10 Day Joyful Group Tour to Southern Xinjiang Taste Local Cuisine and Explore Daily Life Preferred Booking Methods and Recommended Itinerary Pricing
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
Starred Journey✨:10-Day In-Depth Tour of Southern Xinjiang: A Dual Exploration of Cuisine and Local Life
The charm of Southern Xinjiang lies hidden in the alleyways of its ancient cities, at the foot of the snow-capped mountains of the Pamir Plateau, and even more so in the bustling markets and dining tables of its various ethnic groups. In 2026, a 10-day group tour of Southern Xinjiang centered around ‘food exploration + local life’ will take you through deserts, grasslands, and canyons, measuring the depth of this land with your taste buds and feeling the vibrant vitality of the Western Regions with your footsteps.
I. Itinerary Highlights: A Double Feast of Cuisine and Culture
[Comprehensive Food Map Coverage]
The itinerary selects four major food hubs in Southern Xinjiang:
Kashgar Old Town Night Market:Experience the ‘Silk Road on the Tip of Your Tongue’ with roasted pigeon, pot-cooked meat, hand-pulled rice, rose petal jam naan, paired with salty milk tea from a century-old teahouse.
Hotan Night Market:Feel the vibrant atmosphere of the ‘Jade Capital’ with red willow-skewered meat, grilled eggs, and yogurt zongzi.
Kuqa Big Naan City:Unlock the staple food culture of Southern Xinjiang with ‘wheel naan’ measuring 1 meter in diameter and chili naan, paired with Kuqa medicinal tea.
Tashkurgan County:Savor the warmth beneath the snow-capped mountains with yak meat hotpot, hand-pulled rice from various ethnic groups, paired with unique highland butter tea.
[In-Depth Local Life Experience]
Starred Journey✨: 10-Day In-Depth Tour of Southern Xinjiang: A Dual Exploration of Cuisine and Local LifeKashgar Grand Bazaar:Participate in a ‘bargaining challenge’ and learn the trading wisdom of Southern Xinjiang among stalls of dried fruits, carpets, and copperware.
Hotan Yurungkash River:Follow locals in the early morning to ‘pick jade’ and listen to old craftsmen tell stories of jade culture.
Home Visits to Various Ethnic Groups:Learn to make naan, milk yaks, participate in eagle flute dances, and feel the warmth of highland ethnic groups.
[Intersection of Nature and Culture]
Baisha Lake:The ‘Blue Tears’ of the Pamir Plateau, where sandy mountains and blue waters complement each other.
Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves:Earlier cave art than the magnificent grottoes of Dunhuang, listening to Buddhist stories of the Western Regions.
Taklimakan Desert Highway:Cross the ‘Sea of Death’ and photograph the spectacular desert sunset.
II. Simple Itinerary: 10 Days, 9 Nights, Slowly Enjoying Southern Xinjiang
[Days 1-2:Gathering in Urumqi, First Encounter with the Western Regions]
Arrive in Urumqi, check into hotel, and enjoy free time. Recommend visiting the International Grand Bazaar to taste baked stuffed buns, mixed noodles, and purchase dried fruits as souvenirs. The next day, take a train/flight to Kashgar to acclimate to the highland climate.
[Days 3-4:Kashgar Old Town, Symphony of Food and History]
The charm of Southern Xinjiang lies hidden in the alleyways of its ancient cities, at the foot of the snow-capped mountains of the Pamir Plateau, and even more so in the bustling markets and dining tables of its various ethnic groups. In 2026, a 10-day group tour of Southern Xinjiang centered around ‘food exploration + local life’ will take you through deserts, grasslands, and canyons, measuring the depth of this land with your taste buds and feeling the vibrant vitality of the Western Regions with your footsteps.Morning:Visit Id Kah Mosque to understand the folk culture of Southern Xinjiang.
Afternoon:Stroll through Kashgar Old Town, photograph the opening ceremony, and visit a century-old teahouse.
Evening:Night market revelry, recommended: ‘Guli’s Roasted Pigeon’ and ‘Grandpa’s Grandpa’s Naan’.
Next Day:Depart for Hotan, stopping at the Yecheng Xinjiang-Tibet Highway Zero Kilometer Monument for a photo opportunity.
