10 days · Kashgar In and Out
Southern Xinjiang Cultural Circuit 10 Days
Kashgar, Pamir, Hotan, Kuqa
Reference Price
$1480from / 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 seasonApril–May and September–October
TrafficBusiness car charter + domestic flight
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 correct way to explore southern Xinjiang: first stay in the ancient city of Kashgar, then go up to the Pamirs, and finally follow the oasis chain to traverse the entire western edge of the Tarim Basin.
Day-by-day itinerary10 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.
- D1Gathering in Kashgar
DestinationAncient City Opening Ceremony・Old Teahouse
- Meals
- Self-sufficient in meals
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Private car airport/train station pickup
- Distance
- within the city
Daily detailKashgar Gathering: Ancient City Opening Ceremony + Old Teahouse.
Today focuses on gathering and acclimating to the city. The tour guide will hold a sign at the airport/station for pick-up; the specific transfer time will be based on flight information. - D2Kashgar Old Town Full Day + High Platform Residential Houses
DestinationKashgar Old Town All Day ・ Elevated Folk Residences
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailKashgar Old Town All Day + High Terrace Residences. - D3Upper Pamir
DestinationBaisha Lake—Karakul Lake
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Tower County
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailUpper Pamir: Baisah Lake — Karakul Lake.
Accommodation for the night is arranged in Tajik County. After check-in, enjoy free activities; the departure time for the next day should be confirmed with the driver-guide the night before. - D4Sunrise at Stone City — Panlong Ancient Trail — Return to Kashgar
DestinationSunrise at Stone City — Panlong Ancient Trail — Return to Kashgar
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Tower County
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailSunrise at Stone City — Panlong Ancient Trail — Return to Kashgar.
Leave 40 minutes before sunrise to secure a spot, then return to the hotel for breakfast; in winter, pay attention to keeping the camera battery warm. That night, accommodation is arranged in Taxian; after check-in, free activities. Confirm the departure time with the driver-guide the night before. - D5Kashgar Grand Bazaar for Cattle and Sheep (Sunday Edition) or Xiangfei Garden + Night Market
DestinationKashgar Livestock Bazaar (Sunday edition) or Xiangfei Garden・Night Market
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Tower County
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailKashgar Livestock Bazaar (Sunday edition) or Xiangfei Garden + Night Market.
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 easier carrying. Accommodation for the night is arranged in Tashkurgan, with free activities after check-in; confirm the departure time for the next day with the driver and guide the night before. - D6Shache Old Town—Yecheng Direction Oasis Section
DestinationShache Old Town—Yecheng Direction Oasis Section
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Shache
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailShache Old Town—Yecheng Direction Oasis Section.
Accommodation for the night is arranged in Shache. After check-in, you are free to explore; the departure time for the next day will be confirmed with the driver-guide the night before. - D7Hetian
DestinationYuba Bazaar・Tuancheng Old Street
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Hetian
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailHetian: Yuba Bazaar + Old Town Street.
The bazaar is busiest in the morning, remember to bargain when shopping; for dried fruits, you can ask the shop to vacuum pack them for easy carrying. Accommodation is arranged in Hetian that night, with free activities after check-in; confirm the departure time for the next day with the driver and guide the night before. - D8Hetian—North Section of Tazhong Desert Highway—Kuqa
DestinationHetian—North Section of Tazhong Desert Highway—Kuqa
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Hetian
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- About 460 km / 6 hours
Daily detailHotan — Northern section of the Tazhong Desert Highway — Kuqa.
Mobile phone signals are intermittently interrupted in the desert section, so carry water and food in the vehicle; do not travel at night after sunset, and proceed according to the schedule arranged by the guide. Accommodation for the night is arranged in Hotan; after check-in, free activities are allowed. Confirm the departure time for the next day with the guide the night before. - D9Kuqa
DestinationKizil Caves ・ Subash Site ・ Kuqa Grand Mosque
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Hetian
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
StopsDaily detailKuche: Kizil Caves + Subashi Ruins + Kuche Grand Mosque.
Photography is prohibited inside the caves, and visits are arranged in batches; schedule your visit in advance, as tickets are tight during peak season, and your driver-guide can help book them. Accommodation for the night is arranged in Hotan, with free activities after check-in; confirm the departure time with your driver-guide the night before. - D10Pickup and drop off at Kuqa Airport
DestinationPickup and drop off at Kuqa Airport
- Meals
- Breakfast (hotel) | Lunch and dinner on your own
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Business car charter + domestic flight
- Distance
- Subject to charter arrangement
Daily detailKuqa airport drop-off.
Daily Itinerary
- D1 Gathering in Kashgar: Ancient city opening ceremony + old teahouse.
- D2 Full day in Kashgar Old Town + Gao Tai residential area.
- D3 Up to Pamir: White Sand Lake — Karakul Lake, overnight in Taxkorgan County.
- D4 Stone City sunrise — Panlong Ancient Trail — return to Kashgar.
- D5 Kashgar livestock bazaar (Sunday edition) or Xiangfei Garden + night market.
- D6 Shache Old Town — Oasis section towards Yecheng, overnight in Shache.
- D7 Hotan: Jade Bazaar + Tuan City Old Street, overnight in Hotan.
- D8 Hotan — northern section of Tazhong Desert Highway — Kuqa.
- D9 Kuqa: Kizil Caves + Subashi Ruins + Kuqa Grand Mosque.
- D10 Departure from Kuqa Airport.
D8 is the longest driving day (about 7 hours), with rest and supply arranged at Tazhong; no overnight driving in the desert.
Costs include
Full-route vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation within the itinerary, scenic area tickets, inland transportation from Kashgar to Kuqa, breakfast, and insurance.
Cost not included
Round-trip major transportation in Xinjiang, regular meals, border pass fees, optional experiences, single room supplement.
Booking Reminder
A border permit is required (assistance can be provided in Kashgar); the document requirements for foreign travelers are different, so please confirm in advance when booking.