Here is the professional English translation of your detailed 9-day Xinjiang itinerary. I have refined the wording to be culturally accurate and suitable for international clients

🗺️ 9-Day Xinjiang In-Depth Tour: Urumqi – Turpan – Kuqa – Kashgar – Pamir Highway

Status: Foreigner-Friendly (Open Areas Only)

Route: Urumqi ⇋ Tianchi Lake ⇋ Turpan ⇋ Kuqa ⇋ Kashgar ⇋ Pamir Plateau (Karakul Lake)

Focus: Silk Road History, Islamic Culture, Desert & Highland Landscapes.

⚠️ Important Regulations for Foreign Travelers

1. Visa Requirement: Valid passport + Chinese Tourist Visa (L-Visa). Citizens of visa-exempt countries only require a passport.
2. Border Permit: Travel to Karakul Lake / Tashkurgan County (Pamir Plateau) requires a Border Entry Permit. Our agency will process this in Kashgar using your original passport.
3. Accommodation: All hotels selected are officially licensed to receive foreign guests.

📅 Detailed Daily Schedule (Hour-by-Hour)

D1: Arrival in Urumqi · First Impression of the Western Regions

Time Activity
On Arr. Airport/Train Station Pickup. Private transfer to downtown Urumqi. Welcome with Hada (ceremonial scarf) and wet wipes.
14:00–15:00 Hotel check-in and short rest.
15:00–17:00 Visit Xinjiang Regional Museum (Famous for Silk Road artifacts and the "Loulan Beauty" mummy exhibit. Advance booking required).
17:30–19:00 Explore the International Grand Bazaar (Dry fruits, handicrafts, Uyghur musical instruments).
19:30 Welcome Dinner: Traditional Xinjiang cuisine (Big Plate Chicken, Samsa, Handmade Yogurt) at a Halal restaurant.
Stay: Urumqi (4★ Foreigner-Friendly) Meals: Dinner Included, Lunch Excluded

D2: Urumqi → Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) → Urumqi

Time Activity
08:00–08:30 Hotel breakfast.
08:30–10:00 Drive to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) in the Tianshan Mountains (~70km).
10:00–10:30 Take the scenic shuttle bus up to the lake area.
10:30–12:30 Hike along the West Bank plank road to the Taoist Temple Viewing Platform for photos of Bogda Peak reflection.
12:30–13:30 Lunch at the scenic spot (Buffet/Simple meal).
13:30–14:30 Free time for photos or optional boat ride.
14:30–16:00 Shuttle bus down the mountain; return to Urumqi.
16:30–18:00 Optional: Visit Red Hill Park for a city panorama.
19:00 Dinner on your own (Recommended: Lingguan Lane Snack Street).
Stay: Urumqi (4★) Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included, Dinner Excluded

D3: Urumqi → High-Speed Rail → Turpan Basin

Time Activity
07:30–08:00 Hotel breakfast & check-out.
08:20–08:50 High-Speed Train (D-Train) to Turpan North Station (~1h 10m).
09:30–11:00 Visit Karez Well Folk Park (Ancient underground irrigation system).
11:00–12:30 Explore Jiaohe Ancient City (Ruins of the capital of the Cheshi Kingdom).
12:30–13:30 Lunch: Local specialties (Laghman noodles & Hami melon).
13:30–14:30 Flaming Mountains scenic area (Photo stop at the giant thermometer).
14:30–15:30 Uyghur Home Visit: Taste fruits under grape trellises & watch naan baking.
16:00–17:00 Visit Turpan Museum (Small but excellent collection of documents and mummies).
18:00 Check-in at Turpan hotel. Dinner on your own.
Stay: Turpan (4★) Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included, Dinner Excluded

D4: Turpan → Fly to Kuqa (Kingdom of Kucha)

