15 Days Xinjiang Luxury New Orient Express Tour June & July 2026

In the morning, we will travel via the 【Guozigou Bridge】 to Sayram Lake (approx. 2.5-hour drive). Known as the gateway to the Ili River Valley, Guozigou boasts breathtaking scenery—azure skies, snow-capped mountains, towering pines, and winding roads that unfold like a scroll of natural beauty. The Guozigou Bridge, with a total investment of 2.4 billion RMB, spans 700 meters in length, with a clear height of 200 meters from the bridge deck to the valley floor. Its main towers stand at 209 meters and 215.5 meters respectively, featuring an all-steel truss structure fabricated with 17,000 tons of special-purpose bridge steel domestically produced. Connected by high-strength bolts, the bridge’s installation accuracy is controlled within 2 millimeters. It is the first cable-stayed bridge on the regional highway network and China’s first highway double-tower, double-cable-plane steel truss cable-stayed bridge. Later in the afternoon we will continue to explore 【Sayram Lake】 (total tour duration: approx. 4 hours). Known as the "Pure Sea of the West" in ancient times, it is the highest-altitude and largest alpine cold-water lake in Xinjiang. Dubbed "the Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean"—as it is the final destination of the Atlantic’s warm, moist air currents—the lake is surrounded by the Haixi Grassland, carpeted with a riot of colorful flowers: golden, purple, scarlet, and a myriad of hues. Nearby, the crystal-clear blue water shimmers under the sky, while in the distance, snow-capped peaks blend seamlessly with the horizon, presenting a stunning watercolor painting come to life.

Breakfast: Hotel; Lunch: Local Specialty; Dinner: Local Specialty

Accommodation: Yining Tianyuan International Hotel or similar

Drive from Yining to visit 【Naraty Grassland】 (accommodation inside the scenic area; flexible tour duration). As one of Xinjiang’s Top Ten Scenic Spots, it is nestled in the Ili River Valley—hailed as the "South of the Yangtze River Beyond the Great Wall"—boasting breathtaking natural scenery. Immerse yourself in the grassland’s charm: dotted with gurgling mountain springs, crisscrossed by clear streams, lined with towering spruce trees along the valleys, scattered with yurts, and dotted with flocks of cattle and sheep like clouds on the horizon. Experience the simple and sincere folk customs of the Kazakh people, and let your mood soar freely across the vast grassland.

Breakfast: Hotel; Lunch: Local Specialty; Dinner: Local Specialty

Accommodation: Naraty Hayinsai Hotel or similar

Wake up naturally and enjoy free time within the scenic area. Explore the self-contained market near the hotel, savor a cup of coffee, and indulge in a leisurely and relaxing morning! In the afternoon we will travel along the northern section of the Duku Highway to 【Tangbula Ten-Mile Gallery】, and later arrive at the hotel for check-in.

Breakfast: Hotel; Lunch: Local Specialty; Dinner: Local Specialty

Accommodation: Tangbula Shubo Risi Hotel or similar

In the morning, we will explore 【Tangbula Grassland】 (approx. 3-hour tour). As one of the most renowned grasslands in the Ili region, Tangbula boasts stunning natural scenery. Dense spruce forests unfold only upon entering Tangbula Valley: the roaring Kashgar River surges endlessly, while the southern bank is carpeted with lush green grass. Inside the valley, clear streams gurgle gently, and towering spruce trees stand tall and verdant. With its picturesque mountains, crystal-clear waters, and refreshing climate, Tangbula Valley presents a breathtaking landscape in summer—layered peaks cloaked in emerald green, like a living painting or a scroll of natural beauty. In the afternoon continue driving along the Northern Section of the 【Duku Road】. Upon arrival in Kuitun, visit the Duku Highway Starting Point Memorial Hall (if closed on Monday, the itinerary will be adjusted to Dushanzi Grand Canyon). After the tour, board the New Orient Express bound for Kuqa.

Breakfast: Hotel; Lunch: Simple Food; Dinner: Local Specialty

Accommodation: New Orient Express 

Upon arrival in Kuqa, we will proceed to visit the 【Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon】 (approx. 1.5-hour tour). A masterpiece of nature that combines the finest charms of canyons and the majestic wonders of the Tianshan Mountains, this canyon embodies eternal spiritual essence and integrates six distinct features: wonder, mystery, peril, grandeur, antiquity, and serenity. Boasting unique landscapes and extraordinary scenery, it is an enchanting gem along the ancient Silk Road’s golden tourist route. Later in the afternoon, we will travel to 【Kuqa Naan City】 (approx. 1-hour tour). The naan-making experience is an immersive cultural and tourism project that blends intangible cultural heritage inheritance, hands-on craftsmanship, and culinary exploration. Centered on Xinjiang’s traditional naan-making techniques, it allows participants to personally unlock the entire process "from dough to delicacy," experiencing the warmth of Silk Road food culture through engaging interactions. In the evening, board the New Orient Express bound for Kashgar.

