[Winter Edition] Explore Southern Xinjiang for 6 Days: Kashgar, Shache, Pamir, Taxkorgan, and Panlong Ancient Road

Winter Edition: Explore Southern Xinjiang for 6 Days | Kashgar + Shache + Pamir + Taxkorgan + Panlong Ancient Road. A small-group tour starting and ending in Kashgar, covering the Pamir region for 6 days. This itinerary builds on the classic Pamir route by adding Shache Old Town and the N9 Desert, weaving together high-altitude lakes, glaciers, and ancient cultural sites. The journey spans Kashgar, Taxkorgan, Shache, and the Pamir Plateau over 6 days and 5 nights.

Highlights

• Curated Small Groups:2-6 person mini tour, no shopping stops included. Ideal for travelers who want a relaxed experience on the Pamir route.
• Upgrade Vehicle: 7 seats in 1+1 First Class, one seat per person for extra comfort on long journeys. Accommodates up to 28-inch luggage.
• Housing ArrangementKashgar 3 nights at Ctrip 4-star hotel; Tashkurgan 2 nights at Ctrip 5-star oxygen-enriched room, balancing city convenience with high-altitude comfort.
• Treasure LakeConnects the northern shore of Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and Bandier Blue Lake in sequence, offering views of the varying hues of these plateau lakes along the way.
• Road Trip: Pass through the Karakoram Highway, Wakhan Corridor, and Panlong Ancient Road to experience the stunning roadscapes of the Pamir Plateau.
• Glaciers and the National Gate: Head to Glacier No. 4 in Muzart Glacier Park and schedule a visit to Khunjerab National Gate, subject to opening status.
• Tajik home visitVisit a Tajik herder's home, taste salty milk tea, yak yogurt, and local pastries, and learn about daily life.
• Light Travel Photography in the Ancient CityKashgar Old City: Complimentary light travel photography session with 15 raw photos included. Does not include styling or retouching; captures your travel moments.
• Shache Old Town: Schedule a Citywalk of Shache Old Town, exploring Kazanqi Street, Juwiku Le Lane, and the Old Town Tea House.
• N39 DesertGo to N39 Desert to view the rolling dunes of the Taklamakan Desert.

Trip Overview

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: A Warm Home in Kashgar

Dining: Breakfast: Self; Lunch: Self; Dinner: Self

AccommodationKashgar Ctrip 4-Diamond

Arrive in Kashgar according to your flight schedule. A driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Explore Kashgar on foot and savor local delicacies like skewered lamb, whole roasted lamb, pilaf, hand-pulled noodles, naresh, horse sausage, and wheat intestines.

Daily ReminderPlease carry your ID card at all times. Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night; we recommend bringing long-sleeved clothing and sun protection items.

Day 2: Kashgar – Naan Baking Experience – Khunjerab Friendship Highway – North Shore of Baisha Lake – Muztagh Ata Glacier Park – Taxkorgan

Dining: Breakfast: Hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

Accommodation: Tashkurgan Ctrip 5-Diamond

After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Kashgar. Enjoy freshly baked naan bread and experience local daily dining.

Drive along the Karakoram Highway to the north shore of Baisha Lake. Take photos freely by the lake and enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains surrounding the water.

Lunch on your own, then head to Muztagh Glacier Park. Visit glacier 4 and admire the distant view of Muztagh Ata.

Pass through Tahanman Wetland to enjoy the natural landscape formed by glacial meltwater winding across alpine meadows.

Continue driving to Taxkorgan County, enjoying views of the Kunlun Mountains along the way. Upon arrival, check in and rest early.

Daily ReminderThe route from Kashgar to Taxkorgan is mountainous with speed limits. Please do not rush the driver. Photography is prohibited at checkpoints along the way.

Day 3: Taxkorgan → Khunjerab Pass → Wakhan Corridor → Panlong Ancient Road → Bandir Blue Lake → Eye of Pamir → Tajik Homestay Visit → Ba Tie Night Market → Taxkorgan

Dining: Breakfast: Hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

AccommodationTashkurgan Ctrip 5-Star Oxygenated Room

After breakfast, depart for Khunjerab Pass National Gate. Check in at the designated area and enjoy panoramic views of the Sino-Pakistani border snow-capped mountains.

Enjoy a light meal on the way, then visit the Wakhan Corridor to learn about its geography and history as an ancient Silk Road route.

Drive to Panglong Ancient Road, stopping at scenic viewpoints along the way for photos. Then head to Bandir Blue Lake to watch the water change color with the shifting light of the sky.

Pass through the Pamir Eye, where you can briefly stop to capture this high-altitude natural landmark before continuing your journey.

Visit a Tajik village home, meet local herders, and enjoy salty milk tea, yak yogurt, and specialty pastries.

Take a ride back to Taxkorgan County to check in. In the evening, you can explore the Ba Tie Night Market to experience the local nightlife.

Daily ReminderThis is a border control zone; visitation access may be adjusted. Photography and drone usage are prohibited at the border gate, border areas, and checkpoints.

Day 4 · Tashkurgan — Karakul Lake — Kashgar Old City — Stroll Through the Old Town — Kashgar

Dining: Breakfast: Hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

AccommodationKashgar Ctrip 4-Diamond

After breakfast, travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to Karakul Lake to enjoy the stunning scenery where the lake reflects Mount Muztagh Ata and Kongur Tagh.

Return to Kashgar by car. Stop for lunch and rest along the way as time permits to refresh after the long drive.

