RoadAtlas
Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China — Historical
East Asia

Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar

China

Point-to-point
Ürümqi Kashgar

In short: Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar is a About 1,900 km including site loops historical road trip in China, typically driven over 10 days, best in Apr–Jun / Sep–Oct. Highlights: Ürümqi, Turpan and Jiaohe, Bosten Lake and Korla.

Distance
About 1,900 km including site loops
Duration
10 days
Best Season
Apr–Jun / Sep–Oct
IconicChallengingHistoricalPermit required

The classic northern-Tarim oasis drive links Ürümqi and the Turpan Basin with Korla, the Buddhist and Kucha heritage around Kuqa, an essential Aksu overnight, and two worthwhile days in Kashgar. UNESCO-listed Silk Roads components at Jiaohe, Kizilgaha, Kizil, and Subashi give the route a stronger historical spine than generic desert pull-offs.

~3 refuels
~6 charges
Practical notes
This long paved route follows the modern oasis corridor along the north side of the Tarim Basin; it is one branch of the historic Silk Roads, not a single preserved ancient road. Foreign licences and an International Driving Permit alone are not valid in mainland China. Arrange the appropriate Chinese temporary/provisional driving permit, accepted Chinese translation, and confirmed rental eligibility before arrival, and carry the permit, original licence, passport, translation, and rental contract. Confirm every site, road, hotel registration, and checkpoint procedure locally because access can change. Long desert legs require a full tank at each city, offline Chinese mapping, water, sun and cold protection, a working local phone/data plan, and a rental-company recovery contact; do not rely on speculative desert shortcuts. Official schedules use Beijing time, while some local businesses may communicate in informal Xinjiang time, two hours behind—always ask which clock is meant.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Ürümqi — museum, permits, vehicle, and supplies

Xinjiang Regional Museum · Driving-permit and rental handover check · Silk Road Restaurant at Hilton Ürümqi

Day 2Ürümqi to Turpan and Jiaohe — about 190 km / 3 hr

Ürümqi–Turpan transfer · Jiaohe Ancient City · Haierbarg Xinjiang Cuisine (Turpan)

Day 3Turpan eastern loop — Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik, and Tuyoq

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves · Ancient Tuyoq Village · Flaming Mountain Famous Yellow Noodles and Barbecue

Day 4Turpan to Bosten Lake and Korla — about 440 km / 6–7 hr

Turpan–Korla transfer · Bosten Lake managed scenic area · Koshimakla Roasted Buns

Day 5Korla to Subashi and Kuqa — about 300 km / 4–5 hr

Korla–Kuqa transfer · Subashi Buddhist Ruins · Wang Baoqiang Lamb Pilaf (Main Store)

Day 6Kuqa Tianshan Grand Canyon day — about 150 km return

Kizilgaha Beacon Tower · Tianshan Grand Canyon · Lao Ersha Nang Keng Rou

Day 7Kuqa to Kizil Caves and Aksu — about 330 km / 5 hr plus visit

Kizil Cave-Temple Complex · Kizil–Aksu transfer · Kuqa Hotel pre-arranged packed lunch

Day 8Aksu to Kashgar — about 470 km / 6–7 hr

Aksu–Kashgar transfer · Kashgar Old City evening orientation · Minghua Hotel Restaurant (Aksu Tianbai Youhao)

Day 9Kashgar Old City and Apak Hoja Mausoleum

Kashgar Old City and Id Kah area · Apak Hoja Mausoleum · Nuran Restaurant

Day 10Kashgar markets and departure buffer

Kashgar Livestock Market — Sunday only · Kashgar Grand Bazaar or departure buffer · Han Jia Chang Muslim Restaurant

Stops along the route

Ürümqi — Departure — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Departure
Ürümqi
Use the regional capital for the Xinjiang Museum, vehicle handover, permit check, supplies, and a fully fuelled departure.
Hotels
Aksu — City — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
City
Aksu
A necessary named overnight that splits Kuqa–Kashgar into two manageable legs and provides reliable fuel, food, lodging, and communications.
Kashgar — Arrival — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Arrival
Kashgar
Two days cover the old city and Id Kah area, Apak Hoja Mausoleum, and—only when the calendar aligns—the Sunday livestock market without duplicating sights elsewhere.
Hotels

Things to Do

Turpan and Jiaohe — Landmark — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Landmark
Turpan and Jiaohe
Two nights allow Jiaohe and the karez story to be separated from the eastern loop through Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik, and Tuyoq.
Bosten Lake and Korla — Nature — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Nature
Bosten Lake and Korla
A practical overnight break on the 1,200-km Turpan–Kashgar span; the managed Bosten Lake area adds a worthwhile stop while preventing an unsafe marathon drive.
Kuqa and Subashi — Landmark — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Landmark
Kuqa and Subashi
The Kucha-era oasis anchors three nights for the UNESCO-listed Subashi ruins, Kizilgaha beacon tower, and the separate Tianshan canyon excursion.
Kizil Cave-Temple Complex — Landmark — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Landmark
Kizil Cave-Temple Complex
A UNESCO-listed Buddhist cave complex west of Kuqa, scheduled on the onward drive to Aksu rather than combined with the northern canyon.
Jiaohe Ancient City — World Heritage — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
World Heritage
Jiaohe Ancient City
Walk the UNESCO-listed Site of Yar City in the cool part of the day and carry water and sun protection.
Bezeklik and Tuyoq eastern loop — Historic Sites — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Historic Sites
Bezeklik and Tuyoq eastern loop
Pair the cave complex with Tuyoq on one geographically coherent Turpan day, subject to current access and photography rules.
Show 5 more
Subashi Buddhist Ruins — World Heritage — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
World Heritage
Subashi Buddhist Ruins
Visit the UNESCO-listed monastic ruins east of Kuqa on the arrival day from Korla.
Tianshan Grand Canyon near Kuqa — Nature — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Nature
Tianshan Grand Canyon near Kuqa
Give the red-rock canyon its own day and cancel for closures, flash-flood risk, or severe weather.
Kizilgaha Beacon Tower and Kizil Caves — World Heritage — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
World Heritage
Kizilgaha Beacon Tower and Kizil Caves
See the beacon near Kuqa separately from Kizil Cave-Temple Complex, which is visited on the westbound Aksu day.
Kashgar Old City and Id Kah area — Historic District — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Historic District
Kashgar Old City and Id Kah area
Explore respectfully on foot and check current visitor access at religious sites before entering.
Apak Hoja Mausoleum — Historic Site — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Historic Site
Apak Hoja Mausoleum
Keep this Kashgar sight on a Kashgar day only; it has been removed from the Kuqa canyon schedule.

