20-Day Pakistan & China Epic Journey: Karakoram Highway, Pamir Plateau, Taklamakan Desert & Hexi Corridor

1. Tour Highlights:

• Islamabad: The "Garden Capital," a modern, green city nestled at the foot of the Margalla Hills.
• Skardu & Deosai National Park: Fly over the "Valley of Fairies" plateau, hike across the world's highest-altitude desert, and camp under the starry sky.
• Kachura Lakes & Gilgit: Azure alpine lakes and a journey along the most spectacular section of the Karakoram Highway.
• Hunza Valley: Visit ancient forts (Altit and Baltit) and the Eagle's Nest viewpoint; gaze up at snow-capped peaks like Rakaposhi.

• Pamir Plateau: Khunjerab Pass, Karakul Lake, Muztagh Ata, and Oytag Red Mountain Glacier.
• Taxkorgan Starlight Camp: Overnight stay on the plateau under the Milky Way; explore the 2,500-year-old Stone City.
• Kashgar Old City: Uyghur culture, the Grand Bazaar, and authentic local cuisine.
• Southern Xinjiang Cultural Corridor: Dawlang Art Village, Golden Poplar Forest, Hotan Museum, jade hunting at the Yurungkash River, and Tuancheng Night Market.
• Desert Highway Crossing: Traverse the heart of the Taklamakan Desert and visit the emerald waters of Segezikul Lake.
• Kuqa Geological Wonders: Tomur Grand Canyon, Kizil Red Stone Forest, Flaming Spring, and Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon.
• Turpan Flaming Mountains: Filming location for *Journey to the West*; Tuyugou Canyon and Mazar Ancient Village.
• Hami Dahuidao (Great Sea Route): Mars-like Yardang landforms and a hidden gem of the ancient Silk Road.
• Dunhuang Silk Road Treasures: Mogao Caves, Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Moon Spring, and the immersive show *Seeing Dunhuang Again*.
• Zhangye Colorful Danxia: A landscape resembling God's overturned palette.
• Xining Tibetan Culture: A massive 618-meter-long Thangka painting and the "Three Artistic Wonders" of Ta'er Monastery.
• Zhongwei Desert Water City: Sheepskin raft rides and camel trekking at Shapotou; "Route 66" style Western-movie scenery.
• Yinchuan Historical Sites: The 108 Pagodas of Qingtongxia, Zhenbeipu Western Film City, and Helan Mountain Rock Art.

2. Itinerary Overview: 

Day 1: Islamabad

Arrive in Islamabad and check into your hotel independently. Enjoy some free time to explore Pakistan's modern capital, situated at the foot of the Margalla Hills.

Overnight: Islamabad (Hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Skardu

Fly from Islamabad Airport to Skardu. After checking into your campsite, visit Deosai National Park to explore this extraordinary high-altitude plateau before returning to the campsite (located in a camping park) for the night.

Overnight: Skardu (Glamping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Gilgit & Hunza Valley

Travel from Skardu to Hunza Valley, passing by Kachura Lake. Stop in Gilgit for lunch along the way. This scenic drive offers views of towering peaks, concluding with an overnight stay in the mountainous Hunza Valley.

Overnight: Hunza Valley

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Hunza Valley

Begin the tour at Baltit Fort, once the seat of power for the Hunza principality. Next, visit the 1,000-year-old Ganish Village, the oldest settlement in the Hunza Valley along the ancient Silk Road.

Afterwards, visit Altit Fort, the oldest monument in Gilgit-Baltistan, with a history spanning over 1,100 years. In the evening, drive to Eagle's Nest Viewpoint (located 20–30 minutes from Hunza). From this vantage point, enjoy panoramic views of terraced fields, traditional villages, and the winding Hunza River. On clear days, the vista includes some of the Karakoram Range's most iconic peaks, such as Rakaposhi, Golden Peak (Spantik), Diran, Ultar Sar, and Ladyfinger Peak. Afterwards, we returned to our accommodation to spend the night.

Overnight: Hunza Valley

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: The Charm of Tashkurgan

Today, we depart from the Hunza Valley—a gem near the China-Pakistan border—and cross the sacred Khunjerab Pass to enter China. We will explore the ruins of the Stone City (Tashkurgan) along the ancient Silk Road and finally drift off to sleep beneath the brilliant starry sky of the Pamir Plateau.

