Explore Northern Xinjiang | Urumqi + Tianshan Tianchi + Koktokay + Kanas + Hemu + Sayram Lake + Nalati + Dushanzi Grand Canyon In-Depth 10-Day Tour

Welcome to Urumqi~! Our guide will meet you at the exit of Urumqi Airport and take you to a hotel in downtown Urumqi for check-in. After that, you can rest at the hotel or explore the surrounding area. Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the city farthest from the ocean in the world, about 2,500 km from the nearest coastline. It is also a must-pass point on the world-famous new northern route of the ancient Silk Road, which promoted trade and cultural exchange between China and Western countries and formed a unique ethnic cultural atmosphere in western China. Urumqi is located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in northwestern China, surrounded by mountains and water, with vast fertile fields. The people who have lived here for generations affectionately call it "Urumqi," meaning "beautiful pasture." It lies in the heart of the Eurasian continent, adjacent to Central Asian countries, and is known as the "Capital of Asia's Heart." Suggested ways to arrive 1. By plane: Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) is the main airport of Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It has many direct domestic routes, such as Beijing (about 4 hours), Xi'an (about 3.5 hours), Shanghai (about 5.5 hours), Guangzhou (about 5 hours), Shenzhen (about 5.5 hours), Chengdu (about 3.5 hours), Chongqing (about 4 hours), Lanzhou (about 2.5 hours), Kunming (about 4.5 hours), Zhengzhou (about 5 hours), etc., as well as direct routes to Central Asia, such as Islamabad, Almaty, Astana (now Nur-Sultan), and Tehran. Suggestions for things to do in your free time 1. Xinjiang Museum: The Xinjiang Museum is the largest comprehensive museum in Xinjiang. Here you can admire a rich collection of cultural relics, including precious artifacts from the ancient Silk Road, traditional costumes of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and folk handicrafts. The museum also has temporary exhibitions displaying artworks and historical relics on various themes. In addition, famous national treasures such as the ancient corpse of the "Loulan Beauty" and the Han Dynasty brocade with the inscription "Five Stars Rise in the East" can be seen here. 2. Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar: The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the most ethnically distinctive place in Urumqi and the largest castle-style bazaar in the world. The buildings here are elegant and beautiful, with a strong Islamic style. Here, you can browse shops featuring goods with strong ethnic minority characteristics, such as Uygur clothing, carpets, spices, accessories, and handicrafts, and also taste various local foods such as Xinjiang fruits, pilaf, and mutton.

After breakfast, you will drive about 70 km (about 1–1.5 hours) to visit Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). [Tianshan Tianchi], known as "Yaochi" in ancient times, is a crescent-shaped lake on the north side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The lake surface sits at an elevation of 1,910 meters, with a maximum depth of 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak, surrounded by spruce forests, with scenery like a fairyland. The scenic area encompasses alpine lakes, wetland meadows, forest canyons and other natural landscapes, and as the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green up close and blue in the distance, which is very beautiful. Upon arrival, you will first take a 40-minute sightseeing bus through the steep and magnificent mountains, then walk for 10 minutes to enjoy the stunning lake and mountain scenery and various interesting plants and animals. Optional activities at Tianshan Tianchi (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: Take a boat to roam Tianchi and immerse yourself in the splendid scenery of Yaochi 2. Mayashan Cableway: Take the cableway to the summit at an elevation of 3,056 meters, overlooking the panoramic view of Tianchi and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. After the tour, you will drive north for about 415 km (about 5 hours) to Fuyun County to check in and rest. Along the way, you can not only enjoy the magnificent natural landscapes of desert, Gobi, snow mountains and forests, but also see distinctive ethnic architecture and locals in ethnic clothing and other cultural sights. After arrival, if it is still early and you are energetic, you can stroll through the streets of Fuyun County, explore the charming scenery along the Irtysh River, and appreciate the charm of diverse ethnic cultures.

