Tour Date : 1/11–16/11/2026 (16 days)
Tour Fee : RM 8,500
Booking Deadline : 1/9/2026
Travel style : Road Trip
Group size : min 10 pax, max 17 pax
Age Limit : 16 – 65
Xinjiang is the largest province in China, rich in history, culture, and landscape. Xinjiang is a land resided by various ethnic groups, including Uyghur, Tajik, Kyrgyz, Hui, and Han. Located along the ancient Silk Road in China’s far west, Xinjiang has many ancient caravan towns and Buddhism ruins. This trip covers the Pamir Highland, Tarim Basin, Tianshan ranges, and the world’s longest desert highway, journeying deep into the heart of Taklamakan Desert, and exploring a myriad of landscapes, including canyon, painted hills, poplar forest, and highland lakes.
*All images for reference only
Board a post-midnight flight via Chengdu to Xinjiang’s second largest city Korla. Late afternoon arrival, transfer to hotel. Korla is in the central part of Xinjiang, on the southern slope of Tianshan ranges, and at the edge of Tarim Basin. It is known for producing fragrant pears, hence also nicknamed the Pear City.
Depart for Luntai, visit Tarim Basin Poplar Forest Park to admire autumn view. Legend says the poplar could live for one thousand years, and upon death, it would not tumble for another one thousand years, and once it fell, it would not decay for another thousand years. The 100 sqkm park is located at the northern part of Desert Highway, offering sights of poplars, river, desert, lake. Overnight at a hotel at the park’s entrance.
Today explore the Desert Highway that cuts across Taklamakan Desert, the world’s longest road built in shifting sand dune area, total length 522km (of which 446km in shifting sand region). The highway was built in the 1990s for petroleum industry in Taklamakan Desert. To avoid the road being swallowed by shifting sand, shrubs are planted on both sides, and the green belt is maintained by 108 water stations along the highway. Overnight in Tazhong, the only settlement in the heart of the desert.
After breakfast, admire sunrise over Taklamakan Desert. Later, continue driving on the Desert Highway heading south, photo stops along the way, pull aside and walk across the roadside green belt to enter dune areas, have fun climbing sand dunes for a vantage viewpoint of the vast desert. Overnight in Yutian.
Head to Hotan, once an important silk distribution city along the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival, visit Hotan Museum, learn about the rich history of Hotan and its role during the Silk Road heyday. Later, visit a handmade carpet workshop to understand the significance of carpet in locals’ daily life. Afternoon walk along the Hotan river banks, if lucky might spot precious jade. Evening, visit night market to sample local delicacies.
A day of long drive, though the kilometers count is a lot but mostly on good highway, lunch at rest area along the highway. Late afternoon arrive in Kashgar, a well-known ancient Silk Road city and the most iconic Uyghur city in Xinjiang. At night, one may opt to explore the lit-up Old Town to admire night view, or stroll along the bank of Toman River with well-paved foot paths.
After breakfast, attend the Old Town gate-opening ceremony, followed by exploring the Old Town. A maze of alleyways radiated from the Old Town’s central square by the biggest mosque Id Kah, lined with market, handicraft workshops, and residences. The old town is a mix of living and commercial quarters of the Uyghur community, and it was the filming location of Kite Runner. Also visit the quarter built on a high terrace. At night, visit the street food market to sample Uyghur specialty dishes, such as dove soup, goat trotter stew, meat dumpling.
Morning visit to the Sunday livestock market in the city outskirts. This is a huge weekly bazaar, where sheep, cattle, camels, donkeys, and horses are traded. Set on an open field, full of sight and sound, with food stalls on the sideline. Afternoon back in Kashgar old town, enjoy sweet tea at hundred years old teahouse fronting the market street and watch life goes by.
Depart to Pamir Plateau, altitude ascend. En-route visit Muji Mud Volcanoes, short trek (2km) to view craters up-close. Centuries ago, underground gases burst forth carrying mud, creating multiple craters that later filled with water, glowing sulphur yellow and peacock blue. Seen from above, resembling giant eye, earning the name “Eye of Pamir”. The site has an average altitude of 3700m, surrounded by snow-capped ranges and wetland. Overnight in Tashkurgan, Tajik ethnic autonomous region.
Early morning proceed to Khunjerab Pass, the world’s highest international border crossing (China-Pakistan) and the highest point (4733m) on the Karakoram Highway. A scenic drive through the Pamir plateau, the way was once part of the ancient Silk Road, Tang Dynasty monk Xuan Zang once travelled via this route to India. Afternoon return to Tashkurgan, visit the ancient Stone City ruins dated some 2000 years old, also visit the picturesque Golden Marsh Wetland for sunset view.
A day with long drive, retracing the road up north. Along the way, making multiple photo stops, places of interest include high altitude lakes over 3000m – Baisha and Karakul lakes. Admire vista view of Kunlun snow mountain ranges, including the peaks of Muztagh Ata (7,546 m), Kongur Tagh (7,649 m), and Kongur Tiube (7,530m) from a distance. Overnight in Bachu.
Depart for Wensu Great Canyon, explore interesting landforms such as gorges, eroded rock formations, salt rocks, and more. The canyon is located along the ancient Muzart route that linked the north and south of Tianshan ranges, legend claimed that Tang Dynasty monk Xuan Zang passed through here on his way to India. Overnight in Baicheng.
Visit Kizil Caves, the ancient Buddhist cave complex dated back to 3rd century, but was abandoned around 8th century. The complex has 236 caves, but today only 6 are opened for visit. In early 20th century, many murals in the caves were removed by western explorers. Upon arrival in Kuche, visit the great mosque and local bazaar.
Drive east towards Korla, upon arrival, change into train to reach Xinjiang provincial capital Urumqi. The train travels from the southern slope into the northern slope of Tianshan ranges, due to difficult terrain and passing through many wind-sweep areas, the speed is limited under 120km/h. Arrive in Urumqi at night, transfer to city center hotel.
Last day in Xinjiang, explore Urumqi, a city with the farthest distance from the ocean in the world, it is also Asia’s geographical center. Urumqi is resided by multiethnic groups, including Uyghur, Han, Hui, and Kazakh people, who jointly shaped the city. Free and easy day, one may visit the International Grand Bazaar for last minute souvenir shopping, local handicrafts include Uyghur hat, ethnic embroidery, Yengisar knife, and silk.
Early morning transfer to airport, catch a flight back to Kuala Lumpur via Beijing. Arrive at destination in late night, end of tour.
A non-refundable deposit (unless tour cancelled by LevArt) of RM 2,000 is payable to secure booking. Balance fee RM 6,500 to be collected upon booking deadline or when the tour is fully booked.
*Security Deposit is refundable subjected to below conditions:
Full terms & conditions (eg: cancellation policy) please click here.
Out of curiosity, Fish would find all sorts of excuses to be on the road. Participating in Marathon abroad, being a volunteer in charity trips, backpacking, or just to admire sun-glow over the tip of a mountain, all these motivated her to travel spontaneously. During travel, she especially likes to explore public parks and local markets to feel the vibes of daily life and tatse local delicacies.
She likes to record her journeys through photography and writings. Be it solo or group travel, she could find joys in different paces and experiences. In 2023, she published a book entitled “Early Departure”, depicting her travel around South East Asia. She also keeps an online travel blog named Fishagrams: Round the World Diary.
