A 9-Day Journey Through the Stunning Landscapes of Northern Xinjiang

Day 1 – Meet in Urumqi
Upon arrival in Urumqi, a guide well-versed in the culture of the Western Regions will kick off your exciting journey through Xinjiang. Departing from the airport, a private vehicle will take you to a well-appointed hotel for check-in. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the unique scenery of this major Silk Road hub while listening to the guide’s relaxed introduction to Urumqi’s diverse culture and authentic cuisine. After checking in, you’re free to wander the surrounding streets and alleys to soak up the laid-back atmosphere of this frontier city. Feel free to ask your guide for practical information on popular attractions and local specialties along the way. Your guide will be happy to offer recommendations and, if needed, assist you with ordering meals, ensuring an immersive experience of authentic Xinjiang culture.
Meals Included: None

Day 2 – Urumqi → Desert Highway → Altay

After breakfast, we depart from Urumqi and travel along the winding Desert Highway, taking in the majestic scenery of the Gurbantunggut Desert along the way. The golden sand dunes stretch endlessly under the sunlight, resembling a majestic desert landscape painting. Along the way, we’ll stop to photograph the iconic scenery of the Desert Highway and experience the awe-inspiring sensation of traversing the “Sea of Death.” We’ll then proceed to Altay City. After checking into the hotel, you can sample local Altay specialties and experience the culinary culture of the Kazakh people.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 – Altay → Ahe Highway → Hemu

After breakfast, we’ll drive along the Ahe Highway, a lesser-known scenic route connecting Altay and Hemu. With few people along the way, you’ll be able to enjoy the pristine landscapes of Northern Xinjiang, including primeval forests and alpine meadows, and stop anywhere to capture stunning, soothing photos. We then arrive at Hemu Village, an ancient settlement of the Tuvan people. Wooden houses are scattered artfully throughout the valley, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale. We’ll check into a unique wooden-house hotel, and in the evening, you can take a stroll through the village to soak in Hemu’s tranquility and romance.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 – Morning Mist at Hemu → Kanas → Burqin

Early in the morning, we head to the Hemu Viewpoint to admire the magical spectacle of the morning mist. As the mist drifts through the valley, the wooden houses appear and disappear through the thin fog, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale. We then proceeded to Kanas Lake, China’s deepest glacial-dammed lake. The lake’s waters shift in color with the seasons and weather, earning it the reputation as a “paradise on earth.” We took a boat ride deep into the lake or strolled along the lakeside boardwalk to experience the intertwined beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains. After exploring, we drove to Burqin and checked into our hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 – Burqin → World Devil’s City → Kuitun

After breakfast, we depart from Burqin for World Devil’s City, a scenic area featuring typical Yadan landforms. The wind whips through the uniquely shaped earthen mounds, creating a howling sound that resembles the roar of a devil—hence the name. We’ll take a scenic shuttle deep into the park to admire the Devil’s City bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, where the golden earthen mounds appear even more mysterious and spectacular against the sunset. After exploring, we’ll drive to Kuitun and check into our hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 – Kuitun → Self-drive tour around Lake Sayram → Guozigou Bridge → Qingshuihe

After breakfast, we headed to Lake Sayram, known as “the last tear of the Atlantic.” The lake’s waters are deep blue and crystal-clear, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, creating a breathtaking landscape. We drove around the lake, stopping whenever we pleased to photograph the scenery and breathe in the fresh air by the water. Later, we crossed the Guozi Gorge Bridge, which spans the canyon like a giant dragon coiled among the mountains. From the bridge, the magnificent scenery of Guozi Gorge unfolded before our eyes. Upon arriving in Qingshuihe, we checked into our hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Qingshuihe-style Kazakh Baursak

Day 7 – Qingshuihe → Lavender Fields → Qaxi Scenic Area → Gongliu

After breakfast, we head to the lavender farm. June is the peak season for lavender blooms in Ili, where endless fields of purple flowers stretch as far as the eye can see, reminiscent of the romantic landscapes of Provence. Stroll through the sea of flowers, take photos, and savor the fragrance of the lavender. We then head to the Qaxi Scenic Area, known as the “Jiangnan of the Frontier.” The valley is carpeted with lush green grass, and snow-capped mountains, forests, and streams weave together to form a beautiful landscape. Stroll along the scenic trails and marvel at nature’s masterful craftsmanship. After exploring, we drive to Gongliu and check into our hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 – Gongliu → Nalati Grassland

After breakfast, we depart from Gongliu for the Nalati Grassland, one of the world’s four major grasslands. With its rolling terrain, lush green grass, and herds of cattle and sheep, it resembles a living oil painting. Take a scenic tour bus deep into the grasslands to admire the magnificent views of the “Sky Grasslands,” or go horseback riding across the plains to experience the nomadic culture of the Kazakh people. After exploring, check into a unique hotel in Nalati Town.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Nalati-style milk tea set

Day 9 – Nalati → Duku Highway → Urumqi

After breakfast, we’ll travel along the Duku Highway, hailed as “China’s Most Beautiful Highway.” This road connects Northern and Southern Xinjiang, winding through the Tianshan Mountains and offering diverse scenery—from snow-capped peaks and gorges to forests and grasslands—where you can experience all four seasons in a single day. Along the way, we’ll stop to photograph the Duku Highway’s iconic landmarks and marvel at how what was once a treacherous mountain pass has been transformed into a smooth highway. We’ll then return to Urumqi, concluding this wonderful journey through Xinjiang. Your guide will accompany you all the way to the airport to ensure you board your return flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel Tips

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