Top Xinjiang Day Trips

The desert around Turpan is packed with Silk Road history but, unless you have a Chinese driver’s license, a tour is your only way to explore in a reasonable timeframe. This private guided door-to-door adventure hits highlights including the Karez System, an ancient irrigation system, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, dating back 1,500 years, the ruins of ancient Gaochang with its painted tombs, and the 18th-century Emin Minaret. Tour includes lunch.

From Urumqi, book this private tour that takes you to see the Heavenly Lake and Tianshan mountain for a great day out. Plan on around eight hours for this trip, where your guide will tell you all about the Kazak culture in this region. You’ll also get to enjoy a trip through the biggest bazaar in Urumqi, too. Note your driver won’t take you to any extra shops, but will stick with the itinerary.

Nanshan is a wonderful place to view the beautiful Tianshan Mountains. Erdaoqiao International Bazaar is a well-known market in Urumqi to various souvenirs, dried fruits, carpets, and food etc. The Uyghur dancing and singing are also renown in China. This private day tour will let you visit Nanshan Baiyanggou (White Poplar Gully), wander around the bazaar, and view the performance with included dinner.

You might want to see a desert while travelling in Kashgar on the ancient Silk Road. Dawakun Desert, the nearest desert from Kashgar, is situated on the western fringe of Taklamakan Desert, about 130KM from Kashgar downtown in Xinjiang Province. This private day trip offers you an opportunity to explore the impressive Dawakun Desert from Kashgar by a charted vehicle. You will view the endless sand dunes, old multi-leaved trees, camels, and a lake near the desert in Dawakun, which is quite unique travel experience. There are different landscapes in the desert in different seasons, hence you can go there at any time. Kashgar centrally located hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Explore one of the former hubs of the Silk Road, Kashgar, on a private tour. See highlights like the Apa Khoja Tomb, old town, and the Idkah Mosque, where you can see the Islamic influence, and if you’re lucky to be visiting on a Sunday, visit the Animal Bazaar as well. Savor a delicious Uyghur lunch at a local home and shop at the Grand Bazaar to conclude your experience.

Travel down the ancient Silk Route during this private, full-day tour to Karakul Lake. Learn about local Uyghur cultures as you venture down the Friendship Highway toward the Pamir mountain range, nicknamed the "Roof of the World." Admire snow-capped peaks and the stunning, high-altitude lake, and spot local felted yurts. A tasty restaurant lunch is included, plus hotel transfers.

Explore some of Xinjiang’s most extraordinary scenery—and enjoy a stress-free way to travel—on this private trip to Turpan. Meet your guide in the morning at your centrally located Urumqi hotel, and travel into the countryside in the comfort of a private vehicle. After a roughly 3-hour drive, you’ll arrive in Turpan, where you’ll explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, will see the ruins of Gaochang (once a prosperous Silk Road kingdom), will visit China’s tallest minaret, and more.

The Kumtag Desert, which occupies 2,500 square kilometres and is situated at the southern tip of Shanshan, Xinjiang, is the closest desert to the city in China. Following pickup from Turpan's train station or hotel, we will first explore the Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon, which captures the essence of the landscape of Flaming Mountain, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Gaochang ruins, Tuyuk Valley and then head to Kumtag Desert national park as last stop with sunset, the jeep experience and sand sliding includes on the ticket. After a wonderful time here, continue your sunset at the end before returning back to your hotel or train station. Departure times vary by season especially sunrise or sunset time change, please confirm specific schedules when booking, please feel free to ask questions throughout the journey; our staffs is always glad to share their knowledge and make personalised suggestions which provide you with more authentic, personalised, and unique experience of Turpan.

Journey along the iconic Karakoram Highway, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," and delve into the breathtaking landscapes of the Kunlun Mountains. This full-day tour from Kashgar takes you to stunning sites including the tranquil Baisha Lake's North Bank and the awe-inspiring Karakul Lake, framed by towering peaks. Experience the Muztagh Ata Glacier Park, where you can touch ancient glacial ice and soak in panoramic views. Ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this tour combines scenic drives with easy hikes, offering a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. Traverse the legendary Karakoram Highway connecting China and Pakistan Relax at the serene, non-touristic Baisha Lake with stunning views Gaze at the towering Muztagh Ata and Kongur Tagh from Karakul Lake Hike to Muztagh Ata Glacier Park at 4,800m and touch ancient glacier ice