Day 1 | Arrival in Kashgar
Arrive in Kashgar and enjoy airport pickup service before transferring to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free for rest and adjustment. Kashgar is one of the most iconic cities in Southern Xinjiang and an important stop along the ancient Silk Road. Depending on your arrival time, you may begin exploring the city’s rich ethnic atmosphere, local markets, and daily life.
Highlights
- Airport pickup in Kashgar
- Stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Kashgar
- Free time to rest and adjust to the travel rhythm
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Kashgar
Day 2 | Kashgar → Karakoram Highway → Oytagh Red Valley → Muji Volcano Crater & Eighteen Arhat Peaks → Snow Willow Tree Tunnel Road → Tashkurgan Wetland → Tashkurgan
After breakfast, depart from Kashgar and travel along the spectacular China–Pakistan Friendship Highway, also known as the Karakoram Highway, toward the Pamir Plateau.
Along the way, visit Oytagh Red Valley, where red mountain formations meet highland scenery. Continue to Muji Volcano Crater and the Eighteen Arhat Peaks, where you can experience rare volcanic landforms and dramatic snow mountain scenery on the Pamir Plateau.
Later, pass through the highly photogenic Snow Willow Tree Tunnel Road and continue to Tashkurgan Wetland. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, grasslands, wetlands, and highland villages, this area offers a peaceful and expansive view of Southern Xinjiang’s frontier landscapes.
Arrive in Tashkurgan in the evening and check in to your hotel.
Highlights
- China–Pakistan Friendship Highway / Karakoram Highway
- Oytagh Red Valley
- Muji Volcano Crater
- Eighteen Arhat Peaks
- Snow Willow Tree Tunnel Road
- Tashkurgan Wetland
- Stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Tashkurgan
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Tashkurgan
Day 3 | Tashkurgan → Panlong Ancient Road → Bandir Blue Lake → Stone City → Tajik Family Visit → Tashkurgan
After breakfast, begin a classic highland sightseeing day around Tashkurgan.
First, visit the famous Panlong Ancient Road, one of Southern Xinjiang’s most iconic scenic roads. Its dramatic switchbacks and mountain setting make it a favorite location for drone footage, road-trip photography, and short videos.
Continue to Bandir Blue Lake, where the striking blue water contrasts beautifully with rugged mountains and distant snow peaks.
In the afternoon, visit Stone City, an important historical site on the Pamir Plateau connected with Silk Road culture. Later, enjoy a Tajik family visit and experience local family life, ethnic customs, and highland hospitality at close range.
Highlights
- Panlong Ancient Road
- Bandir Blue Lake
- Stone City
- Tajik family visit
- Highland road and cultural photography
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Tashkurgan
Day 4 | Tashkurgan → Muztagh Glacier Park → Karakul Lake → White Sand Lake → Kashgar
After breakfast, leave Tashkurgan and travel through some of the most iconic snow mountain and lake landscapes on the Pamir Plateau.
Visit Muztagh Glacier Park and admire views of the majestic Muztagh Ata and glacier scenery. This is one of the most impressive snow mountain viewing areas in Southern Xinjiang.
Continue to Karakul Lake, where lake waters, grasslands, snow mountains, and highland scenery create a classic Pamir landscape.
Later, visit White Sand Lake, one of Southern Xinjiang’s most popular photography spots. The contrast between white sand mountains and blue lake water creates a striking visual effect.
Return to Kashgar in the evening.
Highlights
- Muztagh Glacier Park
- Distant views of Muztagh Ata
- Karakul Lake
- White Sand Lake
- Snow mountain, lake, and plateau photography
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Kashgar
Day 5 | Kashgar Old City Opening Ceremony → Yingjisha Pottery Village → Yingjisha Knife Village → Twelve Muqam → Yarkand Khan Mausoleum → Yarkand
After breakfast, visit Kashgar Old City and watch the lively opening ceremony, a great introduction to the energy and atmosphere of this historic Silk Road city.
Continue to Yingjisha and visit Yingjisha Pottery Village and Yingjisha Knife Village. Here, you can learn about traditional Southern Xinjiang craftsmanship, including pottery making, knife craftsmanship, and local cultural heritage.
Later, travel to Yarkand and experience Twelve Muqam culture. Twelve Muqam is an important traditional musical art form in Xinjiang, combining song, dance, music, and poetry.
Afterward, visit Yarkand Khan Mausoleum and learn about the history of Yarkand and its Silk Road legacy.
Highlights
- Kashgar Old City opening ceremony
- Yingjisha Pottery Village
- Yingjisha Knife Village
- Twelve Muqam cultural experience
- Yarkand Khan Mausoleum
- Stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Yarkand
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Yarkand
Day 6 | Yarkand → Hotan Tuancheng → Yotkan Ancient City → Hotan Night Market → Hotan
After breakfast, travel from Yarkand to Hotan.
Upon arrival, visit Hotan Tuancheng, a historic neighborhood with a strong local atmosphere. It is a great place for street photography, slow walks, and observing daily life in Southern Xinjiang.
Continue to Yotkan Ancient City, where you can experience Hotan’s history, architecture, cultural performances, and immersive ancient-city atmosphere.
In the evening, visit Hotan Night Market. Taste local specialties such as grilled lamb, baked buns, polo rice, yogurt, pomegranate juice, and other Southern Xinjiang flavors.
Highlights
- Hotan Tuancheng
- Yotkan Ancient City
- Hotan Night Market
- Southern Xinjiang local food experience
- Ancient city and night market photography
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Hotan
Day 7 | Hotan → Apak Hoja Mausoleum → Kashgar Old City Walk → Kashgar
After breakfast, return from Hotan to Kashgar.
Upon arrival, visit Apak Hoja Mausoleum and learn about Kashgar’s history, architecture, and cultural heritage.
Later, enjoy an in-depth walk through Kashgar Old City. Wander through earthen-colored lanes, traditional homes, craft shops, local markets, and lively neighborhoods. This is one of the best ways to experience the atmosphere of Southern Xinjiang.
This day is ideal for slow travel, local snacks, street photography, and shopping for handmade souvenirs.
Highlights
- Apak Hoja Mausoleum
- Kashgar Old City walk
- Old city street photography
- Southern Xinjiang crafts and local life
- Stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Kashgar
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Kashgar
Day 8 | Departure from Kashgar
After breakfast, enjoy airport transfer service according to your flight schedule.
If time allows, you may enjoy free time to further explore Kashgar Old City, local food streets, or nearby markets before departure.
Highlights
- Airport transfer in Kashgar
- End of the Southern Xinjiang journey
