Private Journeys · Western China
Southern Xinjiang Heritage Journey: Kuqa, Kashgar & Pamir Plateau Private Discovery · 10 Days
10-Day Private Journey: Korla, Kuqa, Kashgar & Pamir Plateau
Ideal for travellers seeking Southern Xinjiang’s culture & Pamir’s scenery – high-speed train, premium hotels, and a relaxed pace.
Why this route works
- 🚄✈ Smart transport — the two long, empty stretches are flown and railed:
- The route uses high-speed rail and one flight to skip the boring, tiring miles. Urumqi to Korla is done by high-speed rail — about 5 hours instead of a long desert highway drive, so you arrive fresh and can even take an evening stroll along the Peacock River. Then Kuqa to Kashgar is a short flight — about 1 hour instead of 700km along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, an uninhabited stretch with no fuel stations and no phone signal. The remaining days are relaxed business-van drives, with three consecutive nights in Kuqa — no repacking. No day is spent fully in a vehicle.
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- 🏨 Comfortable stays throughout — 9 nights, all 4-5 diamond:
- Urumqi, Korla, Kuqa (3 consecutive nights — unpack once), Kashgar (2 nights), and Tashkurgan — every night in a 4 or 5-diamond hotel. Proper rest, no camping, no compromise.
- 🏜 Scenic highlights — every stop earns its place:
- Korla & the Tarim Poplar Forest (D2-D3): After the high-speed rail, Xinjiang's largest natural poplar forest — golden in autumn — then on to Kuqa.
- Kuqa (D4-D5): Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon of red sandstone, the populus euphratica forests in Shaya, together with Kuqa’s profound Silk‑Road heritage — Kuqa Royal Palace, Shaya Populus Euphratica Museum, Shayanzhou Populus Euphratica Park, 139 Secret Populus Euphratica Highway, Qiuci Alley and Kuqa Big Naan City.
- Kashgar (D6-D7): A free day in the living Old City labyrinth — the opening ceremony, the century-old teahouse, the Id Kah Mosque, and the Apak Hoja Mausoleum.
- Pamir Plateau (D8-D9): White Sand Lake's turquoise water, Karakul Lake mirroring the snow peaks, Dragon Road's 600 bends (or the Stone City and Golden Grassland if closed), then back to Kashgar.
- Result: High-speed rail + 1 flight = the empty desert miles are removed. Your time goes to the poplar forests, Kashgar's old streets, and the Pamir Plateau — not to the road between them.
Detailed itinerary
Arrive in Urumqi on your own, private business van airport pick-up, check in to 4-5 diamond hotel in Urumqi
Take high-speed train to Korla, business van pick-up and hotel check-in; free evening without vehicle, optional night stroll along Peacock River
Depart by business van to Tarim Poplar Forest, then check in to 4-5 diamond hotel in Kuqa
Business van tour to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Kuqa King's Mansion, Kuqa Grand Mosque, and Kucha Ancient Alley; overnight at 4-5 diamond hotel in Kuqa
Business van to Shaya Poplar Forest Museum, Shayanzhou Poplar Forest Park, and drive along 139 Secret Poplar Forest Highway; return to Kuqa for 4-5 diamond hotel
Business van transfer to airport, fly from Kuqa to Kashgar, then check in to 4-5 diamond hotel in Kashgar
No vehicle today; free exploration of Kashgar Old City, Opening Ceremony, Xiangfei Garden, Id Kah Mosque, etc.; overnight at 4-5 diamond hotel in Kashgar
Business van to Pamir Plateau, visit Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, check in to 4-5 diamond hotel in Tashkurgan
Business van to Panlong Ancient Road and Bandier Blue Lake (if road closed, alternative: Golden Grassland and Stone City), return to Kashgar for 4-5 diamond hotel
Business van transfer to Kashgar airport according to flight schedule, end of tour
Pricing logic
The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, domestic flights, hotel level, vehicle type and route feasibility. The sales team will confirm all inclusions before payment.
Usually included
- Transportation: 24‑hour exclusive airport / railway station transfer service: airport pick‑up in Urumqi, train station pick‑up in Korla, airport drop‑off in Kuqa, airport drop‑off in Kashgar; High‑speed rail / EMU segment: Urumqi to Korla by high‑speed train; Flight arrangement: fly from Kuqa to Kashgar; Business car service for the whole journey (vehicle not provided for free‑and‑easy activities on Night 2 and for city free time in Kashgar on Day 7).
- Accommodation: 4‑star or 5‑star hotel in Urumqi (1 night), 4‑star or 5‑star hotel in Korla (1 night), 4‑star or 5‑star hotel in Kuqa (Night 3, 4, 5; total 3 nights), 4‑star or 5‑star hotel in Kashgar (Night 6, 7, 9; total 3 nights), 4‑star or 5‑star hotel in Tashkurgan (1 night). Total: 9 nights’ accommodation.
- Sightseeing: Peacock River / Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest / Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon / Kuqa Royal Palace / Kuqa Grand Mosque / Qiuci Alley / Shaya Populus Euphratica Museum / Shayanzhou Populus Euphratica Park / 139 Secret Populus Euphratica Highway / Kashgar Old Town / Fragrant Concubine Garden / Mosque / White Sand Lake / Karakul Lake / Panlong Ancient Road / Bandir Blue Lake / Golden Grass Beach & Stone City
- Guide: Professional driver‑guide providing exclusive private service.
- Meals: Hotel breakfast included; Lunch and dinner on Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 8 / Day 9 (10 main meals in total), at a standard of CNY 50 per person.
- Insurance: Comprehensive travel accident insurance for the whole journey.
Usually excluded
- Transportation: Round‑trip international / domestic air tickets.
- Accommodation: Single room supplement, personal expenses (laundry, mini‑bar).
- Sightseeing: Optional activities, unplanned scenic spots.
- Guide Tip: Guide’s tip (optional).
- Meals: Lunch and dinner on Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 6 / Day 10.
- Insurance: Additional personal insurance.