After driving from the Hunza Valley to Sost, we transfer to a cross-border bus. We cross the Khunjerab Pass—the world's highest border crossing at an altitude of 4,733 meters—and experience the unique moment of straddling two countries with a single step. Please note that a Chinese visa must be obtained in advance; visas on arrival are not available at this crossing.

Upon arriving in Tashkurgan in the afternoon, we head to the hillside north of the town to visit the Stone City ruins, which date back over 2,500 years. Built in the 2nd century BC, this ancient city served as the capital of the Puli Kingdom—one of the "Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions" during the Han Dynasty. Walking among the crumbling walls and ruins, one can sense the passage of time and the echoes of history.

We spend the night at a stargazing campsite. Located in the southeastern Pamir Plateau at an average altitude of 3,100 meters, Tashkurgan has minimal light pollution, making it a prime location for stargazing. The highland night sky is filled with stars, and the Milky Way is clearly visible; this dazzling celestial display provides a soothing, perfect conclusion to a long day of travel.

Day 6: Kashgar—The Ultimate Pilgrimage on the Pamir Plateau

Travel from Tashkurgan to Kashgar along the China-Pakistan Friendship Snow-Mountain Road (G314), a route showcasing glaciers, snow peaks, lakes, red-rock canyons, and wetlands.

Stop 1: Karakul Lake & Muztagh Ata
Karakul Lake (3,600m) – "Black Lake" in Kyrgyz – changes color with the light: azure on sunny days, deep black when overcast. Behind it stands Muztagh Ata (7,546m), the "Father of Ice Mountains."

Stop 2: Oytag Glacier National Forest Park
A hidden realm of red Danxia landforms and modern glaciers, where ice cascades down from peaks into fiery red canyons.

Evening arrival in Kashgar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Yecheng (Kargilik)

Journey from Kashgar to Yecheng, with stops in Makit and Zepu.

• Dolang Painting Village – "Home of Peasant Paintings." Vibrant, rustic artworks reveal the Dolang people’s history and Uyghur artistic spirit.

• Jinhuyang National Forest Park (Zepu) – Best in Sept–Oct when golden poplar leaves contrast with blue sky and water, like an oil painting.

• Xiye Lost City – At dusk, explore this atmospheric ancient Silk Road ruin.

Overnight in Yecheng.

Day 8: Hotan (Khotan)

Travel from Yecheng to Hotan (3h20m).

• Hotan Museum – See the "Five Stars Rise in the East Benefiting China" brocade arm guard and explore the ancient Kingdom of Khotan.

• Yurungkash River – Try jade hunting along the riverbank.

• Tuancheng Folk Culture Street – Experience traditional aiwan architecture and Southern Xinjiang charm.

• Hotan Night Market – Feast on crispy samsa, roast pigeon, sweet melon, pomegranate juice, and enjoy Uyghur song & dance.

Overnight in Hotan.

Day 9: Aksu

Today, cross the Taklamakan Desert (world's 2nd largest shifting-sand desert) on a 7-hour drive through endless dunes and resilient poplars.
Stop at Segezikuile Emerald Lake – a hidden gem fed by Kunlun snowmelt. Its mineral-rich waters shift from light green to deep emerald, like a turquoise jewel in the golden desert.

Arrive in Aksu for overnight stay.

Day 10: Kuqa

Depart Aksu to explore the Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon – a "living museum of geological evolution" with Mars-like landscapes blending Danxia, Yardang, and salt karst formations.

Continue to Kuqa. Visit the Kuqa King’s Palace (built 1759) in the old town, a grand Uyghur architectural complex blending Central Plains and local styles.

Overnight in Kuqa.

Day 11: Kuqa & Flight to Urumqi

Morning: Explore Kizil Red Stone Forest (colorful rock formations along Duku Highway) and Blazing Spring (water-fire coexistence).
Afternoon: Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon (Kuqa Grand Canyon) – red-brown cliffs glowing with fiery hues under shifting light.
Evening: Fly from Kuqa to Urumqi. Overnight in Urumqi.

