Day 1 Various locations → → Kashgar (★All-day assembly day)
All day
Today is the all-day gathering day. Tourists from all over the world will go to the meeting hotel in Kashgar, southern Xinjiang. Please provide "China-Travel Note + Name" to check in and then have free time to move around.
In Xinjiang, there's a saying that goes, "You haven't really been to Xinjiang if you haven't been to Kashgar." We recommend exploring Kashgar Old Town on your own (free). You can also visit the magnificent Id Kah Mosque (a paid attraction, exterior viewing is permitted). All roads in Kashgar Old Town lead to this mosque. For Muslims, it's not just a place of worship; it's a spiritual haven.
The houses in the old city of Kashgar are of different heights, all of which are Islamic-style buildings made of earth, wood, brick and wood. The streets are intricate and maze-like. The century-old teahouse on the corner was the filming location of the movie "The Kite Runner"; the children playing and fighting in the alleys will be very excited to pose in various shapes for you to take pictures of them. What you see in their bright eyes is their simple hearts.
At night, you can go to Khan Bazaar Night Market (opposite the mosque) to find local specialties!
Border Pass Description:
Mainland Chinese tourists: If you register at least 3 days in advance, China-TravelNote will handle your border pass. If you register closer to the deadline, please apply for your own border pass. You cannot join the tour without a border pass. Each person must obtain one pass. We recommend applying in Kashgar (recommended: the information window on the arrival level of Kashgar Airport, 10:30-20:00), or at the Kashgar Urban Police Station (a total of 19 locations, 10:00-20:00). You can also apply at the local police station where you are registered. Children under 16 years old must bring their household registration booklet and apply together with their parents.
Visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan: Please go to the Kashgar Immigration Affairs Service Center (10:00-19:00) or the local police station in your place of residence in mainland China to handle the matter.
Destination: Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture - Wuqia County; Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture - Akto County; Kashgar Prefecture - Tashkurgan County;
Arrival time: Same as the tour date. Please note that you cannot participate in the activity without a border pass.
Exclusive group benefits: special car pick-up service
China-TravelNote provides one free airport/station pick-up service for 2 or more people registered for the same booking. Our staff will contact you two days before your trip to collect your flight information.
Day 2 Kashgar → Fossil Mountain → The Junction of Two Mountains → China's Westernmost Monument → Simhana Village → Irkeshtam Port → Uqiya
·morning
After breakfast, we left. Tourists from all over the country laughed and talked along the way, introduced themselves to each other, and started a pleasant journey.
Travel along the border road between China and Kyrgyzstan, heading towards China's Westernmost Point! Passing by the Fossil Mountains, this mountain range is renowned for its rich fossil reserves and is known as the "Homeland of Dinosaurs in China." This area preserves a rich variety of paleontological fossils, including dinosaurs, mammals, and reptiles. The mountains' unique shapes and vibrant rock formations create a sense of grandeur and mystery, allowing you to experience the wonders of geological evolution.
As we continued westward, the majestic Kunlun Mountains loomed on our left, while the 2,500-kilometer-long Tianshan Mountains stretched to our right. These two vast mountain ranges gradually approached and converged here. We arrived at the Tianshan + Kunlun Mountain Intersection Observation Deck, where the Tianshan Mountains appeared camel-colored and the Kunlun Mountains dark blue. We took in the unique features of these two great mountain ranges at a glance, and experienced the vigorous mountain-building movement.
·afternoon
We arrived in Jigen Township, China's westernmost township, and headed for the Westernmost Boundary Monument. We climbed to the Last Ray of Sunshine Observation Deck at the summit, overlooking the Kunlun Snow Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, the Irkeshtam Port, a crucial passage between China and Kyrgyzstan, was bustling with traffic, transporting supplies. This is where the sun sets last in China!
After going down the mountain, we headed to the last village in the west, Smukhana Village, and took photos at the Irkeshtam Port (the port is strictly inspected, so you can take photos from a distance outside and not enter the port).
After having fun, we headed east to Wuqia County, the westernmost county in China, and checked into the hotel to rest.
Day 3 Wuqia → Bachu Populus euphratica Forest → Maigaiti
All day
After breakfast, we will depart for the Bachu Poplar Forest. Bachu was the seat of the Weitou Kingdom, one of the 36 Kingdoms in the Western Regions, and a must-pass place in the southern part of the ancient Silk Road.
This area boasts 3.16 million mu (approximately 1.3 acres) of pristine wild poplar forest, the world's largest and oldest, earning it the nickname "Poplar Sea." Legend has it that Tang Monk and his disciples visited this area, and that the national hero Lin Zexu also stopped by. The poplar forests here are scattered along both sides of the Yarkand River. Growing naturally along the riverbanks, their golden crowns reflected in the lake, creating a rare "poplars in the water" spectacle in southern Xinjiang.
Day 4 Maigaiti → N39 Desert Camp (Desert Off-Road) → Zepu Populus euphratica Forest → Shache
·morning
After breakfast, we set off for China's largest desert, the Taklamakan Desert. We arrived at the N39 Desert Camp. China-TravelNote has specially arranged a desert off-road vehicle experience, allowing us to conquer the vast sea of sand with a thrilling desert off-roading experience.
·afternoon
Leave at the right time and head to Zepujinhuyang National Forest Park. Along the Yarkand River, numerous poplar trees grow, known locally as the "Flowers of the Yarkand River." Take a scenic shuttle bus into the park, where large and small poplar trees line the road. Take photos amidst the golden foliage, or simply walk into autumn yourself.
