15 Days Xinjiang New Orient Express Train in May

Day 1: Urumqi Arrival

Fly to Urumqi or take the train to Urumqi, airport/train station to hotel transfer

Check into 5 star hotel  . Urumqi Hilton hotel or similar 

Day 2: Urumqi- the heavenly lake(1.5hrs by driving)- New Orient Express train to Yining(12hrs on train ) (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 , after breakfast , we shall board New Orient express train and head towards Yining, it will be approximately 12 hrs train journey

Day 3 Yining- Karajun Grassland- Yining(BLD)

Arrive morning in Yining by New orient express train, we will visit Karajun Grassland. Karajun in Kazakh means the grassland on the ridge. It is one of the most beautiful places in Tianshan with an original natural appearance, in which grassland blends with forests, and snow-covered peaks rise over the valleys. Karajun in Tekes in the Yili Valley is a zone of transition in west Tianshan. It was rated as a Xinjiang Autonomous Region scenic spot in 2010, a national AAA level scenic site in 2011 and as World Natural Heritage at the 37th World Heritage Convention held in Cambodia.in 2013. The World Natural Heritage value includes Biyike Mountain, which has level 2 and level 3 planation surfaces. The property at an altitude between 2,200 and 2,400 m is the level 3 planation surface, and is an extensive grassland that also possess an area of alpine meadow which is in good condition. It has been called ‘The world’s rare alpine grassland’ by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The main scenic areas of Karajun include the Kuokesu valley, east Karajun, west Karajun, the ice peaks of middle Tianshan, and the Kuerdai forest valley.

Overnight in hotel in Yining

Day 4 Yining- Syram lake (2hrs driving)- Khorgos Port cultural museum exhibition hall- Yining- Beitun(BLD)

Morning time, drive to Syram lake and on the way, shall pass by Guoziguo Bridge– the first pass to Yili. Guoziguo acts as the door keeper of Yili , cost 2.4 billion to complete the constructions with a total length of 700m, the height is of 200m.. Syram lake was the largest cold water lake with highest elevation in Xinjiang, it is referred to be the last tear drop from the West Atlantic ocean with flowers of colors spreading around the lake in the spring under blue sky and the sun light shining on the lake surface, make it breathtakingly beautiful.

After visit of Syram lake, we will pay a visit to Khorgos Port cultural museum exhibition hall. Then we will board New Orient Express train to Beitun

Day 5 Beitun- Burqin(1.5hrs driving)-Five color beach – Hemu (3 hrs driving)（BLD）

Arrive in Beitun in the morning, then we will change the car transfer to Hemu. On the way,  stop to visit Five color beach to see its unique Yadan landform: undulating ravines and dressing-like slopes and beaches are colorful and gorgeous. After arriving at Hemu,, go to China's largest birch forest, the Hemu River surrounded by white mist, like a fairyland on earth, a dream and a reality; visit the Hemu River Valley, Check into the hotel after dinner.

Day 6 Hemu – Kanas(BLD)

After breakfast, drive to Kanas Scenic Area. Kanas means "beautiful, rich, mysterious" in Mongolian.Its beauty can be described as overwhelming. Take the shuttle bus into the scenic area, passing through: Tuojing Bay, Rowan Valley, Birch Forest, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Shenxian Bay,

Yaze Lake, its beautiful scenery and its name will be engraved in your mind. It is quiet and beautiful, and it is a paradise on earth that can purify people's soul.

Day 7 Kanas- Beitun- Kuqa(BLD)

After a good sleep, wander around at the village to feel the fresh air of Kanas, can take a visit to Fish Pavilion , take a bus to the middle of the mountain, walk up the 1068 steps, and climb

Go to the top of the mountain and overlook the panoramic view of Kanas. After lunch, will board New orient express to Kuqa

Day 8 Kuqa-Tianshan Grand Canyon(1.5hrs driving)-Kuqa’s palace(1.5hrs driving)-Kashgar(BLD)

After breakfast,drive to 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,

then board the New Orient Express train to Kashgar

Day 9 Kashgar- Karakul Lake (3hrs driving)-Taxkorgan(1.5hrs driving)(BLD)

Morning time reach Kashgar, we shall arrive in Kashgar and 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 go to Taxkorgan county, where we will have authentic Taxkorgan yak hot pot for dinner, and then check into the hotel.

Day 10 Khunjerab Pass border(2.5hrs driving-stone fortress- golden grassland(2.5hrs driving)-Taxkorgan(BLD)

After breakfast, we will make a visit to the Tajik family, then go to Khunjerab Pass border to take photos which borders Pakistan . after that return Taxkorgan to visit Stone Fotress 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).  Check into hotel after dinner

Day 11 : Taxkorgan- White sand lake(2.5hrs driving)- Kashgar(2hrs driving)(BLD)

After breakfast, we drove back to Kashgar and visited 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. Check into the hotel after dinner.

Day 12: Kashgar – New Orient Express 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 

Day 13  Hotan-Hotan museum-Heruo railway-Korla(BLD)

After breakfast, visit Hotan Museum. In ancient times, the Hotan area was the territory of Pishan, Khotan, Qule, Jingjue, and Shulu. The largest oasis on the southern edge of the Lamakan Desert. "The cultural relics in the Hotan Museum truly reproduce the splendid hand-woven technology and textile technology of the Hotan area in history.

 Next visit : Hotan City Tuancheng is located in the central area of the city. Its architectural style imprints the national history and culture and inherits the folk customs of the Uyghur people from generation to generation. It is the most beautiful place in southern Xinjiang. One of the typical traditional folk neighborhoods, Tuancheng is named after its center diverges and is surrounded by streets and alleys. It also reflects the harmony between humans and nature in the desert oasis.

After visit, board New Orient Express train to Korla via the Heruo Railway, the first desert railway. 

Day 14 Korla-Luoburen village(1hr driving)-Urumqi(BLD)

After arriving,drive to Luoburen Village  (visit time : 2hrs) to visit this  village where people who make a living by fishing along the Tarim River.The Luobu Village is located 35 kilometers southwest of Yuli County. The village covers an area of 72 square kilometers and belongs to the Qiongkule Ranch. It is a paradise for the Luobu people.

The village area covers the Taklimakan Desert, wandering lakes, Tarim River, primitive Populus euphratica forest, grassland, and Rob people. Deserts, inland rivers, green corridors . The Luobu people are one of the older ethnic groups in Xinjiang. They live in a small village on the banks of the Tarim River, next to Haizi, "they don't grow grains or herd livestock, but only fish in small boats for food." As we go deeper inside, we can see large areas of the Tarim River, Populus euphratica, and then arrived at the vast "China's largest desert" Taklimakan Desert, where you can ride camels (personal entertainment project,

Then drive to Urumqi and check into hotel

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 15 Urumqi departure(B)

Hotel to airport transfer and end up the service