Day 1
Arrive in Xian
Our guide will meet you at the airport or train station and transfer to the Hotel. Visit city wall in the afternoon.
Stay in Hyatt Regency Hotel (5 star)
Day 2
Explore Xian for whole day
Visiting The Hui grand mosque which is located Hui minority area, construction of the mosque has rich Chinese feature as well as combined with Arabic style. It is one of the oldest and largest mosque in China. Then walk around Cultural streets of Hui people
Visiting Bell Tower which is a Chinese traditional building and geographical center of the ancient capital, best preserved and largest wooden tower in China. then Push to Wild Goose Pagoda which is well preserved ancient and holy building for Buddhism.
After lunch visit Qin Terra-cotta warriors, the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century.
Stay in Hyatt Regency Hotel (5 star)
Day 3
Xian to Dunhuang
after breakfast Visit the Provincial History Museum, a famous first-class museum in China with it’s outstanding architectural buildings, internal apparatus, and exhibits.
After lunch fly to Dunhuang. Upon arrival in Dunhuang, go for sand dunes and camel ride to the Crescent Moon Lake, back hotel after sunset.
Stay in Dunhuang Hotel
Day 4
Dunhuang to Turpan
Whole day sightseeing in Dunhuan visiting Mogao Grottoes which is, also known as Thousand Buddha Cave, is one of three noted grottoes in China and also the largest, best preserved and richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world.
After lunch visit Dunhuang Museum and take overnight sleeper train to Turpan.
Day 5
Explore Turpan
Arrive at Daheyan train station in the morning and journey to Turpan city. We our tour in Turpan with a visit the ancient city of Idikut (Gaochang). The city was first built in the first Century BC and later became capital of the Idikut (Gaochang) Uighur Kingdom in the 8th Century. You can take a donkey cart to visit the site if you like. We’ll stop in the city for about 40 minutes and then drive to Karakhoja Astana tombs, a Tang-dynasty burial ground which also known as the "Underground Museum". Astana means "capital" in the Uighur language and Karakhoja is the name of a legendary hero of the ancient Uighur Kingdom who conquered by killing a vicious dragon. 
Moving on, we journey to Toyup village, an old, beautiful and timeless village with a friendly Uighur community. Here we visit several local families and eat lunch with a local family in their home. This could quite likely be the highlight of your tour.. After lunch we visit Bizeklik Thousand Buddha caves which used to be an important center for Buddhist worship under the Xizhou Huigu government of the Idikut (Gaochang) Kingdom.
Finally, on the way back to the hotel we will stop at the Flaming Mountains which people claim are so hot and dry that "flying birds even a thousand miles away dare not to come”. Later, we’ll eat dinner in the Oasis hotel restaurant and the round the day off with an atmospheric song and dance festival in the famous grape valley.
Spend a night at Aosis Hotel (3 star)
Day 6
Turpan for whole day
Following a hearty western breakfast at the Hotel we start our wonderful day in Turpan.
Our special itinerary today includes sightseeing in Turpan. First we visit Yargul Ancient city which is one of the best preserved ancient cities in China. The ruins of the buildings are divided into temples, civilian dwellings and government offices. Workshops and residential houses in the streets are still visible and time there is time spent in a world long disappeared.
After an hour of walking around the city area, we’ll push on to see the world famous Karez irrigation system, unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.
Then we will head to Turpan largest Grape valley to see and taste many different kind of grapes. You will lunch will be served at under the grape valley.
After lunch we will visit the Emin Suliman minaret which is a magnificent combination of ancient Uighur and Islamic architecture. It is the tallest ancient pagoda in Xinjiang and the only Islamic ancient pagoda in the country. Locals call it “pure tower.”
Stay in Turpan Oasis Hotel
Day 7
Turpan to Kucha
Drive from Turpan to Kucha on very good new highway. Arrive in Kucha later in the afternoon.
Stay in Kucha Hotel
Day 8
Explore Kucha for whole day
Whole day sight seeing in Kucha, followed by dinner and a visit to the famous Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (5th and 6th century AD), which lie 75km (46miles) from Kucha and form one of the earliest treasure troves of Buddhist art in China as well as one of the four largest cave systems in China. The caves were once hewn high on the cliffs of the Northern Bank of the Muzat River during the early 3rd to 8th Centuries of the first Millennium AD. There are presently 236 coded caves, divided into west and inner valley and rear mountain areas extending over 3 kilometers (1.86 miles). It takes about 2 hours to see the caves and learn about local Buddhist culture.
Lunch will followed by a visit to the ancient city of Subash (2nd-3rd century A.D.) as well as the Ancient Kizil Kagha Beacon tower which is an ancient military outpost. Before going to dinner we’ll also return to Kucha to spend time in the old town area and visit Kucha grand mosque which was built in 17th century and is the only mosque to have preserved the Shariya (Islamic Court) in China. We’ll end our day with dinner at a local restaurant and a night at Kucha Hotel.
