinjiang manual rug, as well as Xinjiang locality each kind of local color snacks
Tel: 0991-4835598
Address: 45 North Youhao Road,Urumuqi,Xinjiang
Day 3
Place & Transport: Urumqi to Turpan
Today's Activities: Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon, Pass through the Flaming Mountain, Jiaohe Ruin
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Red Rose Restaurant(Lunch)
Detailed Itinerary:
Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon: The Tuyugou Great Canyon is 46 kilometers away from Shanshan county in the east, 47 kilometers from Turpan city in the west and 13 kilometers from the Gaochang Ancient City in the southwest.Among the canyons in the Flame Mountain which extends nearly one hundred kilometers, the Tuyugou Great Canyon is the canyon with the longest culture and the most mighty and majestic natural landscapes.
Tuyoq is a traditional village of vineyards, orchards, narrow streets and irrigation channels tumbling between ancient mudbrick houses and shady trees against the backdrop of the bare, red Flaming Mountains. An easy and pretty walk takes you to a group of very ancient caves carved into the mountainside. You can stop and enjoy the surroundings, or climb the steep stairways to view some of the caves, parts of their frescoes still visible, with both Buddhist and Nestorian connections.
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.
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 construction city in the world. The present preservation was descended from Tang dynasty during which period it had its Gold Age.
As you walk the streets of this incredible ruined city lying between two rivers, you can look across to distant vineyards and orchards. Clear streets and roads lead you through different sections and high viewpoints for perspective. Many of the buildings remain, and as the desert wind swirls through in the evenings, it’s easy to imagine the hustle and bustle of a once busy city, now deserted. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and take water and sunscreen.
Red Rose Restaurant: Red Rose Restaurant is an authentic Uygur restaurant mainly providing Uygur cuisine in local.
Day 4
Place & Transport: Turpan to Urumqi to Kashgar, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Urumqi), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Kashgar), Suleiman Minaret, Karez Well,
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Suleiman Minaret: The Sugong Tower is the biggest ancient pagoda existing in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient pagoda in the country. It is located at the Munage village, 2 kilometers away from the Turpan city in the east.
Karez Well: The Karez Water System Folkways Paradise is located at the Ya'er country in Turpan city, 3 kilometers away from the city Turban, 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.
The famous fruit and vineyards of these hot, dry desert communities owe their existence to the karez, ancient underground irrigation channels fed by wells that tap into the snowmelt from surrounding mountains. These systems are still maintained and functioning today. A small museum provides an insight into their intriguing history and construction, and takes you below ground for a first-hand view.
Day 5
Place & Transport: Kashgar
Today's Activities: Lake Karakuli, Pass to Lake Kalakuli
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Lake Karakuli: A sparkling glacial lake, surrounded by stunning rocky mountains, and snow-covered peaks as high as 7500m (the lake's at 3,600). After eating in one of the collection of yurts at the water's edge you can walk around the lake (about 4 hours), or take a ride by pony, camel or motorbike, or just enjoy the scenery before returning to Kashgar. Camping is available in the yurts (best to come well prepared), and longer treks available by arrangement.
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 6
Place & Transport: Kashgar to Urumqi, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Kashgar), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Urumqi), Id Kah Mosque, Sunday bazaar, Zhiren Street, Kashgar Old Town
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Nuolan Restaurant (Lunch)
Id Kah Mosque: This 15th century mosque is one of the largest and busiest in China. As you stroll under the trees in the pleasant courtyards, you glimpse the strength and care of the local community. At midday on Fridays around 10,000 people will gather to pray and study the Koran, and prayer 5 times/day on other days. You'll be asked to remove your shoes before entering the Main Hall, which has traditional Islamic pillars,carvings and rugs strewn over the floors. Women are adviced to cover upper arms and legs, a scarf is not compulsory, but is seen as a mark of respect.
Sunday bazaar: Famous throughout Asia, this ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan. There are wonderful, offerings of dried fruit and delicacies, clothes, shoes, leather, textiles, rugs and carpets as well as scarves, souvenirs and other goods in an eclectic mix that appeals to traveller and native alike. Open all week, Sunday's the big day when the farmers come to town, and those who still prefer to shop at the market rather than city shops.
Zhiren Street: It is close to Id Kah Mosque, an old street with an amazing range of goods being crafted for sale by hand , from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments. There's not much light industry in Kashgar, so everything is hand-made or imported from a very distant place. Copper, metal, porcelain, woodwork, jewellery and other goods are seen to be made and you will marvel at incredible devices like the wooden objects that prevent babies from wetting the bed.
Kashgar Old Town: Explore the maze of narrow streets in this oldest residential area of Kashgar. Houses were originally built along a natural slope, and extended over the years with many streets either fully or half-covered. Traditional Uighur life continues here in time-honoured fashion. Visit local families, see potteries, bakeries, embroidery, and local skills. There's a local Folk Museum, and yes, souvenirs are for sale but these are not rich people, a purchase is better than a gift
Nuolan Restaurant : Located at the Kashi town center, is away from the Aitigaer mosque 100 meters. The dining room environment is ordinary, the bathroom repair is simple, squats the type, the hygiene condition is ordinary. But south may taste the boundary Uygur national minority's characteristic diet, with they more intimate contact. Dines when the dining room may not drink wine
Day 7
Place & Transport: Urumqi to Beijing, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Urumqi)
Meals: Breakfast
Note: If you choose to stay on in Beijing for a few extra days, or arrive a few days early in Beijing, please let us know, and we'd be happy to extend your hotel bookings, or arrange additional tours for you.
* Prices are in US dollars, for one person. Prices are for references only, may vary according to different travel seasons.
* Better discounts are valible when travel in low season from Nov to March.
