13-Day Silk Road Group Tour from Kashgar to Xining (Xinjiang/Gansu/Qinghai)

Meal: None Ni Hao! Welcome to Kashgar, the westernmost frontier city in China, known as a dazzling jewel on the ancient Silk Road. Upon your arrival at Kashgar airport, your tour guide and driver will greet you at the exit. They'll then escort you directly to the downtown area and assist you with checking in at your hotel. Note: We recommend choosing a morning flight to Kashgar, as you'll need to apply for a border permit in advance (office hours: 10:30 AM–6:00 PM). This permit is required for entering border areas such as Tashkurgan County and the Pamir Plateau on the second day. Kashgar (), located in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, was historically known as Shule ( (), and was one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions (). For centuries, Kashgar has been a significant city in southern Xinjiang.

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Kashgar to embark on an exhilarating road trip along the China-Pakistan Highway. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Pamirs Plateau, visit Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, admire the distant and mysterious Muztagh Ata Peak, Kongur Tagh, Kongur Tiube, and conclude in Tashkurgan. (Total distance: 300 kilometers, approximately 7-8 hours of travel) The China-Pakistan Highway (), also known as theKarakoram Highway (KKH), is one of the world's highest paved international roads. It connects China and Pakistan across the Pamir Plateau () and is locally referred to as the Pamir Highway. Historically, routes across the Pamir Plateau - known as Congling () in ancient times - were vital parts of the Silk Road.

Today, you will be exploring Tashkurgan County before driving back to Kashgar along the scenic China-Pakistan Highway. Tashkurgan or Taxkorgan, officially known as Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County (), is situated in the eastern part of the Pamir Plateau, at an elevation of about 3,600 meters. In Uyghur, Tashkurgan means "Stone Fort," a name derived from the ancient stone fortresses located to the north of the town. It has the unique geographical advantage of being "one county bordering three countries," namely Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. As the final pass of the Silk Road within China's borders, Tashkurgan has been both an outlet for Central Plains civilization and a gateway for religious transmission throughout history.

Your exploration can begin in Kashgar Old City (). The Old City is the soul of Kashgar, encapsulating over two millennia of cultural and commercial exchanges along the Silk Road. Situated at the heart of the city and spread across 3.6 square kilometers, the Old City is a living museum, telling tales of ancient trade and cultural fusion. As a crucial hub for East-West traffic and a distribution center for goods, it offers a vivid glimpse into past prosperity. Within Kashgar Old City, the streets and alleys intersect intricately, narrow and winding paths with buildings of varying heights, creating a layout that resembles a maze. As you wander through, you'll see traditional Uyghur mud-brick houses and numerous structures with Islamic features, such as pointed arches, domes, intricate woodcarvings, and colorful ceramic tiles.

Today, you'll embark on a full-day exploration, from the sweeping natural beauty of Tianshan Tianchi Lake to the enlightening exhibits at the Xinjiang Regional Museum. In the morning, you'll be driven approximately 70 kilometers (about 1-1.5 hours) to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan (), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. set at an elevation of around 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, this serene alpine lake is surrounded by lush forests, snow-capped peaks, and sweeping landscapes. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, panoramic Bogda mountain views, and connections to ancient myths and legends, Heavenly Lake is a must-see. One such legend involves the Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wangmu), who is said to have hosted a banquet for the Eight Immortals here.

After breakfast, embark on a scenic 3-hour drive (180 km) from Urumqi to Turpan. Along the way, you’ll pass the striking Salt Lake and the impressive wind power station, the largest in Asia, at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Turpan () is located in the eastern part of Xinjiang. Situated in the Turpan Depression at 154 m below sea level, it's the second-lowest depression in the world and the hottest spot in China, earning it the nickname "Fire Land." Despite its arid climate, the ingenious Karez irrigation system has transformed this desert region into a fertile oasis, renowned for its agriculture, especially grape production. As a crucial stop on the ancient Silk Road, Turpan served as a hub for trade and cultural exchange between East and West.

Today, you'll be transferred to Turpan North Station to board the high-speed train to Liuyuan South Station. Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will greet you at the exit and escort you to your hotel in Dunhuang (Distance 120km, about 2-hour drive). Welcome to Dunhuang, a must-visit city located in the Gansu province of China! Upon arrival in Dunhang, your guide will meet you at the Liuyuan Train Station and escort you to your hotel. You can explore on your own based on your arrival time. Feel free to seek travel ideas from your tour guide. Dunhuang, a city in Jiuquan (), which was formerly known as Suzhou (), is the birthplace of the "su" character in Gansu Province (“”). Dunhuang is a desert oasis of ancient wonders. Discover the less-visited places of China's western frontier.

