Your guide and driver will pick you up at Urumqi airport. Transfer to the hotel,

after check-in, you could have dinner in old town may be a little walk (Optional).

After breakfast, meet your English-speaking driver in the hotel lobby for a 1.5-hour scenic drive to Tian Shan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). This crystal-clear alpine lake sits at 1,907 meters on Bogda Shan Mountains, surrounded by jagged peaks including 5,445-meter Bogda Peak. In summer, wildflowers bloom with panoramic mountain views. Rated China’s highest tourism honor, it’s considered one of China’s most beautiful spots. Return to Urumqi after the visit.

Heavenly Lake

After a 3-hour drive to Turpan, visit Tuyugou Village to experience traditional Uyghur rural life and unique architecture. Next, explore Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves—Turpan’s largest cave. Finally, tour Gaochang Ancient City (“King’s City”), the 2-million-square-meter capital of the ancient Gaochang Kingdom.

Tuyugou Mazha Village

After breakfast, visit the Karez System—an ancient underground irrigation network that has sustained Turpan’s agriculture for centuries. Explore its history at the Karez Museum and see the actual channels. After lunch, discover Jiaohe Ancient City—one of the world’s largest and oldest ruins. Built on a plateau surrounded by natural ravines, this former capital of the Jiaohe Kingdom was a major Silk Road stop. Weather permitting, enjoy “The Night of Jiaohe” performance (please maintain silence; no applause after the show).

“The Night of Jiaohe”Performance

Emin Minaret, also known as Su Gong Pagoda, is a remarkable architectural landmark located approximately 2 kilometers east of Turpan City. It is the largest existing ancient tower in Xinjiang, showcasing a distinctive Islamic architectural style. After our visit, we’ll set off to Kashgar!

Kuer Dening