[2025 Urumqi Attraction] Travel Guide for Yotkan Ancient City (Updated Jun)

#springitinerary Yotkan Ancient City (约特干古城), located near Hotan (Hetian) in southern Xinjiang, China and today, only ruins remain—fragments of pottery, bricks, and faint outlines of walls—all slowly being uncovered by archaeologists. Though much of the site is still buried beneath desert sands, Yotkan continues to reveal insights into the ancient Silk Road civilization.

#springitinerary Dating back over 2,000 years, Yotkan was an important part of the ancient Western Regions and served as a bridge between East and West. It was known for its production of jade, silk, and Buddhist art, and played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism into China from India. Location: Near Hotan City, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

The short holiday is coming. Do you want to explore different scenery? Come and travel through the Death Desert Highway in Aksu, challenge the Panlong Ancient Road, and go deep into the Pamir Plateau to experience the magnificence and mystery of nature! A seven-day tour awaits you! 🚗Route suggestions: Travel across Xinjiang and explore the magical journey of the Pamir Plateau! D1: Departure ✈️ Kuqa Fly to Kuqa and start your Xinjiang adventure! D2: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves - Xinjiang Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon Visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and experience the thousand-year-old Buddhist culture. Then head to the Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon to appreciate the magnificence and mystery of nature. D3: Tarim Desert Highway🛣️ - Taklamakan Desert🏜️ (Hotan) - Yotegan Ancient City Travel across the Tarim Desert Highway and go deep into the Taklamakan Desert. Experience the vastness of the desert in Hotan, and visit the Yotegan Ancient City in the evening to savor the charm of the ancient city. D4: Hotan 🚗 Kashgar, free time in Kashgar Old City Head to Kashgar. After arrival, enjoy free time in Kashgar Old City, stroll through the streets and alleys of the ancient city, and experience the rich Western Region customs. D5: Pamir Plateau - China-Pakistan Friendship Highway - White Sand Mountain-White Sand Lake Scenic Area - Muztagata Peak - Xinjiang Pamir Plateau Alar National Wetland Park - Kashgar Ancient Stone City Go deep into the Pamir Plateau and visit the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. Visit the White Sand Mountain-White Sand Lake Scenic Area and admire the magnificent scenery of Muztagata Peak. Go to Alar National Wetland Park and experience the unique charm of the plateau wetlands. Finally, visit Kashgar Ancient Stone City and appreciate the profound history. D6: Panlong Ancient Road - Pamir Plateau Challenge the Panlong Ancient Road and experience the fun of driving on winding mountain roads. Go deep into the Pamir Plateau again and experience the vastness and magnificence of the plateau. D7: Kashgar ✈️ Departure - Sweet Home End your Xinjiang trip and depart from Kashgar to return to your sweet home, with full of memories and gains! Must-have items for travel: 🎒Aksu and surrounding areas adventure equipment revealed! 👗 Clothing: Bring a jacket to cope with temperature differences, as well as light jackets and trousers. Don't forget comfortable sports shoes! 🕶️ Accessories: Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are essential for protection from the strong Aksu sun. 📂 Documents: ID card, driver's license, cash, and bank cards are essential when traveling. 💊 Medicine: Cold medicine, stomach medicine, and medicine for altitude sickness are always good to have. 📱 Electronic devices: Mobile phones, power banks, and data cables are essential for recording beautiful moments and staying connected. 🎒 Personal belongings: Water bottles, tissues, and snacks are all treasures on the journey! 🎉Okay, this is the little guide for the Aksu private group tour! I hope everyone has a great time and brings back lots of wonderful memories!

If you’re visiting Aksu for the first time, don’t miss this top-secret guide! Cross the Death Desert Highway, challenge the steepness of the Karakoram Mountains, and explore the Panlong Ancient Road on the Pamir Plateau. This seven-day in-depth tour will take you to experience a different frontier style! -- 🚗Itinerary route: Day 1: Set off from the departure point and head to the mysterious Kuqa, Xinjiang, ready to start an adventure! Day 2: Visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, a treasure house of Buddhist art, and feel the ancient religious atmosphere - then head to the spectacular Xinjiang Tianshan Tomur Scenic Area and Grand Canyon to appreciate the wonders of nature. Day 3: Cross the Tarim Desert Highway, known as the Sea of ​​Death, and explore the Taklimakan Desert (Hotan) 🏜️ - In the evening, visit the historic Yotgan Ancient City and feel the charm of the ancient city. Day 4: Travel from Hotan to Kashgar. Upon arrival, you will have free time in the old city of Kashgar to appreciate the unique charm of this ancient city. Day 5: Embark on the journey to the Pamir Plateau and travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Road - enjoy the beautiful scenery of Baisha Mountain and Baisha Lake Scenic Area 🏔️ - overlook the majestic Muztagh Ata Peak and feel the grandeur of the plateau - visit the Aral National Wetland Park in the Pamir Plateau of Xinjiang and appreciate the unique ecology of the plateau wetlands - then visit the historic Kashgar Ancient Stone City to experience ancient civilization. Day 6: Challenge the winding Panlong Ancient Road and experience the fun and thrill of driving - climb the Pamir Plateau again and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the plateau. Day 7: Farewell to Kashgar, embark on the journey home, and return to the warm home with full of memories🏠. -- Essential things to bring before your trip: 🎒You must bring these things with you on your Aksu adventure trip! 👗 Clothing: Short-sleeved long skirt during the day, and a jacket at night. Don’t forget your down jacket. The temperature difference in Aksu is large, so you need to keep warm. 🎩 Accessories: Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen, all are indispensable! There is also a selfie stick, how can you miss the beautiful scenery? 💳 Documents: Mainland China ID card and student ID card, rely on them for special offers. Foreign guests are requested to prepare their passports and visas to ensure a smooth journey. 🔋 Electrical appliances: chargers, power banks, mobile phones and cameras must be powered. Record beautiful moments at any time! 💊 Medicine: motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, and Band-Aids. It’s better to be prepared just in case! 🥤 Other articles: Carry a thermos with you, hot water warms your body and heart. It is also important to prepare some tissues and wet wipes for convenience and hygiene. -- The journey to Aksu ends here. Don’t forget to follow me, more exciting travel strategies are waiting for you to discover! 🌟

Explore ancient towns and villages on this 7-day winter tour from Urumqi to Southern Xinjiang. Experience the historical charm and borderland customs on this unmissable trip! . 🛤️ Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Kuqa and start your mysterious Xinjiang journey! Day 2: Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves - Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon Visit the treasure trove of Buddhist art and experience the grandeur and mystery of the canyon. Day 3: Cross the Tarim Desert Highway and explore the Taklamakan Desert to experience the endless desert scenery. Visit the ancient city of Yotkan at night and listen to the stories of the ancient city. Day 4: Travel from Hotan to Kashgar and stroll freely in the old town After the last stop in Hotan, head to Kashgar and explore the old town freely to experience the rich Western culture. Day 5: Head to the Pamir Plateau and travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. Visit the White Sand Mountain and White Sand Lake, enjoy a distant view of Mount Muztagh Ata, explore the Aral National Wetland Park on the Pamir Plateau, and trace the history of the ancient stone city of Kashgar. Plateaus, lakes, snow-capped mountains, wetlands, and ancient cities - experience the grandeur and history of the Pamirs in one day. Day 6: Conquer the Panlong Ancient Road and revisit the Pamir Plateau Return to the plateau and challenge the winding Panlong Ancient Road to enjoy the fun of driving. Day 7: Depart from Kashgar and return home. End your unforgettable Xinjiang journey and return home with beautiful memories. . Must-visit attractions: 🌟 Tianshan Tomur Scenic Area - Grand Canyon: This is a living museum of geological evolution in Xinjiang, where every step is on billions of years of history. 🏔️ Pamir Plateau: Want to experience the magnificent scenery of the Roof of the World? Climb the Pamir Plateau and feel the grandeur of nature. 🏞️ White Sand Mountain - White Sand Lake Scenic Area: The rocks on the top of White Sand Mountain have turned into powder, which is very unique. The lakes and rivers at the foot of the mountain are intertwined, and the scenery is picturesque. It is definitely worth a visit. . Travel tips: 👗 Clothing: Bring a warm coat, scarf, gloves, hat, and comfortable and warm shoes to cope with the cold weather in Urumqi and Southern Xinjiang. 🎒 Personal items: A power bank is a must-have. Take lots of photos with your phone or camera, and don't let the battery run out! 📖 Documents: Bring your ID card and border pass. Some places in Xinjiang require inspection, so don't forget! 🧴 Skincare and sunscreen: Xinjiang has plenty of sunshine, so make sure to use sunscreen and keep your skin moisturized. Bring lip balm and face masks with you. 💊 Medicine: Bring some common medicines, such as motion sickness pills and cold medicine, just in case. 💰 Financial security: Prepare a small amount of cash. Some areas have poor signal, so cash is more secure. 📷 Photography equipment: If you love taking photos, prepare your camera and tripod. Don't miss the beautiful scenery in Xinjiang! . 🎉 Enjoy your Urumqi to Southern Xinjiang tour and create unforgettable memories. See you next time!