Highlights of 9-Day on the Ancient Silk Road: Turpan & Kashgar

Highlights

• 1.Heavenly Lake or Tianchi Lake, also known as 天池, is located on the northern side of the Bogeda Peak in the Tianshan mountains. It is 120 km from Urumqi City and only a 90-minute drive, and the center of the Tianchi scenic area of startling contrasts – an alpine drift lake at an altitude of 1,980 m (6,496 ft) with glistening glaciers on the mountain peaks nearby when the sun is shining.
• 2.Turpan Tuyugou Village or Tuyoq Village, with its full name Tuyugou Mazha Village, is the oldest Uyghur village in Xinjiang, with a history of over 2600 years. Nestled in the depths of the Grand Canyon, the town is endowed with meticulously preserved Uyghur customs and architectural art and is hence praised as the “living fossil” of folk culture.
• 3.Flaming Mountain Flaming Mountain is a famous attraction in Turpan, located in the Xinjiang region of China. It sits on the northern edge of the Turpan Basin, along the northern section of the ancient Silk Road. The local people refer to it as "Kiziltag," which means "Red Mountain." This name reflects both its striking red appearance and its extremely high temperatures, making it the hottest place in inland China.
• 4.Jiaohe Ancient City was the former capital of the Cheshi Kingdom and has a history spanning over 2,000 years. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen city in the world, resembling a massive military fortress atop a 30-meter-high loess platform. Today, it is a must-see destination in Turpan, where visitors can still observe traces of history while exploring the ruins. It is highly recommended to visit in the late afternoon to avoid the heat and enjoy the sunset.
• 5.Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves have a history spanning over 1,500 years and reflect the glory of the ancient Gaochang Kingdom in Turpan. As one of the largest grotto sites in Xinjiang, the Bezeklik Caves are renowned for their brightly colored murals, which serve as a treasure trove of Buddhist culture and art. Although many of these murals have been damaged or destroyed over time, the remaining fragments still offer valuable insights into this precious artistic heritage.
• 6.Strolling Century-old City of Kashgar, explore the charm of this thousand-year-old historical city and experience its powerful and charming style and delve into the old city vibe.
• 7.White Sand Lake spans 44 km and is situated at an altitude of 3,300 meters. With the reflection of White Sand Hill, it offers stunning photographic opportunities.
• 8.Karakul Lake Located on the Pamir Plateau. Karakul Lake is surrounded by snow-covered mountains. It is famous for its color-changing waters and breathtaking views, making it a hidden wonderland in the hills.
• 9.The Apaq Khoja Mausoleum Although you may see it written differently (sometimes “Apak Hoja” or in Chinese “阿帕克霍加麻扎”), the location is a beautiful example of Uyghur architecture and a fascinating peek behind the curtain of Kashgar’s history.
• 10.Each structure of the Apak Khoja Mausoleum exemplifies ancient Islamic architecture and Uyghur woodcarving. It features colorful tiles and beautiful paint that are gradually deteriorating due to neglect and a lack of funds.
• 11.Karez Well or The Karez System (also known as Karez or Karez Well System, 坎儿井) has a history of over 2,000 years. It is an underground water conservation project developed by people living in arid regions throughout history. Along with the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the Karez System is celebrated as one of the “Three Great Engineering Projects of Ancient China.”