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Welcome to beautiful Xinjiang! After your arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for check-in and rest. You’ll have some free time to explore on your own.
Tip:
Please inform us of your arrival flight details in advance, so we can arrange for your driver.
Hotels usually allow check-in after 2:00 PM. If you arrive earlier, you can store your luggage at the front desk and enjoy some sightseeing.
Stay in Urumqi
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up by your driver. Travel along the S21 Desert Highway to Burqin, passing through the Gurbantünggüt Desert, the second-largest desert in China. You’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Beitun City, then continue to Burqin. Visit Rainbow Beach, known for its stunning Yadan landforms, and enjoy views of the Ertis River, which divides the area into two sections. After the visit, return to Burqin for hotel check-in.
Tip:
Today’s drive is long, so bring some snacks.
Prices at the Burqin night market vary. Be sure to ask about prices before ordering to avoid misunderstandings.
B, L, D, Stay in Burqin
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then head to Kanas National Geological Park. The narrow mountain road takes about four and a half hours. Upon arrival, take a bus to the Kanas transfer center. Enjoy lunch, then explore the park. Hike to the beautiful Kanas Lake, where you can take stunning photos of the clear waters, forests, and peaks. Afterward, return to Jiadengyu for hotel check-in.
Tip:
The mountain roads may cause car sickness, so bring medicine if needed.
The scenic area is also home to local residents, so for your safety, avoid interacting with animals like cats and dogs
B, L, D, Stay in Jiadengyu
After breakfast, drive to Hemu Village. Known for its stunning natural beauty, this village is often referred to as “God’s Garden”. Here, you can explore white birch forests, rivers, and traditional wooden houses, while experiencing the culture of the Tuva people. After lunch, continue your exploration in Hemu Village, then check in at your hotel.
B, L, D, Stay in Hemu
After breakfast, take a bus back to the ticket office. Drive along National Road 217, passing by the Karamay Oilfield, and head to Urho. After lunch, explore Urho Ghost City, a famous Yadan landform site formed during the Cretaceous period. After visiting, check in at your hotel.
B, L, D, Stay in Urho
Enjoy breakfast, then head toward the northern section of Duku Highway, which runs through the Tianshan Mountains. This scenic road is known as the “Hero’s Road” and offers breathtaking views of grasslands, snow-capped peaks, and steep cliffs. On the way, you can stop at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Qiaoma. After lunch, continue to Nalati. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel.
Tip:
Duku Highway can be winding and narrow, so it may cause car sickness. Bring car sickness tablets if needed.
Some sections of the road are over 3,000 meters above sea level, so bring warm clothes.
B, L, D, Stay in Nalati
Route: Nalati → Yining (260km, 3.5hrs)
After breakfast, head to Nalati Scenic Area. Explore the grasslands, enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding mountains, and learn about the local Kazakh culture. After lunch, travel to Yining and check in at your hotel.
Tip:
Even in June, Nalati can be cold. Bring a light jacket or a thin down coat, and avoid wearing skirts.
B, L, D, Stay in Yining
Route: Yining → Huocheng Lavender Farm → Sayram Lake → Kuitun (550km, 6.5hrs)
After breakfast, drive to the Lavender Fields. If it’s the lavender season (mid-June to mid-July), you’ll be able to take beautiful photos. Afterward, visit Sayram Lake, often called the “Last Drop of the Atlantic Ocean”. The stunning lake reflects the sky, and the scenery around it is enchanting. After your visit, head to Kuitun for hotel check-in.
Tip:
The temperature difference between day and night at Sayram Lake is large. Bring a jacket and sunscreen.
B, L, D, Stay in Kuitun
After breakfast, travel back to Urumqi. After lunch, visit Hongshan Park for panoramic views of the city. Then, explore the International Grand Bazaar, where you can sample local foods and shop for unique souvenirs. Afterward, head to your hotel for check-in.
B, L, D, Stay in Urumqi
Depending on your flight time, you are free to make your own plans. Your driver will take you to the airport or train station. Safe travels home!
Tip:
Please double-check your belongings before departure to avoid forgetting anything important.
B, Depart from Urumqi
Due to long drives (up to 9 hours/day), uneven terrain, and high altitudes on the Duku Highway (3,400m), this trip is not recommended for: Seniors over 75. Those with heart/lung conditions or limited mobility. Pregnant travelers.
Guides will assist in reaching the nearest clinic. Major cities (Urumqi, Yining) have modern hospitals. Travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is mandatory.
3-star standard (clean but basic). Examples: Burqin/Jiadengyu: Local boutique hotels (no elevators, limited hot water). Ürümqi/Yining: International chains (Hilton, Mercure).
Cash is king in remote areas: Cities (Ürümqi/Yining): Alipay/WeChat Pay widely accepted. Villages (Hemu/Kanas): Cash only (ATMs scarce).
No – all stops are open to foreigners. Exception: Trips extending to Kashgar/Karakul Lake require a PSB permit (arranged 15 days in advance).
Urumqi - Korla - Kuqa - Aral - Hotan - Shache - Kashgar - Taxkorgan - Kashgar
Urumqi - Korla - Kuqa - Aksu - Kashgar - Taxkorgan - Kashgar - Urumqi
Urumqi - Fuyun - Burqin - Jiadengyu -Â Kuitun - Yining
Urumqi - Fuyun - Burqin - Hemu - Jiadengyu - Kanas - Kuitun - Yining - Tekes - Naraty - Dushanzi - Turpan - Korla - Kuqa - Aral - Hotan - Shache - Kashgar
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Nature Heaven
Siti –
I loved the boat ride on the lake, so peaceful. Our group was small and friendly, made everything more fun. Don’t miss the Fairyland scenery, it’s magical!
Very Cool Experience
David –
This tour was pretty cool. The landscapes are unreal, especially the Five-Colored Beach—like a rainbow exploded on earth! Our guide was chill and took good pics of us. Best time to visit? May to September, when everything’s lush and green.
Simple but Amazing
Niran –
No fancy words needed. Just beautiful nature everywhere. Kanas Lake, the grasslands, the villages—so authentic. I loved the local food too.
Very Relaxing Trip
Mei –
This tour was super relaxing. The scenery is breathtaking, and the lakes are so clear. I enjoyed just walking around and taking photos. No any forcing shopping!! Really nice company.
Amazing Photo Spots
John –
If you love photography, this tour is perfect. The lakes, the forests, the mountains—so many perfect shots. Just bring your camera and enjoy the view! Will recommend this tour to my friends absolutely!!!
Absolutely Stunning!
Anong –
Wow, this trip to Kanas and Yining was totally mind-blowing! The scenery is like from another world—crystal lakes, green grasslands, snow mountains. The best part was Kanas Lake, so peaceful and beautiful, I wish I stayed longer. Our guide was funny and knew all the secret spots. Totally recommend going in summer, the weather’s perfect!
Long but Worth It
Ahmad –
The tour was kinda long, but every place was worth the drive. The lakes, the forests, the mountains—so much nature! Hemu Village was super charming, like a painting. Just be ready for some long bus rides, but the views make up for it.