9 days · Enter Korla, exit Hotan
Desert Highway Longitudinal 9 Days
Luntai—Inside the tower—Minfeng—Hetian full longitudinal connection
Reference Price
$1380from / person
- Purely for fun, no shopping
- The itinerary can be slightly adjusted
- Includes ticket reservation service
Number of people in a groupTwo people make a pair
IntensityMedium
Best seasonPoplar in October
TrafficBusiness vehicle charter
AccommodationPrimarily hotels
Departure MonthApril–October
Prices vary between peak and off-peak seasons; the following order confirmation shall prevail · Tickets for highlands and peak seasons need to be booked in advance
Itinerary Details
All routes are for reference only, the actual route is subject to the explanation of customer service
The ritual feeling of crossing the Taklamakan: a 500-kilometer desert road, with red willows and poplars retreating on both sides.
Day-by-day itinerary9 days in total · daily destination, meals, accommodation and transport
Expand day by day; click a title to collapse. Itinerary for reference and may be adjusted for weather and traffic.
- D1Korla Collection
DestinationPeacock River
- Meals
- Self-sufficient in meals
- Accommodation
- Korla
- Transport
- Private car airport/train station pickup
- Distance
- within the city
Daily detailKorla Meeting Point: Peacock River.
Today focuses on meeting and adapting to the city area. The guide will hold a sign at the airport/station for pick-up; the specific transfer time is based on the flight information. - D2Lop Nur People Village — Tarim River Poplar
DestinationLop Nur People Village — Tarim River Poplar
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Luntai
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailLuobu People's Village—Tarim River Poplars.
The best time to view the poplars is from mid to late October. The boardwalk in the park requires a moderate amount of walking, suitable for a leisurely stroll and taking photos. Accommodation that night is arranged in Luntai, with free activities after check-in; the departure time for the next day should be confirmed with the driver-guide the night before. - D3Luntai—Desert Highway North Section—Tower Center
DestinationLuntai—Desert Highway North Section—Tower Center
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- In the tower
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailLuntai—Northern section of the desert highway—Tazhong.
Mobile signal is intermittent in the desert section; carry water and food in the vehicle. Do not travel at night after sunset; proceed according to the checkpoints arranged by the guide. Accommodation that night is in Tazhong; after checking in, activities are free. Confirm the departure time for the next day with the guide the night before. - D4In the tower—Desert sunrise—Southern section of the highway—Minfeng
DestinationIn the tower—Desert sunrise—Southern section of the highway—Minfeng
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Abundant people
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailIn the tower—Desert Sunrise—Southern Section of the Highway—Minfeng.
Depart 40 minutes before sunrise to secure a spot, return to the hotel for breakfast after shooting; in winter, keep camera batteries warm. Cell phone signal in the desert section is intermittent, keep water and food in the car; do not travel at night after sunset, follow the guide's planned schedule. - D5Minfeng—Niya Direction—Yutian Old Town
DestinationMinfeng—Niya Direction—Yutian Old Town
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Yutian
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailMinfeng—Niya direction—Yutian Old Town.
Overnight stay is arranged in Yutian. After check-in, you are free to explore; the departure time the next day will be confirmed with the driver/guide the night before. - D6Yutian—Cele—Hotan
DestinationYuba Bazaar
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Hetian
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailYutian—Cele—Hotan: Yuba Bazaar.
The bazaar is most crowded in the morning. Remember to bargain when shopping; for dried fruits, you can ask the shop to vacuum pack them for easy carrying. Accommodation for the night is arranged in Hotan, with free activities after check-in; confirm the departure time for the next day with the driver-guide the night before. - D7Hetian
DestinationTuan Cheng Old Street・Night Market
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Hetian
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailHetian: Tuancheng Old Street + Night Market.
Accommodation for the night is arranged in Hetian. After checking in, you are free to do activities on your own; the departure time for the next day should be confirmed with the driver-guide the night before. - D8Hotan—Shache Old Town
DestinationHotan—Shache Old Town
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Shache
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- About 320 km / 4 hours
Daily detailHotan—Shache Old Town.
Overnight stay arranged in Shache. After check-in, enjoy free activities; departure time for the next day should be confirmed with the driver-guide the night before. - D9Shache — Yingjisha Xiaodao Village — Kashgar Airport Transfer
DestinationShache — Yingjisha Xiaodao Village — Kashgar Airport Transfer
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Business vehicle charter
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailShaChe — Yingjisha Xiaodao Village — Kashgar airport transfer.
Daily Itinerary
- D1 Ku'erle Gathering: Peacock River, stay in Ku'erle.
- D2 Lop People’s Village—Tarim River Poplars, stay in Luntai.
- D3 Luntai—North Section of Desert Highway—Tazhong, stay in Tazhong.
- D4 Tazhong—Desert Sunrise—South Section of Highway—Minfeng, stay in Minfeng.
- D5 Minfeng—Towards Niya—Yutian Old Town, stay in Yutian.
- D6 Yutian—Cele—Hotan: Yubazha, stay in Hotan.
- D7 Hotan: Old Tuan City Street + Night Market, stay in Hotan.
- D8 Hotan—Shache Old Town, stay in Shache.
- D9 Shache—Yingjisha Small Knife Village—Drop off at Kashgar Airport.
Two nights in Tazhong venture deep into the desert; accommodation is simple but the night sky is superb; no night travel throughout.
Costs include
Full transportation with driver and guide, accommodation within the itinerary, scenic area tickets, breakfast, and insurance.
Cost not included
Major transportation, main meals, optional items, single room supplement.
Booking Reminder
Mobile phone signal in the desert section is intermittently cut off; do not travel at night, and schedule activities according to sunrise and sunset.