[Days 5-6:Hotan, Jade Capital, Collision of Local Life and Desert]
Morning:Experience jade picking at the Yurungkash River and visit the Hotan jade trading market.
Afternoon:Hotan night market food challenge, recommended: grilled eggs and yogurt zongzi.
Next Day:Cross the Taklimakan Desert Highway, photograph the Desert Highway Monument, and stay overnight in阿拉尔 (Alaer).
[Days 7-8:Kuqa and Kizil, Awe of Grottoes and Canyons]
Morning:Visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and listen to expert explanations of Western Regions Buddhist art.
Afternoon:Experience naan-making at Kuqa Big Naan City and taste chili naan.
I. Itinerary Highlights: A Double Feast of Cuisine and CultureNext Day:Tour the Tianshan Grand Canyon, photographing the spectacular scene of red rock canyons intertwined with blue skies.
[Days 9-10:Pamir Plateau, Farewell to Snow-Capped Mountains and Blue Lakes]
Morning:Depart for Tashkurgan County, passing by Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, photographing the reflection of Muztagh Ata.
Afternoon:Home visits to various ethnic groups, learn to make highland naan, and participate in eagle flute dances.
Next Day:Return to Kashgar, enjoy free time according to flight schedule, recommended to purchase fig jam and rose petal jam as souvenirs.
III. Price Explanation: Transparent Consumption, Worry-Free Travel
The price range for the 2026 10-day group tour of Southern Xinjiang is 6800-9800 yuan per person, including:
Transportation:Round-trip transportation from Urumqi to Kashgar (train hard sleeper/economy class), local regular tourist buses.
Accommodation:Comfortable hotels throughout the trip, 1 night in a characteristic guesthouse in Kashgar Old Town, 1 night in an economy hotel in Tashkurgan County.
Meals:9 breakfasts and 18 main meals, with an average of 40-60 yuan per person for main meals, including special dishes such as roast whole lamb and yak meat hotpot.
[Comprehensive Food Map Coverage]Admission Tickets:First entrance tickets to core attractions such as Kashgar Old Town, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, and Tianshan Grand Canyon.
Services:Professional guide explanations, home visit experiences to various ethnic groups, and emergency support on the Desert Highway.
Exclusions:
Personal expenses (such as shopping, optional horse riding, etc.).
Secondary consumption within scenic areas (such as special cave explanations at Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves).
：Single travelers will do their best to arrange room sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation.
Prices may fluctuate depending on the tour date and are subject to the contract signed by both parties.
IV. Registration Method: Professional Services, Comfortable Travel
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for information on recent tour dates and available spots.
V. Fee and Service Explanation: Detailed Guarantees, Peaceful Journey
[Service Standards]
The itinerary selects four major food hubs in Southern Xinjiang:Vehicles:New cars within 3 years, daily disinfection, equipped with first aid kits and oxygen cylinders.
Guides:Certified guides familiar with the history and food culture of Southern Xinjiang, providing free photography guidance.
Accommodation:Preferred hotels with a rating of 4.5 or above, electric blankets and humidifiers provided in Tashkurgan County accommodations.
Meals:Collaboration with local time-honored brands, striving for fresh ingredients and comprehensive meal coverage.
[Special Reminders]
Pass:A pass is required to visit Tashkurgan County and can be arranged through the travel agency.
Altitude Sickness:The Pamir Plateau is at an altitude of 3000-4500 meters; it is recommended to take Rhodiola in advance and avoid strenuous exercise.
Weather:Large temperature differences between day and night in Southern Xinjiang; thin down jackets are recommended in summer, along with sunscreen and sunglasses.
The actual itinerary is subject to consultation and signing of the contract; reasonable changes to the itinerary can be made by mutual agreement.
VI. Why Choose Southern Xinjiang?
Traveling in Southern Xinjiang is a collision of ‘toughness’ and ‘softness.’ Here, you’ll find the vastness of the world’s second-largest mobile desert, the sanctity of the Pamir Plateau, and the warmth woven by various ethnic groups through their vibrant daily lives. In 2026, follow Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency to understand the AB sides of Southern Xinjiang in 10 days—A side is magnificent nature, and B side is vibrant life.
Consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing to start your journey of cuisine and local life in Southern Xinjiang!
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
