Xinjiang's Best for First-Timers
7-Day Xinjiang Highlights Tour
As China's largest province and the western end of China's Silk Road, Xinjiang is the homeland of enthusiastic Uyghurs and several other minorities. Xinjiang offers diverse landscapes, a mix of cultures, fascinating music, joyful dance, and sweet fruits for you to discover and enjoy.
This is a recommended Xinjiang tour for first-time visitors. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the marvelous landscapes, learn about Xinjiang's history and its significance on the Silk Road, and interact with the locals.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Fall in Love with Heavenly Mountain and Heavenly Lake Colors
The blue lake, green grassland, dark green forest, and white peaks of Tianshan (the 'Heavenly Mountains') create a lovely landscape of picture-perfect Xinjiang.
Explore the Cultural Relics of the Silk Road
Wander around the peculiar ancient clifftop city of Jiaohe. Visit the oldest Uyghur village with a history of 1,700 years.
Have Fun in Kumtag Desert
Appreciate the beautiful curves of the sand dunes. Enjoy camel rides, sand sliding, desert trekking, or desert off-road vehicle experiences.
Chat with Uyghur People in Their Courtyard
Visit a local Uyghur family. Enjoy the sweet grapes they grow. Feel their optimism and their love of their homeland.
Catch a Glimpse of the Great Pamirs
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. View the impressive Baisha ('White Sand') Lake and Karakul ('Black Lake'). Snow-capped Muztag Ata and other very tall mountains look like a row of strong guards protecting this land.
Experience Exotic Charm in the Westernmost City of China
Experience the region's religion in Xinjiang's biggest mosque. Visit the tomb of a great Uyghur poet with few tourists. Enjoy the beauty of Islamic architecture in a quiet atmosphere.
Enjoy a Xinjiang Afternoon Tea with Some Locals
Experience the typical social life of the town as you listen to folk music played by the Uyghur seniors.
Why Choose Us
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Your Trip is Perfectly Planned.
- No crowds
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- No cancellation fee
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What Our Customers Said
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Fantastic Beijing Tour with Tour Guide - Angela
Had a great time visiting Beijing over Chinese New Year! The city was quiet, but that made it easier to see everything that we wanted to. Our tour guide, Angela, was very knowledgeable and friendly. We found a local brewery, Slow Boat, that we went to twice it was so good. Amazing beer and best burger of my life! We can't wait to book another trip with China Highlights. moreFeb 2023, Kate P
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Beautiful experience in Beijing
The Forbidden City was a highlight of the tour. With Christina's knowledgeable and engaging commentary, we learned about the history of the imperial palace and its role as the center of Chinese politics for over 500 years. The complex is massive, and it was impressive to see the intricate details of the architecture and gardens. moreFeb 2023, Valeria RP
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Amazing 2 day trip to Beijing
Our guide Lily and driver Leo were amazing and super conscious that we were traveling with a toddler. Lily was knowledgeable about all of our stops and was very conscious of our time. She even took special time to relate and connect with our daughter which made the trip even more enjoyable for all of us. moreJan 2023, Jessica T
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Amazing 2 day trip to Beijing
Maggie was so helpful in making sure we logistically could see what we wanted to see in a short time. We only had 2 days. Maggie also took into consideration that we were two adults and a 2.5 year old, the cable cars to the wall was the perfect suggestion. moreJan 2023, Jessica T
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Mutianyu Great Wall of China
We booked a Chinahighlights guide who drove us from our hotel door in Beijing to the Great Wall of China. The guide explained everything very well in perfect English.The guide then took us to lunch at a spectacular restaurant where we tried the most varied typical dishes of Beijing.Thanks for everything Yuan Yuan and Chinahighlights!! moreJan 2023, Artur Benitez
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Great Wall, Great Beijing, Great experience
As a foreigner that doesn’t speak Chinese, our guide Christina was immensely helpful. She knew a lot of history about Beijing, and was very flexible with our wishes/schedule. In general, China Highlights is very flexible with the custom tours. The tours allow you a lot flexibility, this is very important to actually enjoy the tours. The restaurants recommended by our guide Christina were also very good, where we tried Peking duck, a traditional dish of Beijing. moreJan 2023, Francesco Ciappina
