12 Days China Xinjiang New Orient Express Tour in late October

Blue Diamond room and blue diamond room upgrade of two newly added dates are still available to book!

Oct.11, 2024 to Oct.22, 2024

Oct.22, 2024 to Nov.02, 2024

Day 1: Urumqi Arrival

Fly to Urumqi, airport to hotel transfer. It is also possible to reach Urumqi by train,know more about Xinjiang train guide

Check into 5 star hotel  . Jinjiang International Hotel Urumqi or similar

Day 2: Urumqi- the heavenly lake- New Orient Express train to Luntai(BLD)

After breakfast, drive to the famous alpine lake, a landmark tourist attraction in Xinjiang and a national tourist scenic spot  The heavenly lake which covers an area of approximately 4.9 square kilometers and the deepest point of the lake is 105 meters. Viewed from the top of the mountain, it looks like a bright mirror, nestled in a pine forest canyon with an altitude of more than 1,900 meters.

Return to Urumqi in the afternoon and visit the national first-level museum Xinjiang Museum, which is called "Recovering the Past Glory of the Western Regions - Xinjiang Historical Relics" with more than 37,000 cultural relics and specimens of various types, including 381 national first-class cultural relics.

Next stop would be the famous Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar. The dazzling array of ethnic specialties and handicrafts here will definitely make you addicted. After dinner, board the New Oriental Express and officially start your journey on the New Oriental Express! It will be about 5 hrs train journey to Luntai

Day 3  Luntai- Tarim Populus euphratica Forest- Kuqa(BLD)

Upon arrival at Luntai staton, we will drive 1.5hrs to visit Tarimu Populus Euphratica Forest. Tarim Populus euphratica Forest is the largest primitive Populus euphratica forest park in Xinjiang, and is also the area with the highest concentration of primitive Populus euphratica forests in the entire Tarim River Basin. The scenic spot integrates the natural landscape of the Tarim River, Populus euphratica landscape, and desert landscape. It is the oldest, largest, most complete, and primitive Populus euphratica forest reserve in the world. The golden autumn season is the most beautiful season of the Populus euphratica forest. The golden Populus euphratica decorates both sides of the Tarim River in a picturesque and brilliant way. Here you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the golden Populus euphratica! Strolling through the Tarim Populus euphratica Park, you will find that there are about 220 curves here, making it the scenic road with the most curves in the world. Both sides of the road are full of vicissitudes of life. The tall and strong bodies of Populus euphratica are either bending or lying down, shouting to the sky, silent or heroic. When visitors come here, in addition to admiring, singing, or remaining silent, they also feel infinite admiration for life.

Then drive to Kuqa , about 2.5 hrs driving, and then we will check into hotel of Kuqa

Day 4  Kuqa-Tianshan Grand Canyon- Kuqa Palace- New Orient express to Kashgar (BLD)

After breakfast, we will reach, today’s highlights: Tian Grand Canyon, Kuqa Palace, Kuqa Danang town

First visit would be the ending point of Duku road, here will the stunning view of Tianshan Grand Canyon. Tianshan Grand Canyon is referred to be one of ten most beautiful canyon in China. In Ughur language , Tianshan Grand Canyon means “ Red Cliff”. It located in deep valley surround by sand but with clean and clear spring running inside which is kind of miracle of nature. We shall spend 2 hrs time to explore this grand canyon.

Next visit will be Kuqa Palace  which covers an area of 40,000 square meters and displays the architectural features of Han culture, Uyghur and Islamic styles in the Central Plains. Here you can feel. Come to the splendor of the Qianlong period and experience the long history of more than 190 years with 12 generations of hereditary "Kings of Kuqa". The Kuqa Palace includes the Palace Exhibition Area, Kucha Museum Exhibition Area,

Kuqa Danang town, Danang is a traditional and essential food of Ughur people means market or mall in Ugur language , this street is the busiest shopping street in Kuqa with full presentation of local goods, fruits etc. Then we will board New Orient express to Kashgar

Day 5  Kashgar-Karakul lake- Panlong ancient road – Taxkorgan (BLD)

Arrive in Kashgar early in the morning, then we will drive along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to the roof of the world - Pamir Plateau. Along the way, you can enjoy the Gezi Canyon, Gezi Station, Liusha River, Red Mountain, etc. famous landscape, arrive at Karakul Lake (visit time: 40 minutes).  Karakul means "Black Sea", with an altitude of 3600 meters, a lake depth of 30 meters, and a total area of 10 square kilometers. It is a rare plateau lake in the world. It is surrounded by ice peaks and snow ridges. You can see the world-famous peaks above 7000m above sea level - Kunlun Mountains up close, such as: Gonggeer Peak (7719m), Gonggeer Jiubie Peak (7530m), Muztage Peak (7546m). Three mountains stand tall, like jade pillars supporting the sky, standing tall in the sky. The Pamir Plateau is very spectacular, and then we will drive to Taxkorgan and experience  the reputed Panlong ancient road (about 30 minutes driving experience) with more than 600 turns to feel the passion and excitement. On the way to Taxkorgan, we will also stop at Kaneryang village (Tajik village), a very famous folk song “why flower is so red 花儿为什么这样红”  was inspired by this village.   We will serve Yak hotpot for dinner for tonight and then check into hotel

Day 6  Taxkorgan-Tajik family village- stone fortress-gold grassland-Taxkorgan(BLD)