Where to Eat

Silk Road Restaurant at Hilton Ürümqi — Xinjiang and Halal — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Xinjiang and Halal
Silk Road Restaurant at Hilton Ürümqi
The hotel's official restaurant is a dependable first-night option while documents and the vehicle are being organised.
Haierbarg Xinjiang Cuisine (Turpan) — Xinjiang — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Xinjiang
Haierbarg Xinjiang Cuisine (Turpan)
A currently listed central-Turpan restaurant for kebabs, noodles, and regional dishes; verify the branch in a Chinese map app.
Wang Baoqiang Lamb Pilaf (Main Store) — Xinjiang — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Xinjiang
Wang Baoqiang Lamb Pilaf (Main Store)
A current Korla choice for lamb pilaf, useful after the long Turpan transfer; confirm the main-store address locally.
Ali Nang Keng Rou (Kuqa Main Store) — Xinjiang Barbecue — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Xinjiang Barbecue
Ali Nang Keng Rou (Kuqa Main Store)
A currently listed Kuqa specialist in pit-roasted meat; check the Chinese listing and opening hours before driving across town.
Aksu Guesthouse Chinese Restaurant — Chinese and Xinjiang — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Chinese and Xinjiang
Aksu Guesthouse Chinese Restaurant
A named hotel restaurant that avoids gambling on an anonymous highway diner after the Kizil–Aksu leg.
Nuran Restaurant — Uyghur — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Uyghur
Nuran Restaurant
A long-established Kashgar restaurant for Uyghur dishes; verify its current address and do not confuse it with similarly named venues in other cities.
Show 1 more
Altun Saray Food Restaurant — Xinjiang — Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar — China
Xinjiang
Altun Saray Food Restaurant
A currently listed Kashgar restaurant for a substantial arrival dinner near the city centre.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar drive?

The Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar covers About 1,900 km including site loops from start to finish.

How long does the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar take to drive?

Most travellers spend 10 days on the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar?

The recommended season for the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar is Apr–Jun / Sep–Oct.

Where does the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar start and end?

The Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar runs from Ürümqi to Kashgar.

What are the main stops on the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar?

The Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar passes through Ürümqi, Turpan and Jiaohe, Bosten Lake and Korla.

How difficult is the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar to drive?

The Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar is rated challenging and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar in a regular car?

Yes — the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Do I need a permit or border paperwork for the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar?

Yes — the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar requires permits, fees, or border paperwork. Plan ahead: This long paved route follows the modern oasis corridor along the north side of the Tarim Basin; it is one branch of the historic Silk Roads, not a single preserved ancient road. Foreign licences and an International Driving Permit alone are not valid in mainland China. Arrange the appropriate Chinese temporary/provisional driving permit, accepted Chinese translation, and confirmed rental eligibility before arrival, and carry the permit, original licence, passport, translation, and rental contract. Confirm every site, road, hotel registration, and checkpoint procedure locally because access can change. Long desert legs require a full tank at each city, offline Chinese mapping, water, sun and cold protection, a working local phone/data plan, and a rental-company recovery contact; do not rely on speculative desert shortcuts. Official schedules use Beijing time, while some local businesses may communicate in informal Xinjiang time, two hours behind—always ask which clock is meant.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar?

Plan around 3 refuels (or about 6 EV charges) along the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar, based on its About 1,900 km including site loops length.

Is the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar safe to drive?

This long paved route follows the modern oasis corridor along the north side of the Tarim Basin; it is one branch of the historic Silk Roads, not a single preserved ancient road. Foreign licences and an International Driving Permit alone are not valid in mainland China. Arrange the appropriate Chinese temporary/provisional driving permit, accepted Chinese translation, and confirmed rental eligibility before arrival, and carry the permit, original licence, passport, translation, and rental contract. Confirm every site, road, hotel registration, and checkpoint procedure locally because access can change. Long desert legs require a full tank at each city, offline Chinese mapping, water, sun and cold protection, a working local phone/data plan, and a rental-company recovery contact; do not rely on speculative desert shortcuts. Official schedules use Beijing time, while some local businesses may communicate in informal Xinjiang time, two hours behind—always ask which clock is meant.

What scenic tier is the Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar?

The Northern Tarim Silk Road: Ürümqi to Kashgar is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.