WHERE
Xinjiang
Xinjiang in Grandeur
A 9-Day Silk Road Journey Across Mountains & Desert
Price
Average 391 USD per person per day(minimum 2 travelers required)
For detailed price, please contact us.
How long
9 Days / 8 Nights
The Inspiration Behind the Journey
Xinjiang is a journey into vastness.
From the snow peaks of the Tianshan Mountains to the waters of Sailimu Lake, and from alpine grasslands and deep valleys to the Gobi and desert, the landscape changes constantly across this vast region.
We designed this route to follow the natural geography of the land while tracing the spirit of the ancient Silk Road. Moving through mountain passes, sacred lakes, pastoral communities and ancient oasis settlements allows the journey to unfold as a complete picture of Xinjiang—rather than a collection of isolated sights.
The northern part of the journey begins with the dramatic landscapes of the Duku Highway and Sailimu Lake, where the emphasis is on mountains, open grasslands and long horizons. We then slow the pace around the lake, giving you time to stay for sunset and early morning light instead of simply passing through.
Further south, the landscape transforms. At Turpan, vineyards, karez irrigation channels and ancient oasis life reveal how people have adapted to one of China’s driest environments for centuries.
We have deliberately left space within the route for slower moments: a sunset beside the lake, tea beneath grapevines, a traditional meal in a felt yurt, or the quiet of a desert evening.
This journey is designed to show you not only what Xinjiang looks like, but also how people have lived, travelled and built civilizations across this extraordinary landscape.
Journey Highlights
Perfect for:International travelers drawn to dramatic nature, Silk Road history and diverse cultures, seeking a comfortable and immersive way to experience Xinjiang.
The Grandeur of Xinjiang
Experience the snow peaks of the Tianshan, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Sayram Lake and Tianchi in landscapes that constantly transform.
The Silk Road in Context
Follow the ancient Silk Road through museums, historic sites and the ingenious underground irrigation system of the karez.
Living Local Cultures
Meet the traditions of Kazakh and Uyghur communities through felt tents, local hospitality, regional cuisine and traditional celebrations.
A Slower Way to Travel
Watch sunset beside Sayram Lake, enjoy tea under grapevines and wait for the last light over the desert.
A Complete Xinjiang Memory
Leave with more than local delicacies and handmade souvenirs—a journey through snow mountains, sacred lakes, grasslands and desert landscapes.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day / 01
Urumqi · Western Frontier
Arrive in Urumqi, where your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, known for its lively trading atmosphere and regional character.
An optional Silk Road music and dance dinner can be arranged.
Meals: Breakfast (/); Lunch (/); Dinner (at your own expense)
Stay: Luxury hotel in Urumqi
Day / 02
Dushanzi Grand Canyon · Duku Highway · Kuitun
After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to Dushanzi Grand Canyon.
Enjoy lunch featuring Xinjiang specialties such as Dapan Chicken, baked buns and handmade yogurt before exploring the canyon’s dramatic landscape.
Walk along the cliffside wooden trail, with the option to experience the glass bridge.
Continue to the starting point monument of the Duku Highway, then take a short drive along its northern section, surrounded by snow mountains and spruce forests.
Arrive in Kuitun in the evening and settle into your hotel.
Dinner features local specialties including pit-roasted lamb ribs, hand-cut noodles and grilled lamb, with Kazakh music and dance performances.
Please note: The Duku Highway is generally open only from June to October. If weather or road restrictions prevent travel on the northern section, the itinerary will retain the starting-point visit only.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (Xinjiang cuisine); Dinner (local Xinjiang specialties)
Stay: Luxury international hotel in Kuitun
Day / 03
Kuitun · Sayram Lake · The Sacred Alpine Lake
After breakfast, travel to Sayram Lake, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang.
Enjoy lunch featuring Sayram Lake white salmon, prepared in several ways.
Continue around the lake, stopping at Kele Yongzhu and the viewpoint overlooking Guozigou Bridge.
Walk beside the lake and take in the reflections of the surrounding snow mountains.
Stay in a lake-view room where the landscape begins just outside your window, with the evening reserved for watching the sunset.
Dinner features whole roasted lamb and traditional local dishes.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (white salmon specialty); Dinner (local Xinjiang cuisine)
Stay: Lake-view resort at Sayram Lake
Day / 04
Sayram Lake Sunrise · A Slower Morning · Bole
Wake early for the option of watching sunrise over Sayram Lake.
Return to the lakeshore for a second, more leisurely exploration, with time for walking and photography.
Enjoy lunch at a local herders’ camp near the eastern entrance, featuring grilled dishes, steamed white salmon and hand-grabbed rice.
Continue by private vehicle to Bole for a relaxed afternoon.
Dinner includes hand-grabbed lamb, dried meat with rice and traditional Kazakh salted milk tea.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (herders’ camp); Dinner (local Kazakh cuisine)
Stay: Luxury hotel in Bole
Day / 05
Bole · Urumqi · Silk Road
After breakfast, transfer to Jinghe South Railway Station and return to Urumqi by high-speed rail.
Enjoy a local lunch featuring Xinjiang-style Dapan Chicken with belt noodles.
Spend the afternoon at leisure before an optional evening performance of The Silk Road Reverie.
Dinner brings together Loulan-style grilled specialties, including small kebabs, baked buns, grilled lamb and yogurt-based desserts.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (local Xinjiang cuisine); Dinner (Loulan-style barbecue)
Stay: Luxury hotel in Urumqi
Day / 06
Tianchi · Snow Mountains & the Heavenly Lake
Travel to Tianchi, the famous alpine lake beneath Bogda Snow Mountain.
Take the scenic shuttle into the mountains and walk along the Yaochi trails, with time to admire the snow peaks above the lake. A boat ride is available as an optional experience.