Tonight we will stay in Shache, a small city in southern Xinjiang, which has the ancient culture and architecture of southern Xinjiang. In the evening, everyone can stroll around and eat freely.
Day 5 Shache → Fragrant Concubine Garden → Kashgar (half day free at leisure)
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for Kashgar to visit the Fragrant Concubine Garden. This is the Xiangfei, known as the beloved concubine of Emperor Qianlong in the TV series "My Fair Princess." Her name was Yiparhan. She entered the imperial palace due to her family's meritorious service, rising through the ranks of noblewoman to the prestigious position of Rongfei. To commemorate her, descendants built the magnificent Xiangfei Garden.
The exclusive tour is specially upgraded and includes folk performances in the park, cheerful music, fast-paced dance steps, and a thousand-year-old romance at a glance, which is fascinating~
·afternoon
After checking in at the hotel, the car will take you to [Kashgar Old Town] for disbanding. You can move freely and continue to explore Kashgar according to your own interests. Then you can return to the hotel to rest freely.
In the ancient city, houses rise and fall in a uniform, Islamic-style architecture of earth, wood, brick, and wood. The streets crisscross like a maze. Crooked, century-old walls are draped with colorful carpets. Uyghur men carve wooden doors. Children whiz by, chasing a soccer ball. The air is filled with the aroma of naan ovens and cumin. The wrinkles of Uyghur elders hold stories of the entire Silk Road. Sitting beneath century-old mulberry trees, they measure time with their amber eyes.
Day 6 Kashgar → Karakoram Highway → Muji Township Crater → Taheman Wetland → Tashkurgan County
·morning
Today, we're heading towards the Pamir Plateau along the beautiful Karakoram Highway (China-Pakistan Friendship Highway). Pamir means "Roof of the World" in Tajik. Anciently known as Buzhou Mountain and Congling, the ancient Silk Road passed through this area.
·afternoon
Arriving at the mysterious border village of Muji Township, we discover the unique surface volcanic cluster, the Kazhitiemi Volcanic Cluster, with 13 rare surface craters formed by eruptions 1,500 years ago. In the distance, snow-capped mountains stand in a row, known as the "Eighteen Arhats Snow Mountain Honor Guard," guarding this secret plateau.
Continue to the Pamir Plateau, passing through the Taheman Wetland, and admire the wetland grasslands nurtured by the meltwater of the Muztagh Ata glacier.
In the evening, we arrived in Tashkurgan County, a small border town (around 3,000 meters above sea level, with little altitude sickness). Its predominant population is the Tajiks, a noble people of the Pamir Plateau who don't pick up lost items on the road and leave their doors unlocked at night. In the evening, you'll be free to meet up with friends and enjoy Tashkurgan's famous yak beef hotpot.
Day 7: Tianta County → Khunjerab Pass → Wakhan Corridor → Panlong Ancient Road → Visiting a Tajik Family → Tashkurgan County
·morning
After breakfast, we will depart for a visit to Khunjerab Pass (4,700 meters above sea level). Khunjerab Pass means "blood-stained passage" in Tajik. It is the highest national gate in my country, with only 80 days of frost-free season a year. Even in summer, it is covered with snow.
·afternoon
Check in at the "crossroads of the four Central Asian countries" [Wakhan Corridor], which is a narrow strip of land between China, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, and is also a land route connecting China and Afghanistan.
Afterwards, we changed to a small car (1 person, 1 seat) and crossed the internet-famous highway [Panlong Ancient Road], winding down with hundreds of hairpin turns in a row. "Today I have walked through all the detours in life, and from now on life will be smooth sailing."
China-TravelNote has specially arranged a [Visit to the Tajik Home], where you can visit the places where fellow villagers used to live, listen to the ethnic stories of the "Eagles of the Plateau", immerse yourself in the traditional dances of the Tajik people, and experience the charm of the nation firsthand.
Kind tips
The Panlong Ancient Road is at a high altitude (the highest point is 4,250 meters) and has many bends. If the road is closed due to snow, you may visit the Golden Grassland Wetland and Stone City in the Pamir Scenic Area. Please understand.
Day 8: Tianta County → Tree Hole Highway → Karakul Lake (Muztagh Ata Peak) → Baisha Lake → Kashgar
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for the Tree Hole Highway, our first stop! Lining the several-kilometer-long road are uniquely plateau-growing trees, their branches connected at the top. Walking through the tree holes feels like traveling back in time.
Our second stop was Karakul Lake, where we gazed upon the three majestic peaks of Kunlun: Kongur Peak (7,649 meters), Kongur Jiubie Peak (7,530 meters), and Muztagh Ata Peak (7,546 meters). The emerald blue glacial lake reflected Muztagh Ata, the "Father of Icebergs."
The third stop is to visit the Baisha Lake scenic area, where you can admire the wonders of the sand mountains and blue lakes up close.
Arrive in Kashgar in the evening and explore this bustling city in the western regions. In the evening, meet at the food street to continue shopping and eating.
Day 9 Kashgar → Warm Home (★ All Day Dismissal Day)
All day
Today is the day for the whole day to disband. Everyone left Kashgar reluctantly according to their respective travel times and returned to their warm homes.
Kind tips
Check-out time at Xinjiang Hotel is 14:00. The airport is about 10 kilometers away from the city center. It takes 30 minutes by taxi and costs about 30 yuan. It is very convenient to take a taxi.