Breakfast: New Orient Express; Lunch: Local Specialty; Dinner: Local Specialty

Accommodation: New Orient Express

Breakfast will be served on the train. Upon arrival in Kashgar in the morning, you will be met at the station and transferred to visit 【Gaotai Residence】 (approx. 1.5-hour tour). Perched on a 40-meter-high, 800-meter-long loess cliff at the northeastern end of Kashgar’s old town, this Uyghur settlement boasts a history of over 600 years. It stands as a premier showcase of ancient Uyghur residential architecture and folk customs in Kashgar. Here, you can experience traditional intangible cultural heritage (ICH) crafts of Kashgar, including an exclusive tea break. As time-honored artisanal techniques, Kashgar’s block printing and earthen pottery not only possess dual aesthetic and practical values but also represent the millennium-old accumulation of Chinese culture’s diverse branches. In the afternoon, we will travel to Yingjisha County to visit the 【Yingjisha Knife Museum】 (approx. 1.5-hour drive; 1.5-hour tour). Recognized as one of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s first batch of characteristic museums, it officially received its regional-level designation on May 18, 2022. Located in Kalabashi Village, Mangxin Town, Yingjisha County, the museum covers a construction area of 4,100 square meters. Centered on the preservation and inheritance of the national-level ICH—Yingjisha knife-making craftsmanship—it features exhibition areas and a souvenir shop organized around the themes of "Knife History, Knife Craftsmanship, Knife Spirit, and Knife Collection," integrating functions of collection, exhibition, preservation, and education. After the tour, return to Kashgar and check into the hotel.

Breakfast: New Orient Express; Lunch: Local Specialty; Dinner: Welcome Dinner

Accommodation: Kashgar Raddison Blu Hotel or similar

We will visit the 【White Sand Lake】 in the morning (approx. 3.5-hour drive; 1-hour tour; altitude: approx. 3,300 meters). Blessed with lush pastures and gatherings of waterfowl, the lake is framed by cyan mountain ridges partially shrouded in white sand, rolling endlessly into the distance. Together with the snow-capped peaks atop the mountains and the lakes and rivers at the foot, it forms a magnificent and spectacular natural wonder. In the afternoon we will continue to visit the 【Karakul Lake Scenic Area】 (approx. 1.5-hour drive; 1-hour tour; altitude: approx. 3,300 meters). To the east of the lake stands the "Father of Glaciers"—Mount Muztagata, while to the west towers the winding and undulating Sarikol Mountains. After the tour, return to the hotel in downtown Kashgar for rest (approx. 4-hour drive).

Breakfast: Hotel; Lunch: Local Specialty; Dinner: Local Specialty

Accommodation: Kashgar Raddison Blu Hotel or similar 

Board a VIP electric shuttle and wander through the Eastern District of 【Kashgar Ancient City】 (approx. 20-minute shuttle ride; total tour duration: 2 hours). Hailed as a bright pearl on the ancient Silk Road, Kashgar Ancient City stands as a convergence of Eastern and Western civilizations. Its profound history radiates renewed charm with an open and inclusive spirit. Within the scenic area, numerous bazaars—including the Hat Bazaar, Dried Fruit Bazaar, and Jade Bazaar—vividly embody the millennium-old civilization of the entire ancient city. Later continue exploring the ancient city in the Western District of Kashgar Ancient City (including 【Id Kah Mosque】; total tour duration: 2 hours). In the evening, board the New Orient Express bound for Korla.

Breakfast: Hotel; Lunch: Halal Meal; Dinner: New Orient Express

Accommodation: New Orient Express

Upon arrival we will visit the 【Luobu Village】 (including shuttle bus) (total tour duration: approx. 2 hours) to visit this ancient ethnic group that has relied on fishing for survival along the Tarim River. Located 35 kilometers southwest of Yuli County, the village covers an area of 72 square kilometers and belongs to Qongkule Ranch. It is a paradise inhabited by the Luobu people, encompassing the Taklamakan Desert, wandering lakes, the Tarim River, primeval poplar forests, grasslands, and the Luobu community itself. Here, deserts, inland rivers, green corridors, and the ancient Silk Road converge, forming a natural landscape of golden quality. As one of Xinjiang’s oldest ethnic groups, the Luobu people live by the small lakes along the Tarim River, following a traditional lifestyle of "neither cultivating grains nor herding livestock, surviving solely on fishing from small boats." Venturing deeper into the area, you will encounter vast stretches of poplar trees lining the Tarim River, leading to the boundless "China’s largest desert"—the 【Taklamakan Desert】. Camel riding is available here (optional; costs at own expense). Later, board the New Orient Express bound for Urumqi and check into the hotel.

Breakfast: New Orient Express; Lunch: Local Specialty; Dinner: Local Specialty

Accommodation: Urumuqi Hilton Hotel or similar 

You will be free till your flight departs. Our driver will send you to airport based on your flight schedule. Tour ends.

Breakfast: Hotel; Lunch: /; Dinner: /

Accommodation: /

 

Special Note:

1. This program opens booking for Chinese citizens including Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan travelers as well as foreign travelers. If some sites are not open to foreign travelers due to local policy, we will arrange other plans instead.
2. We can equip Englishs speaking tour leader to accompany you but the local guides in Xinjiang will be Chinese speaking.