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Xinjiang North & South Discovery: A Premium Private Journey Through Heavenly Lake, Pamir Plateau & Southern Xinjiang · 12 Days

12-Day Premium Private Journey: Heavenly Lake, Southern Xinjiang & Pamir Plateau

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A full-view journey across the Tianshan Mountains, covering the sacred Heavenly Lake, Turpan's fiery basin, poplar forest seas, the Pamir Plateau, and the ancient city of Kashgar.

Why this route works

• 🚄✈️ Smart transport — every leg gets you there ready to explore, not ready to collapse:​
• Urumqi → Turpan (bullet train round trip, D3):​ Depart Urumqi in the morning by bullet train — about 1.5 hours to Turpan. A business van picks you up right outside the station and takes you directly to the Flaming Mountains, Kumtag Desert, and the ancient Karez irrigation system. After you've seen everything, take the bullet train back to Urumqi — you can even head to the Grand Bazaar for dinner. Driving this route yourself would take over 3 hours each way across the barren Gobi beneath the Flaming Mountains — a full day wasted on the road, and you'd arrive at the sights already exhausted.
• Urumqi → Korla (high-speed rail, D4):​ Morning high-speed rail — about 5 hours to Korla. A business van meets you at the station and takes you straight to your hotel to check in. By evening, you're refreshed enough to take a leisurely stroll along the Peacock River. Driving this route means crossing the Gobi for 6 hours — by the time you reach Korla, all you want to do is lie down, not explore.
• Kuqa → Kashgar (flight, D8):​ Fly from Kuqa to Kashgar, approximately 1 hour. You will be met at the airport by a business car and transferred directly to your hotel, after which you can start exploring the Ancient City of Kashgar. If you choose not to fly, this route covers 700 km along the Taklamakan Desert Highway. It passes through no‑man’s‑land with no gas stations and no mobile phone signal. Driving takes a full day, and you will arrive in Kashgar late at night, wasting an entire day.
• ​🏨 Accommodation — 11 nights, all 5-diamond, no repacking:​
• Urumqi 3 nights, Korla 1, Kuqa 3 consecutive nights (unpack once — the same hotel for three nights, no packing and unpacking every day), Kashgar 3 nights, Tashkurgan 1. Every single night in a 4-5 diamond hotel. No camping, no roughing it, no worrying about the cold or the bathroom. For guests aged 50+, this means real rest every night, proper beds, hot showers, and a peaceful sleep — so you wake up refreshed for the next day's sightseeing.
• ​🏜️ Scenic highlights — every stop earns its place:​
• Tianchi Lake & Turpan (D2-D3):​ By bullet train — Tianchi's alpine lake, the Flaming Mountains, Kumtag Desert, and the ancient Karez irrigation system. Gentle pace, no long drives.
• Korla & Tarim Poplar Forest (D4-D5):​ After the high-speed rail, the world's largest natural poplar forest — golden in autumn. Mostly flat terrain, easy walking, driver handles everything.
• Kuqa (D6-D7):​ The red sandstone Tianshan Mystic Grand Canyon, plus the Shaya Poplar Forest, and Kuqa's Silk Road heritage — the Kuqa Palace, Grand Mosque, and Nang bread city. Three consecutive nights in the same hotel means no repacking, no rushing. You can even go back to the hotel for a rest in the middle of the day.
• Kashgar (D8-D9):​ A full free day to explore the living Old City at your own pace — the opening ceremony, the century-old teahouse, Apak Hoja Mausoleum, and Id Kah Mosque. No schedule, no rushing. Exactly what a 50+ traveller needs: a day to wander, sit, and soak in the atmosphere.
• Pamir Plateau (D10-D11):​ White Sand Lake's turquoise water, Karakul Lake mirroring the 7,546m Muztagh Ata glacier, Dragon Road's 600 bends, and Bandir Blue Lake. The driver handles the winding mountain roads safely — you just watch the scenery through the window.

Detailed itinerary

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 and railway station pick-up and drop-off service is offered in Urumqi, Turpan, Korla, Kuqa and Kashgar.
• Round-trip bullet trains between Urumqi and Turpan; high-speed rail from Urumqi to Korla; flight from Kuqa to Kashgar.
• Business vehicles are arranged for the entire trip.
• Accommodation
• A total of 11 nights of accommodation throughout the journey:
• 3 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi,
• 1 night at a 5-diamond hotel in Korla,
• 3 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Kuqa,
• 3 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Kashgar,
• 1 night at a 4 or 5-diamond hotel in Tashkurgan County.
• Scenic Spots
• Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Flaming Mountain, Kumtag Desert, Karez Irrigation System, Peacock River, Tarim Poplar Forest, Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, Shaya Poplar Forest, Kuqa Palace, Kuqa Grand Mosque, Kuqa Giant Nang Town, Kashgar Ancient City, Fragrant Concubine Garden, Mosque, Pamir Plateau, White Sand Lake, Karakul Lake, Panlong Ancient Road, Bandir Blue Lake, Golden Grass Beach, Stone City
• Tour Guide
• Professional driver-guide to provide exclusive private customized services.
• Meals
• Breakfast included with hotel accommodation.
• Insurance
• Comprehensive travel accident insurance valid for the whole itinerary.

Usually excluded

• Transportation:
• Round-trip international/domestic airfare.
• Accommodation:
• Single room supplement; personal expenses (e.g., laundry, minibar).
• Attractions:
• Optional activities; attractions not included in the itinerary.
• Guide Tips:
• Gratuities for the guide (optional).
• Meals:
• Lunches and dinners during the tour.
• Insurance:
• Additional personal insurance (supplemental coverage).