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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Our China Highlights Beijing experience exceeded our expectations
What an amazing experience. Jiang our guide blew us away with his passion for and knowledge of his country. He made our Beijing visit a memorable experience. He ensured that our daily activities were personalised and seamless. He was very pro-active and flexible, and applied a personal touch, often sharing personal stories and finer details. more
Mar 2025, Jacques
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Eye opening and amazing China
In Beijing for 3 days. Laura is our private tour guide. She is amazing and very detailed oriented. She is also knowledgeable and always able to answers all our questions. Everything is taken care of by her from the moment we step into Beijing. Totally worry free. This is a amazing trip . She had also arranged a surprise for us once we know we came to China for our honeymoon, she arranged my wife to have traditional costume fitted so that we can have a memorable time at summer palace and greatwall. The pictures turned out amazing, and she helped us take so many great shots. At the end of the trip, she even surprised us with a small token gift, which was unexpected and very touching and sweet. Thank you for your warmth and sincerity, it's clear that she loves her job. Highly recommended to book with China Highlights. The entire process was great, and the staff is very responsive, very warm, very kind and helpful. more
Mar 2025, POWER W @powerw.369
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special time in Beijing
great time in Beijing ! Our guide Ethan was amazing . Our flight arrived late at night and as soon as we got our bags we saw his smiling face . He always had great ideas of places to go and extra things to do at night. He even organized a celibration for our wedding aniversary on the great wall of China, imagine coming to the top of the wall and finding flowers,wine & and a banner saying ``Happy Aniversary`` truely a once in a lifetime event . thank you Ethan & China highlights more
Mar 2025, Barbara J
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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