11 Days Tour through Western China

Our team will meet you upon arrival in Tianshui and visit Maijishan Grottoes. After that transfer you to your hotel for check in.

Arrive in Lanzhou from Tianshui. Our team will meet you upon arrival in Lanzhou and visit Binglingsi. After that transfer you to your hotel for check in.

Arrive in Urumqi by morning flight from Lanzhou. Our Local guide will meet you upon arrival in Urumqi where you will visit the Xinjiang Museum. Then check into your hotel.

After breakfast, drive from Urumqi to Turpan (about 3-3.5 hours). Start your tour of Turpan by visiting the historical sites found east of Turpan. Drive through the Flaming Mountains, made famous in the Chinese tale “Journey to the West.” Visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Gaochang Ancient City, which was first established in the 2nd century AD as a garrison outpost. It was later made the Uyghur capital in the middle of the 8th century after the historical Uyghur empire in Mongolia collapsed and caused large groups of Uyghurs to move to Gaochang. Gaochang was a very “cosmopolitan” town as traces of Nestorian Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Manichaeism are all found here.

Today, we will visit some of the sites found closed to Turpan. Visit the historical Emin Minaret, located a short distance from your hotel. It was constructed in honor of the local ruler, Emin Khoja. You can also enjoy a visit to the “Governor’s Mansion,” which is a recreation of what palace life would’ve looked like during the Emin’s rule. Then visit Jiaohe Ancient City, which was also established as a garrison town by Han troops and later became the capital until it was moved to Gaochang. While Jiaohe is not as historically important as Gaochang, it boasts some visually impressive ruins. After Jiaohe, visit the Karez Ancient Irrigation System, an ingenious method of irrigating the very dry region. This system has been used for over 2,000 years and carries snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains to the city through a series of underground channels.

After breakfast, drive from Turpan to Urumqi and afternoon flight to Kuche . Arrive in Kuche, XInjiang China Tours will meet you upon arrival in Kuqa and transfer you to your hotel for check in.

After breakfast, being your exploration of Kucha by visiting the ancient ruins from the capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci at Subashi Ancient City. This ancient city dates from the 3rdcentury, but was sacked and burned in the 9th century, then eventually abandoned by the 13th century. Then visit the Kizil 1000 Buddha Caves which were built between the 3rd and 10th centuries. They are believed to predate and have influenced the more famous Mogao Caves at Dunhuang. The caves were a melting pot of the different cultures found during that time in Kuche with influences from India, Greece, Rome, and Persia. Sadly, many of the best-preserved sculptures and murals were taken back to Europe by the early European explorers but it still makes for a very interesting stop. After your visit to the caves, stop by the Beacon Tower, where fires were lit by soldiers from the Han Dynasty (over 2,000 years ago) to warn of any impeding attacks. Return back to Kuche at your leisure.

After breakfast, start visiting Kucha Grand Mosque, Kucha old town, Tianshan Grand Canyon, after that return back to Hotel.

Morning flight from Kucha to Kashgar via Urumqi(no direct flight from Kucha to Kashgar). Arrive in Kashgar in the afternoon. Free afternoon on own in Kashgar.

Begin your tour of Kashgar by visiting Apak Khoja Mausoleum, the final resting place of the notorious Apak Khoja, a polarizing figure in Kashgar’s history. Then visit the Kashgar Bazaar full of beautifully designed carpets and other handicrafts that you will find in local homes. Return to the center of Kashgar and enjoy a taste of Kashgar hospitality at a local Uyghur home in old town where you can have lunch and learn how to make some Uyghur dishes if you’d like. You can also visit Tomb of Yusuf Has Hajib.

Continue your exploration of Kashgar by visiting the historical Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China, and wander through the local alleyways, stopping at local tea shops and pottery workshop, local artisan who is reviving traditional Uyghur designs. Afternoon our guide will take you to the airport, say goodbye to our team.