Silk Road Explore

Day 1

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

Day 2

Place & Transport: Urumqi
Today's Activities: Heavenly Lake, Erdaoqiao Market, Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake, Souvenir Shop of the Great Hall of the People
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Jiamu Restaurant

- Heavenly Lake: The Heavenly Lake is a very beautiful mountain lake formed more than million years ago in the 4th glacial epoch, so the water in it is pure and icy. The altitude of the lake is up to 2150 meters above the sea level and got its fame as the "jewel in the crown". To the east of the lake stands the Bogda Peak-the highest peak in the east part of Tian Shan Mountain, which is capped by glacier and snow glistening in the sun, finely contrasted with blue lake water, forming fabulous scenery,steep forested hills and high meadows with snow peaks behind.

A 3-hour drive from Urumqi along a good road passes a giant windfarm, wide rivers and pastures and up into the mountains. Tented camps line the river valley before a chair lift takes you up to the lake, which is also a favourite hiking and camping area. There you can walk or take electric carts, and a short boat ride (average 80m deep, 180m at its deepest point). Wear comfortable shoes and take sunburn cream and a light jacket.
- Erdaoqiao Market: The Erdaoqiao Bazaar is the largest in Urumqi. You'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything that you can imagine. On Sunday, there are more stalls and more goods to buy than any other day. The old streets around the bazaar are really worth seeing.
- Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake: It is a different way to visit Heavenly Lake by boat.
- Jiamu Restaurant : Jiamu is a nationalistic style restaurant, mainly providing Uygur cuisine but no wine allowed while dining. The restroom is in good decoration and there is a short time for live performance during lunch time. Due to some problem for communication as the working staff are Uygur and the higher expense there is few chances to cater to groups。
- Souvenir Shop of the Great Hall of the People : A Urumqi urban district's large-scale shopping shop, manages each kind of Xinjiang Hetian jade, the Xinjiang manual rug, as well as Xinjiang locality each kind of local color snacks
Tel: 0991-4835598
Address: 45 North Youhao Road，Urumuqi，Xinjiang

Day 3

Place & Transport: Urumqi to Kashgar
Today's Activities: Mt Nan Pastures, Mt Nan Pastures and Terai Camp, The Terai Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Mt Nan Pastures:
- Mt Nan Pastures and Terai Camp: Mount Nan pasture is very big attractive mountain valley, with grassland and pastures, surrounded by forested hills and mountains,with West Baiyanggou, Juhuatai, East Baiyanggou, Mount Zhaobi, Miaoergou and Daxigou from west to east. You can rent a horse to explore further (riding experience is recommended), or just take in the local activities. If you got fortunate, you can watch the activities of horse race, sheep catching and girls' whip.

It is a typical area,where many Kazakhs continue their traditional way of life here, herding cattle and sheep. You can also visit a local house or yurt to sample Kazakh food and drink, including butter tea.
- The Terai Camp: A special experience of Kazak nomad life here, have a cup of milk tea and taste some really local food.

Day 4

Place & Transport: Kashgar to Urumqi to Turpan, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Kashgar), Airport Transfer (Urumqi), Airport Transfer (Urumqi), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Turpan), Zhiren Street, Kashgar Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Sunday bazaar
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Orida Culture Rsetaurant

- Zhiren Street: 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: 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.
- Id Kah Mosque: This 15th century mosque is one of the largest and busiest in China. As you stroll under the trees in the pleasant courtyards, you glimpse the strength and care of the local community. 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.
- Sunday bazaar: Famous throughout Asia, this ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries such as Pakistan and Kirghizstan. There are wonderful, offerings of 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 traveller 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.
- Orida Culture Rsetaurant : It is an authentic Uygur restaurant mainly providing Uygur cuisine in local. With a great prestige it attracts a large number of tourists for enjoying Uygur culture during peak season. The restroom is in normal condition, no wine allowed while dining.