Southern Xinjiang Self-Launched 12-Day: Kashgar, Tashkurgan, Hotan, Taklimakan, Kuqa, Turpan & Urumqi
12 days · Southern Xinjiang, China
Silk Road Trips charges £2,380
No-markup version: ~£529 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Silk Road Trips' 12-day Southern Xinjiang loop, following the same route from Kashgar over the Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan, east along the Taklimakan Desert to Hotan, Aksu and Kuqa, then north through Turpan and Heavenly Lake to Urumqi. Instead of a 5-star group tour, you'll use the excellent (and cheap) Xinjiang rail network, shared taxis and local buses, stay in guesthouses and budget hotels, and book the same sights independently. Note: Xinjiang travel requires a bit more forward planning than elsewhere in China — some areas (Tashkurgan) need permits arranged locally, and it's wise to check your nationality's current entry rules and register with your embassy. All costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP and exclude international flights to China.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kashgar
Kashgar
Fly or train into Kashgar (many travellers arrive via Urumqi). Take a shared taxi or local bus from the airport into town. Check into a guesthouse or budget hotel near the Old Town and spend the afternoon wandering the alleys of Kashgar Old Town and the beer-and-kebab night market. Pick up a Chinese SIM/eSIM and set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card — essential for trains and tickets in China.
🚌Airport shared taxi/bus to centre ~£3-5
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Kashgar Old Town area (~£15-22)
- →Kashgar Old Town orientation walk
- →Night food market on Renmin Road
- →Set up mobile payments & eSIM
Kashgar: Id Kah Mosque, Apa Hoja Mausoleum & Handicraft Street
Kashgar
Self-guided day on foot and by local taxi. Start at Id Kah Mosque (exterior/visitor hours outside prayer times), walk Handicraft Street for copperwork and hat-makers, then take a cheap taxi out to the Apa Hoja Mausoleum (Abakh Khoja Tomb). Lunch: nang bread, laghman hand-pulled noodles and polo at a Uyghur family restaurant — budget £4-6. If it's a Sunday, head to the livestock market near the airport (best in the morning).
🚌Local taxis across town ~£3-4 total
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Kashgar (~£15-22)
- →Id Kah Mosque
- →Handicraft Street
- →Apa Hoja Mausoleum (entry ~£3-4)
- →Sunday Animal Bazaar (Sundays only)
Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan via White Sand Lake & Karakul Lake
Tashkurgan
The classic KKH day. The most economical route is a shared 4WD/minibus from Kashgar's bus stations or organised through your guesthouse (roughly £20-30 per person shared, often arranged the evening before). Alternatively public buses run Kashgar–Tashkurgan, but they don't stop for the lakes — most travellers pair up for a shared vehicle with photo stops. Stop at Opal/White Sand Lake and Karakul Lake (3,600m) with Muztagh Ata views. Carry your passport — there is a border-area checkpoint. Tonight stay in Tashkurgan (need a border permit, normally arranged by your driver/hotel).
🚌Shared 4WD/minibus Kashgar–Tashkurgan with stops ~£20-30
🛏Budget guesthouse in Tashkurgan (~£18-25)
- →White Sand Lake
- →Karakul Lake viewpoint (entry ~£5)
- →Muztagh Ata photo stops
Tashkurgan Stone City, then back to Kashgar
Kashgar
Morning walk to the Stone City ruins and grassland viewpoint above town (entry ~£4). Wander the small bazaar and have lunch, then take an afternoon shared vehicle or public bus back down the KKH to Kashgar (3-5 hrs, £15-25). Evening back in Kashgar — treat yourself to a rooftop tea and grilled lamb skewers.
🚌Shared vehicle/bus Tashkurgan–Kashgar ~£15-25
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Kashgar (~£15-22)
- →Tashkurgan Stone City ruins
- →Golden grassland viewpoint
- →Evening in Kashgar Old Town
Kashgar to Hotan via the Taklimakan Desert
Hotan
Long travel day east along the southern Taklimakan edge. Take an early train from Kashgar to Hotan (approx 5-6 hrs, second class ~£8-12) or an overnight sleeper if you prefer to save a hotel night. Arrive Hotan, check into a budget hotel, then explore the lively Hotan bazaar (jade, silk and carpets) and the old town alleys in the late afternoon. Hotan is also famous for silk and carpet workshops — ask your hotel where to see them.
🚌Train Kashgar–Hotan second class ~£8-12; local taxis ~£3
🛏Budget hotel in Hotan (~£15-20)
- →Hotan Bazaar
- →Hotan old town walk
- →Silk & carpet workshop (small tip)
Hotan to Aksu across the Taklimakan
Aksu
Travel day. Either the train Hotan–Aksu (roughly 6-8 hrs, second class ~£10-14) or, for the desert-crossing experience the tour advertises, look for a long-distance bus or shared car on the desert highway route — these run but are slow and less predictable, so the train is the reliable backpacker choice. Pack snacks and water. Evening arrival in Aksu: cheap noodles and an early night.
