10-Day Southern Xinjiang Autumn & Pamir Tour

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Duration 10 Days

Route Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Tashkurgan → Bandir Blue Lake → Yarkand → Zepu → Hotan → Taklamakan Desert Highway → Aral → Wensu → Kuqa → Luntai → Korla → Bosten Lake → Urumqi

Entry City Kashgar

Exit City Urumqi

Overview

This 10-day private Southern Xinjiang tour connects Kashgar with the Pamir Plateau, golden poplar forests, the Taklamakan Desert Highway and the red canyons of the northern Tarim Basin. Autumn colour, high-altitude lakes and Silk Road towns make this a richly varied overland journey.

Route at a glance

Kashgar → Tashkurgan → Yarkand → Hotan → Aral → Kuqa → Luntai → Korla → Urumqi

Who this tour suits

Photographers and culture-focused travellers seeking Pamir scenery, desert road trips, autumn poplar forests and privately guided Silk Road towns.

Daily Itinerary

Quiet secular old-city lane in Kashgar at golden hour.

Arrive in Kashgar and meet your private driver for the hotel transfer. The rest of the day is free to settle in and enjoy a gentle walk through the city's secular old-town lanes.

Pamir lake beneath snow-covered mountains between Kashgar and Tashkurgan.

Follow the Karakoram Highway across the Pamir Plateau, stopping at Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake beneath Muztagh Ata. Continue to Tashkurgan for the night.

Panlong Road switchbacks above turquoise Bandir Blue Lake.

Drive the winding Panlong Road and visit the vivid waters of Bandir Blue Lake, surrounded by high, barren Pamir peaks. Return to Kashgar through the plateau valleys.

Secular adobe neighbourhood and craft market in Yarkand Old Town.

Explore Kashgar Old City's craft lanes, courtyards and morning atmosphere, then travel southeast to Yarkand for a relaxed walk through its historic secular neighbourhoods.

Golden poplar trees reflected in a calm river channel at Zepu.

Continue to Zepu's golden poplar forest for autumn photography among river channels and bright foliage. Travel onward to Hotan, known for local crafts and oasis culture.

Desert highway crossing dunes and poplar shelterbelts from Hotan to Aral.

Cross the Taklamakan Desert on the long highway from Hotan to Aral. Poplar shelterbelts, dunes and expansive desert views define this memorable driving day.

Narrow red-rock trail inside Wensu Grand Canyon.

Travel from Aral to the red-rock landscapes of Wensu Grand Canyon, then continue to Kuqa across the northern edge of the Tarim Basin.

Ancient golden poplar trees reflected in water at Luntai.

Drive east to Luntai Poplar Forest, where golden trees line lakes and desert channels in autumn. Continue to Korla for the night.

Blue water and golden reed wetlands at Bosten Lake.

Visit Bosten Lake's reed wetlands and open water before the final drive to Urumqi. End the day with a secular market-district walk focused on local food and crafts.

Passenger airplane on an Urumqi runway beneath glowing Tianshan Mountains.

Transfer to Urumqi Airport or railway station for your onward journey according to the confirmed schedule.

What's Included & Excluded

What is included in this tour

Private or group transport

Air-conditioned vehicle and transfers listed in the confirmed itinerary.

English-speaking service

Professional English-speaking guide service as specified in the quotation.

Accommodation

Selected hotels with breakfast when included in the confirmed proposal.

Sightseeing

Entrance tickets and activities specifically marked as included.

What is Not Included in this tour

International transport

International flights and transport to the tour starting point unless stated otherwise.

Personal expenses

Laundry, minibar, optional activities and other personal purchases.

Insurance and visas

Travel insurance, China visa fees and permit costs unless explicitly included.

Unlisted meals

Meals, drinks and gratuities not shown in the confirmed inclusion list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Private transport and guided sightseeing are arranged throughout, with high-altitude and desert travel adapted to seasonal road conditions.

Private tours can usually be adjusted for pace, hotel level and special interests. Transport and attraction availability are reconfirmed before booking.

Bring a valid passport, comfortable walking shoes and season-appropriate clothing. We will advise on any permits or weather-specific equipment.

Final hotel and meal inclusions depend on the confirmed quotation. Your written proposal will list every included service before payment.

Expect a mix of walking, steps and vehicle access at the places included in this route. The exact level depends on the day-by-day sequence, so share any concerns about mobility, children, older travellers or rest breaks before the itinerary is confirmed.

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10-Day Southern Xinjiang Autumn Poplar and Pamir Tour