Day 1 Urumqi Arrival | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in
Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Upon your arrival at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC), our local team will meet you at the exit.We will greet you,assist with your luggage, and provide a direct, comfortable transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Urumqi is the world’s most landlocked major city, historically serving as a vital crossroads on the ancient Silk Road. This legacy has shaped it into a vibrant melting pot where Uyghur, Han, and Kazakh cultures blend seamlessly. Surrounded by the majestic Tianshan Mountains, the city is a unique gateway where rugged natural beauty meets rich, diverse history.
Free Time Ideas (Explore on Your Own):
Xinjiang Regional Museum: A must-visit to understand the region’s deep history. Explore exotic Silk Road artifacts, traditional ethnic costumes, and the world-famous “Loulan Beauty”—a remarkably preserved 3,800-year-old woman.
International Grand Bazaar: Immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Browse stalls filled with carpets, jewelry, and spices, or admire the stunning Islamic-inspired architecture. Be sure to savor authentic local street food, including lamb kebabs, polu (pilaf), and hand-pulled laghman.
Day 2 Urumqi – Fuyun County | Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, Bogda Mountain View
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. You’ll be driven approximately 70 kilometers (about 1-1.5 hours) to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled at an elevation of around 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, this serene alpine lake is surrounded by lush forests, snow-capped peaks, and breathtaking landscapes. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, panoramic Bogda mountain views, and connections to ancient myths and legends, Heavenly Lake is a must-see. One such legend involves the Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wangmu), who is said to have hosted a banquet for the Eight Immortals here.
Upon arrival,you’ll first take 40-minute sightseeing bus ride through the dramatic mountains. Then, enjoy 10-minute walk to the picturesque lake. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Heavenly Lake, taking in the fresh mountain air and diverse flora and fauna.
After the tour, drive 415 kilometers (about 5 hours) north to Fuyun County. Along the way, the landscape gradually changes to the Gobi Desert within the Junggar Basin. Nestled deep within the Gurbandunggut Desert, you will encounter a wildlife paradise, a sanctuary for hoofed animals. Here, you will often encounter wild asses, wild horses, and wild camels.
Fuyun County, nestled in the Altay Mountains and serving as a mid-stop along the Urumqi-Kanas Lake route, offers vast grasslands, deserts, and rivers. Upon arrival, you can witness the beautiful Irtysh River flowing through the entire county, explore the charming riverside park along the Irtysh River, and immerse yourself in the exotic Kazakh culture. Stay overnight in Fuyun.
DAY 3 Fuyun-Burqin
Sites Visiting: Ocoa Sea Breeze Scenic Area, Burqin River Embankment Night Market
after breakfast, you will visit Ocoa Sea Breeze Scenic Area(keketuohai) in Fuyun County, then drive to burqin county to visit the Burqin River Embankment Night Market and Burqin Tower Bridge to enjoy the sunset.
DAY 4 Burqin-Kanas-Jiadengyu
Sites Visiting: Kanas Scenic Spot, Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Jiadengyu National Forest Park
you can visit the Kanas Scenic Spot to see Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay and Tuwa Family. After lunch, you can be driven to Jiadengyu to visit Jiadengyu National Forest Park.
DAY 5 Jiadengyu-Kanas-Hemu
Sites Visiting: Fish Viewing Platform, Tuwatrational Pray ceremony, Hemu Grassland
you will visit the Fish Viewing Platform in Kanas Scenic Spot. And then you will be driven to Hemu Village to visit Hemu Grassland and enjot a local Tuwatrational pray ceremony.
After the tour, be transferred to Burqin (about 155km, 2-3 hours’ drive). Stay overnight in Buriqn.
Day 6 Burqin – Karamay – Kuitun | Karamay Urho Ghost Town
After breakfast, it is time to depart from Buriqn and be escorted to Karamay Urho Ghost Town (about 340km, 5 hours’ drive). Karamay Urho Ghost Town, also known as Wuerhe Wind City (Wuerhe Fengcheng), is an outstanding example of China’s Yardang landforms. It is ranked first among “China’s Three Most Beautiful Yardang Landforms” by National Geographic China.