Day 12: Urumqi to Turpan

Today, we travel from Urumqi to Turpan—a journey of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. Along the way, we visit natural wonders such as Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) and the Xinjiang Salt Lake before finally arriving in Turpan, known as the "Land of Fire."

In the morning, we visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar to experience its rich, exotic atmosphere. En route, we enjoy the natural scenery of the Tianshan Grand Canyon and the unique landscapes of the Xinjiang Salt Lake area.

We arrive in Turpan in the evening. Famous for the "Flaming Mountains" featured in the classic novel *Journey to the West*, Turpan is also a kingdom of grapes. In stark contrast to the heatwaves of the Flaming Mountains lies the cool Grape Valley; here, amidst lush, intertwined vines, visitors can taste some of the world's sweetest grapes. We check into our hotel in Turpan.

Day 13: Turpan to Hami — Crossing the Flaming Mountains and Exploring Ancient Villages

Morning: Drive 30 min to Flaming Mountains (red sandstone, China's hottest spot, summer surface >70°C). Then 50 min east to Tuyugou Scenic Area – a Silk Road living fossil combining canyon, ancient grottoes, and earthen village.
Afternoon: Take a 2-hour high-speed train to Hami. Overnight in Hami.

Day 14: Hami & Flight to Dunhuang

Today, explore Hami—the eastern gateway to Xinjiang—and experience the spectacular Yardang landforms of the Dahaidao Scenic Area, before flying to Dunhuang, the "Pearl of the Silk Road."

In the morning, drive to the Dahaidao Scenic Area. This site features an ancient route of the Silk Road and boasts the world's largest and most well-developed cluster of Yardang landforms. Traveling through the area feels like stepping onto Mars—a truly breathtaking experience. After the tour, fly from Hami Airport to Dunhuang in the evening and check in at a hotel in Dunhuang.

Day 15: Dunhuang & Flight to Zhangye

Spend the day immersed in the grotto art and magnificent scenery of Dunhuang, experiencing the cultural impact of the ancient Silk Road, before flying to Zhangye.

In the morning, visit the Mogao Caves (a World Heritage Site) and watch the large-scale indoor immersive drama *Seeing Dunhuang* to experience the city's history in an engaging, immersive way. In the afternoon, visit Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring to witness the unique spectacle of a desert and a clear spring coexisting. In the evening, after the tour, fly from Dunhuang Airport to Zhangye and check in at a hotel in Zhangye.

Day 16: Zhangye & High-Speed ​​Train to Xining

Today, visit the Zhangye Colorful Danxia—often described as "God's spilled palette"—before taking a high-speed train to Xining.

In the morning, tour the Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area. The colors of the Danxia landscape shift with the changing light and shadows. Wearing pure white or black clothing is recommended to create a striking contrast against the multicolored mountains.

In the evening, after the tour, take a high-speed train to Xining and check in at a hotel in Xining.

Day 17: Xining & High-Speed ​​Train to Zhongwei

Today, immerse yourself in mysterious Tibetan culture in Xining with a visit to Ta'er Monastery, followed by a high-speed train journey to Zhongwei.

In the morning, visit the Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum—home to a breathtaking 618-meter-long Thangka painting and an excellent place to gain insight into Tibetan culture. Afterward, tour Ta'er Monastery, one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, to experience its rich history and unique "Three Artistic Wonders."

After the afternoon tour concludes, take the high-speed train to Zhongwei.

Day 18: Zhongwei

Today, experience the unique charm of Zhongwei—the "Desert Water City"—by exploring the Shapotou Scenic Area and visiting the viral "Route 66" photo spot.

In the morning, head to the Shapotou Scenic Area. Experience ancient sheepskin raft drifting in the Yellow River zone, and enjoy camel riding and desert off-roading in the desert zone to soak up the majestic desert atmosphere. The best time for photography is the hour before sunset, when the light is soft and the colors are rich.

In the afternoon, visit the "Route 66" photo spot. Located in the Shapotou District, this road connects Zhongwei City with the ancient village of Beichangtan. With its undulating, winding path and views framing the Gobi Desert, mountains, and the Yellow River, any snapshot looks like a scene from a Western movie. Return to your hotel in Zhongwei after the tour.

