Xinjiang is enormous — at 1.6 million square kilometers, it is larger than France, Germany, and Spain combined. Planning a trip here requires making difficult choices, and the most common question we receive from travelers is: "How do I fit everything into a reasonable timeframe?" This 10-day classic route is our most recommended itinerary for first-time visitors. It covers the greatest hits of southern Xinjiang, balances culture with landscape, and builds in enough flexibility to accommodate different interests and energy levels.
The route follows the ancient Silk Road corridor from east to west, beginning in Urumqi (Xinjiang's modern capital) and ending in the high Pamirs near the Pakistani border. Along the way, you will experience desert landscapes, ancient ruins, vibrant bazaars, alpine lakes, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on Earth. For more general planning advice, start with our Xinjiang itinerary planning guide and Xinjiang travel tips.
Fly into Urumqi Diwopu International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum (open Tuesday-Sunday, closes at 5 PM) — this is the essential first stop for understanding the region's history. The museum's collection of ancient mummies and Silk Road artifacts provides invaluable context for everything you will see over the next ten days.
In the evening, explore the May 1st Night Market for dinner. Sample lamb kebabs, hand-pulled noodles, naan bread, and the famous Xinjiang yogurt. The night market is atmospheric, affordable, and a wonderful introduction to the region's extraordinary food culture. Our complete food guide will help you navigate the options.
Overnight: Urumqi (mid-range hotel near the International Grand Bazaar area)
Take the morning high-speed train to Turpan (approximately 1 hour, 50 yuan). Upon arrival at Turpan North Station, hire a driver for the day or join a small group tour. Begin with the Karez Well Museum, where you can walk through actual underground irrigation tunnels and understand the engineering genius that made Turpan's oasis civilization possible.
After lunch — try the local polo (pilaf) and naan — visit the Jiaohe Ancient City ruins. This 2,000-year-old city carved into a loess plateau is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites on the Silk Road. Spend at least two hours exploring the excavated streets, temples, and residential quarters. Stay for sunset if possible, when the golden light transforms the earthen walls into a photographer's dream.
Overnight: Turpan (hotel in the city center)
Start the day with the Gaochang Ancient City ruins, where the monk Xuanzang preached in 630 CE. Nearby, visit the Astana Tombs to see remarkably preserved burial goods and murals. Continue to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, carved into the cliffs of the Mutou Valley, featuring Buddhist murals that blend Indian, Persian, and Chinese artistic traditions.
In the afternoon, visit the Flame Mountains — those iconic red sandstone hills that shimmer in the heat like actual flames. Stop at the Grape Valley to walk through vineyards, taste fresh grapes, and learn about the traditional raisin-drying process in the distinctive ventilated chunche houses. If you are visiting in August, the annual Grape Festival adds music, dance, and local celebrations to the experience.
End the day at the Emin Minaret, the tallest minaret in China, glowing golden in the evening light. The surrounding Uyghur neighborhood offers excellent dinner options at local restaurants.
Overnight: Turpan
Return to Urumqi by high-speed train (1 hour) and take a connecting flight to Kashgar (approximately 2 hours). Alternatively, you can fly directly from Turpan to Kashgar if a seasonal flight is available — check schedules in advance. This is a transition day, so keep the afternoon free for settling into your Kashgar hotel.
In the evening, visit the Kashgar night market near the old city. The food stalls here serve some of the best lamb in China — try the whole roasted lamb, stuffed lamb stomach, and fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice. The atmosphere is electric, with smoke rising from charcoal grills and vendors calling out their specialties in Uyghur.
Overnight: Kashgar (hotel near the old city)
Dedicate this full day to exploring Kashgar's Old City — one of the most atmospheric urban environments in Central Asia. Begin at the Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China, and walk the surrounding streets where craftsmen work copper, carve wood, and bake naan in centuries-old workshops. The old city is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, hidden courtyards, and beautifully restored traditional houses.
Visit a traditional Uyghur teahouse for fragrant spiced tea and observe daily life unfolding around you. Browse the Kashgar bazaars — the craft bazaar for doppa hats, carpets, and knives; the food bazaar for dried fruits, nuts, and spices. If your visit coincides with Sunday, you are in luck — the Sunday livestock market is one of the most spectacular markets in all of Asia, with thousands of sheep, cattle, horses, and camels traded in a dusty, raucous spectacle that has continued for centuries.
For dinner, seek out a traditional Uyghur restaurant serving dapan ji (big plate chicken) and lagman noodles. See our halal food guide for restaurant recommendations.
Overnight: Kashgar
Today is one of the most spectacular driving days you will ever experience. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is one of the highest paved roads in the world, climbing from Kashgar (1,290m) through the Ghez River canyon, past glaciers and towering peaks, to Karakul Lake (3,600m) at the foot of Muztagh Ata (7,546m).
The 200-kilometer journey takes approximately 4-5 hours, with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Key stops include the White Sand Lake (Baisha Hu), a turquoise reservoir surrounded by sand dunes and mountains; the Karakoram geological formations; and finally, Karakul Lake itself — a stunning high-altitude lake with Muztagh Ata reflected perfectly in its dark waters. For detailed information about this route, see our complete Karakul Lake and Pamir guide.
Spend the afternoon at Karakul Lake, photographing the reflections and acclimatizing to the altitude. If you have energy, hike to the nearby Kyrgyz yurt camp for a cultural encounter at 3,600 meters.
Overnight: Karakul Lake area (yurt camp or guesthouse) or continue to Tashkurgan
Continue from Karakul Lake to Tashkurgan (3,090m), a small Tajik-majority town near the borders of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Tashkurgan has been a Silk Road crossroads for millennia — the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang passed through here in the 7th century, and Marco Polo described it in the 13th century.
Visit the Stone City ruins, an ancient fortress perched on a hill overlooking the valley. Walk the grasslands surrounding the town where Tajik herders tend yaks and sheep against a backdrop of 7,000-meter peaks. If you are interested in the deeper Pamir region, Tashkurgan is the base for multi-day treks into the high mountains.
In the afternoon, begin the return drive to Kashgar. The sunset views of the Pamir peaks from the KKH are unforgettable — ask your driver to stop at scenic points along the way.
Overnight: Kashgar
Travel from Kashgar to Hotan via the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. The drive takes approximately 7-8 hours (500 km) and passes through the towns of Yecheng (Yarkand) and Yutian, each with its own distinctive bazaar culture and historical significance.
Yarkand was historically one of the most important kingdoms on the Silk Road's southern route. The old town retains several historic mosques and the Tomb of the Yarkand Kings, a beautiful tiled mausoleum complex. Stop for lunch and explore the local bazaar before continuing east.
Arrive in Hotan by evening. The Hotan jade market is open late and worth a visit even after the long drive — the atmosphere of jade dealers examining stones under lamplight is unforgettable.
Overnight: Hotan
Spend the morning at Hotan's famous Sunday bazaar (which also operates daily in a smaller form). This is one of Xinjiang's most authentic markets, with carpet weavers demonstrating their craft, jade dealers sorting stones, and farmers arriving with donkey carts loaded with produce. Visit a carpet workshop to see the complete process from raw wool to finished product — Hotan carpets are among the finest in the world. Our Xinjiang shopping guide has tips on buying authentic carpets and jade.
In the afternoon, visit the Melikawat ruins (an ancient Buddhist site), the Hotan Cultural Museum, and a traditional silk weaving workshop where you can see how atlas silk is produced using ancient ikat dyeing techniques. For dinner, try the local specialty — roasted pigeon stuffed with rice and spices.
Overnight: Hotan
Fly from Hotan to Urumqi (approximately 2 hours) for your onward journey. If time permits before your flight, visit the Hotan jade market one more time or enjoy a final Xinjiang breakfast of fresh naan and milk tea. From Urumqi, you can connect to flights to any major Chinese or international city.
If you have extra time and energy, consider extending your trip with a visit to Kanas Lake in northern Xinjiang (add 3-4 days) or a journey through the Nalati and Bayanbulak grasslands in the Ili Valley (add 2-3 days). Our northern Xinjiang guide covers these extensions in detail.
Budget summary: For a mid-range trip, budget approximately 8,000-15,000 yuan per person for the 10 days. See our Xinjiang budget guide and 2026 trip cost breakdown for detailed expense planning.
Our expert guides know every turn of the Karakoram Highway, every hidden teahouse in Kashgar, and every jade dealer in Hotan. We customize this itinerary to your pace, interests, and budget.