3-Day Kashgar Yarkent Hotan Tour
Route: Kashgar – Yarkand – Hotan
Activities: 3 Days Kashgar Yarkent Hotan Tour designed to those who has been to Xinjiang but want to learn more about Kashgar and Hotan this time. The activities include sight-seeing, visiting historical sites and riding camel in Taklamakan Desert.
Day 01
Place & Transport: Kashgar City tour
Today’s Activities: Apak Hoja tomb, Sunday market, Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, Handicraft Street
Place to stay: Kashgar
We will begin our tour of Kashgar City by visiting the Apak Hoja tomb also called fragrant concubine tomb (Xingfei in Chinese). This is a very tranquil place and a beautiful example of Uyghur Islamic architecture.
Next we will head to the Infamous lively Sunday market renowned as the biggest market in Central Asia. It is said you can buy anything you want from the Sunday market except chicken milk and Cow eggs.
We will then enjoy lunch in a typical Uyghur restaurant.
After lunch we will wander through the narrow winding streets of the historic old town brushing shoulders with the friendly Uyghur residents. Located at the spiritual heart of old town is Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China. We will go inside and have the chance to understand a bit more about the Islamic life of the Uyghur people. We will pass down Handicraft Street where we can view pots being hammered, wood craftsmen at work and traditional musical instrument workshops.
Note: For entering the Mosque visitors should dress respectfully, no shorts or short sleeved shirts and women should cover their heads with a scarf.
Day 02
Place & Transport: Kashgar to Hotan (540KM)
Today’s Activities: Yegisar knife factory, Graveyard of the Yarkent Uyghur Kingdom, Tomb of Aman Nisahan, Yarkent Old town
Place to stay: Hotan
We will leave for Hotan after breakfast. On our way to Hotan we will make a stop in the county of Yegisar. Yegisar is the most famous region in Xinjiang for making traditional Uyghur knives. We will have the chance to visit one of the many knife factories here and view the making process and purchase souvenirs. Next stop a further two hours down the road will be Yarkent (shache in Chinese). In Yarkand we will first visit the Golden Graveyard. This graveyard dates from the 17th Century and is the burial place of Royal family members of the Yarkent Uyghur Kingdom. Next to this is the Tomb of Aman Nisahan, the wife of the second King of the Yarkand Kingdom. Aman Nisahan is a famous Uyghur poet, musician and composer. She is most renowned for her transcription of the Twelve Mukam of famous traditional Uyghur music. We will enjoy a traditional lunch of corn noodles, pumpkin dumplings and kebab in a local Yarkant teahouse. After lunch we will continue our journey to Hotan (around four and a half hours).
Day 03
Place & Transport: Hotan tour, Evening flight to chosen destination
Today’s Activities: Taklimakan desert, Imam Asim Tomb, Local silk, Carpet, Jade Workshops. White Jade River
After breakfast we will drive to Taklamakan desert where we see the second largest sandy desert in the world where you have an option to ride camel. Imam Asim tomb is from 10th century and it is located in the desert. Hotan is particularly famous for its high quality Jade products, the best Jade in China being found here in the White Jade River. We will visit the river and try to find some Jade for ourselves and watch the locals at work digging and sifting for the precious rock. We will also visit the white Jade factory to see how the Jade is processed and made into jewelries and ornaments. Hotan is also renowned for its high quality wool carpets. We will visit a carpet workshop to see the weaving process. After dinner, we will take you to Hotan Airport for your onward journey. Our service ends after we assist you for your check in to your flight.
