Memories Of Xinjiang

Memories Of Xinjiang

China's far northwest is filled with mystery. Unlock this unique area and explore Xingjiang in 8 days.

Day 1 >> URUMQI

After your arrival in Urumqi, airport transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free and easy. Overnight in Urumqi.

Day 2 >> URUMQI (B/L/-)

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

Heavenly Lake (1 hour): 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 (1 hour): 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 to visit.
Cruise on the Heavenly Lake (40 minutes): Visit Heavenly Lake by boat.
Jiamu Restaurant: Jiamu is a nationalistic style restaurant, mainly providing Uygur cuisine but no wine allowed while dining. There is a short time for live performance during lunch time.
Souvenir Shop at 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

Day 3 >> URUMQI - TURPAN (B/L/-)

Today's Activities: Mt Nan Pastures, Mt Nan Pastures and Terai Camp, The Terai Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Mt Nan Pastures and Terai Camp: Mount Nan pasture is very big attractive mountain valley, with grassland and pastures, surrounded by forested hills and mountains,with West Baiyanggou, Juhuatai, East Baiyanggou, Mount Zhaobi, Miaoergou and Daxigou from west to east. You can rent a horse to explore further (riding experience is recommended), or just take in the local activities. If you have luck, you can watch the activities of horse race, sheep catching and girls whip.

It is a typical area,where many Kazakhs continue their traditional way of life here, herding cattle and sheep. You can also visit a local house or yurt to sample Kazakh food and drink, including butter tea.
The Terai Camp (30 minutes): A special experience of Kazak nomad life here, have a cup of milk tea and taste some really local food.

Urumqi, Pictures

Day 4 >> TURPAN (B/L/-)

Today's Activities: Astana Tombs, Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon, Grape Valley, Suleiman Minaret
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Astana Tombs (40 minutes): It is located in the Gobi Desert in the north of Gaochang, 40 kilometers away from Turpan city. At the Ancient Tombs of Astana, thousands of treasure historical relics had been unearthed, including mummy, writing, inscription, painting, earthen figurine, stone wares, pottery wares, wood wares, bronze wares, iron wares, gold wares, silver wares, cotton, silk, wool, ancient coins and so on. Therefore, the Ancient Tombs of Astana is called the "Gaochang's live history record and underground museum in the Turpan area."
Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon (1.5 hours): 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.
Grape Valley (1 hour): With its shady vineyards and trees, this provides a welcome place of relaxation amidst the hundreds of square miles of sand. You may take a seat under the vintage frames, savor various grapes, enjoy the beautiful Uyghur girls in their ornate costumes, and be fully intoxicated by this refreshing palace of grapes. Taking a walk along the grape corridor, you will find drying rooms on nearby slopes. Every year over 300 tons of raisins are made here.
Suleiman Minaret (40 minutes): 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.
Red Rose Restaurant: Red Rose Restaurant is an authentic Uygur restaurant mainly providing Uygur cuisine in local.

Day 5 >> TURPAN - URUMQI - KASHGAR (B/L/-)

Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Urumqi), Flight from Urumqi to Kashgar, Airport to Hotel Transfer (Kashgar), Karez Well, Jiaohe Ruin
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Karez Well (40 minutes): 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.

Jiaohe Ruin (2 hours): 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.

Day 6 >> KASHGAR (B/L/-)

Today's Activities: Lake Karakuli
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

Lake Karakuli (2 hours): 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.

Kashgar, Pictures

Day 7 >> KASHGAR - URUMQI (B/L/-)

Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Kashgar), Flight Kashgar - Umrumqi, Airport to Hotel Transfer (Urumqi), Id Kah Mosque, Sunday bazaar, Kashgar Old Town, Zhiren Street / Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Orida Culture Restaurant

Id Kah Mosque (40 minutes): 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 (2 hours): 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.

Kashgar Old Town (1 hour): 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.

Zhiren Street (1 hour): 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.

Orida Culture Restaurant : It is an authentic Uygur restaurant mainly providing Uygur cuisine in local. With a great prestige it attracts a large number of tourists for enjoying Uygur culture during peak season. The restroom is in normal condition, no wine allowed while dining.

Day 8 >> URUMQI (B/-/-)

Breakfast and Transfer to the Airport.

Our package tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours as mentioned with English speaking guide, baggage handling, entrance fees, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), accommodation with breakfast, flight Urumqi - Kashgar - Urumqi, service charges and Taxes. Not included are other meals than mentioned in the program, optional tours, expenditures of personal nature.

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