Tashkurgan & South Xinjiang Tour: Echoes Of Ancient Caravans
Discover Tashkurgan’s secrets & South Xinjiang, a land of golden deserts, dramatic canyons, and snow-capped mountains along the legendary Silk Road. Explore vibrant bazaars, historic oasis towns, and the rich blend of cultures that define this unforgettable region.
Our South Xinjiang Tour
| FROM | TO | KM | TRAVEL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| URUMQI | KASHGAR | 1,075 KM | 1 HR FLIGHT |
| KASHGAR | TASHKURGAN | 290 KM | 5 HR 00 MIN |
| TASHKURGAN | BULUNKOU | 120 KM | 1 HR 50 MIN |
| BULUNKOU | QAGHILIQ | 180 KM | 5 HR 10 MIN |
| QAGHILIQ | HOTAN | 85 KM | 4 HR 06 MIN |
| HOTAN | AKSU | 450 KM | 7 HR 34 MIN |
Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi
- Morning: Arrive in Urumqi and transfer to your hotel, marking the beginning of your journey into the heart of Xinjiang.
- Afternoon: Visit the Xinjiang Museum to marvel at mummies and Silk Road artifacts, followed by lunch at a local Uyghur restaurant savoring authentic flavors.
- Evening: Explore the vibrant Grand Bazaar, then relax at your hotel.
Day 2: Urumqi → Kashgar
- Morning: Fly from Urumqi to Kashgar and check into your hotel before beginning your exploration of Kashgar’s atmospheric old town.
- Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with regional delicacies, then wander through the Old City alleys and visit the stunning Id Kah Mosque.
- Evening: Spend free time in the charming Chini Bagh area, soaking in the local atmosphere.
Day 3: Kashgar → Taxkorgan
- Morning: Drive along the majestic Karakoram Highway, stopping at the pristine Karakul Lake and Baisha Lake for breathtaking views.
- Afternoon: Continue the journey to Tashkorgan and visit the iconic Stone Fort viewpoint upon arrival.
- Evening: Check into your hotel in Tashkorgan and unwind.
Day 4: Taxkorgan → Bulunkou
- Morning: Embark on a scenic drive along the historic Panlong Ancient Road, exploring Taxkorgan’s stunning surroundings with small roads winding beside wild rivers and dramatic mountains.
- Afternoon: Continue your exploration, soaking in the natural beauty of the Pamir Plateau.
- Evening: Arrive in Bulunkou, enjoy the serene lake view, and settle into your local guesthouse.
Day 5: Bulunkou → Qaghiliq
- Morning: Drive from Bulunkou to Yecheng, taking in the changing landscapes.
- Afternoon: Visit the Jin Hu Yang Oasis (seasonal) to admire the golden poplar forests, followed by lunch in the area.
- Evening: Check into your accommodation in Yecheng for the night.
Day 6: Qaghiliq → Hotan
- Morning: Drive from Qaghiliq (Yecheng) to Hotan across the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert.
- Afternoon: Enjoy your local lunch and explore the historic Tuancheng Old City.
- Evening: Spend free time browsing the vibrant jade market, then rest into your hotel in Hotan.
Day 7: Hotan → Aksu
- Morning: Begin the full-day journey across the vast Taklamakan Desert, climbing dunes and spotting wild camels.
- Afternoon: Pause for a packed lunch during a desert stop, continuing the adventure.
- Evening: Arrive in Aksu and relax after the day’s expedition.
Day 8: Departure from Aksu
- Morning: Take an easy walk to the main viewpoints of the Tianshan Grand Canyon, soaking in the stunning scenery.
- Afternoon: Return from the canyon and prepare for departure.
- Evening: Depart from Aksu, concluding your journey.
Recommended 8-day itinerary. We handcraft each experience to match your style and budget.
Start designing your exclusive China journey today.
Urumqi (乌鲁木齐)
Xinjiang’s capital city at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains serves as the gateway to China’s western frontier. This modern metropolis at 830m elevation blends Silk Road heritage with urban development. Home to Uyghur, Han, Kazakh, and Hui communities, Urumqi showcases diverse cultures through its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Highlights:
Grand Bazaar
Experience Central Asian culture at this market featuring traditional crafts, textiles, foods, and performances.
Xinjiang Museum
View the region’s history through artifacts, including the famous “Tarim mummies” and Silk Road treasures.
Tianshan Mountains
Explore these “Heavenly Mountains”, alpine scenery, and the stunning Heavenly Lake (Tianchi).
Kashgar (喀什)
Located at the westernmost edge of China where the Silk Road once flourished, this ancient city sits at the convergence of the Tianshan and Pamir mountain ranges, serving as home to vibrant Uyghur culture with its distinctive architecture, cuisine, and traditions preserved for centuries.
Highlights:
Old Town
Wander through the winding alleys of Kashgar’s Old City with its mud-brick houses and traditional Uyghur craftsmanship.
Sunday Bazaar
Immerse yourself in Kashgar’s Sunday bazaar, where livestock trade flourishes, connecting merchants for over two millennia.
Id Kah Mosque
Visit China’s largest mosque, a stunning yellow-tiled structure dating back to the 15th century.
Tashkurgan (塔什库尔干)
Perched high on the Pamir Plateau at over 3,000 meters elevation, Tashkurgan (Taxkorgan / Tashkorgan) is China’s westernmost county and home to the Tajik ethnic minority. This remote frontier region borders Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, featuring stark mountain landscapes, ancient stone fortresses, and traditional Tajik villages where time seems to stand still.