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Customized 7-day Trip to Beijing
The tour guide, Jenny, was friendly and helpful. She and my 3-year old daughter made an instant connection. I don't know how I would have managed my daughter on my own without Jenny's help. She picked her up and carried her part of the way on our tours and when she wouldn't allow anyone else to hold her hand, Jenny was happy to keep her safe as we climbed the Great Wall. I had a great time. I'd use China Highlights again next time. Definitely recommend them for efficiency and peace of mind. moreJan 2023, Shaneka
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Customized 7-day Trip to Beijing
Maggie was patient with me the whole time. She sent new itineraries every time I changed my mind about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. It was great that the tours were flexible so that I could create a trip to suit my taste and budget. I found out during this trip that I was a very picky person with a special taste for luxury and high expectations generally ????. Because of that, I got a chance to see how professional and dependable my agent was as she helped me smooth out any problems I encountered along the way. The highlights for me were when I complained about my room and she immediately called the hotel to change it, and when I changed my return flight details at the last minute and she quickly made new arrangements for me to be picked up on the new date. moreJan 2023, Shaneka
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
When you land in Urumqi, your personal tour guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals area and will be ready to transfer you to your hotel.
Drive from Urumqi to Turpan. Visit Tuyugou Village in the morning. It is a place where you can experience the traditional lifestyle of the Uyghurs.You will have a chance here to visit a local Uyghur family. Chat with them in their courtyard, enjoying some fruit and snacks.
Have fun in Kumtag Desert in the afternoon. Enjoy the beautiful curves of the sand dunes. You can also enjoy camel rides, sand sliding, desert trekking, or desert off-road vehicle experiences.
Note: The activities in the desert are optional. The cost will need to be paid by you at the time according to what you do.
Visit Emin Minaret in the morning. A beautiful shadow is cast across the walls in the morning sunlight.
Then, you will visit the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe. This city was built by digging down instead of building up from the ground. After lunch, you will venture underground to explore the Karez Well System and experience the wisdom behind this ancient irrigation system.
Drive back to Urumqi in the afternoon
After breakfast, visit Heavenly Lake at the Tianshan Mountains . The mountain lake lies at 1,980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery that includes snowcapped peaks. It is nice to walk along the plank path to enjoy the scenery around the Lake. See the magical colors reflected on the surface of the lake and listen to many beautiful myths and legends.
Fly to Kashgar in the evening.
Have a relaxing walk in Kashgar Old City where you can see green lianas climbing on mud buildings and children chasing each other. Visit the biggest mosque in Xinjiang and appreciate the beauty of Islamic architecture in a quiet tomb of a great Uyghur poet.
Later, go to the Kashgar Grand Bazaar, which is famous throughout Asia. This ancient market attracts locals and merchants from all over Xinjiang and nearby countries, such as Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
If you go there on a Sunday, you will have the opportunity to see the livestock market, which is where people take their livestock for trade and shearing.
Walk from the old city to the Handicrafts Street. Go into the shops, touch the semi-finished handicrafts, and test the timbre of exotic musical instruments.
Have a break at the ancient teahouse, which has a history of over 100 years. Many locals gather there to chat, enjoy a tea break, play music, and dance, spending a whole afternoon there.
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. Enjoy the seldom-seen scenery of the westernmost point of China.
See one of the best-kept secrets in China: Karakul Lake, a sparkling glacial lake. During the 3-hour drive, you may want to ask the driver to stop so that you can take photos as the scenery is breathtaking. The scenery and lake will draw out your inner photographer.
Snow-capped Muztag Ata and other very tall mountains look like a row of strong guards protecting this land.
Your guide and driver will take you to Kashgar Airport to catch a flight, and will make sure that your check-in goes smoothly.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price Includes:
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
