Taklimakhan Desert Highway Adventure

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Urumqi, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Urumqi)

Day 2

Place & Transport: Urumqi to Turpan
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Urumqi to Turpan, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Pass through the Flaming Mountain, The Ruins of the Ancient City of Jiaohe, The Karez Wells, Turpan Minority Souvenir and Carpet Shop
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Red Rose Restaurant, Chinese Dinner

- Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (40 minutes): The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves is the rock-cut building with the most caves and frescos contents at most in Turpan area. It is located on the west cliffs of the Wood Valley of the Flame Mountain, 45 kilometers away from Turpan city. The history of the Caves is more early than Dunhuang but unfortunately that most murals were damaged by nature or by man-made.
- Pass through the Flaming Mountain (10 minutes): The Flaming Mountains, the hottest place in China, overshadow the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. They provide a spectacular backdrop to the oases and scenery of the Turpan area, and have given rise to many legends and stories, such as the classic "Journey to the West".
- The Ruins of the Ancient City of Jiaohe (2 hours): Jiaohe was built by the ancient Cheshi people in the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC) and the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). Located in the Yarnaz Valley, 8 km (5 mi) west of Turpan, it was dug out of and constructed from the yellow-gray parched ground of a narrow 30-meter-high, 1.5-km-long vertical sided island in a river. It is a good vantage point for seeing the surrounding landscape of vineyards and orchards followed by desert and mountains.
- The Karez Wells (40 minutes): This irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China. The Karez Wells Folk Garden and Museum is located adjacent to Turpan, 3 kilometers west of the city center. The famous fruit and vineyards of these hot, dry desert communities owe their existence to the Karez wells, ancient underground irrigation channels fed by wells that tap into the snowmelt from surrounding mountains. These systems are still maintained and functioning today. A small museum provides an insight into their intriguing history and construction, and takes you below ground for a first-hand view.
- Red Rose Restaurant: Red Rose Restaurant is located near the Turpan Museum. It is an authentic Uygur restaurant mainly providing Uygur cuisine in local. Dishes like Xinjiang rice and lamb chop are recommended.
- Turpan Minority Souvenir and Carpet Shop : Located at the suburb of Turpan, mainly manages the Xinjiang carpet, the Hetian jade, some Xinjiang famous raw material for medicine as well as introduces Xinjiang's traveling class books
Tel: 0995-8687818
Address: Welcome Pavilion Trufan ,Xinjiang

Day 3

Place & Transport: Turpan to Korla
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Turpan to Korla, The Tiemen Pass, Bositenghu Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at PangShi, Chinese Dinner

- The Tiemen Pass (1 hour): Located 8 kilometers north of Korla City, Tiemen Pass is an important pass along the ancient Silk Road.
- Bositenghu Lake : The south-east side of Yanqi basin and within the boundary of Bohu County.It is the largest fresh water lake in China. Bulrushes intersperse in large scale in the lake. It presents a rare water-town-like beautiful scenery in such dry inland areas.
- PangShi: This restaurant upmarket restaurant is popular with local people and not on the tourists trail. Eating here will provide a peek at the real life of local people.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Korla to kuqa
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Korla to kuqa, Grand Kuqa Mosque, Kuche Friday Bazaar, Subash Anceint City
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at GuiCiLvZhouShengTaiYuan, Chinese Dinner

- Grand Kuqa Mosque: It is the second biggest mosque in Xinjiang, first built in the 17th century, but after the burnt down it was rebuilt in 1931. The great praying hall, which can accommodate 1000 prayers, is supported by 88 pillars, embellished with carved designs and in many colors, a fine example of Uygur architecture.
- Kuche Friday Bazaar (1 hour): There are numerous commodities like dried fruit and delicacies, clothes, shoes, leather, textiles, rugs and carpets as well as scarves, souvenirs and other goods in an eclectic mix that appeals to traveler and native alike. Open on Friday, the big day when the farmers come to town, and those who still prefer to shop at the market rather than city shops.
- Subash Anceint City (2 hours): Though it remains only as ruins, it was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Guici. The city is believed to be even older than the ancient Harappan civilization, which dates back around 4,000 years.
- GuiCiLvZhouShengTaiYuan: Kuche is a small city on the Silk Road. Most people in this city are Chinese, so this restaurant is a typical Han Chinese restaurant. After you've have had enough lamb you might like to try something different like GongBao Chicken and MA Po Bean Curd

Day 5

Place & Transport: kuqa
Today's Activities: Kezil Thousand-Buddha Caves
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant, Chinese Dinner

- Kezil Thousand-Buddha Caves (2 hours): Reputed as one of the Four Great Grottoes in China together with the Mogao Grottos, the Kezil Thousand-Buddha Caves is situated at the north bank of the Muzat River and about 7 kilometers south of the Kezil Town between the Kucha and Baicheng counties in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
There are altogether 236 grottoes already numbered at the foot or on the cliffs of the Mingutag Mountain. Presently, more than 80 of the caves are still complete with well-preserved frescoes covering a total area of 10,000 square meters.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 6

