Day 1 – Arrival in Urumqi
Meet & greet at Urumqi Airport
Tour briefing and welcome dinner
Short visit to Xinjiang Regional Museum (depending on arrival time)
Overnight in Urumqi
Day 2 – Flight to Hotan (Hetian)
Morning flight to Hotan, southern edge of the Taklamakan
Explore Hotan Bazaar, famous for jade, carpets, and silk
Visit local silk workshop and traditional atlas weaving center
Overnight in Hotan
Day 3 – Desert Towns & Ancient Ruins
Drive to Niya Ruins, an ancient oasis settlement buried by sand
Visit local Uyghur village for a traditional lunch and home tour
Optional: camel ride in outskirts of the desert
Overnight in Hotan
Day 4 – Into the Taklamakan Desert
Travel by 4x4 across the southern rim of the Taklamakan
Stop at desert springs, hidden oasis farms, and panoramic dune viewpoints
Evening at a desert lodge or camp near Mazartag cliffs
Overnight in Desert Lodge (basic but comfortable)
Day 5 – Mazartag to Cherchen (Qiemo)
Cross lesser-known desert tracks, picnic lunch en route
Visit Cherchen Museum and ancient mummy exhibits
Check-in at hotel; rest and short walk through town
Overnight in Cherchen
Day 6 – Cherchen to Korla: Edge of the Desert
Full-day drive (paved road) along desert fringe toward Korla
Stop at desert villages and Yardang formations
Evening rest in Korla
Overnight in Korla
Day 7 – Drive to Kuqa: Buddhist Legacy
Scenic drive to Kuqa, historic Silk Road town
Visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, one of China’s oldest Buddhist cave complexes
Overnight in Kuqa
Day 8 – Tianshan Canyons & Markets
Morning visit to the Tianshan Grand Canyon near Kuqa
Free time to explore Kuqa Old Market and taste local dishes
Overnight in Kuqa
Day 9 – Return to Urumqi by Train
High-speed train from Kuqa to Urumqi (~6.5 hrs)
Farewell dinner with Uyghur music performance
Overnight in Urumqi
Day 10 – Departure from Urumqi
Transfer to airport or rail station
End of tour — or optional add-on to Kashgar or Turpan
