Taklimakan-Pamirs Adventure
If north Xinjiang is a beautiful dream, then south Xinjiang is an exciting adventure.
Surrounded by great mountain ranges — Tianshan, Altun, and Kunlun (the Pamirs) — south Xinjiang holds China's biggest desert (the Taklimakan). Historically, it has cultivated 36 ancient kingdoms and carried the Silk Road's toughest trails.
This 12-day south Xinjiang adventure tour starts from Urumqi. Travel through the Tianshan Mountains. Drive across the Taklimakan Desert. Discover traces of splendid civilizations on the ancient Silk Road. Journey into the incredible Pamirs. And finish in Kashgar.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Drive across "the Sea of Death" — the Taklimakan
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime road trip across the biggest desert in China.
Venture into the Rugged Heartland of the Pamirs
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway. Feast your eyes on lakes, snowy mountains, and glacier.
Discover Master Pieces of Nature and Culture
Witness the stark desert landforms left by wind and water in the red sandstone of Wensu Grand Canyon, and appreciate valuable murals in nearby grottoes.
Find Traces of Mysterious Lost Kingdoms
There have been 36 ancient kingdoms in the mysterious western region of China. They were important stops on the ancient Silk Road, secluded civilizations in the desert.
Be a Foodie of Xinjiang Delicacies in a Night Market
Taste typical Xinjiang food and snacks, such as lamb shashlik, roast dumplings, roast eggs, or even incredible watermelon pigeon soup!
Learn Xinjiang Craftsmanship with a Local Artisan
Explore a famous street with shops selling handmade crafts such as woodwork, copperware, and traditional instruments. Learn to make a handicraft that was a popular Silk Road product
"Steal" the Business Secrets of a Livestock Merchant
Experience a bazaar that has existed for centuries on the Silk Road — the Kashgar Livestock Market. Learn how to do successful business the Xinjiang way.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Amazing and Effortless Experience Overall!
China Highlights is totally legit and they planned our visit in Beijing perfectly, they were also great with being flexible to meet our unique needs and timelines, with multiple changes on the fly. Our guide in Beijing, William, was amazing as well! William was friendly, kind, thoughtful, funny, and also was great at keeping us on track timing-wise (as we didn’t make this particularly easy for him lol). Cannot recommend both China Highlights and William to anyone else looking to visit China for the first time! more
Jun 2025, jamesrkable
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A culture of hospitality and smiles
Beijing was prettier and far less crowded than anticipated. Colin aka Po Po, our guide, enhanced the experience with his knowledge and wicked sense of humour. He made every moment special for us.We spent about three days in Beijing and surrounds. China highlights offerings were high quality, including accomodation, car, driver, guide and selection of real local restaurants. Being vegetarian wasn’t an issue at all. Visiting historical quarter of Beijing along with Hutong walk and Confucius Beijing temple were unique experiences- which became more special with Colin’s interest in philosophy and wonderful global perspective. Despite language barriers- we were greeted by scores of locals with genuine smile and curiosity. We shall be back (hopefully with Colin) to explore this wonderful culture. more
Jun 2025, Inderjeet
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Beijing group tour
We had a group tour for our clients and William was our guide. He was knowledgeable, kind and flexible throughout the tour. Our clients loved the way he explained diverse topics. We would recommend him for our future groups too.Thank you William and God bless! more
Jun 2025, Prima Rodrigues
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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.
Head for Turpan in the morning. Visit Tuyugou Village in the late afternoon and experience the traditional lifestyle of the Uyghurs.
Discover the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and view the Flaming Mountain on the way.
Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Jiaohe. This remarkable city was built by digging down from on high instead of building up from the ground!
Visit Emin Minaret in the morning. A beautiful shadow is cast across the walls in the morning sunlight.
Then you will venture underground to explore the Karez Well System and discover the wisdom behind Turpan's ancient irrigation system and water supply.
We will drive to Korla, as a transfer stop, in the afternoon.
Leave Korla for Kuqa, where the ancient Qiuci (Kuqa) Kingdom once thrived. Visit the Ruins of Subashi Ancient Temple in the gravel desert — a representative relic of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom.
Standing as a testament to the ingenuity of the Silk Road, the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is the earliest and best-preserved example of its kind along the northern route.
Continue driving along the edge of the desert. Visit Kezil Thousand-Buddha Caves and witness the exchange and integration of Buddhist culture in the broken but beautiful murals.
Explore Tianshan Grand Canyon, which is a combination of Antelope Canyon, Arizona and the Grand Canyon of Colorado. The red sandstone mountains are a masterpiece of wind and water erosion. You will feel the primitive, wild, and desolate temperament of Xinjiang in this less touristy site.
Admire the beauties of Kuqa Grand Mosque. Find a combination of traditional Chinese culture and Islamic culture in the buildings.
Then, visit the Kuqa Royal Palace that exhibits with some historical artifacts and displays related to the Uyghur rulers.
We'll drive to Alear City in the afternoon. You would appreciate the Tarim River along the way, which is the longeast inland river in China.
You will drive across the "Sea of the Death" — the Taklimakan Desert. The vastness of the desert brings out human's tininess and mortality. But the Euphrates poplars will show you the tenacity of life. Wheatgrass squares (China's secret for fixing the sands and reversing desertification) along the road display dividends from the wisdom and hard work of China's people.
The Khotan Museum offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Khotan region. You would see Kharosthi and Hotanese tablets, pottery and wooden wares, textiles, and sculptures that show the daily life of the past inhabitants.
Yuetegan Ancient City is a charming town steeped in history and culture. The town comes alive at night with a spectacular performance that runs from 8 PM to midnight. This unique show uses the entire city as a stage to bring the prosperous history of the Silk Road to life.
Drive from Khotan to Kashgar via Yarkant County. It takes about 6 hours to drive for nearly 500 km.
Visit the mausoleum of a Yarkant princess, Amani Shah Khan, in the halfway. The soft white of the building and its light blue and light green features might create an image of a gentle and beautiful lady in your mind. You can see poems written by Amani Shah Khan and pictures of traditional Uyghur instruments on the walls of the building.
Explore Kashgar Old Town. Walk from the old city to Handicrafts Street. Go into the shops, touch the semi-finished handicrafts, and test the timbre of exotic musical instruments.
Have a break at an old teahouse that has a history of over 100 years. Many locals gather there to chat, enjoy a tea break, play music, and to dance, often spending a whole afternoon there.
Experience the region's religion in Xinjiang's biggest mosque. Enjoy the beauty of Islamic architecture in a quiet atmosphere.
If it is Sunday, you can also choose to explore the Kashgar Livestock Market. Learn how the local people do their livestock business.
Drive along the China-Pakistan Highway to the Pamirs. Enjoy the seldom-seen scenery of the westernmost point of China.
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.
Say goodbye to amazing Xinjiang. Your guide and driver will escort you to the airport.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price Includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: xj-1