8 Days Xinjiang Itinerary

8 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 eight 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 eight-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Xinjiang to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

8 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Family with Kids

Kanas

Day 1: After arriving in Urumqi, you can visit Hongshan Park, take in panoramic views of the entire city. In the left time, head to 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: 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 the Ili River Valley to explore and experience the beauty and bold, open spirit of China's northwestern frontier.

8 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

Tianchi Lake

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 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 5: 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. In the afternoon travel to Korla City, and stop by the Jiamai Mosque and Dafang Mosque to take photos and admire Islamic architecture.

Day 6: Visit the Korla Folk Culture Museum to learn about the traditional customs of the local ethnic groups. Depart from Korla for Bosten Lake to admire the Pearl of the Western Frontier, and you can take a flight to Kashgar and have a good rest.

Day 7: Visit the Ancient City of Kashgar and you can get up early to watch the Opening Ceremony. Stroll leisurely through the crisscrossing alleys of the ancient town, admiring the exquisite traditional Uyghur architecture and rustic historical sites, and do not forget to visit Kashgar's landmark, the Id Kah Mosque.

Day 8: Visit the Abakh Hoja Tomb to admire its distinctive Islamic-style mausoleum, then head to the Gaotai Uyghur Residences to explore a maze of rammed-earth buildings with a history of over 600 years.

8 Days Xinjiang Itinerary for Young Travelers

Panlong Ancient Road

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 drive to Nalati Town for rest.

Day 3: Visit the Nalati Grassland in the morning, exploring the magnificent sky grassland and experiencing the vastness and grandeur of nature. Then travel along the Duku Highway to the Mystic Grand Canyon of the Tianshan, and finally arrive in Kuqa.

Day 4: Travel to Aksu and visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, with a stop to view the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower. Then arrive at the Wensu Tomur Grand Canyon to admire the rare ancient rock salt formations and extraordinary Yardang geological landscapes.

Day 5: 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 6: Depart from Kashgar, travel along the Karakoram Highway to the Pamir Plateau. The White Sand Mountain and White Sand Lake complement each other beautifully, while Muztagh Ata rises in magnificent grandeur. Finally, you will reach the natural scenery of Aler Wetland Park on the Pamir Plateau.

Day 7: Visit the Khunjerab Border Gate and feel the majesty of the frontier. Drive along the Wakhan Corridor, take on the winding Panlong Ancient Road, and enjoy the thrill of driving through countless curves crossing the mountains to Waqia Township. Arrive at Bandir Blue Lake to savor the tranquility and beauty of a plateau lake, then return to Tashkurgan.

Day 8: Visit the mysterious Muztagh Ata Glacier Park and experience the grandeur and awe-inspiring power. In the remaining time, explore the beauty on the plateau.

8 Days Xinjiang cultural Immersion Itinerary

Shache

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 Aksu and visit the Kuqa Grand Mosque and the Kuqa Royal Palace. In the afternoon, head to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, with a stop to view the Kizilgaha Beacon Tower along the way. The Thousand Buddha Caves are an artistic treasure, renowned for their exquisite murals. Overnight stay in Wensu County.

Day 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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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Id Kah Mosque, Kashgar

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