2 day(s)
English
Included
Visit Karakul Lake with views of Muztagata Summit
Lunch at local restaurant near the lake
Return to Kashgar and fly back to Urumqi
Drop-off at centrally located Urumqi hotel
€ 1278.72
€ 1176.42
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
On Day 1, you will begin your journey with a pickup from your centrally located Urumqi hotel, followed by a transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you to the Apa Hoja Mausoleum, an impressive structure from 1640 showcasing stunning Uyghur architectural elements like domes, blue tiles, and minarets. Next, you'll explore the historic Kashgar Old Town, where bustling alleyways are lined with traditional homes, shops, bakeries, and tea houses that reflect the city's ancient Silk Road heritage. Handicraft Street is a highlight, offering a display of large musical instruments and ornate bronze vessels. You'll also visit the iconic Id Ghar Mosque—the largest in Xinjiang—during non-prayer hours to admire its design. Lunch will be served at a local Uyghur home, allowing you to taste authentic dishes like nang bread, hand-stretched noodles, and pilau. In the afternoon, you’ll stroll through the vibrant Grand Bazaar, a lively marketplace central to local culture and commerce. If your visit falls on a Sunday, you’ll also have the chance to explore the famed Animal Bazaar. The day concludes with a transfer back to your Kashgar hotel.
On Day 2, your guide will meet you at 9:30 am in your Kashgar hotel to begin the journey to Karakul Lake, located 190 kilometers away along the historic Friendship Highway toward Islamabad. As you travel across the dramatic landscapes of the Pamir Plateau, you’ll pass through Uyghur villages and observe the unique yurt-dwelling Kirghiz people. Stops include the Upa Village for fresh fruit and bread, a photo opportunity at Red Hill, and lunch beside the beautiful White Sand Lake. Upon arriving at Karakul Lake—set at an altitude of 3,600 meters—you’ll walk along its peaceful shoreline with views of the majestic Muztagata Summit (7,509 meters), famously documented by explorer Sven Hedin in 1894. After enjoying the serene beauty of this alpine lake, you’ll return to Kashgar Airport for your flight back to Urumqi. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel, marking the end of this memorable two-day tour.
Breakfast and Lunch
Round-trip Urumqi Kashgar flight
Entrance fees
Private transfer in Kashgar
Half twin per person per night
Gratuities
Passport
Not wheelchair accessible
A valid passport is required
China Visa required
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Two hundred years earlier than Dunhuang, the cliffside Buddhist kingdom of the Kizil Caves in Xinjiang is a testament to the ancient Silk Road civilization, leaving behind a dazzling array of cultural heritage. More than 700 caves have been carved into the red cliffs, their millennia-old murals brimming with the vibrant spirit of the ancient Kucha Kingdom, depicting apsaras in flight and vividly portraying stories (photography is prohibited inside the caves). This is a feast for the eyes and soul, not only an artistic treasure but also a testament to history and culture.
It was a rather uninteresting attraction. Photography was prohibited inside the caves, and I have no interest in Buddhism. There were no three-dimensional Buddha statues or sculptures, and the wall paintings were shabby. We visited five caves before leaving. I really don't understand why reservations are required to enter the caves. Thankfully, there's a long avenue of white birch trees, a statue of Kumarajiva, and reeds outside the caves for photo opportunities. Otherwise, it would have been boring. Don't waste your time here.
The Buddha Cave is worth visiting! There are 6 Buddha caves open for viewing. We visited 8, 10, 27, 32, and 38. You are not allowed to take photos in the Buddha caves. There are guides inside to introduce you. You are not allowed to bring your own bags into the park!
The Thousand Buddha Caves, located approximately 65 kilometers from Kucha, are an early example of Chinese Buddhism. It is one of the four major Buddhist grottoes in China. There are approximately 260 confirmed grottoes, and if you include unconfirmed ones, the number is said to exceed 300. With the exception of cell phones, all photography equipment is prohibited and must be left in the park storage area or in your vehicle. The distance from the entrance to the Thousand Buddha Caves is approximately 1 kilometer. A shuttle is available. It's extremely hot, so we highly recommend taking the shuttle. Upon arriving at the Thousand Buddha Caves, you'll see a statue of Monk Kumarajiva, a native of the Qujiao Kingdom who brought Buddhist scriptures from India and first translated them. The phrases "Sexuality, emptiness, and color," "Avalokitesvara," etc. When entering the Thousand Buddha Caves, groups of approximately eight people are assigned to the gate. Many of the cave paintings that were revealed were stolen by grave robbers, and the Berlin Museum of Indian Art in Germany now reportedly owns a large collection of Kizil Caves murals. The style of the murals is distinctly Indian, unlike any other cave I've seen before. There's a shop and restroom at the shuttle bus terminal.
Kizil cave-Temple Complex. Good to Travel for This place. Nice view.