After breakfast, we will visit Tajik village and taste their local dessert and learn about their tradition and culture. and then we will go to drive to Stone Fortress (Visit time: 1 hour). Stone Fortress is located on the north side of Taxkorgan Autonomous County and is a famous site on the ancient Silk Road. With an altitude of 3,700 meters, it occupies an important position and is majestic. From the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, expansion and garrisoning continued, and the highest point of the city wall reached more than 20 meters. There are many buildings outside the city. The city walls are intermittent or continuous, the stone mounds overlap between the partition walls, and the rocks are piled up, forming a unique stone city scenery. In the early Yuan Dynasty, stone city underwent extensive construction and expansion. The old Stone City has a new look. In the 28th year of Guangxu's reign, the Qing government established Puli Hall here and repaired the castle. Then go to see  Golden Grassland (visit time : 1 hour). Take photos and take a break.  Then check into hotel

Day 7 : Taxkorgan- -White sand lake(2.5hrs driving)- Kashgar(2hrs driving) (BLD)

After breakfast, we will visit White Sand lake and White Sand mountain (referred to as Baisha Lake,visit time:40 minutes), which is characterized by blue sky, white clouds, snow. The original ecological picture of 3,300 meters above sea level formed by mountains, sand lakes and sand mountains is also a must-see when visiting Kashgar. Then we will back to Kashgar and enjoy our photo/video shotting for you in Kashgar. And thenCheck into the hotel after dinner.

Day 8 Kashgar – Idk Mosque-Xiangfei tomb-New Orient Express train to Hotan(BLD)

After breakfast, we will visit Kashgar old town(visit time: 1.5hrs) to watch the opening ceremony of the city and visit Idk Mosque (visit time: 1hr). After lunch visit Xiangfei Tomb, also called Abakh Hoja Tomb(visit time : 2hrs).  The scenic spot is located in the eastern suburbs of Kashgar City. Xiangfei Garden is named after "Xiangfei". In 1988, it was rated as a national key cultural relics protection unit. Construction and upgrading began in 2014, and the basic renovation was completed in August 2020. After the renovation, the area covers an area from 70 acres to 300 acres. The architectural style highlights the integration of traditional architecture and modern elements. It tells the story of Xiang Fei’s life from three aspects: hometown, former residence and old friends. From birth to death, from Kashgar to Beijing, from a noble princess to a legendary story with thousands of favorites;

Then we will board New Orient Express for Hotan around 22:00

Meal : BLD

Accommodation : New Orient Express

Day 9  Hotan-Hotan Walnut farming area- Adlais Silk - Yotgan Ancient City (BL)

After arriving in Hotan, we will visit the Walnut King Scenic Area (about 30 minutes). Take a closer look at the bark color of the tree trunks, which is rough and deep, magnificent and ancient, like the solemn and vigorous colors of the painter's brush, with strange shapes and majestic momentum. Then visit the Adlai Silk (about 1 hour). Adlai silk is produced by the Uyghur people and is the favorite local silk for Uyghur women to make clothes. It is mainly produced in Hotan City, Kashgar City, Shache County and other places. "Aidelais" means "tie-dye". This kind of silk adopts the ancient warp-dyeing technology of my country. According to the requirements of the pattern, the warp yarn is tied, and the layered dyeing, warping and weaving are carried out. During the dyeing process, the pattern is moistened by the dye liquid, and there is a natural color halo, which is scattered and not messy. It not only increases the layering of the pattern and the transition surface of the color, but also forms the characteristics of the rich changes of the Aidelai silk pattern. Uyghur women especially like this kind of silk material and give it the nickname "Yubofu Neng Kanatiguli", which means "the flower of cuckoo's wings", which metaphorically brings people the breath of spring. After that, visit the Yotgan Ancient City, watch a performance that interprets a thousand years of time, and learn about the stories that have happened on this land. For dinner, taste the local specialties at Hotan Night Market  by yourself, and then check in to the hotel.

Day 10  Hotan- Pomegranate Picking Garden – Ruoqiang railway-New Orient Express train to Korla(BLD)

After breakfast, we will go to Pomegranate Picking Garden to watch Pomegranate flower and could also purchase Pomegranate if you want. Then we will take new Orient express to Korla to cross Ruoqiang Railway which is the first desert railway of New Orient express Train.

Day 11  Korla – Luoburen village – New Orient Express train to Urumqi(BLD)

After breakfast, we will drive about 2 hrs to reach “ Luoburen village‘’  a fairtale village  where people live in harmony , they do not farm or breeding animal and live on fishing. It is a primitive minority village not disturbed by outside world. Visit time of this village about 1.5 hrs. The village area covers the Taklimakan Desert, wandering lakes, Tarim River, primitive Populus euphratica forest, Grassland and Robe people. Deserts, inland rivers, green corridors and the Silk Road meet here to form a natural landscape of golden quality. The Luobu people are relatively popular in Xinjiang, one of the ancient ethnic groups, they live next to Xiaohaizi on the banks of the Tarim River. They "do not grow grains or herd livestock, but only fish in small boats for food." Let's continue inward, going deeper, you can see large tracts of Populus euphratica along the Tarim River, and then reach the vast "China's largest desert" [Taklimakan Sand-Takalamakan desert, you can ride camels here (personal entertainment project, at your own expense).

 In the afternoon, take the New Oriental Express to Ruoqiang with large scale of Takilamakan desert along the way ( train journey will be about 4 to 5 hrs) an we will reach Ruoqiang

Note: Foreign passport holders will take alternative program as Luoburen Village not open to foriegners. Hongkong/Maocua/Taiwan citzen are allowed. We will visit Bosten lake instead.Bosten Lake is a freshwater lake on the northeastern rim of the Tarim Basin, about 20 km  east of Yanqi and 57 km  northeast of Korla, Xinjiang, China in the Bayin'gholin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. Covering an area of about 1,000 km, it is the largest lake in Xinjiang and one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in China.

Day 12 Urumqi departure(B)

Free time on your own til time to drop you off to the airport,  we will drop you off to the airport according to your flight departure time. End up the service