Private Tour

Private Day Trip to Turpan from Urumqi including Bezklik Grottoes

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Begin your day with an 8:30am hotel pickup in Urumqi and enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive to Turpan, passing dramatic windmill farms, shimmering salt lakes, and the rugged beauty of the Tianshan Mountains. Step back in time at the atmospheric Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, where 15th-century Buddhist frescoes whisper tales of the past, then explore the sprawling ruins of Gaochang Ancient City, a once-thriving Silk Road kingdom. Marvel at the elegant Emin Minaret, a masterpiece of Uyghur architecture, and discover the ingenious Karez Irrigation System, an ancient engineering marvel that turned the desert into fertile land. Savor authentic local flavors during lunch. After a full day immersed in Turpan's rich history and stunning landscapes, relax on your return journey to Urumqi, arriving at your hotel with unforgettable memories of Xinjiang's cultural treasures.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Please wear comfortable shoes

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Local guide

Bottled water

Private tour

Lunch

Transport by private vehicle

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

At 8:30am, your guide will pick you up in the lobby of your centrally located hotel in Urumqi. Then, you will take a 3-hour ride in a private vehicle from Urumqi to Turpan. On the way, you will see windmill farms, saltwater lakes, and valley of Tianshan. After arriving in Turpan, visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which is an abandoned site that has ruins of fresco and statues from 15th century.

4 hours • Admission Included

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja)

Afterwards, you will go to ancient city ruin of Gaochang which was one of the most renowned kingdom along the Silk Road in the history. You can wander around to visit temples, stupas, city walls...etc among the ruin.

2 hours • Admission Included

Options

Tour

Tour package
Pickup included

Reviews

4.86

7 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

...a GREAT day in history!
ernesto b,
Aug 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Great experience, wonderful places. Well planned stops, giving a thorough idea of the context. And my guide, >Charlie...simply gorgeous!!!
Impressive tour!
Somsak V,
Jul 12, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Guide can explain in very clear English, car was new and comfortable. Lunch and other services were nice. Recommended!
Jenny Jian-Wei did a great job of...
Paul N,
Sep 16, 2018
- Viator
5.00
Jenny Jian-Wei did a great job of introducing me to the wonderful scenic sites included in this all day tour. From start to finish, she provided the information I needed to understand the history behind the places we visited. The lunch under a grape vine was sumptuous and had a variety of the best of the local foods. I especially enjoyed the visit to Turpan and Gaocheng ancient city and the day was highlighted by a visit to the beautiful scenic mountain area that houses the Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves. I recommend this tour to anyone who wants to get a day long adventure where you can see history and culture in the Xinzhang Urumqi region. You won't be disappointed!