Budget Tour: Kashgar to Zhangye 9D

Welcome to Kashgar, an old city on the ancient Silk Road. Today is arrival day. You can check in the hotel in Kashgar with your ID. Please contact us if you need airport or railway station transfer.

Today you will take about 4 hours by a private vehicle departing from Kashgar to Karakul Lake. You will drive along the renowned friendship highway to Pamir Plateau. On the way, you will stop at Upar Uyghur town to buy some snacks and fruits before heading to the mountains.
Then you will view the pretty White Sand Lake that looks like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains on the lake water. 
Afterwards you will wander around the stunning Karakul Lake(3600 meter), which is situated beside Muztagh Summit. The mountain, the lake and the yurt around the lake create a picture of paradise.
Later, you will be transferred back to Kashgar.

It is a busy day today to explore Kashgar with a local guide. You will visit Apa Hoja Mausoleum this morning, which is a family cemetery with stunning blue tiles shining in the sun. Then you will visit the Grand Bazaar that is the biggest market in central Asia to sell all sorts of things. Later, you will visit the Kashgar old town where you will view the traditional houses and shops, workshop etc. 

Afterwards you will wander along the handicraft street in the Kashgar old town where there are music instruments, utensils and caps etc. Visit the Id Ghar Mosque, which is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang. 

If it is Sunday, you will visit Animal Bazaar that opens only on Sundays.

Later, you will be transferred to Kashgar Railway Station to catch 13-15 hour overnight train to Turpan.

In Turpan, you'll explore the remarkably well-preserved ruins of two ancient cities—Jiaohe and Gaochang—where you'll uncover the legendary history of this fascinating oasis town.

You'll also visit the ingenious Karez Irrigation System, an underground water network that has sustained life in the arid Turpan Depression for centuries.

Additionally, you'll discover the stunning Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, nestled in a valley of the dramatic Flaming Mountains. Here, you can immerse yourself in the Buddhist culture that once flourished along the ancient Silk Road, all while enjoying spectacular photo opportunities in this breathtaking setting.

Drive 4 hours to Heavenly Lake, visit this stunning mountain lake before transferring to catch overnight train to Dunhuang(7-8 hours). (Note: sometimes there are no direct trains, you will take train to Liuyuan Station where you catch a car to Dunhuang.)

In the morning, you will visit Mogao Caves, the gem of the ancient Silk Road. The early history of Mogao can be traced back to the 4th century, and built many times in the history. The colorful fresco, statues in Mogao Caves display various stories about Buddhism.

Afterwards, you will visit the Minsha Shan or Singing Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring this afternoon, where you have opportunity to ride the camel.

In the evening, you can explore the night market or watch the Dunhuang performance at the theater at your own cost.

Today you will take 5-hour car ride or 3-hour train ride from Dunhuang to Jiayuguan, enjoying the snow-capped mountains, oasis towns, lake, gobi desert, and grassland. 

Upon arrival, you will visit the Jiayuguan Fort that is the western end of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty about 600 years ago.

Drive 3 hours to Zhangye Danxia where you will view the fantastic and colorful Danxia Mountains in Zhangye. Afterwards you will be transferred to hotel in Zhangye.

Today the Silk Road tour concludes in Zhangye. If you need airport or station transfer, please contact us in advance.