10 Days Xinjiang Itinerary

10 Days Xinjiang Travel Itinerary

Xinjiang is a magical and beautiful land, as well as a vast and abundant treasure trove. Across its expansive territory rise three great mountain ranges, while two immense basins lie in quiet repose. For thousands of years, the Silk Road has passed through here, bringing together diverse cultures and civilizations. If you have ten days to explore Xinjiang, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable ten-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Xinjiang to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

10 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Family with Kids

Day 1: After arriving in Urumqi, you can visit Hongshan Park, take in panoramic views of the entire city. Then walk in the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, find a wide variety of distinctive goods and souvenirs and sample authentic Xinjiang snacks.

Day 2: Visit Tianshan Tianchi. The crystal-clear waters reflect Bogda Peak, surrounded by mountains covered with tall, verdant spruce and fir trees. Take a boat cruise on the lake to admire the scenery of mountains and water and experience the charm of nature.

Day 3: Depart from Urumqi to Koktokay. As the journey is long, you can choose to fly or take an overnight train if you prefer not to spend too much time on the road. Koktokay has beautiful scenery, making it an excellent destination for photography, and it also offers the chance to enjoy exhilarating skiing on powder-snow. In the evening, head to Beitun.

Day 4: Start your morning by travel to Jiadengyu, then take in the stunning views of the lake and mountains by Kanas Lake cruise. After lunch, you can head to Guanyu Platform for a panoramic view of the lake. In the evening, you can explore the old village of Kanas and stay overnight in local accommodations.

Day 5: Start your day early to catch the morning mist and sunrise over Kanas. Afterward, head to Hemu Village to visit the local museum, learning about the history and traditions of the Tuva people. In the afternoon, you can go horseback riding on the Hemu Grassland or take photos in the Birch Forest.

Day 6: Visit the Ghost City in Karamay. This site features classic yardang landforms, with bizarrely shaped earthen mounds all around, cracked yellow soil underfoot, no vegetation in sight, and an atmosphere of stark desolation.

Day 7: The highlight of the day is a Sayram Lake, the Tears of the Atlantic. In spring and summer, subalpine meadows burst into bloom across the hills, while in winter the lake has a breathtaking spectacle of blue ice. In the evening, you can camp beside the lake or turn to Huocheng County for accommodation.

Day 8: Visit the Jieyou Princess Lavender Garden, and then drive to Kalajun Grassland to enjoy your grassland picnic. In the evening, stay at Tekes and explore the Bagua City.

Day 9: Head to Nalati and visit the Nalati Grassland, and you can try to enjoy the scenery by a UAV. After that, cross the scenic Duku Highway and enjoy the sights of Dushanzi Grand Canyon along the way, and stay overnight at Kuytun City.

Day 10: Return to Urumqi. If you still have energy, you can stroll around the city.

10 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

Day 1: On the first day in Urumqi, visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. It is the largest bazaar market in the country and vividly showcases the charm of Uyghur culture. The Xinjiang Museum is also well worth a visit.

Day 2: Head to visit Tianshan Tianchi and stroll along the lakeside path while gazing at the snow-capped Bogda Peak in the distance. You can also take a boat ride on the lake and enjoy the feeling of being immersed in a painting. In the afternoon, return to the city; if you still have energy, you can visit Hongshan Park or walk in the Erdaoqiao Pedestrian Street.

Day 3: Visit Nanshan Park and Shuimogou Park successively, explore authentic northern grasslands and rare southern-style gardens in China's far northwest, and feel the diverse beauty of Xinjiang. Have a good rest at night.

Day 4: Take a flight to Kanas in the morning. Afterward, explore the Kanas Lake either by taking a sightseeing bus or by hiking around the area. In the evening, explore the Kanas Village and then enjoy a peaceful night.

Day 5: Start your day early to take a bus to Guanyu Platform, catching the morning mist and sunrise over Kanas. Then hike along the Kanas Lake trail, visiting scenic spots and three bays. Afterward, take a bus to Jiadengyu for relaxing.

Day 6: Drive to Hemu Village, where you can pick out local crafts and specialties in the workshops. After lunch, head to Hemu Grassland, and enjoy the view of the Hemu River and the wooden houses from the surrounding hills. In the evening, stay in the homestay.

Day 7: In the morning, take a peaceful walk through the birch forest. Afterward, enjoy a horseback ride to Mount Meili, then return to the Hemu Sunset Viewing Platform to watch the golden rays of the sunset. After dinner, head back to Jiadengyu.

Day 8: Drive to Baihaba Village, take a leisurely stroll through the village and buy some souvenirs in Baihaba workshop. In the afternoon, return to Urumqi.

Day 9: Take a high-speed train to Turpan to visit the Karez Folk Culture Park and Grape Valley at the foot of the Flaming Mountains. Then head toward the mountains to learn about the fascinating culture associated with Journey to the West.

Day 10: Travel to the Kumtag Desert, where you can enjoy camel riding and sand therapy and hot-air balloon sightseeing to fully embrace the grandeur of the desert.

10 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Young Travelers

Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, explore the International Grand Bazaar, experiencing the charm of Xinjiang. You can also head to the Starlight Night Market for local delicacy.

Day 2: Head to Tianshan Tianchi, enjoy a boat cruise on the lake and admire the scenery of mountains and water and experience the charm of nature. In the afternoon, return to the city center and take a train to Korla for rest and visit the Bositeng Lake.

Day 3: Head to Kuqa City and visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. In Kuqa you can visit and Kuqa Naan City, experiencing the important naan culture in Xinjiang.

Day 4: Travel along the Duku Highway to the Mystic Grand Canyon of the Tianshan and the Ancient City of Subash. Then return to Kuqa and head to Alear City.

Day 5: Head south into the Taklimakan Desert, try sand driving, ride camels, admire the poplar forests, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the vast sea of sand. Then reach Hotan, enjoy the bustle and hustle at Hotan Night Market.

Day 6: Visit Tuan City to experience its distinctive ethnic atmosphere, then continue to Shache County. Along the way, pass through Zepu (Poskam) County, where you can stop at the unique Jinhuyang Scenic Area and admire the vast poplar forests.

Day 7: Head to the Ancient City of Kashgar and spend your time leisurely in a teahouse, watching Uyghur elders sing and play music, and enjoying the slow-paced lifestyle unique to southern Xinjiang. In the evening, just across from the old city is the Kashgar Night Market, where a wide variety of foods can delight your taste buds.

Day 8: Depart from Kashgar, travel along the Karakoram Highway to the Pamir Plateau, and enjoy Karakul Lake and Muztagh Ata along the way. Finally, the natural scenery of Aler Wetland Park brings the day's journey to a perfect close.

Day 9: Visit the mysterious Muztagh Ata Glacier Park and experience the grandeur and awe-inspiring power of the glaciers. Along the Wakhan Corridor, take on the winding Panlong Ancient Road, and enjoy the thrill of driving through countless curves. Then return to Tajik Twon and visit Baldir Blue Lake.

Day 10: Return to Kashgar and savor its historical charm, bringing this Southern Xinjiang journey to a perfect close.

10 Days Xinjiang cultural Immersion Itinerary

Day 1: Begin your Xinjiang journey in Urumqi. Visit the Xinjiang Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of Xinjiang and the cultural history of the ancient Silk Road. With the remaining time, you can spend it at the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, featuring strong Islamic-style architecture and a wide array of Uyghur specialty goods.

Day 2: Head to Turpan, an important outpost along the Silk Road, and travel through the Flaming Mountains Grand Canyon, admiring the mountains along the way, a key setting in Journey to the West. Then visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves to experience Xinjiang's profound cultural heritage.

Day 3: Visit the ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins along the Silk Road and the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen-structure city in the world. Then, explore the Karez irrigation system, one of the three great engineering projects of ancient China, and the Islamic-style Sugong Minaret.

Day 4: Travel to Korla and visit the Korla Folk Culture Museum or the Bayingol Museum to unveil the mystery along the ancient Silk Road. Then stop by the Jiamai Mosque and Dafang Mosque in Korla to take photos and admire Islamic architecture.

Day 5: Travel to Kuqa, stopping along the way in Luntai County to visit the Tarim Poplar Forest in Luntai. After arriving in Kuqa, you can explore the Grand Naan City to learn about the development and heritage of Xinjiang's naan culture.

Day 6: Travel along the Duku Highway to visit the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower, then arrive at the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon. On the return to Kuqa, you can also stop at the ruins of Subash Ancient City.

Day 7: Visit the Kuqa Grand Mosque and the Kuqa Royal Palace. In the afternoon, head to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, that is an artistic treasure, renowned for their exquisite murals. Overnight stay in Wensu County.

Day 8: Visit the ruined Kader Royal Tomb and explore Aksu City. In the afternoon, travel to Kashgar, stopping in Bachu County along the way to see the ruins of Tangwang City, once part of the ancient Weitou Kingdom. In Kashgar, take a leisurely walk at Abakh Khoja Tomb, enjoy the characteristic architecture of the Uyghur people while taking a break.

Day 9: Visit the Ancient City of Kashgar early to watch the Opening Ceremony, and head to Kashgar's landmark, the Id Kah Mosque. If in a Sunday, be sure not to miss the Kashgar Livestock Bazaar, the largest live-animal trading market in Xinjiang and even in Asia, filled with the raw vitality of traditional trade and the rich atmosphere of Uyghur culture.

Day 10: Visit the Kashgar Museum, feeling the culture and development the historical city. After that, head to the Gaotai Residence to feel the pulse and rhythm of life in Kashgar.

Customize Your Unique Xinjiang Silk Road Tour

If you are interested in one of the Xinjiang itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Xinjiang Tour, please visit our Xinjiang Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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