🚌Train Hotan–Aksu ~£10-14
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Aksu (~£15-20)
- →Taklimakan Desert scenery from the road/rail
- →Aksu evening market
Aksu to Kuqa: Kizil Grottoes & Tianshan Mysterious Canyon
Kuqa
Morning train Aksu–Kuqa (~2 hrs, ~£4-6). Drop bags at a budget hotel, then take a local bus or shared taxi to the Kizil Grottoes (Buddhist cave murals, entry ~£8-10) — around 70km from Kuqa, so a shared taxi or day-hire of a local driver (~£25-35 split) is the practical option; there is also a seasonal shuttle. Combine with the Tianshan Mysterious Canyon (entry ~£5-8). Back in Kuqa for dinner at a Uyghur restaurant.
🚌Train ~£4-6; shared taxi to grottoes/canyon ~£15-20 per person
🛏Budget hotel in Kuqa (~£15-20)
- →Kizil Grottoes
- →Tianshan Mysterious Canyon
Kuqa: Subash Monastery & Kuqa Mosque, then Korla
Korla
Morning visit to the Subash Buddhist monastery ruins (shared taxi, ~£8-12 per person round trip) and the Kuqa Mosque area, plus the local bazaar if it's a market day. Afternoon train Kuqa to Korla (~2 hrs, ~£4-6). Korla is a functional city — grab dinner by the Peacock River and rest up.
🚌Shared taxi ~£10; train Kuqa–Korla ~£4-6
🛏Budget hotel in Korla (~£15-20)
- →Subash Monastery ruins
- →Kuqa Mosque & bazaar
- →Peacock River evening walk
Korla to Turpan: Jiaohe Ancient City
Turpan
Train Korla–Turpan (~4-5 hrs, second class ~£8-11). Note Turpan has two stations — Turpan North is the high-speed one; take a local bus or shared taxi into town. In the late afternoon explore the Jiaohe Ancient City ruins (entry ~£8-10) — best in low light. Stay in a guesthouse in the Turpan vineyards; Hougou Valley is a pleasant evening stroll if time allows.
🚌Train Korla–Turpan ~£8-11; station transfer ~£2-3
🛏Guesthouse/budget hotel in Turpan (~£15-22)
- →Jiaohe Ancient City ruins
- →Hougou Valley walk
Turpan full day: Bezeklik, Gaochang, Karez & Emin Minaret
Turpan
Big sightseeing day best done by bike hire (~£5/day) or a shared day taxi (~£25-35 split). Hit Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (entry ~£8-10), the Ancient City of Gaochang (~£8) and the Karez irrigation system (~£4-5); finish at Emin Minaret and Toyuk Valley for Uyghur village life and dried-fruit shopping. Sight tickets: consider the Turpan multi-site pass if offered. Dinner: Uyghur laghman and sweet Turpan melons.
🚌Bike hire ~£5 or shared day taxi ~£12-15 per person
🛏Guesthouse/budget hotel in Turpan (~£15-22)
- →Bezeklik Caves
- →Gaochang Ancient City
- →Karez Irrigation System
- →Emin Minaret
- →Toyuk Valley & dried fruit market
Turpan to Urumqi via Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)
Urumqi
Take the high-speed train Turpan North–Urumqi (~1 hr, ~£7-10), leave bags at a hostel/budget hotel near the station or centre, then day-trip to Tianchi Heavenly Lake. Public route: bus to Fukang (~£2) then local shuttle to the Tianchi gate, or join a shared day shuttle (~£15-20 return). Lake entry ~£12-15 plus internal shuttle. Alternatively visit on the way if you hire a shared car. Evening in Urumqi: Grand Bazaar for food and last-minute shopping.
🚌High-speed train ~£7-10; Tianchi shuttle ~£15-20
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Urumqi (~£18-25)
- →Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)
- →Urumqi Grand Bazaar
Urumqi & depart
Urumqi
Morning at the Xinjiang Regional Museum (free, excellent Silk Road and mummy collection — book ahead online) or a wander around the Grand Bazaar. Airport bus or DiDi to Diwopu airport for your onward flight; if you're continuing into China, Urumqi is also a major rail hub for Lanzhou/Xi'an.
🚌Airport bus ~£2 or DiDi ~£5-8
🛏—
- →Xinjiang Regional Museum (free)
- →Grand Bazaar
Self-launched vs. Silk Road Trips
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Silk Road Trips | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£529 | £2,380 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,851 per person (78%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Silk Road Trips-style trips? Check them out here.~£529
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Southern Xinjiang Self-Launched 12-Day: Kashgar, Tashkurgan, Hotan, Taklimakan, Kuqa, Turpan & Urumqi cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £529 per person for 12 days in Southern Xinjiang, China. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Silk Road Trips?+
Yes — Silk Road Trips charges around £2,380 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £529 — a saving of roughly £1,851 (78%) per person.
How long is the Southern Xinjiang, China trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Southern Xinjiang, China.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, road-trip trip through Southern Xinjiang, China, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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