Time Activity
07:30–08:00 Hotel breakfast.
08:30–09:30 Transfer to Turpan North Station/Airport.
10:30–12:30 Fly to Kuqa (~1.5 hours).
13:30–14:30 Lunch in Kuqa city.
14:30–16:00 Visit Kuqa Palace (Residence of the last King of Kucha & Museum).
16:00–17:00 Visit Kuqa Grand Mosque (Second largest mosque in Xinjiang).
17:00–18:30 Stroll along Resitan Road (Colorful old street with blue/yellow Islamic-style doors).
19:30 Dinner: Roast pigeon soup & Tandoori meat.
Stay: Kuqa (4★) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

D5: Kuqa → Mysterious Grand Canyon → Kizil Caves → Aksu

Time Activity
08:00–08:30 Hotel breakfast.
08:30–10:00 Drive to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon (~70km).
10:00–12:00 Hiking inside the red sandstone canyon (~2km walk).
12:00–13:00 Simple lunch near the canyon exit.
13:00–14:30 Drive to Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (~75km). Requires special permission for foreign groups.
14:30–16:00 Guided tour of the central pillar caves and diamond-grid murals.
16:00–18:30 Drive to Aksu (~250km, ~2.5 hours).
19:30 Check-in at Aksu hotel. Dinner on your own.
Stay: Aksu (4★) Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included, Dinner Excluded

D6: Aksu → Fly to Kashgar · Old City Opening Ceremony

Time Activity
07:30–08:00 Hotel breakfast.
08:30–10:30 Fly to Kashgar (~1.5 hours).
11:30–12:30 Lunch in Kashgar city.
12:30–14:00 Hotel check-in and rest.
14:00–15:30 Border Permit Processing: Guide takes passports to the Public Security Bureau to apply for the Border Entry Permit. Guests wait at the hotel.
15:30–17:00 Kashgar Old City Opening Ceremony (East Gate, starts around 17:00).
17:00–19:30 Wander the alleys: Visit the Century-Old Tea House, copper workshops, and woodcarving shops.
20:00 Explore Handax Bazaar Night Market (Roasted eggs, Pot meat, Yogurt ice cream).
Stay: Kashgar (Near Old City) Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included, Dinner Excluded

D7: Kashgar City Depth · Id Kah Mosque & Apak Hoja Tomb

Time Activity
09:00–09:30 Hotel breakfast.
09:30–10:30 Visit Id Kah Mosque (Largest mosque in China. Non-Muslims may visit designated areas).
10:30–12:30 Explore the Old City Handicraft Bazaar (Blacksmith Street, Hat Street).
12:30–13:30 Lunch: Pigeon soup with naan.
13:30–15:30 Visit Apak Hoja Tomb (Fragrant Concubine Garden).
15:30–17:30 Visit Pan Tuo Cheng Ruins or Kashgar Museum.
18:30 Farewell Dinner: Pilaf (Zhuafan), steamed buns, and fruit platter.
Stay: Kashgar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

D8: Kashgar → Pamir Highway → White Sand Lake & Karakul Lake → Kashgar

Time Activity
07:30–08:00 Hotel breakfast (packed breakfast available).
08:00–10:30 Drive along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway (G314) to White Sand Lake (~150km). Border Permit checked.
10:30–11:15 Photo stop at White Sand Lake viewpoint.
11:15–12:00 Continue to Karakul Lake (3600m altitude, view of Muztagh Ata "Father of Icebergs").
12:00–13:30 Light hiking by the lake or optional yak riding.
13:30–14:30 Simple lunch at local yurt restaurant (Beef noodles/Pilaf).
14:30–17:30 Drive back to Kashgar. Optional stop at Oyitak Red Mountain.
18:00 Return to hotel. Dinner on your own.
Stay: Kashgar Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included, Dinner Excluded
⚠️ Note: If access to the plateau is restricted due to weather or temporary control, we will substitute with a tour to Yarkand (Shache) Khan Palace.

