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Silk Road Wonders of Northern Xinjiang

Experience the core of the ancient Silk Road in this 5-day journey. Discover the alpine beauty of Tianshan Heavenly Lake, the archaeological wonders of Turpan, and the golden dunes of the Kumtag Desert.

5days
14stops
553km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Urumqi · Turpan · Shanshan — start in Urumqi, end in Urumqi.

DAY01

Xinjiang Regional Museum → Hongshan Park

17 km · 31m driving · Overnight in Hongshan Park
  1. 09:00
    Xinjiang Regional Museum· start
  2. 11 km · 16m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ International Grand Bazaar
  4. 5.3 km · 15m
  5. 15:00
    Hongshan Park· overnight
DAY02

Tianshan Heavenly Lake → Urumqi

237 km · 4h 3m driving · Overnight in Urumqi City Center
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Tianshan Heavenly Lake· start
  2. 101 km · 1h 43m
  3. 12:00
    Maya Mountain Viewpoint
  4. 136 km · 2h 20m
  5. 15:00
    Urumqi City Center· overnight
DAY03

Jiaohe Ancient City → Emin Minaret

197 km · 2h 49m driving · Overnight in Emin Minaret
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Jiaohe Ancient City· start
  2. 188 km · 2h 30m
  3. 12:00
    Karez Irrigation System
  4. 9.2 km · 19m
  5. 15:00
    Emin Minaret· overnight
DAY04

Flaming Mountains → Kumtag Desert

41 km · 51m driving · Overnight in Kumtag Desert
  1. 09:00
    Flaming Mountains· start
  2. 41 km · 50m
  3. 12:00
    Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
  4. 0.3 km · 1m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Kumtag Desert· overnight
DAY05

Tuyugou Ancient Village → Urumqi

61 km · 1h 35m driving · long drive
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Tuyugou Ancient Village· start
  2. 61 km · 1h 35m
  3. 12:00
    Urumqi Diwopu International Airport
Heads Up
  • Day 5: 5h 28m driving — plan rest stops
  • Checkpoints are frequent; always keep your passport and travel permits easily accessible.
  • Expect significant temperature swings between day and night, especially in the desert regions.
  • The Duku Highway usually remains closed until June; stick to the main G30 corridor for May travel.
  • Day 5: Tuyugou Ancient Village → Urumqi Diwopu International Airport flight transit only 3.0h — allow ≥5h door-to-door