Day 19: Zhongwei to Yinchuan

Travel from Zhongwei to Yinchuan today, visiting the Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon, Zhenbeipu Western Film City, and the Helan Mountain Rock Art along the way.

In the morning, visit the Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area. As the final gorge on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, it offers magnificent riverside scenery and a chance to see the mysterious "108 Pagodas."

In the afternoon, head to Zhenbeipu Western Film City, the filming location for classics such as *A Chinese Odyssey* and *New Dragon Gate Inn*. Afterward, explore the Helan Mountain Rock Art Scenic Area to admire the ancient art gallery left by early inhabitants. Check into your hotel in Yinchuan.

Day 20: Yinchuan & End of Itinerary

Enjoy some free time in Yinchuan this morning to explore local neighborhoods or shop for souvenirs. Our driver will provide a private transfer to the airport or train station based on your departure schedule, marking the successful conclusion of this journey across the Pamir Plateau, the Taklamakan Desert, the Hexi Corridor, and the Golden Banks of the Yellow River.

3. Pricing & Practical Information：

3.1. The Fee Includes：

• All entrance tickets for the attractions mentioned in the itinerary, as well as activities within the scenic areas:

De'aosai National Park，Kachura Lake,Hunza Valley,Baltit Fort,Altit Fort

Ancient Stone City & Pamir Tourist Area,Karakul Lake & Muztagh Ata,Oytag Glacier National Forest Park,Kashgar Old City,Dolang Painting Village Scenic Area

Jinhuyang National Forest Park,Xiye Ancient City Ruins Scenic Area,Hotan Museum,Yurungkash River,Segezikuile ​​Emerald Lake,Taklamakan Desert,Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon,Kuche King's Palace,Baicheng Flaming Spring,Kizil Red Stone Forest Scenic Area,Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon,Kiziliya Scenic Area

Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar,Tianshan Grand Canyon,Xinjiang Salt Lake Scenic Area,Grape Valley,Jiaohe Post Station & Karez Well Origin,Dahai Dao (Ticket + Self-driving),Mogao Caves & "Seeing Dunhuang" Performance,Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area,Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum,Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery),Shapotou Desert & Yellow River Scenic Area: Internal transport + Rafting combo (Speedboat & Raft) + Yellow River Zipline + Sand-sliding + Cable car + Camel circuit + Desert dune bashing vehicle + Desert "Flying Apsaras" experience + Yellow River glass bridge + Shoe covers,Route 66 & Beichangtan,Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon Scenic Area,Helan Mountain Rock Art,Zhenbeipu Western Film Studio

• English-speaking tour guide (20 days).

• Local transportation (based on the number of participants, with one seat per person guaranteed).

• Car expenses during the tour, including a local driver (20 days).
• High-speed train ticket First-class seat：Turpan to Hami, Zhangye to Xining,Xining to Zhongwei,
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner of Day 1~Day 5; Breakfast and 1 main meal（Lunch or Dinner ），It offers tourists the convenience of freely choosing to sample cuisine from various Chinese cities.

3.2. The Fee Does Not Include：

• Additional expenses due to force majeure such as traffic delays, strikes, weather, aircraft or equipment failure, flight cancellations or rescheduling;

• All personal expenses and any other expenses not mentioned in the fee inclusions;

• International airfare is not included;

• Visas on arrival are not included;

• Airfare fees (Kuqa to Ürümqi,Hami to Dunhuang,Dunhuang to Zhangye) is arround $220 usually，alcoholic beverages, and other personal expenses are not included;

• Expenses incurred by the traveler;

3.3. Child Policy

Please contact customer service if you are traveling with children.

3.4. Tips: Before You Go - Essentials

1. Visa: Make sure your passport and Chinese visa are valid.

2. Cash & Payments: While mobile payments are popular, please bring some cash (RMB). We strongly recommend setting up Alipay and linking your international credit card; this will solve 95% of payment issues.

3. Internet: Purchase a Chinese data SIM card or activate international roaming in advance. Download a VPN (such as Astrill or ExpressVPN) if you need to use Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.

4. Translation App: Download Google Translate or Microsoft Translate. Their "Live Chat" and "Camera Translation" features are lifesavers.

5. Maps APP.