Overview
Capture the highlights of Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, on this private full-day guided tour. See tattooed mummies salvaged from the desert at the Xinjiang Regional Museum, discover local food with an à la carte lunch, admire the Hongguang Shan Giant Buddha, and shop for souvenirs at Erdaoqiao Market.
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Private tour
- Private guide
- Lunch
- Transport by private vehicle
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
At 9:30am, your private tour guide will greet you at your central Urumqi hotel. Hop aboard your private, climate-controlled vehicle for the short journey to the Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowouguan). Your private guide will show you around the museum, giving historical context and background. One highlight of the collection is the well-preserved tattooed mummies discovered in the desert nearby. Look out for the Beauty of Loulan, buried around 3,800 years ago near the town of Loulan in the Taklamakan Desert and first excavated in 1980. The hot, dry sands preserved her facial features remarkably well in her open coffin: and she is still beautiful today.
Stop 2
Discover Xinjiang cooking, a fascinating fusion of Turkish and Central Asian elements with Chinese techniques and ingredients. Your guide will help you navigate the à la carte menu and recommend dishes to suit your palate. It's a short ride to the Hongguang Shan Giant Buddha, which towers over downtown Urumqi at approximately 38.8 meters (128 feet) tall. Grab a few shots before you head to the Red Hill, a traditional Chinese-style pagoda standing on the top of the hill that is the symbol of the City.
Stop 3
Finally, recapture the magic of the old Silk Road with a stroll through Erdaoqiao Market, once a trading hub for merchandise from all over Central Asia. This makes a great place to shop for traditional Uighur souvenirs, and your guide can help you navigate the stalls. As this is a private tour, the precise duration is up to you: most guests are back at their hotel by 5:30pm.
Stop 4
tour operator
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels