5-Day Tour of Kashgar Panlong Ancient Road and Pamir Plateau (Starting and Ending in Kashgar)
Tour Highlights & Upgrades
-
Selected Small Groups: Mini groups of 2-6 people, the most popular travel style right now! Truly Zero Shopping for a pure sightseeing experience.
-
Luggage Guidelines: Due to limited trunk space, each person is limited to one 26-28 inch suitcase.
-
Vehicle Upgrade: Upgrade to a spacious seven-seater vehicle, no more discomfort from long-distance rides!
-
Accommodation Upgrade: Two nights at a Ctrip 4-Diamond Hotel in Kashgar for premium comfort!
-
Hidden Gem Lakes: Visit the Three Sacred Lakes – White Sand Lake, Bandir Lake, Karakul Lake!
-
Scenic Road Trip: Explore Wakhan Corridor, Panlong Ancient Road, Karakoram Highway, Tree Hole Highway!
-
Spectacular Experiences: Muji Volcano, Muztagh Ata Glacier, Cloud-Top Border Gate!
-
Popular Instagrammable Spots: Kashgar Old City, Tajik Family Visit & Traditional Costume Show
-
Aerial Photography Experience: Free drone service included, 2 professional videos provided (weather permitting).
-
Travel Protection & Gifts: Complimentary travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance; In-car snacks, seasonal fruit/yogurt, honeymoon photo props, and birthday cake (for birthday guests) included with booking.
Tour Dates & Prices
-
May 6, 2026 – July 10, 2026: 3280 RMB per person
-
July 11, 2026 – August 20, 2026: 3380 RMB per person
Detailed 5-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kashgar
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt/GreenTree Oriental/Manxin/Meihou Lizhi/Licheng Langyu/Park Man/Jinjiang Metropolo/Licheng Courtyard or similar
Welcome to the stunning Xinjiang! Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and rest. The rest of the day is free at your own pace. If time allows, you can visit recommended attractions independently (private transportation not included).
Recommended Attractions (at own expense): Xiangfei Garden, Id Kah Mosque, Gaotai Residential Buildings, Kashgar Old City
Day 2: Kashgar → Border Pass → Naan Making → White Sand Lake → Muji Volcano → Taxkorgan County
Distance: Approx. 450 km | Driving Time: Approx. 7 hours (excluding rest stops, traffic jams, and meals)
Accommodation: Xingang/Yunfeng Muxue/Meichuang Meihou/Panlong Ancient Road Hotel or similar
08:00-09:00 | Breakfast Time
09:00-10:30 | Complete partial border pass procedures, then head to our first stop: traditional naan making experience. Freshly baked naan with charcoal fragrance is the perfect local energy boost for your Pamir Plateau journey.
10:30-14:00 | Drive to the Pamir Plateau, enjoying scenic views of Gez Canyon, Gez Station, Liusha River, and Oytak Red Mountain (known as the “Flaming Mountain of Southern Xinjiang”) along the way.
14:00-15:30 | Explore White Sand Lake (North & South Shores), a dazzling pearl of the Pamir Plateau. Half desert, half crystal-blue lake, with snow-capped mountains reflecting on the water for a breathtaking, otherworldly view.
15:30-16:30 | Visit Muji Crater via Muji Border Highway, passing picturesque Muji Pasture. Capture stunning photos of the volcanic craters and the iconic Eighteen Arhats Peaks of Kunlun Mountain.
16:30-20:00 | Dinner at own expense (AA with group members or independent dining). Stroll through Bat Market (April 10 – October only) at Taxkorgan Qishi Cultural Square, immersing in the unique cross-border local vibe. Check into hotel afterwards.
Day 3: Taxkorgan County → Khunjerab Pass → Panlong Ancient Road → Wakhan Corridor → Bandir Blue Lake → Taxkorgan County
Distance: Approx. 350 km | Driving Time: Approx. 6 hours
Accommodation: Xingang/Yunfeng Muxue/Meichuang Meihou/Panlong Ancient Road Hotel or similar
08:00-08:30 | Breakfast Time
09:00-11:00 | Drive to Khunjerab Pass, passing villages, livestock herds, snow-capped mountains and wetlands.
11:00-13:00 | Tour Khunjerab Border Gate – China’s highest border gate at 4733 meters above sea level, adjacent to Pakistan and a national first-class open port. Enjoy the magnificent snow-covered scenery, then visit the Wakhan Corridor (available after April 10 apricot blossom season), a historic ancient westward route.
13:00-13:50 | Head to Wacha Township for the iconic Panlong Ancient Road photo stop, taking pictures with the famous sign: “Today I have walked through all the detours, from now on life will be smooth sailing.”
13:50-16:00 | Drive along Panlong Ancient Road, a life-changing poverty-alleviation highway with thrilling, winding mountain views and stunning panoramic scenery at observation decks.
16:00-17:30 | Visit Bandir Blue Lake, passing Kaneryang Village – the filming location of Visitors on the Ice Mountain and inspiration for the classic song Why Are the Flowers So Red. The lake shines brightest in the afternoon, forming a natural perfect backdrop for photos.
17:30-19:00 | Return to Taxkorgan County and check into hotel.
Day 4: Taxkorgan County → Taghman Wetland → Tree Hole Highway → Tajik Family Visit → Glacier Park → Karakul Lake → Kashgar (4-Diamond Hotel)
Distance: Approx. 450 km | Driving Time: Approx. 7 hours (excluding rest stops, traffic jams, and meals)
Accommodation: GreenTree Inn/Manxin/Meihou Lizhi/Licheng Langyu/Zhemei/Fushi Liya/Baiman/Jinjiang Metropolo/Licheng Bieyuan/Geya/Qiniwak or similar
08:00-08:30 | Breakfast Time
08:30-10:00 | Explore Taghman Wetland with winding grasslands and snow-capped mountain backdrops, then pass through the dreamy Taghman Township Tree Hole Highway for immersive pastoral photos.
10:00-10:30 | Join a Tajik Family Visit: experience local etiquette, taste traditional milk tea and pastries, enjoy a costume show, take ethnic-style photos, and learn the unique Tajik Eagle Dance.
10:30-12:30 | Visit Muztagh Ata Glacier Park (No.4 Glacier), standing at 4688 meters above sea level. Hike or ride a horse (100 RMB/horse one way, at own expense) to admire the giant glacier and heart-shaped glacial lake. Note: In case of bad weather, this spot will be replaced with Oytak Glacier Park, no ticket difference refunded.
12:30-13:00 | Lunch at own expense
13:00-15:00 | Explore Karakul Lake (meaning “Black Sea”), a high-altitude glacial lake reflecting the majestic Kunlun Three Peaks: Kongur Tagh (7719m), Kongur Jiubie (7530m), Muztagh Ata (7546m).
15:00-19:00 | Return to Kashgar and check into 4-diamond hotel
19:00-19:30 | Join the Kashgar Old City Photography Tour: designated ethnic clothing provided, 3 classic old city scenes filmed, 15 original digital photos included (no makeup, no professional retouching). Return to hotel independently afterwards.
Day 5: Kashgar → Departure
08:00-09:00 | Breakfast at hotel (follow hotel schedule)
Your unforgettable Kashgar journey comes to an end. Arrange your time freely based on your flight/train schedule. Our driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your return trip. Bid farewell to fellow group members and head back to your warm home with wonderful memories!
Fee Information
INCLUDED IN THE FEE
-
Transportation: Full-journey licensed spacious 7-seater commercial vehicles (including V80/Ford T6/Iveco/V70/Fushun, vehicle assigned based on actual availability, 2+2+3 seating; luggage under 26 inches recommended due to limited space)
-
Airport/Train Station Transfers: Standard 5-seater for up to 3 people, standard commercial vehicle for 4+ people
-
Accommodation: 4 nights total as per itinerary – 2 nights 4-diamond in Kashgar, 2 nights 3-diamond in Taxkorgan, default twin/double room for 2 people. Single travelers are exempt from natural single room supplement; single room request requires extra supplement, shared accommodation arranged by agency if needed.
-
Entrance & Shuttle Bus Fees: White Sand Lake, Muji Volcano, Khunjerab Pass, Tajik Family Visit, Muztagh Ata Glacier Park (No.4 Glacier), Karakul Lake
-
Experience Activities: Kashgar Old City photoshoot (50 RMB/person value); 2 drone video clips per group (50 RMB/person refunded if unavailable due to weather); no refund for naan making experience
-
Driver Service: Professional driver only (no tour guide), driver’s accommodation and meals covered by agency. Driver cannot provide professional commentary due to job requirements, and may not interact while driving for safety – please prepare travel guides in advance.
-
Meals: Daily hotel breakfast included; other meals at own expense
NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE
-
All meals other than hotel breakfasts
-
Extra costs caused by force majeure: traffic delays, strikes, bad weather, aircraft/mechanical failures, flight cancellations or schedule changes
-
Personal expenses: hotel laundry, grooming, telephone, fax, pay TV, drinks, tobacco, alcohol and other private consumption
-
Optional scenic area activities (horseback riding, rafting, etc.) at own expense and risk; these are not covered by travel agency service, and any accidents shall be resolved directly with the scenic area.
