Private Tour
Private Day Trip to Turpan from Urumqi including Bezklik Grottoes
Overview
Available languages
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 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.
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.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Local guide
Bottled water
Private tour
Lunch
Transport by private vehicle
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Tour
Tour package
Pickup included
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
...a GREAT day in history!
ernesto b,Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience, wonderful places. Well planned stops, giving a thorough idea of the context. And my guide, >Charlie...simply gorgeous!!!
Very recommendable Day-Tour to Turpan
468rf,Sep 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a very nice day-tour, 4 very interesting places to visit, very knowledgable guide, safe driver, comfortable car, excellent lunch. We got a lot of impressions and made a lot of pictures.
Impressive tour!
Somsak V,Jul 12, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Guide can explain in very clear English, car was new and comfortable. Lunch and other services were nice. Recommended!
Wild, Wild West
Niko L,Aug 10, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It‘s a fascinating place, far off any beaten track, and the tour really takes you to places where you wouldn’t go by yourself, and later wouldn’t even know what you‘ve missed. The vastness of the area is amazing, the thought that people with camels arrived there to trade and rest and then continue onwards even more. Past fields of grapes and melons to ancient original mummies and grottos at one of the world‘s lowest points. Great guide (and yes, fluent English!), lots of room for individual schedule-requests.
best ever trip
ADRIANA D,Sep 25, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00the trip was perfectly organized you have seen amazing places it was one time life experience staff very helpful Sunny thank you for your support and cooperation
Holiday At Urumqi
JacqueW50,Apr 13, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Turpan is a very unique place to visit which places filled with historical events such as Karez on how they build the irrigation system till now still using it. Excitement at Shanshan desert which have a good experience. We also tasted their local breakfast in one of the county. Overall worth a visit.
Jenny Jian-Wei did a great job of...
Paul N,Sep 16, 2018
- Review from Viator
5.00Jenny 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!
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Operated by SilkRoadTrips