Xinjiang's Best for First-Timers
As China's largest province and the western end of China's Silk Road, Xinjiang is the homeland of enthusiastic Uyghurs and several other minorities. Xinjiang offers diverse landscapes, a mix of cultures, fascinating music, joyful dance, and sweet fruits for you to discover and enjoy.
This is a recommended Xinjiang tour for first-time visitors. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the marvelous landscapes, learn about Xinjiang's history and its significance on the Silk Road, and interact with the locals.
Urumqi-Turpan-Kashgar Tour Map
Tour 'Wow' Points
Fall in Love with Heavenly Mountain and Heavenly Lake Colors
The blue lake, green grassland, dark green forest, and white peaks of Tianshan (the 'Heavenly Mountains') create a lovely landscape of picture-perfect Xinjiang.
Experience Exotic Charm in the Westernmost City of China
Experience the region's religion in Xinjiang's biggest mosque. Enjoy the beauty of Islamic architecture in a quiet atmosphere.
Enjoy a Xinjiang Afternoon Tea with Some Locals
Experience the typical social life of the town as you listen to folk music played by the Uyghur seniors.
Explore the Cultural Relics of the Silk Road
Wander around the peculiar ancient clifftop city of Jiaohe. Visit the oldest Uyghur village with a history of 1,700 years.
Be immersive with the finest Buddhist arts of Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are famous for their brightly colored murals, which depict a wide variety of Buddhist subjects.
Catch a Glimpse of the Great Pamirs
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. View the impressive Baisha ('White Sand') Lake and Karakul ('Black Lake'). Snow-capped Muztag Ata and other very tall mountains look like a row of strong guards protecting this land.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Beijing in a day
My partner found this company and booked with ease and no hassle. From start to finish we have been so looked after, upon arrival in Beijing after a train from Shanghai we were met by our guide Selinda. She has been amazing through out the day, flexible with times. She showed us the best place to get some food and then taking us to and from the Great Wall was filled with information and little facts. Plenty of time was given to explore the wall and then we were taken for some dumplings to revive us. Selinda made sure we were looked after and ensured we got back on the correct train. She made this trip so much less stressful and much more enjoyable. Would highly recommend this company for future use. more
Jan 2025, French-Biscuit14
|
Great way to tour Beijing
My daughter and I toured Beijing with Selinda. She was prompt, professional, friendly, and helpful. We saw Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu Great Wall section. At each site she shared the history and offered suggestions of good places for pictures. She was attentive to us and made sure we had everything we needed. The driver was helpful and having him drop us off and pick us up was immensely helpful. We toured the Summer Palace with Jason and he also did a stellar job sharing interesting facts and information which gave us context and a greater appreciation of what we saw. Jason, like Selinda, did a splendid job suggesting good photo spots and always happily offered to take our picture for us. I highly recommend these two tour guides and the driver. This was a great way to see some of the tourist attractions in Beijing. more
Jan 2025, Chris
|
Epic time in Beijing with Selinda Zhang
A huge shoutout to our most awesome tour guide Selinda Zhang!!! She is a walking talking encyclopaedia with a wealth of knowledge both historic and current. She made our visits to well preserved historical sites all the more interesting sharing architecture, literature, Chinese penmanship and poems to highlight the significance of each site we visited! She engages both adults and children and usually reticent kids were asking questions and learnt heaps about Beijing history this trip. We had an epic time in Beijing thanks to Selinda!! more
Jan 2025, Hwei ling C
|
Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
When you land in Urumqi, your personal tour guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals area and will be ready to transfer you to your hotel.
Drive from Urumqi to Turpan. Visit Tuyugou Village in the morning. It is a place where you can experience the traditional lifestyle of the Uyghurs. You may have a chance here to chat with local Uyghur people.
The Bezeklik Caves have been carved into the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains in western China. They date back to the 5th century and are filled with vibrant murals depicting Buddhist scenes and figures. Though some the murals have been damaged, they are still UNESCO sites that worth visiting.
The next stop is the Astana-Karakhoja Tombs, also known as the "Underground Museum". The well-preserved artifacts there offer a window into the lives of the people who lived in Gaochang Kindom 1,500 years ago.
Visit Emin Minaret in the morning. A beautiful shadow is cast across the walls in the morning sunlight.
Then, you will visit the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe. This city was built by digging down instead of building up from the ground. After lunch, you will venture underground to explore the Karez Well System and experience the wisdom behind this ancient irrigation system.
Drive back to Urumqi in the afternoon
After breakfast, visit Heavenly Lake at the Tianshan Mountains. The mountain lake lies at 1,980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery that includes snowcapped peaks. It is nice to walk along the plank path to enjoy the scenery around the Lake. See the magical colors reflected on the surface of the lake and listen to many beautiful myths and legends.
Fly to Kashgar in the evening.
Have a relaxing walk in Kashgar Old City where you can see green lianas climbing on mud buildings and children chasing each other. Visit the biggest mosque in Xinjiang and appreciate the beauty of Islamic architecture in a quiet tomb of a great Uyghur poet.
Later, go to the Kashgar Grand Bazaar, which is famous throughout Asia. This ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries, such as Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
If you go there on a Sunday, you will have the opportunity to see the livestock market, which is where people take their livestock for trade and shearing.
Walk from the old city to the Handicrafts Street. Go into the shops, touch the semi-finished handicrafts, and test the timbre of exotic musical instruments.
Have a break at the ancient teahouse, which has a history of over 100 years. Many locals gather there to chat, enjoy a tea break, play music, and dance, spending a whole afternoon there.
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. Enjoy the seldom-seen scenery of the westernmost point of China.
The Baisha Lake is surrounded with a mix of white sand dunes, lush grasslands, and poplar forests. The stark contrast between the white sand dunes and the blue water of the lake create a sense of tranquility and peacefulness.
See one of the best-kept secrets in China: Karakul Lake, a sparkling glacial lake. During the 3-hour drive, you may want to ask the driver to stop so that you can take photos as the scenery is breathtaking. The scenery and lake will draw out your inner photographer.
Snow-capped Muztag Ata and other very tall mountains look like a row of strong guards protecting this land.
Your guide and driver will take you to Kashgar Airport to catch a flight, and will make sure that your check-in goes smoothly.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price Includes: