18 Days Silk Road & Northern Xinjiang Tour
Tour Overview
Xinjiang is vast —larger than France and Germany combined. This 18-day grand tour does it justice, combining the classic Silk Road route with the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Xinjiang. From the turquoise waters of Kanas Lake in autumn to the rainbow mountains of Zhangye, from the grasslands of Ili to the Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar —this is Xinjiang at its most magnificent.
Trip Highlights
- Photograph Kanas Lake in golden autumn colors
- Explore Hemu Village, China's most beautiful village
- Trek the Tianshan Mountains near Sayram Lake
- Visit Naraty Grasslands —Kazakh nomad country
- Walk the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang
- Explore the Turpan Depression, 154m below sea level
- Experience Kashgar's legendary Sunday Bazaar
- Camel ride at Singing Sand Dunes
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- 1Day
Arrive in Urumqi
Welcome to Xinjiang's capital. Airport transfer, hotel check-in. Evening visit to Hongshan Park for city views, followed by Uyghur welcome dinner.
- 2Day
Urumqi ✈ Kanas
Morning flight to Kanas Airport. Transfer to Kanas Lake Nature Reserve —one of China's most beautiful alpine lakes. Afternoon hike along the lake trail, photographing the famous "Moon Bay" and "Dragon Bay."
- 3Day
Kanas —Hemu Village
Drive to Hemu Village, a remote Tuwa settlement tucked in a valley of birch forests. Horse trek to Beauty Peak for panoramic views. Stay in a cozy wooden lodge.
- 4Day
Hemu → Altay → Urumqi
Sunrise photography at Hemu —the morning mist rising over wooden cabins is iconic. Drive to Altay, visit the Altay Museum, afternoon flight back to Urumqi.
- 5Day
Urumqi → Sayram Lake
Morning departure to Sayram Lake (6 hrs). This high-altitude lake is the largest in the Tianshan range, known as the "Last Teardrop of the Atlantic." Afternoon hike around the lake.
- 6Day
Sayram → Naraty Grasslands
Cross the spectacular Guozigou Bridge en route to Naraty. Spend the afternoon on horseback across the vast alpine grasslands, visiting Kazakh yurt camps.
- 7Day
Naraty → Ili River Valley
Drive through the Ili River Valley. Visit lavender fields (Jun-Jul) and local Uyghur villages. Evening arrival in Yining for dinner and rest.
- 8Day
Yining ✈ Urumqi → Turpan
Morning flight to Urumqi, then drive to Turpan (3 hrs). Visit the ancient Jiaohe Ruins —a Silk Road city carved from raw earth. Evening grape harvest experience at Grape Valley.
- 9Day
Turpan —Flaming Mountains & Karez
Visit the Flaming Mountains, made famous in Journey to the West. Tour the ingenious Karez underground irrigation system. Afternoon at the Emin Minaret and local bazaar.
- 10Day
Turpan → Dunhuang (High-speed train)
High-speed train to Dunhuang (4 hrs). Evening at Shazhou Night Market for local snacks —try donkey meat noodles and apricot tea.
- 11Day
Dunhuang —Mogao Caves
Full morning at the UNESCO Mogao Caves —492 cave temples with 45,000 sqm of Buddhist murals. Afternoon camel ride at Singing Sand Dunes and sunset at Crescent Moon Spring.
- 12Day
Dunhuang —Yumen Pass & Yardang Ghost City
Drive to Yumen Pass, the ancient frontier gate of the Han Dynasty. Continue to Yardang Ghost City —surreal wind-carved formations in the Gobi Desert.
- 13Day
Dunhuang → Jiayuguan → Zhangye
Drive to Jiayuguan (5 hrs). Visit the Jiayuguan Fortress at the western end of the Ming Great Wall. Continue to Zhangye for overnight.
- 14Day
Zhangye —Danxia Rainbow Mountains
Morning at the Giant Buddha Temple. Afternoon at Zhangye Danxia National Geopark —the multicolored rock formations are at their most vivid in the late afternoon sun.
- 15Day
Zhangye ✈ Kashgar
Flight to Kashgar via Urumqi. Afternoon exploring Kashgar Old City's maze of alleyways. Evening tea at a 100-year-old teahouse with live Uyghur music.
- 16Day
Kashgar —Sunday Bazaar & Karakoram Highway
Sunday Market —the ultimate Silk Road experience. Thousands of traders, livestock, spices, and carpets. Afternoon drive along the Karakoram Highway to Karakul Lake.
- 17Day
Kashgar —Id Kah Mosque & Abakh Khoja Tomb
Visit Id Kah Mosque, China's largest. Tour Abakh Khoja Tomb —the "Fragrant Concubine's" mausoleum. Farewell dinner with Uyghur dance performance.
- 18Day
Depart Kashgar
Airport transfer for departure. Your grand Xinjiang odyssey concludes. 再见!
What's Included
17 nights accommodation (4-star hotels + lodges)
English-speaking guide throughout
All domestic flights (Urumqi-Kanas, Yining-Urumqi, Zhangye-Kashgar)
Private air-conditioned vehicle & driver
Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All entrance fees & listed activities
Airport transfers on arrival & departure
Travel insurance (China domestic)
What's Excluded
International flights to/from China
Chinese visa fees
Personal expenses & tips
Single room supplement ($680)
What Our Travelers Say
Join 20,000+ happy travelers who have explored the Silk Road with us
"Thanks to the team for making our journey safe and unforgettable. Every detail was perfectly arranged — from the desert camps to the ancient cities. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"Special thanks to Alice for her professional arrangements. Our guides Harry and Jane were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The drivers Zhou and Huang provided excellent service throughout."
"Amazing 13-day Xinjiang + Silk Road tour! Our guide Ali was exceptional — his knowledge of history and genuine care for every traveler made this journey extraordinary."
"Everything went smoothly as planned. The Silk Road exceeded all our expectations. We're already planning our next visit — there's so much more to explore!"
"Thank you Alice and assistant Richard for all the help! As first-time China travelers, we were nervous, but you made everything seamless."
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