Day 9
Kucha to Niya (Minfeng)
Today we set out for Niya (Minfeng) along the Taklimakan desert highway (the longest in the world at 522km or 310miles) across the heart of the Taklimakan desert. The Taklimakan is the second largest shifting sand desert in the world with a total area of 337,600 sq kms, or 121,500 sq miles). The word Taklimakan means ‘Sea of Death’ for “Once you go in, you can never come out.” At the heart of the desert, we’ll visit several towns and meet people of different lives and cultures. We can stop as often as you wish to climb surrounding sand dunes, play around and take photos to your hearts content. The freedom abandon of the desert may well be the highlight of your trip and we can take as long as you want at stops. When we later in Niya we’ll check in to the new Niya hotel. If desired, you may also camp overnight in the desert. Total distance today of 700km (420 miles).
Day 10
Niya to Hotan
Leave for Hotan after breakfast and arrive by lunch time. Today we really begin to experience the unique culture and history of the Southern Silk Road. Our first stop is in Keriya town to enjoy the unique culture and traditional lifestyle of the local residents. Keriyan men wear a special kind of high cap while ladies here wear a hat, registered as the smallest in the world. Upon arrive in Hotan around 12:30pm local time we’ll have a lunch of Hotan’s famous Ghosh Gida (stuffed meat pie baked in the oven). 
Check into the Hotan Hotel, followed by a 30 minute refresher before we travel on to the Yorung Kash River (White Jade River). Local people still hunt by the river for Jade and if you’re lucky you may even find your own! If desired we can also visit local Carpet, Silk and Jade factories which are three exports known only to Hotan.
Our last stop-off is at a 16th Century mosque in the Taklimakan desert around 30km away from Hotan city. There are several holy tombs around the mosque and everyday people from across the length and breadth of Xinjiang come here to visit and pray. It is said the tomb belongs to a Muslim missionary who was once a military officer in the 11th century AD. The tomb’s influence is very strong among local Muslims and every May more than 10,000 people come to worship. Here you’ll have the chance to ride camels and experience a fantastic sunrise before we return to the Hotan Hotel
Day 11
Hotan to Yarkand
Today we start at 7:00am local time with a trip to Malikiawat Ancient City, located on the west bank of the Yorungkash River, 27kms from Hotan city. The city once belonged to the Han and Tang Dynasties. Inside are the ruins of houses and ancient tombs and to the West, behind a sand hill, lie three mystical caves. So far bronze Buddha figures, jade articles, clay Buddha sculptures, ancient Uighur styled wall decorations, fresco pieces, potteries and a large amount of old coins have been unearthed there. The trip should take around 2.5 hours.
Few surviving crafts from the time of the Silk Road have made it into the 21st Century and those that have are rapidly disappearing. Traditional paper making is a famous handicraft of the Uighur nationality, yet at present only one family in Hotan district still produces such paper. The family lives in Hotan city and the art has a history of more than 2,000 years. According to historical facts, this technique of paper making was practiced here more than a hundred years earlier than Ceylon’s invention of modern paper. The raw material for the paper consists of the bark of mulberry tree branches.
For lunch we recommend you to taste some Hotan local foods in the famous Kerouran Restaurant which provides various local style foods special from Hotan. After lunch we leave to Yarkand, passing through villages and desert along the way. Along the way we’ll also pay a visit to Kargilik to visit the town’s Grand mosque and later arrive in Yarkand by dinner time.
Stay at Queens Hotel
Day 12
Yarkand to Kashgar
Yarkand was once the capital of several Uighur Kingdoms in ancient times and a vital station on the old Silk Road. Its history tops more than 2000 years which makes it an extremely interesting city to visit. We recommend to sight-see in the morning and leave for Kashgar after lunch.
First off in the morning we will visit the Altun Mosque (Golden Mosque) which was built in 1533 during the time of Yarkand’s second Kingdom. The building was once a magnificent three storied structure that became a famous Madrassa (Islamic school) in Central Asia from 1533 to 1678. Students came from as far away as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan to further their Islamic education, rightfully earning Yarkand the distinction alongside Bukhara, as one of history’s greatest centers of learning. However, trouble loomed. In 1678, Apak Hoja, the glorified head of the White Mountain Sufism Sect and Jungar Mongols, burnt the madrassa to the ground alongside 20,000 books. The tragedy is still remembered today as the greatest destruction of Uighur culture and literature in history.
Next to the mosque you will see the magnificent building of Amannisahan who was once the Queen of Yarkand Kingdom and the most famous female musician in Uighur history. She collected much folk music and many local songs and created the famous classic 12 mukams of music in the 17th century. She died at the age of 34 whilst giving birth.
