Road trips reveal Xinjiang splendor

Kashgar-Pamir

Eight days, 2,120 km

What to see:

Kashgar old town (photo above)

When walking around the maze-like old town in Kashgar you will be surrounded by Uygur-style buildings with beautiful decorations. You can also get a taste of authentic Uygur culture and food. For the best old town experience, drop the map and get lost in the maze. The old town was used as a stand-in for Afghanistan in the 2007 movie The Kite Runner.

Karakul Lake

At an altitude of 3,600 meters, it is the highest lake on the Pamir Plateau. The lake is popular among travelers for the reflection of Muztagh Ata (7,546 meters) in the mirror-like water, whose color ranges from a dark green to azure and light blue.

Tashkurgan stone fort

It's also called the stone city. Located on the Pamir Plateau, the fort with a history of more than 2,000 years, served as a major stop along the Silk Road and was the capital of various kingdoms. Although it's now a ruin it still has a commanding view of the area, from the majestic snowcapped mountains behind it to the beautiful wetland in front of it. A permit is required to travel from Kashgar to Tashkurgan.