5 Days Xinjiang Itinerary

5 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 only have five 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 five-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Xinjiang to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

5 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Family with Kids

World Ghost City

Day 1: Feel the Characteristics of Urumqi

After arriving in Urumqi, head to Tianshan Tianchi, where you can take a boat cruise on the lake to admire the scenery of mountains and water and experience the charm of nature. Returned to the city center, you can visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, the largest comprehensive market in Xinjiang, where you can find a wide variety of distinctive goods and souvenirs and sample authentic Xinjiang snacks.

Day 2: Explore the Scenery of Koktokay

Depart from Urumqi for Koktokay. As the journey is relatively 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, travel to Beitun for accommodation.

Day 3: Encounter the Beauty of Kanas

Start your morning by taking the shuttle bus to Jiadengyu, appreciating to the Tianshan Mountains alone the way. Upon arriving at Jiadengyu, take in the stunning views of the lake and mountains by Kanas Lake cruise. After lunch, 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 4: Feel the Charm of Hemu Village

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. In the evening, you can stay in the homestay, and when the weather is good, you can open the window of the hut and see the stars in the sky.

Day 5: Take an Adventure in Ghost City

On the final day, visit the World 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.

5 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

Flaming Mountains

Day 1: Meet the Uyghur Culture

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, with many of its collections originating from the Niya ruins of the ancient Jingjue Kingdom.

Day 2: Watch the Beautiful Tianchi

Head to Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains and stroll along the lakeside path while gazing at the majestic, 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 stroll along the Erdaoqiao Pedestrian Street.

Day 3: Explore the Oasis in Desert

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, and finally visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.

Day 4: Admire the Gobi Yardang

Travel to the Hami Yardang Dahaidao, crossing ancient trails through uninhabited areas, where you can admire Gobi Yardang landforms, desert canyons, stony beaches with poplar trees, natural asphalt, and more, before finally arriving in Hami to rest.

Day 5: Enjoy the Wonders of Hami

Travel to Barkol, stopping along the way to visit the Baishitou Scenic Area, which features grasslands, pastures, primeval forests, and resorts. Then head to Barkol Lake, a plateau lake surrounded by rolling mountains, with shimmering blue waters and the unique spectacle of mirage-like views shrouding the surrounding peaks.

5 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Young Travelers

Grassland

Day 1: Take in the Picturesque Lake

Set off from Yining, cross the Guozigou Bridge to take in the canyon scenery, then arrive in the picturesque Sayram Lake and visit the mysterious Dianjiangtai. Cycle around Sayram Lake, find a perfect spot for a picnic, and spread out a tablecloth that you instantly become the centerpiece of an oil painting. Finally, return to Yining for rest.

Day 2: Enjoy the Grassland Scenery

Visit the lavender fields in Ili Prefecture, where vast expanses of lavender form a sea of purple. After lunch, head to visit the Kalajun Grassland in Tekes County to admire the three-dimensional grassland covered in blooming flowers. Spend the night in Tekes.

Day 3: Devote into the Green Land

Head to Bayanbulak, and along the way you can enjoy the scenery of Ili River Valley and Kunse River. At the Grassland, you can see the Swan Lake and picturesque Eighteen Bends, and horseback riding is also great fun. In the evening, stay overnight in the Scenic Area.

Day 4: Explore the Grassland in Sky

Cross the middle section of the scenic Duku Highway and enjoy the sights along the way, then visit the Nalati Grassland, exploring the magnificent sky grassland and experiencing the vastness and grandeur of nature.

Day 5: Appreciate Your Return Journey

Travel along the Duku Highway, cross the Yuximolegai Daban, and arrive at the mountain town of Qiaolma. Continue north to Kuytun for a transfer, then return to Urumqi.

5 Days Xinjiang cultural Immersion Itinerary

Jiaohe Ancient City

Day 1: Explore the Humanity of Xinjiang

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: Find Turpan's Culture Landmark

In the morning, travel to Turpan, an important outpost along the Silk Road, passing by enchanting salt lakes along the way. Continue through the Flaming Mountains Grand Canyon toward Tuyugou, admiring the Flaming Mountains along the way, a key setting in Journey to the West. Arrive at the ancient Uyghur village of Mazha Village and visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves to experience Xinjiang's profound cultural heritage.

Day 3: Witness the Historical Heritages

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: Feel the Charm of Mid-Xinjiang

Travel to Korla City and visit the Korla Folk Culture Museum to learn about the traditional customs of the local ethnic groups. Then stop by the Jiamai Mosque and Dafang Mosque in Korla to take photos and admire Islamic architecture.

Day 5: Experience Xinjiang's Folk Customs

Depart from Korla for Bosten Lake to admire the Pearl of the Western Frontier, whose scenery rivals that of the Jiangnan water towns. Afterwards, return to Urumqi and spend your remaining time at Xinjiang Folk Street, experiencing Xinjiang's folk customs one last time.

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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