Highlights:
Karakoram Highway Tour
Travel this legendary scenic highway winding through dramatic mountains to the Pakistan border.
Stone Fortress
Visit the ancient ruins of Taxkorgan Stone City, a 2,000-year-old strategic outpost along the Silk Road.
Pamir Plateau
Explore the majestic Pamir Plateau and its breathtaking roads, that surpsingly find their way into predating near-vertical cliffs.
Bulunkou (布伦口村)
Nestled beside the Tashkurgan River on the tranquil shores of Lake Baisha and embraced by soaring Pamir peaks, Bulunkou Village is a peaceful highland retreat just north of Taxkorgan. Its shimmering lake create an idyllic pause from the vast plateaus beyond.
Highlights:
Baisha Lake
Take scenic lake strolls with panoramic views of the sandy mountains diving into the waters.
Karakul Lake
Explore the wild camels dotted shores of this pristine lake.
Tajik Homestays
Enjoy traditional hospitality in remote Tajik villages.
Yecheng (叶城县)
Located at the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, Yecheng (also known as Kargilik) is a historic Silk Road oasis town that serves as a gateway to the Karakoram Highway and the mountainous regions of southwestern Xinjiang. Known for its lively bazaars and multicultural heritage, Yecheng is an important crossroads where Uyghur, Han, and Tajik cultures blend.
Highlights:
Poplar Forest Tours
Explore the lush Jin Hu Yang oasis and the surrounding populus euphratica forests, offering a green escape from the desert landscape.
Xiye Mi Cheng Ruins
Discover the “Secret City of the Western Regions,” an ancient archaeological site shrouded in legend, with weathered ruins on the edge of the desert.
Hotan (和田)
Located on the southern edge of the vast Taklamakan Desert, Hotan is an ancient oasis city with over 2,000 years of history. Famous for its jade, silk production, and distinctive Uyghur culture, this remote outpost serves as a gateway to exploring one of the world’s largest and most formidable sandy deserts.
Highlights:
Taklamakan Desert
Venture into the merciless Taklamakan Desert to experience one of the world’s most challenging landscapes in the world.
Tuancheng Old City
Wander through the winding alleys of Tuancheng Old City, soaking in centuries-old Uyghur architecture, vibrant bazaars, and the enduring spirit of Hotan’s ancient trading heritage.
– The Taklamakan Desert–
The Taklamakan Desert—China’s largest and the world’s second-largest shifting-sand desert—is a sea of golden dunes stretching across Xinjiang. Known as the “Sea of Death,” its harsh beauty hides ancient Silk Road ruins and oases. Adventurers brave its extremes for surreal landscapes and untamed solitude.
The Tarim Desert Highway (G216)
China’s longest desert-crossing road (552km), linking Luntai to Minfeng along the Tarim Basin’s north edge. Built with reed barriers to block shifting sands.
The Hotan-Qira Desert Highway (G580)
A southern route (424km) connecting Hotan to Qira (Yutian), cutting through the desert’s heart with stunning dune views. Vital for oil fields and adventure tours.
Aksu (阿克苏)
Located in northwest Xinjiang along the ancient Silk Road, Aksu is a vibrant city at the edge of the mighty Taklamakan Desert and the foothills of the Tianshan Mountains. It is famed for its abundant orchards, fertile oases, and centuries-old history as a crossroads of trade and diverse cultures. Aksu offers visitors a remarkable blend of natural wonders and local traditions rooted in Uyghur heritage.
Highlights:
Kekeya Green Corridor
Stroll beneath thousands of poplar trees in this lush manmade forest stretching for more than 20 kilometers through the desert.
Tianshan Grand Canyon
Marvel at dramatic red sandstone formations and labyrinthine cliffs in one of Xinjiang’s most photogenic canyons.
Table Of Contents
Your Journey Includes:
Considering the customizable nature of your trip, please regard the following as indicative and subject to modification based on your preferences. What will be included will ultimately be clearly specified in the Travel Services Contract prepared specifically for your travel experience:
- Private Transfers & Transportation
- Private airport transfers at the start/end of the trip
- Private vehicle and driver for all major overland journeys outlined in the final itinerary / Rental vehicle for self-drive trips, including insurance coverage
- Major train journeys
- Domestic flights and related taxes
- Guide/Coordinator & Activities
- Dedicated English-speaking guide/coordinator
- All entrance fees and activity costs per itinerary
- Accomodation
- Hotels based on availability and your preferred travel style (double occupancy)
- Daily breakfast
- Travel Support & Equipment
- In the case of an independent trip, remote support from the Ink Voyages Team throughout the duration of your journey
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags) where applicable
- Support for setting up the main Chinese apps required for traveling in China
Your Journey does not include:
Considering the customizable nature of your trip, please regard the following as indicative and subject to modification based on your preferences. Anything not included will be clearly specified in the Travel Services Contract prepared specifically for your travel experience:
- Chinese tourist visa (can be required for some foreign passport holders – See our dedicated section “Tips&Tools – VISA Guidelines”)
- International flights and related taxes
- In the case of a self-drive itinerary, fuel costs and tolls
- Excursions/activities beyond the planned itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Travel/medical insurance (See our dedicated section “Tips&Tools – Travel Insurance)
- Meals and dining expenses
- Gratuities for guides and drivers (at your discretion)
- Any items/services not specified in “Your Journey Includes”