Another nearby site of interest is the Yarkand Royal Graveyard which contains all 13 kings of Yarkand Kingdom and their families who were buried here from 1514 until 1678. Yarkand people are very proud of their heritage kings and the role of the Yarkand Kingdom in Xinjiang’s history.
Before leaving for Kashgar we recommend you visit another interesting site called the Qiltan tombs which are a very interesting non-touristy area of Yarkand called ‘Qiltalirim’ by local people. There are seven tombs inside the tomb hall belonging, it is said, to seven missionaries from Saudi Arabia who came to Xinjiang to preach Islam a long time ago . After they died, all of them were buried here and everyday many people come to pray and sacrifice animals. Some superstitious local ladies construct fake stoves with bricks to wish for a family at the tomb. Also of interest is time spent around Yarkand old town: It is very interesting to walk around the old town area of Yarkand and drink chai (tea) in a local tea house (‘Chai hana’ in Uighur language). Whenever you’ve had enough we will head back to Kashgar with your guide and driver.
Stay at Qinibagh Hotel.
Day 13
Day trip to Karakul Lake
We set out along the Sino - Pakistan Karakorum Highway, on the Pamir plateau (the roof of the world) for your visit to Karakul Lake (3600m above sea level). The lake sits at the feet of the notorious, Muztagh Ata (7546m) and Gongur (7719m) mountains. ‘Muztagh Ata’ means Father of the Ice Mountain and is one the most beautiful and mysterious mountains in the world. Return by late afternoon back to Kashgar.
Back to Kashagr in the afternoon and overnight at Qinibagh Hotel
Day 14
Kashgar to Urumqi
On the cross roads of Asia, a new day dawns as we explore one of the most important towns on the Silk Road. Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel at 7:00am local time and begin the day’s activities at the Apak Hoja mausoleum, one of the most famous mausoleums in Central Asia. The tombs contain the remains of five generations of Abakh Khoja, who was a powerful ruler of Kashgar in the 17th century. The first tomb was built in 1640. It is said the concubine of the Chinese Emperor Qianlong was buried here which is why people call it the ‘tomb of the fragrant combine.’
After 1.5 hours we’ll visit Kashgar’s famous Livestock market. The best time to visit the market is later morning when market activity is at its peak. Every deal conducted throughout the market is done under the watchful gaze of a “Salachi” or middle-man who is responsible for ensuirng every deal concludes in a fair manner. Salachis are usually respected and elder members of the community. The chaos and furor of the market has to be experienced to be believed. Tradition has failed to relinquish its grip on the life of the market and everybody’s experience here is unique.
After time at the market, we’ll see the Eid Kah mosque , the largest mosque in China and symbol of Kashgar. About 10,000 people worship in this mosque every Friday and 50,000 people during festivals. The cool fresh air of the mosque can make a welcome respite to the dry heat of the summer here and your visit may be your best opportunity to learn some knowledge about Islam and the culture of Uighur people.
The doorway to the afternoon begins with a sumptuous lunch at the Altun Orda (Golden Palace) restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll spend time at the famous Sunday market, reputed to the largest in Central Asia. People journey to this extravaganza from all over Central Asia producing a motley collection of coloured hats, faces and voices. Locals often say that “you can find everything except chicken milk on this market”, and we encourage you to barter for local goods with the help of your phrasebook.
At 4:00pm local time we’ll head together into the old town area. Whose history spans more than 2000 years. This area includes many antique shops and mud brick houses preserved from the past. You can visit a local family and have a cup of tea with them if you wish. The handicraft street just away from the old city contains many handicraft experts making Baby cradles, traditional musical instruments, knives, teapots, golden jewelry, wooden steamers and many other traditional tools of local people. Our day’s tour ends at the home of a local family in a nearby village. Here you’ll have lessons in Uighur culture and their way of life by complete emersion into it.
Take evening flight to Urumqi and transfer to Xinjiang Grand Hotel
Day 15
Day trip to Heavenly Lake and Xinjiang Museum
Leave for Heavenly Lake after breakfast and travel 115 kms (71 Miles) over two hours by vehicle. Your stay at the heavenly lake is your time to ride horses, go boating, take photos or simply trek around the lake for as long as you like. You can eat lunch together with a local Kazak family or just pay them a visit! This is certainly the easiest way to understand the life style of the Kazak people in such a short time. In the afternoon, visit the Xinjiang Museum which houses an impressive collection of exhibits, covering artifacts and relics from more than 12 minority groups. Head back to Urumqi and spend night in the Xinjiang Grand Hotel.
Day 16
Urumqi to desired destination and end of the tour
Today is the last day of our tour, but it needn’t be the last. We strive to make every day of your time with us one that you’ll always remember and if you’d like to book a longer tour please contact us for more information.