Today, you will enjoy a wonderful Dunhuang Culture Tour by visiting Mogao Grottoes (4-4.5hrs), a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can enjoy the relaxing time in Echoing Sand Mountain & Crescent Lake, don’t miss the delicious food at the Shazhou Night Market. Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes is the must-visit place for a trip to Gansu. You may read many stories about A. Stein (a British archaeologist and explorer) and the vast trove of artifacts (Paintings, Sculptures, Manuscripts) he brought from the Mogao Grottoes in the early 20th century. You may have already seen the artifacts Stein collected in the British Museum in London. Or you may have heard of Paul Pelliot (French archaeologist & Sinologist) who like A.

Today, you will head to Jiayuguan (400km, 5hrs) to explore Jiayuguan City for the Great Wall on the Cliff (Overhanging Great Wall) & the Jiayuguan Pass (Jiayuguan Fortress). Jiayuguan is a good place to grasp the essence of a famous Chinese poem that goes, 'In the boundless desert, lonely smoke rises straight; Over the endless river, the sun sinks round,'. You will climb the Great Wall on the Cliff (Overhanging Great Wall) which was acclaimed as the "end of the Great Wall". It was constructed in 1539 (Ming Dynasty) and only 750 meters remain. As the northern extension of the Jiayuguan Pass, it was built following the natural terrain, using local gravel and loess, the steepest section reaches about 45 degrees (over 200 m), earning its name for its appearance of hanging upside down in the air.

Today, you will head to explore Zhangye City (225 km, about 3.5 hours) for Dafo Temple. Along the way, you'll stop to explore Zhangye National Geopark. Zhangye National Geopark (Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot) is renowned for its strikingly colorful rock formations, often referred to as Rainbow Mountains. Zhangye is famous worldwide for its colorful Danxia landforms, a must-visit attraction for people traveling to Zhangye. This is a paradise for geologist & photography enthusiasts, and a great place to experience the marvelous work of nature. The Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot (), part of the Zhangye National Geopark, is China's only highly composite area that combines Danxia landforms with colorful hilly landscapes.

After breakfast at your hotel, proceed to the Zhangye railway station and board the high-speed train bound for Xining. Upon arrival at the train station in Xining, your guide and driver will meet you at the exit and then escort you to Qinghai Lake (about 145 km, 2.5-3 hours). Qinghai Lake (), sitting at an elevation of 3,194 meters above sea level, is China’s largest inland saltwater lake, covering over 4,400 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, including the snow-capped Kunlun Mountains to the south and the Qilian Mountains to the north. The landscape transitions from vast, flat grasslands at the foot of the mountains to the lakeshore. In summer, golden fields of canola flowers contrast beautifully with the lake’s boundless blue waters.

In this morning, you will be transferred from Chaka Town to Chaka Salt Lake (, 4km, 10 minutes’drive). “Chaka" is a Tibetan word meaning "salt lake". As a salt lake, it is one of the birthplaces of China's salt culture. Embedded amidst snow-kissed peaks and verdant meadows, Chaka is a brine lake, a harmonious blend of liquid and solid. Its waters, a shimmering expanse of blue, are interspersed with crystalline salt flats. The lake's beauty is enhanced by the dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the gentle caress of surrounding grasslands. It is a natural masterpiece, adorned with salt formations of exquisite shapes. You will visit the "Mirror of the Sky" Scenic Area, a dramatic destination known for its sweeping reflections.

After breakfast, you will go to Kumbum Monastery, also known as Ta’er Monastery (), located about 30km from the downtown are (about 40 minutes’ drive). As one of the six grand monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, it holds immense significance as the most important Buddhist center in Qinghai. Established in 1577, Ta'er Monastery is built around the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the revered founder of the Gelugpa sect. The monastery is renowned for its three artistic wonders: exquisite butter sculptures, vibrant murals, and intricate appliqué Thangka, all showcasing the unique artistry of Tibetan Buddhism. During your visit, you'll be impressed by the blend of Tibetan and traditional Chinese architectural styles.