Arrive at Kashgar Old City, stroll through its earthen architecture streets, then enjoy a light photo session in the old town. Includes 15 raw photos; makeup and styling, plus professional editing, are not included.

Stroll freely through the Han Bazaar to shop for dried fruits, silk, and more. Visit Rainbow Lane and Bag Lane to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the ancient city streets.

After the ancient city tour, check into your hotel, drop off your luggage, and spend the evening as you wish. Rest or explore the night market based on your energy level.

Daily ReminderPlease respect local residents' wishes when taking photos in the ancient city. Knives and similar items must be shipped; they cannot be carried on your person.

Day 5: Kashgar → Old City of Shache (CITYWALK) → N39 Desert → Kashgar

Dining: Breakfast: Hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

AccommodationKashgar Ctrip 4-Diamond

After breakfast, head to Kashgar. Stroll through Kazanqi Street, explore century-old Uyghur courtyards, and admire intricate wood carvings alongside scenes of daily life in the old city.

Venture deep into Juwukule Lane, where you can find the Twelve Muqam relief murals hidden between latticed brick walls and grapevines.

Experience the Old City Teahouse: Climb into an ornate pavilion, sip herbal tea, enjoy sesame naan and oven-baked bao buns, and listen to folk musicians play and sing.

After lunch, head to N39 Desert to view the rolling sand dunes of the Taklamakan Desert.

After the tour, drive back to Kashgar, check into your hotel, and enjoy free time in the city for evening activities.

Daily ReminderToday's drive is long, so please bring snacks and drinks. Southern Xinjiang has strong winds and sand; protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated.

Day 6: Kashgar – Various Destinations

Dining: Breakfast: Hotel breakfast; Lunch: At your own expense; Dinner: At your own expense

AccommodationHome

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then depart for the airport or train station according to your flight or train schedule. Your driver will arrange transportation. Tour concludes.

Daily Reminder: We recommend packing in advance and allowing extra time to reach the airport or train station.

Included Fees

• Transportation: 7-seater vehicle with 1 + 1 First Class seats. One seat per person; airport transfer service does not specify the vehicle model.
• Accommodation: 3 nights at a Ctrip 4-diamond hotel in Kashgar, 2 nights at an oxygen-enriched Ctrip 5-diamond hotel in Taxkorgan.
• Tickets: Baisha Lake, Khunjerab Port of Entry, Muztagh Ata Glacier Park (tickets + shuttle), Karakul Lake, and N39 Desert (tickets + shuttle).
• Meals: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Other main meals listed in the itinerary are at your own expense.
• Driver: Full-time driver service provided; no tour guide included.
• Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance, plus the cost of domestic travel accident insurance.
• Children: Child rates include only the bike fee, excluding admission tickets, shuttle buses, accommodation, and breakfast.

Not included in the price

• Lunch, dinner, and entertainment included in the itinerary.
• Additional costs due to force majeure, such as traffic delays, strikes, weather conditions, or flight cancellations and changes.
• In-room laundry, hairdressing, telephone calls, pay TV, beverages, tobacco, and alcohol.

Gift Items

• Kashgar Ancient City photoshoot: 15 raw images included. Makeup and styling, as well as professional retouching, are not included.
• Tajik home visit: sample salty milk tea, yak yogurt, and specialty pastries.
• Snacks, seasonal fruit, or yogurt for the car.

Booking Terms

• High-Altitude Alert: The itinerary reaches a maximum altitude of approximately 4500 meters. Do not join if you have pre-existing health conditions or feel unwell.
• Group participation restrictions: Pregnant women and children under three years of age are not eligible to register.
• Participants aged 75 and above are not accepted; those aged 70-74 must provide a health certificate and be accompanied by an immediate relative under 60.
• Children under 18 traveling alone require a guardian's consent letter and must be accompanied by at least 1 adult relative(s).
• This is a nationwide group tour for 2-6 people. The trip departs with 2 participants and has a maximum capacity of 6. Seats are rotated daily.
• Single travelers may share a room. If no roommate is found, no single supplement will be charged. A single supplement applies if you prefer to stay alone.
• Standard rooms are double by default. Requests for king beds must be made to the hotel and are subject to availability on the day of arrival.
• The Khunjerab Pass border checkpoint is within a controlled border zone; access may change due to policy updates.
• Panlong Ancient Road has many curves and hazardous conditions. Please wear your seatbelt while driving and do not stop to take photos on the curves.
• Access to Muztaghata Glacier Park is restricted for visitors under 3, over 60, and those with underlying medical conditions. Tickets will be refunded.
• Weather in Taxkorgan varies significantly. If the Glacier Park is closed, this attraction will be cancelled and the ticket fee refunded.
• Hotel conditions in Xinjiang lag behind those in inland regions; accommodations in townships, mountainous areas, and scenic spots are typically one to two tiers lower.
• We recommend not booking return flights or train tickets for the day of your group departure.
• A tour notification will be sent before 22 the day before departure. If you haven't received it, please contact your booking agent.
• If a site is closed due to force majeure, both parties may agree to cancel or swap it. Any price difference will be refunded or collected on-site.
• If you leave the tour midway, any uncompleted portions are considered forfeited. Refunds will only be issued for unused services; bus fares are non-refundable.
• Please provide accurate identification details. Discounted tickets require presenting valid proof of eligibility at booking and during travel.
• Drivers are responsible only for pick-up coordination and safe driving; they do not provide tour commentary.

The itinerary is subject to change; the final confirmation sent before departure will prevail. For adjustments to duration, group size, or pace, please contact your consultant to customize a tailored plan.