D9: Departure from Kashgar · End of Tour

Time Activity
By Flight Hotel breakfast or packed breakfast.
-2 Hours Private transfer to Kashgar Laining International Airport (or fly back to Urumqi for connecting flights).
— End of Service.
Meals: Breakfast Included

为你精选南疆经典景点图片：

白沙湖

帕米尔高原上的蓝宝石，银白沙山环抱碧蓝湖水。

喀什古城

国内唯一保存完整的典型古西域特色历史街区。

塔克拉玛干胡杨林

世界第二大流动沙漠中的金黄胡杨林，展现顽强的生命力。

 

 

新疆南疆旅游景点以壮美的自然风光和浓郁的丝路人文风情为核心特色，涵盖雪山湖泊、沙漠戈壁、古城村落等多样景观，是体验西域自然与文化的热门目的地。这里为你呈现不同风格的南疆景点图片：

1. 塔什库尔干高原湖泊景观：
   

   在新疆玩过三个多月，向你推荐南疆不可错过的景点和自由行路线
2. 南疆雪山草原湿地景观：
   

   南疆旅游最佳时间 南疆有哪些旅游景点 新疆南疆旅游线路推荐
3. 巴尔鲁克山南坡冬牧场景观：
   

   打开网易新闻 查看精彩图片 巴尔鲁克山南坡的冬牧场景观（2月14日摄，无
4. 南疆雪山湖泊倒影景观：
   

   打开网易新闻 查看精彩图片 亦或是搭上南疆小环线越野车，体验在广袤无
5. 白沙湖沙漠奇景：
   

   打开网易新闻 查看精彩图片 白沙湖位于沙漠之中，被称为"沙漠奇景"。无
6. 喀喇昆仑山观景台景观：
   

   新疆南疆旅游地图及攻略，南疆旅游注意事项，看完记得收藏！
7. 喀什古城街区风貌：
   

   依托丝绸之路经济带核心区区位优势、独一无二的丝路文明与极致高原大漠风光，叠加入境扶持政策、跨境推广与配套服务升级，2026 年南疆入境旅游...
8. 喀什古城街巷人文场景：
   

   南疆特色古城街区；喀什古城街巷
9. 喀什古城游客打卡场景：
   

   喀什古城街巷；海外游客打卡喀什古城

   白沙湖

   帕米尔高原上的蓝宝石，银白沙山环抱碧蓝湖水。

   

   喀什古城

   国内唯一保存完整的典型古西域特色历史街区。

   

   塔克拉玛干胡杨林

   世界第二大流动沙漠中的金黄胡杨林，展现顽强的生命力。

   新疆南疆旅游景点以壮美的自然风光和独特的人文景观为核心，涵盖雪山湖泊、沙漠戈壁、草原湿地等多样地貌，是展现西域自然与人文魅力的热门旅游区域。这里为你呈现不同风格的南疆景点实拍图：

    

   1. 慕士塔格峰与卡拉库里湖组合景观：
      

      新疆（北疆/南疆）景点游玩攻略
   2. 南疆雪山森林景观：
      

      新疆（北疆/南疆）景点游玩攻略
   3. 南疆南新疆旅游必玩景点攻略，带你玩转南疆！
   4. 南疆湿地雪山倒影景观：
      

      冬天，纷飞大雪落满天山
   5. 昭苏草原牧场景观：
      

      我国著名的四大草原之一这里风景宜人、空气清新骏马驰骋，
   6. 塔克拉玛干沙漠雅丹地貌景观：
      

      高原与沙漠，是新疆著名的两大自然景观。
   7. 南疆高原湖泊观景实拍：
      

      邂逅南疆：一次玩遍南疆所有精华景点，四大人文角落+四大古道公路+
   8. 南疆荒漠湖泊游客打卡实拍：
      

      邂逅南疆：一次玩遍南疆所有精华景点，四大人文角落+四大古道公路+
   9. 南疆沙漠湖泊景观：
      

       邂逅南疆：一次玩遍南疆所有精华景点，四大人文角落+四大古道公路+
   10. 南疆经典旅游线路规划图：
       

       金秋大促 报名立减【梦幻新疆 · 南疆塔里木秋色8日】博斯腾湖-金秋塔里木-天山大峡谷-死亡之海塔克
   11. 新疆天山景观：
       
   12. 南疆雪山冰川湖泊景观：
       
   13. 南疆彩色丹霞地貌景观：
       

       峡谷边缘或湖畔，你会被大自然的鬼斧神工所震撼，宛如置身于仙境之中。