Drive across the desert highway by private car.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Hetian
Today's Activities: The Site of Rewake Buddha Temple, Silk Shop, Hetian River, Hetian Museum
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant, Chinese Dinner

- The Site of Rewake Buddha Temple: It lies in the Julakansiman desert, 40 kilometers away from the Yulong Kashi town of Luopu county in Hetian,the national key protected cultural relic.
- Silk Shop: See how silk is produced from the cocoons of silk worms, and turned into the beautiful fabric.
- Hetian River: Hetian River is the unique river, which passes through the second largest desert in the world - Takelamagan Desert. See the Gabi scenery along the river.
- Hetian Museum: Opened to the public in 2005, Hetian Museum houses 9,499 precious historical relics and over 600 books. Hetian is an important town on the ancient Silk Road, and one of the birthplaces of Xinjiang civilization.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 8

Place & Transport: Hetian to Yarkent
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Hetian to Yarkent, Yarkant King, Amannishahan, Shopping Street
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Mila Ti, Chinese Dinner

- Yarkant King: This city forms an oasis at the western end of the Taklimakan desert as a trade center. Mainly inhabited by Turkic-speaking Muslims, it has more than 120 mosques. Marco Polo visited the city in 1271 and in 1275; it was on the important Silk Road between China and Europe.
- Amannishahan (30 minutes): The Uygurs are excellent at dancing. The "12 Mukams" (opera) is an epic comprising more than 340 classic songs and folk dances. After liberation, this musical treasure, which was on the verge of being lost, was collected, studied and recorded by Amannisha who is the concubine of Yarkant King. She died at young age of 34.
- Shopping Street : It is a shopping street offering different kinds of Uygur handicrafts.
- Mila Ti: A typical Xinjiang restaurant serving lamb chops, saute spicy chicken, rice soup and barbecue. On special occasions the staff may sing traditional songs.

Day 9

Transfer to Kashgar by private car.

Day 10

Place & Transport: Kashgar
Today's Activities: Lake Karakuli
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant, Chinese Dinner

- Lake Karakuli (2 hours): Karakuli Lake is a sparking glacial lake located at the foot of "the Father of Glaciers" – Muztagata Mountains. A railway connnecting China with Pakistan goes by the lake. The lake is famous for its beautiful scenery and clarity. Colors of its water range from light to dark under reflection.
- Local Restaurant: The limited restaurant options mean that there is no choice available however our guide will organize the best available based on the season and the surroundings.

Day 11

Place & Transport: Kashgar to Urumqi, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Bazaar, Id Kah Mosque, Zhiren Street, Kashgar Old Town, Hotel to airport Transfer (Kashgar), Airport Transfer (Urumqi)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Nuolan Restaurant

- Bazaar (2 hours): Famous throughout Asia, this ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan. There are numerous commodities, like dried fruit and delicacies, clothes, shoes, leather, textiles, rugs and carpets as well as scarves, souvenirs and other goods in an eclectic mix that appeals to traveler and native alike. Open all week, Sunday's the big day when the farmers come to town, and those who still prefer to shop at the market rather than city shops. Bazaar especially Sunday Bazaar is a very interesting place so many foreigners'main purpose in Kashgar is to visit the Bazaar.
- Id Kah Mosque (40 minutes): This 15th century mosque is one of the largest and busiest in China. At midday on Fridays around 10,000 people will gather to pray and study the Koran, and prayer 5 times/day on other days. You'll be asked to remove your shoes before entering the Main Hall, which has traditional Islamic pillars, carvings and rugs strewn over the floors. Women are adviced to cover upper arms and legs, a scarf is not compulsory, but is seen as a mark of respect. This is a must visit place for tourist in Kashgar .
- Zhiren Street (1 hour): It is close to Id Kah Mosque, an old street with an amazing range of goods being crafted for sale by hand , from strictly utilitarian cookware to exotic musical instruments. There's not much light industry in Kashgar, so everything is hand-made or imported from a very distant place. Copper, metal, porcelain, woodwork, jewellery and other goods are seen to be made and you will marvel at incredible devices like the wooden objects that prevent babies from wetting the bed.
- Kashgar Old Town (1 hour): Explore the maze of narrow streets in this oldest residential area of Kashgar. Houses were originally built along a natural slope, and extended over the years with many streets either fully or half-covered. Traditional Uighur life continues here in time-honoured fashion. Visit local families, see potteries, bakeries, embroidery, and local skills. There's a local Folk Museum, and yes, souvenirs are for sale but these are not rich people, a purchase is better than a gift.
- Nuolan Restaurant : The restaurant is located near the Id Kah Mosque. It specializes in Moslem food. Dishes like raised chicken and lamb are recommended. It is well decorated in a Uygur’ style. Wine is not allowed here.


- Orida Culture Restaurant : The restaurant is located near the Id Kah Mosque. It specializes in Moslem food. It is well decorated in a Uygur' style. Wine is not provided here.

Day 12

Place & Transport: Depart Urumqi, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Urumqi)
Meals: Breakfast