Xinjiang Classic Tour With Minority Discovery

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Urumqi, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Urumqi), A Free CH cell phone package

- A Free CH cell phone package:

A Free CH cell phone package includes free rental for the cell phone and SIM card (Includes prepaid value of CNY 50), delivery and collection in China. Return the phone to your guide when you depart. For more about the cell phone rental service, please click cell phone rental information.

Day 2

Place & Transport: Urumqi
Today's Activities: Heavenly Lake, Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Heavenly Lake: Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi) is a beautiful blue mountain lake. The blue lake water is finely contrasted with steep forested hills, high meadows and snowy Heavenly Mountain peaks behind. There you can walk, take electric carts, cable cars and a boat cruise on the lake.
- Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake (40 minutes): It is a different way to visit Heavenly Lake by boat.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Urumqi to Kanas, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Urumqi), Airport Transfer (Kanas), Kanas Lake Natural Reserve Area
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant, Chinese Dinner

- Kanas Lake Natural Reserve Area: Nestled in the deep forests and mountains of Altay, the Kanas Lake has many scenic spots of interest, including: Yueliang Wan (Moon Bay), Shenxian Wan (Fairy Bay), and also the Kanas village, with a population of 700 Tuwa people.
- 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 4

Place & Transport: Kanas to Hemu
Today's Activities: Hemu Grassland, Guanyuting Pavilion, Our guide and driver will escort you from Kanas to Hemu
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant, Chinese Dinner

- Guanyuting Pavilion: 40 minutes driving from Kanas hotel, you will arrive at the Hiking up to the Guanyuting Pavilion from the parking lot for about 1.5hours, you will get to a breathtaking view of the entire Kanas Lake.
- 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 5

Place & Transport: Hemu to Kanas to Urumqi, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Hemu to Kanas, Tuwa Mongolian Tribe, Airport Transfer (Kanas), Airport Transfer (Urumqi)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Local Restaurant

- Tuwa Mongolian Tribe: In the valley 2-3 kilometers south of Kanas Lake, is the village of the Tuwa tribe. Tuwa is part of the Mongolian Ethnic Group. They practice Lamaism and live in their traditional wooden houses and keep their centuries old traditions. Tuwa people speak Turkish which resembles the language of Kazakh, and they depend on hunting and grazing for their livelihood. They also have special folk customs. The village is on the way from Kanas National Reserve to Hemu. This Minority tribe has lived there for thousand of years. It was voted by the Chinese National Geography magazine (2005) as the 3rd most beautiful village/old town in China. It is the paradise for the photographers especially in the early morning.
- 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

Place & Transport: Urumqi to Turpan
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Urumqi to Turpan, Suleiman Minaret, The Karez Wells, The Ruins of the Ancient City of Jiaohe, Turpan Minority Souvenir and Carpet Shop
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Red Rose Restaurant

- Suleiman Minaret (40 minutes): Also known as Sugong Tower, it is the biggest ancient tower existing in Xinjiang and the only ancient Islamic minaret in the country. It is located 2 kilometers southeast of Turpan's center.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Turpan to Urumqi to Kashgar, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Local Family Visit, The Turpan Museum, The Flaming Mountain, Our guide and driver will escort you from Turpan to Urumqi, Airport Transfer (Urumqi), Airport Transfer (Kashgar)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Local Family Visit (40 minutes): Uygur people are very hospitable. Visit their traditional houses and be welcomed by their unique food and drinks, and learn about their daily life and customs. Follow your tour guide’s suggestion and respect local customs.
- The Turpan Museum: Turpan museum, second only to the Museum of Uighur Autonomous Region, is the largest museum in Xinjiang, with the richest collection.It is located at mid Gaochang road, in Turpan city, facing the Gaochang park.
- The Flaming Mountain (30 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". There are stone reliefs showing the monkey king Sun Wukong, the monk Tang Sen and the pig-man Zhu Bajie and their adventures in an underground cavern built at the foot of the Flaming Mountains to introduce its culture to visitors. The view of the Flaming Mountains depends heavily on the weather condition, especially temperature. The period from August to October is the best time to visit, also during noon time at around 3 o'clock the Flaming Mountains take on the reddest color.

Day 8

Place & Transport: Kashgar
Today's Activities: Zhiren Street, Abakh Khoja Tomb, Id Kah Mosque, Bazaar, Kashgar Old Town
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Orida Culture Restaurant

- 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.
- Abakh Khoja Tomb (40 minutes): It is a tiled mausoleum holding the tomb of Abakh Khoja, who is a revered sufi preacher and political leader in the 17th century. There are 58 other tombs remaining of the original 72, including that of 'the Fragrant Concubine', a descendant of Abakh Khoja , who was so loved by the Emperor Qianlong that he even built her a special Uighur style house in the Forbidden City. Her body was brought back to Kashgar by her sister-in-law, according to Uighur custom. This is a must visit place for tourist in Kashgar .
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 9

Place & Transport: Kashgar
Today's Activities: Lake Karakuli, Visit a local Keerkezi Family
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- 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.
- Visit a local Keerkezi Family (20 minutes): Take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience the life, customs and food of the Keekekezi local people in their ancestral homeland. Have tea and snacks with the family as they welcome you to their world.

Day 10

Place & Transport: Kashgar to Urumqi to Departure City, Flight No. TBA, connect Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Kashgar)
Meals: Breakfast