Famous for its eerie and otherworldly rock formations, this area has been shaped by millennia of wind and water erosion, giving it a dramatic, surreal atmosphere. It’s called “Ghost Town” because when the wind blows through the rocks, it produces eerie, whistling sounds, resembling ghostly howls. It was also a filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. You will explore the site via sightseeing bus, allowing you to walk among the towering yardangs. Discovering formations that resemble castles, faces, and animals is a captivating experience.
After the tour, you will be escorted to Kuitun for accommodation.
Day 7 Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Yining City | Sayram Lake
After breakfast, your group will be transferred from Kuitun to Sayram Lake (about 310 km, 3.5 hours’ drive). Perched at 2,071 meters above sea level, Sayram Lake is a serene jewel hidden amidst the majestic Tian Shan Mountains. This vast, oval-shaped lake spans 30 kilometers from east to west and 25 kilometers from north to south, covering a breathtaking area of 453 square kilometers. As a landlocked body of water, it is often referred to as “The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean”, a name that perfectly captures its ethereal beauty and remote location.
Day 8 Yining – Naraty Grassland | Sky Prairie Scenic Area
After breakfast, you will depart from Yining to Naraty Grassland (about 252 km, 3 hours). Once a perilous pass on the ancient Silk Road, Naraty Grassland is now celebrated by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful places in the world. Known for its stunning pastoral scenery and rich Kazakh folk customs, this area has been a favored grazing ground since ancient times.
Upon arrival, you will explore the Sky Prairie Scenic Area. Board the sightseeing bus to discover various attractions: (1) Tianmutai: A vast grazing ground where you can witness local herding practices. (2) Nomad’s Choice: A stable where you can choose a horse for a memorable ride through the grassland. (3) Heavenly Terrace: A vantage point offering stunning sunset views over the grassland and mountains.
After the tour, you will stay near Naraty Grassland or Xinyuan County.
Day 9 Naraty Grassland/Xinyuan – Yining – Jinghe
On this day, you will enjoy a scenic drive along the picturesque roads of Xinjiang. Starting from the lush Naraty Grassland in Xinyuan County, you will be captivated by the sweeping views of vibrant green pastures and the distant silhouette of snow-capped mountains. As you journey, you’ll pass through the charming Yining City, where lively markets and colorful local culture invite you to explore for a moment.
Continuing on, the road will lead you through serene landscapes, dotted with tranquil rivers and fields adorned with wildflowers, creating a tapestry of colors. The drive is a feast for the senses, with fresh mountain air and the sound of rustling leaves accompanying you. Finally, you will arrive in Jinghe County, where the enchanting beauty of the surrounding landscapes promises new adventures waiting to unfold. The total drive today covers 475 km, taking about 7 hours.
Stay overnight in Jinghe County.
Day 10 Jinghe – Kuitun – Urumqi | Dushanzi Grand Canyon
After breakfast, you’ll depart from Jinghe County and head back to Urumqi, making a stop at Dushanzi Grand Canyon along the way. Located south of Kuitun City, Dushanzi Grand Canyon showcases dramatic geological formations sculpted by millions of years of erosion from the Dushanzi River. The canyon stretches over 30 kilometers and plunges as deep as 400 meters, featuring steep cliffs, winding gorges, and striking rock layers that reveal the region’s rich geological history.
Several activities are available (additional fees apply):
Duku Grand Glass Bridge Suspended 150 meters high and 186 meters long, this bridge offers a thrilling 9D special effects experience and provides the best vantage point to admire the canyon’s geological wonders.
Canyon Zipline. Experience the rush of two ziplines, speeding down a cliff with a nearly 100-meter drop while enjoying a round trip.
Rail-mounted Coaster: Spanning 850 meters with eight high-speed turns, this coaster includes both uphill and downhill rides, offering a thrilling descent and an energy-saving ascent.
Canyon Water Slide:This glass water slide stretches over 1,000 meters with a large S-bend and two 360° turns, offering a canyon-style whitewater rafting experience in a rubber boat.
After visiting the canyon, you will be escorted back to Urumqi (about 3.5-4 hours’ drive). You can either be transferred to your hotel in Urumqi or taken to the airport for your departure flight.
Halal meals can be arranged for all itineraries.
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