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info@tour-beijing.comBeijing, Urumqi tour
Discover the ancient Silk Road through Xinjiang's diverse landscapes—from Urumqi's Heavenly Lake to Turpan's ruins, Korla's Bosten Lake, and Kuqa's thousand-Buddha caves.
This 7-day private tour takes you deep into Xinjiang, China's vast northwestern region, following the historic Silk Road from Urumqi to Turpan, Korla, and Kuqa. Begin at Urumqi's stunning Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), an alpine gem on Tianshan's Bogda Peak. Travel to Turpan to explore the ancient Jiaohe Ruins, then continue to Korla for the serene Bosten Lake, the largest inland freshwater lake in China. En route to Kuqa, witness the surreal Diversifolious Poplar Forest in Luntai. In Kuqa, delve into Buddhist heritage at the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, predating the Mogao Grottoes. Return to Urumqi by overnight train, visiting the Xinjiang Regional Museum before departure. Perfect for travelers seeking authentic cultural encounters and natural wonders without exaggerated luxury claims.
The map shows the tour area. The detailed plan below remains the source for stops and timing.
Arrival in Urumqi, met by our tour guide in Urumqi and transferred to your hotel in Urumqi. After lunch, drive 120km to Tianchi Lake. Tian Chi - The name literally means "Heaven Lake" or "Heavenly Lake. This Tianchi lies on the north side of Bogda Peak of Tianshan Mountains, about 120 km east of Urumqi. It is an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period.
Then return to the city center of Urumqi. Before dinner, have a short city tour of the bazaar - Urumqi International Bazaar, locally called "Erdaoqiao Bazaar", located at No.160 Shengli Street of Urumqi city, it boasts a total area of 100,000 square meters, largest bazaar in the world. Return to your hotel in Urumqi.
Pick up from your hotel in Urumqi, then take a private vehicle and escorted by our tour guide and drive 200km to Turpan. Stay at your hotel in Turpan. The afternoon tour in Turpan include:
Jiaohe Ruins - The Jiaohe Ruins is the place of ancient Chinese ruins found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan. The city of Jiaohe was the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom, concurrent with the Han Dynasty, Jin Dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. It was finally abandoned after its destruction during an invasion by the Mongols led by Genghis Khan in the 13th century.
Karez Well - It is a loacal Turfan water system, called karez well in Turfan. It is a qanat system that has been regarded as one of the three greatest water projects of ancient China together with the Du Jiang Yan Irrigation System, and the Grand Canal.
Flaming Mountains - The Flaming Mountains are barren, eroded, red sandstone hills in the east of the city of Turfan. The mountain climate is harsh and the temperature is extremely hot in the summer, the hottest site in China.
Grape Valley - Situated in the Flaming Mountain 13 km east of Turpan, the Grape Valley is 8km long from north to south and 0.5km wide. This green paradise of 400 hektares is covered with layer upon layer of grapes.
After breakfast, drive 400km ( about 6 hours ) to the new oil city - Korla. Stay at your hotel in Korla. Today visit Bosten Lake - Bosten Lake is the largest inland fresh water lake in China. The lake looks like a fairyland winning its reputation of being a "pearl" in the desert sea.
After breakfast, drive 300km ( about 4 hours ) to Kuqa. On the way, visit Diversifolious Poplar Forest in Luntai. The Luntai County is a county under the administration of the Bayinguole Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture. It is located 171km west Korla and 109km east of Kuqa, the north starting point of the longest Desert Road in the world: Luntai - Minfeng Desert Road. Diversifolious Poplar Forest is located in the north of Taklimakan Desert, the middle portion of Tarim River. It is 70 km south to Luntai County. It is the biggest ancient poplar forest park in Xinjiang.
Tonight stay at your hotel in Kuqa.
Today' highlight tour in Kuqa includes:
1.Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves - Located 67 kilometers west of Kucha County, the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves is the oldest of its kind in China and the largest ruins of Buddhist culture in Xinjiang, even one century earlier than the famous Mogao Grottoes.There are now 236 numbered grottoes in this cave, which houses nearly 10,000 square meters of mural paintings.
2.Tianshan Grand Canyon - The Tianshan Mystery Canyon is located in the mountain area 72km north of Kuqa. The canyon is characterized by oddly-shaped rocks, craggy pinnacles, rugged cliffs and deep ravines. The width of the canyon changes due to the terrain.
While the broadest area is 53 meter wide, the narrowest section is too narrow for one person to go through sideways.
After dinner, take overnight train back to Urumqi.
Arrival at Urumqi at noon. After lunch, visit Urumqi Regional Museum. The Xinjiang Regional Museum is a large integrated museum and centre for the collection and study of cultural relics in Xinjiang. It is divided into 2 sections - one for archeological treasures from the Silk Road and the other for the province' minority cultures.
After breakfast, free to your transfer to Urumqi airport or Urumqi Train Station for your next destination; or you are free on your own.
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| All transfers and city transportation for your own use | Tips to your tour guide and driver |
| Entrance fees and meals as mentioned | Travel insurance for your coverage of injury or accident |
| Private car or van with English speaking guide | |
| Hotel with breakfast | |
| Urumqi-Turpan-Korla by private vehicle; Kuqa-Urumai by train | |
| The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group. |
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