After descending, enjoy lunch in Fukang or choose a casual meal at the scenic area.
Return to Urumqi in the afternoon.
Dinner features refined modern Xinjiang cuisine, accompanied by mint tea.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (local Xinjiang cuisine / casual scenic-area meal); Dinner (refined Xinjiang cuisine)
Stay: Luxury hotel in Urumqi
Day / 07
Turpan · Flaming Mountains · Vineyards
Take the high-speed train to Turpan North.
Visit the Flaming Mountains earlier in the day to avoid the strongest midday heat, including the iconic Golden Cudgel landmark.
Continue to the Karez Folk Garden, where underground irrigation channels reveal the ancient water-management system that made life possible in the oasis.
After lunch, return to the estate for a midday break.
In the afternoon, visit the Grape Valley, enjoying fresh grapes and afternoon tea beneath the vineyard canopy.
Later, settle into your vineyard estate.
Dinner features whole roasted lamb, Xinjiang barbecue and hand-grabbed rice.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (Xinjiang cuisine); Dinner (estate dinner)
Stay:Luxury resort estate in Turpan
Day / 08
Turpan Museum · Kumtag Desert · Sunset
Visit the Turpan Museum in the morning and discover the region’s Silk Road history from the comfort of an indoor setting.
Enjoy a traditional Xinjiang lunch before returning to the estate for a midday rest. An optional sand therapy experience is also available.
In the afternoon, travel to the Kumtag Desert.
Ride camels, try sand sliding and take an optional desert off-road vehicle experience before settling in to watch the desert sunset.
As the light fades, watch the silhouettes of camel caravans move across the golden-red dunes.
Dinner features regional specialties such as camel-milk stew, pit-roasted meat and willow-grilled lamb before returning to the estate.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (Xinjiang cuisine); Dinner (local Turpan cuisine)
Stay:Luxury resort estate in Turpan
Day / 09
Turpan to Urumqi · Departure
After breakfast, check out and return to Urumqi by high-speed rail.
Enjoy some free time to shop for raisins, dried fruits, local handicrafts and other souvenirs.
According to your flight schedule, your private driver will transfer you to the airport.
Your journey through Xinjiang’s mountains, lakes, grasslands, oases and deserts comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel); Lunch (/); Dinner (/)
Accommodation Portfolio
Kuitun | Luxury International Hotel
Urumqi | Luxury Hotel
Sayram Lake | Lake-View Resort
Bole | Luxury Hotel
Turpan | Luxury Resort Estate
Pricing & Details
[Pricing Note]
This is a high-end, customized itinerary. Quotes are flexible and tailored based on travel dates, group size, hotel tier, and selected experiences. Please consult our customer service for a detailed quote.
To proceed with booking, a $500 USD per person itinerary planning fee is required to secure your arrangements. This fee will be applied to your total trip cost and deducted from your final balance. Full payment is required 30 days prior to departure. If booking within 30 days of departure, immediate full payment may be required.
[Inclusions]
• Eight nights of hotel or estate accommodation, including daily breakfast
• All main meals specified in the itinerary, with halal dining throughout
• Private premium vehicle with driver throughout the journey
• Second-class high-speed rail tickets between Jinghe South and Urumqi and Urumqi and Turpan North
• Airport and railway station transfers
• First-entry admission and required shuttle transportation for Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Sayram Lake, Tianchi, Flaming Mountains, Karez Folk Garden, Grape Valley and Kumtag Desert
• English-Chinese bilingual licensed guide throughout the journey
• Driver service fees and parking fees
[Exclusions]
• Dinner on Day 1 and other personal dining expenses not specified in the itinerary
• International round-trip flights
• Visa and entry-related documentation
• Personal expenses
• Optional estate experiences, including sand therapy, intangible cultural heritage workshops and Uyghur home visits
• Optional upgrades, including first-class high-speed rail and additional scenic-area activities such as the glass bridge, boat rides and desert off-road vehicles
• Single-room supplement
• Any other expenses not expressly included in the itinerary
Important Notes & Terms
Itinerary Flexibility: As a customized tour, activities can be flexibly adjusted based on arrival time, weather, and personal preferences. The guide reserves the right to adjust the sequence of the tour for an optimal experience without reducing the core attractions.
Check-out Policy: Hotel check-out time is before 12:00 PM. For late check-out, please consult the front desk directly. Luggage can be stored at the reception while you wait in the lobby; please keep valuables with you.
Dining: All main meals are halal and primarily feature beef and lamb. Please inform us in advance of any dietary restrictions. Alternatives such as white salmon, pigeon soup and Dapan Chicken can be arranged.
Weather & Temperature: Sayram Lake can have a day-to-night temperature difference of more than 15°C. Warm and windproof outerwear is recommended. Turpan can be extremely hot around midday in summer. Outdoor activities are therefore scheduled to avoid the hottest hours.
Duku Highway: The Duku Highway is generally open only from June to October. In the event of rain, snow or traffic restrictions, travel on the northern section may be cancelled, with the starting-point monument visit retained.
Travel Documents: International visitors must carry a passport valid for at least 6 months and a valid Chinese visa, and should keep the original documents with them throughout the journey.
Advance Reservations: Popular restaurants such as Loulan Secret Roast and whole-roasted-lamb dinners at the estate should be reserved in advance during peak periods. Estate room availability is limited, so early booking is recommended for larger groups.
Cancellation & Changes: If you must cancel due to personal reasons, please notify us at least 30 days in advance, and we will do our best to help reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, the remaining balance will be refunded after deducting non-refundable costs (hotels, tickets, helicopter/golf reservations). No refunds will be issued for no-shows or mid-tour departures. For details, please refer to the Booking Terms.
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