5 Day Kashgar and Karakorum Highway Exploration
Overview
This tour offers a blend of cultural experiences, natural beauty, making it a memorable journey in southern Xinjiang.
Kashgar a key stop on the Silk Road and remains of various ethnic culture ,traditional architecture, and lively bazaars.
Admiring by both the breathtaking scenery on the Pamir Plateau and the unique ,interesting ethnic culture of the region.
Highlights
● A bustling market where traditional trading methods are still used, witness a unique cultural experience
● Retracing the ancient Silk Road from Kashgar to Tashkurgan via the Karakorum Highway
Recommended 5 ~ Day Itinerary
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Day |
Highlights |
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1-2 Kashgar |
Experience the rich history: kashgar old town,Eid Kah Mosque ,Apak Khoja Tomb, handcraft street and Roam freely through bustling livestock market |
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3-4 Tashkurgan & Pamir |
Admire natural beauty :karakorum highway ,Red mountain,white sand mountain,Karakul Lake,Mt.Muztagh-Ata (7546 meters) and Mt.Kongur Tagh (7719 meters), Pamir plateau. |
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5 Departure |
● Day 1: Arrival to Kashgar
Hotel: Over night in Kashgar
Tour Details: Our guide and driver will meet you at Kashgar airport or train station then transfer you to your comfort hotel. You may explore the area around your hotel and get yourself ready for Kashgar adventure.
● Day 2: Kashgar | Wander through vibrant markets and Quiet alleys
Attractions: old town, livestock market, handcraft street, Grand Eid Kah Mosque , Apak Khoja Tomb
Hotel: Over night in Kashgar
Tour Details: Our guide and driver will meet you at front of lobby for Kashgar city tour.
Start your Kashgar city tour by visiting Mausoleum of Apak Khoja tomb also known as the "fragrant concubine tomb in mandarin,whom was the wife of Emperor Qianlong of Qin Dynasty.",it is an ancient building complex and a cemetery of five generations of famous Sufi masters were buried.
Next we will Roam freely through the exotic livestock market, one of the biggest in the region where traditional trading methods are still used.
After the livestock Market, you will have your lunch in a Uyghur restaurant . After lunch we will wander through the winding narrow streets of the historic Kashgar Old Town rubbing shoulders with friendly Uyghur residents.
Located at the spiritual heart of the Old Town is Eid Kah Mosque, one of the largest mosque in China. We will go inside and learn about more about its architecture and religion.
After our visit to the Mosque, we will stroll down Handicraft Street, viewing pots being hammered,wood craftsmen at work and traditional musical instrument workshops. After the tour, you will be brought back to your hotel .
Optional:you may choose to be dropped off at a local restaurant to enjoy Uyghur cuisine or visit the “Night Market” for snacks and challenge your food adventure.
● Day 3: Kashgar to Tashkurgan | Explore the Enchanting Karakorum highway
Attractions: Karakorum highway ,Upal Village, Red Mountain，white sand mountain also called Bulungkol , Karakul Lake,Mt.Muztagh Ata (7546 meters) and Mt.Kongur Tagh (7719 meters) Pamir plateau
Hotel: Over night in Tashkurgan
Tour Details: After your breakfast at the hotel,you will meet with our guide and driver for Karakorum highway adventure .
Embark on one of the most extraordinary road journeys on earth - the Karakorum Highway - into the Pamir Plateau, the "Roof of the World" and the deepest section of the ancient China Silk Road; the mountainous road between Kashgar and Pakistan is Xinjiang's unequivocal highlight.
We will see the following on our drive: Upal Village, an-hour drive from Kashgar, is a good location to take photos of village life and traditional activities like bread making and Uyghur food stalls. There is a village market here on Monday's. Half an hour's drive from the village we arrive at Oytagh Red Mountain.
The mountain valley is surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of multi-colored mountains to topped by snow-capped peaks.
After permit check point we will arrive to white sand mountain also called Bulungkol in local language,it is a tranquil shallow lake where you can take very nice photographs of the lake with stunning reflections of the sand mountains.
Karakul Lake is 3600 meters above sea level. It is located between Mt.Muztagh Ata (7546 meters) and Mt.Kongur Tagh (7719 meters), said to be 2 of the 6 most beautiful mountains in the world.
We can visit local Kirghiz yurts before heading to Tashkurgan. For your lunch,you can either have a lunch in a Kirghiz yurt or bring your own fruit and bread from Upal Village and picnic by the lake.
After lunch, you can do short hike by the lake on foot or rent a camel or horse and ride along the lake. After the tour, you will proceed to Tashkurgan for spend the night.
● Day 4: Tashkurgan to Kashgar | Pamir landmarks
Attractions: Stone City, Tashkurgan Grassland, Tashkurgan Cultural and Custom Museum,karakorum highway , Tagharma grassland ,Subash pass, Karakul Lake, white sand mountain also called Bulungkol (this two lakes can be visited twice or just once depending on weather and light) Red Mountain Canyon
Hotel: Over night in Kashgar
Tour Details: our guide and driver will meet you in lobby ,after checking out is done tour will start.
Tour starts by visiting Stone Fort which means “Tashkurgan” it is a small town on the Pamir Plateau, that was once extremely isolated until the rebuilding of the Karakorum Highway in 1987.
Even today, the local community, reached by this single road from Kashgar, continues to live a traditional way of life. This region is known to be part of the primary route of the "Old Silk Road" connecting China and Western Asia.
The prime attraction here is the Stone Fort, with a history of more than 2000 years. The fort had once served as the central palace of the Tajik Kingdom.
here will be followed by the Tashkurgan grassland which is next to the Stone Fort. Tashkurgan Grassland is where you can visit free grazing sheep, goat, yak,and horses. In summer, locals put up tents and serve lunch and dinner for tourists. Last but not least, you will visit Tashkurgan cultural and custom museum that is where you can learn about Tajik culture and customs. Once you are done with your visit, then we will head down to Kashgar.
Driving from other direction of karakorum highway towards down to Kashgar could make you fell as if you are driving on different road ,since the mountains and lake colors look different depending on time of day and lights.On the way back,you may stop for photos you wish.
After karakul lake and white sand mountain you will arrive to Red Mountain canyon ,Canyon is closed to transportation , only way to get in is by hike.
Our driver will find safe spot to pull over the car by Karakorom Highway for short hike in red mountain canyon ,you will have to walk for 10 -15 minutes in order to reach canyon entrance.
Canyon is formed during gemological movement and you will find breathtaking natural erosion ,different formation by rain and water,you can hike and wonder inside canyon for an hour to an hour half then continue your journey back to kashgar.
Notice: this canyon is not a tourist scenic spot ,For your own safety don not climb mountain.
● Day 5: Kashgar Airport See Off
Tour Details: After your breakfast at the hotel, our guide and driver will take you to the Kashgar Airport in time for your onward flights to your next destination.
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