10 Days Xinjiang Tour to Narat Grassland and Kashgar

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the farthest major city from any ocean in the world. Known as a traveler's paradise, it boasts stunning natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and unique local traditions. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then take the morning flight to Yining. Upon arrival, we will head to Sayram Lake, often called "the last tear of the Atlantic". As Xinjiang's largest alpine lake, it offers breathtaking scenery. Take a leisurely stroll along the shore and admire the blooming wildflowers and vast grasslands surrounding the lake.

This morning, you will begin your journey at the stunning Kalajun Prairie, a place as picturesque as a poem or painting. Known for its densely scattered springs, this prairie has long been a gathering place for herders to trade goods and celebrate cultural traditions. The name "Kalajun" comes from the Kazakh language, meaning "the dark wilderness". For generations, the local nomads have maintained their simple, traditional way of life, which exudes a unique charm. Take your time to capture the breathtaking scenery with your camera. Later, we will drive to Tekes, a town famous for its Bagua (Eight Trigrams)-shaped urban layout, a marvel of planned community design.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Nalati Grassland, a legendary pastureland renowned since ancient times. Here, you'll find vast river valleys, towering mountains, crisscrossed gorges, lush forests, and expansive open grasslands—perfect for photography. After exploring this breathtaking landscape, we'll continue to Bayinbuluk for an overnight stay.

Enjoy breakfast this morning before heading out to explore the breathtaking Bayanbulak Grassland, the second largest grassland in China. Here, you'll find lush green pastures, grazing sheep herds, and diverse plant life——a true natural paradise worthy of your time. Next, we'll visit Swan Lake, China's unique swan nature reserve and a haven for wild swans.

After the visit, we'll drive to Kuqa for overnight rest.

Please note: A special Xinjiang Travel Permit is required for Bayinbuluk, which must be applied for at least 4 months in advance.

After enjoying the hotel buffet, we'll begin our journey at the Kizil Grottoes, a quintessential example of Qiuci Buddhist cave art. Next, we'll visit the Tianshan Grand Canyon, a world-class geological park that preserves 400 million years of Xinjiang's crustal movement history. Our exploration continues in Kuqa Old Town, where you can greet local children at play, share smiles with elders resting under shade trees, and sample authentic local cuisine.

In the evening, we'll transfer to the train station for our overnight sleeper train to Kashgar.

Upon arrival in Kashgar, we will drive you to the hotel for check-in. Today, you will enjoy a full-day excursion in Kashgar. At 09:00, pay a visit to Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and the most sacred one for locals to conduct their Islamic activities. Then, at 10:30, continue the visit to the Old Town, where you can witness the open ceremony of the Maxilap show. Come and join the exciting activities in this well-preserved Uighur residential area. Our highlight: Relax in the Hundred-years Tea house, and taste the local rose tea and nang-bread!

Next, continue to visit the Handicraft Street. It gathers hundreds of handicraft workshops and has become a boutique exhibition of handicrafts in Kashgar and Central Asia.

Our next stop is the famous Sunday Bazaar. We will drive to the Sunday Bazaar, which is composed of two sections. The covered bazaar sells clothing, nuts, household goods, and many items beyond your imagination. The outdoor Animal Bazaar is the first section we visit. Here, farmers and buyers arrive by donkey cart, truck, bicycle, horseback, motorbike, or on foot, bringing their animals. It is extremely lively and bustling as they arrive, and it's quite interesting to witness their typical bargaining methods.

Today, we will embark on an adventure to Taxkorgan, a remote town in western Xinjiang, bordering Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. This region is a historic section of the ancient Silk Road, the primary route connecting China to West Asia.

Along the way, you'll experience the stunning Karakul Lake, where herds of livestock graze along the shore, their reflections shimmering in the pristine waters. Kyrgyz herdsmen often settle here to graze their animals before continuing their journey.

Afterward, we'll proceed to Taxkorgan, where you'll stay overnight and immerse yourself in the unique Tajik culture. Enjoy local snacks and traditional milk tea prepared by hospitable herdsmen, then spend the rest of the day at leisure, soaking in the serene highland atmosphere.

Drive back to Kashgar. Along the way, you will visit the Stone Fortress, an ancient structure with an oval shape. Its walls were constructed with sun-dried bricks atop a stone foundation and measure 1,285 meters in circumference.

After exploring the fortress, take a leisurely walk through the surrounding pastureland, where you can observe the traditional customs of the local Tajik people.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time to explore the city on your own. Afterwards, your enjoyable Southern Xinjiang tour will conclude as you transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination.