10-Day Southern Xinjiang Tour

After breakfast, begin your journey towards the oasis city of Korla.

The scenery gradually changes as you leave the city behind. Open landscapes and distant mountain ranges can be seen along the drive. Korla has long been an important stop for traders and travellers moving along the Silk Road.

Arrive in the afternoon with time to explore Korla. You can visit the nearby Tiemen Pass, where the Silk Road starts its passage through the Kaidu River Gorge.

Today you continue west through mountain roads to Kuqa. This town was a major connection point between China and countries to the West, as well as a center of music and Buddhism in Western China.

After arriving, spend some time exploring the old town’s narrow streets and local markets.

Today, discover Kuqa’s surroundings.

Visit the impressive Tianshan Grand Canyon, where layers of red sandstone have been shaped by wind and water over thousands of years.

In the afternoon, continue to the Subash Temple Ruins, the ruins of Buddhist temples built beside the Kuqa River almost 2,000 years ago. The crumbling pagodas are set against the desert dunes and are particularly stunning at sunset when they are cast in golden light.

Returning to town in the evening, you can relax after your day in the desert.

Leave Kuqa after breakfast and travel across the western edge of the Tarim Basin towards Aksu, with views of vast arid landscapes along the way.

First, stop at the Kizil Cave Temple Complex, the largest complex of Buddhist grottoes in Xinjiang.

Continue west through the desert to the oasis city of Aksu.

Arriving in Aksu during the afternoon, you’ll have time to unwind after the day’s travel.

The city serves as an important gateway between the desert and the mountains beyond. You can visit Aksu’s Old Street, featuring Central Asian architecture and a small market selling local crafts.

After breakfast, continue to Kashgar, one of the most famous cities along the ancient Silk Road. The drive takes you through colourful landscapes, with the Tianshan Mountains to the right and the Taklamakan desert to the left.

After settling into your hotel, enjoy an easy walk through the Old City. As evening approaches, the streets begin to fill with local families and market vendors, offering a taste of the atmosphere that makes Kashgar so distinctive.

Today is yours to explore Kashgar. Begin with a walk through the Old City, where maze-like laneways lead past traditional earthen-structure buildings, decorated archways, and local artisan shops.

Then head to the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in Xinjiang. The mosque features beautiful, detailed architecture in its grand prayer halls and courtyard.

Later, visit the bazaars, where traders gather to sell their wares, ranging from spices and dried fruit to textiles and crafts. The lanes are filled with the sounds of bargaining and daily trade that have been a core part of Kashgar for centuries.

There will also be the opportunity to try Xinjiang saffron and rock sugar tea at the Hundred-Year-Old Tea House of Kashgar. Here, you may sometimes see older gents gather to play traditional instruments.

Today offers the opportunity to discover more of Kashgar and its surrounding countryside.

In the morning visit traditional Uyghur houses in the Gaotai Ancient Home Residential Area. This area not only preserves the historic architecture of Kashgar, but also the old ways of life. Here, there will be opportunities to stop for tea, sample local snacks and learn more about the region’s cultural heritage.

Depending on the day of travel, you can go to the weekly Kashgar Livestock Market to witness the livestock trading that has been an important part of Kashgar life for centuries – including the camels that once plied the ancient Silk Road as beasts of burden.

The afternoon is free to explore more of Kashgar’s bazaars at a relaxed pace. The city has many cafes and traditional restaurants for you to try, as well as a bustling night market where you can sample different local dishes and snacks.

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Kashgar Airport for your onward journey. If time allows, there may be an opportunity for one final stroll through the old neighbourhoods or a stop at a local bakery before your flight.

We hope you have enjoyed your journey through southern Xinjiang with us and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.