After breakfast, you will drive 52 kilometers (about 1 hour) to visit [Koktokay Scenic Area]. Take the Koktokay scenic shuttle along the Irtysh River, enjoying views such as the towering birch forest, Stone Gate, and Husband-and-Wife Trees, and photograph the landmark attraction of Koktokay Scenic Area—Shenzhong Mountain. Then head to Kokosuri. Kokosuri is one of the main attractions of Koktokay and also a marsh wetland. The lake water here is blue and clear, rich in aquatic animals and plants. From a distance, the waterside is covered with green grass, wildflowers bloom, and cattle and sheep gather in flocks. In the afternoon sunlight, smoke curls from the yurts of Kazakh herders, just like a frontier pastoral song picture. In summer and autumn, large numbers of red geese, white swans, gray cranes, sand gulls, and wild ducks breed here. Finally, visit the world's largest mine pit—No. 3 Mine Pit. The pit is 200 meters deep and wide and 250 meters long, with layered rings arranged in an orderly and spectacular way. More than 80 minerals coexist in the mine, with rich reserves, large scale, and high quality, not only unique in China but also rare abroad. Then leave Fuyun and continue onward, arriving around evening at [Wucaitan], known as "the Finest Beach Under Heaven." Wucaitan has one river and two banks, each different from north to south. On the south bank, oasis, desert, and blue sky merge, offering a panoramic view. On the north bank is cliff-style Yardang landform, with undulating mountains and changeable colors. The rocks here are mainly red, interspersed with green, yellow, white, black, and transitional colors. Especially under the setting sun in the evening, the colors are gorgeous and charming. You can admire Xinjiang's most beautiful Yardang landform. After the visit, continue by car to Burqin to check in and rest.

After breakfast, you will drive 122 km (about 2 to 2.5 hours) to [Kanas], one of the most beautiful lakes in China. After arriving at the Jiadengyu ticket center, transfer to the shuttle bus to enter the Kanas Scenic Area. First, go to Fish Watching Platform, where you can stand at the highest point of Kanas and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Kanas Lake and the distant mountains (the shuttle bus only goes to the mountainside, and you need to walk up 1,068 steps). Afterward, stroll along the lakeside boardwalk and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lake and mountain scenery. Optional activity (at your own expense): You can take a Kanas Lake cruise to immersively enjoy the landscape of Kanas and experience the wonderful feeling of traveling within a painting. Then continue to visit the Three Bays: Immortal Bay, Moon Bay, and Dragon Bay. First take the sightseeing bus to Immortal Bay, where you can enjoy the often mist-shrouded scenery with mountain views, lake water, and trees complementing one another, as if you were in a fairyland. Then arrive at Moon Bay, where a short walk lets you enjoy the full view of the crescent-shaped river bend. After that, take the sightseeing bus or hike along the shaded path to Dragon Bay, named because the outline of the small island in the river resembles a lying stegosaurus. The scenery here is even more superb, especially in autumn, when the trees along the lakeshore and the emerald lake complement each other, making it breathtakingly beautiful. After the visit, drive to Jiadengyu and check in at the hotel for rest.

After breakfast, depart from Kanas and drive about 1 hour to Hemu Village, one of China's most charming leisure villages. Hemu Village is a small village in the Altay region of Xinjiang, inhabited jointly by Kazakhs and Tuvans. The houses here are all built of logs, very primitive and simple. Wisps of cooking smoke rise from the quiet village, the Hemu River flows quietly amid the birch forest, and various colors of gesang flowers bloom on the fences in front of the doors, especially charming against the blue sky and white clouds. After arriving in Hemu, you will take a sightseeing bus into Hemu Village. You can stroll leisurely along the country paths and fully explore this poetic village. You can admire the surrounding snow mountains, forests, and village scenery, visit the wooden houses of the Tuvans, chat with local Kazakhs and Tuvans, and learn about the local lifestyle and customs. Especially when the sun sets, Hemu Village is bathed in golden light, making the scenery particularly beautiful. You can find a place to enjoy it and relax. Best photography times in Hemu Village 1. Summer: In summer, Hemu Village is full of vitality. Flowers bloom around the village and the trees are lush, making it especially beautiful. Especially in the evening, when smoke curls from the wooden houses, the whole village is shrouded in mist, as if you have entered a fairy-tale world. 2. Autumn: Autumn is the most beautiful season in Hemu Village. The entire village is covered with golden, orange, and red leaves, and the birch forests all over the mountains shine with golden light in the glow of the setting sun, like a colorful oil painting, extremely dreamy. After the visit, you will drive about 155 km (2-3 hours) to Burqin for rest and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will bid farewell to Burqin and drive about 236 km (about 3 hours) to visit [Karamay World Devil City], once rated by Chinese National Geography as "the first of China's three most beautiful Yardang landforms." Karamay World Devil City, also known as Urho Wind City, is famous for its stunning Yardang landforms and the eerie sounds made when wind blows through the valleys. It was once a filming location for the Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. You can take the scenic area's sightseeing bus to admire the naturally formed structures resembling ancient city walls, fortresses and palaces, as well as vivid geological landscapes of plants and animals. After the visit, you will drive about 245 km (about 2.5–3 hours) to Kuitun to check in and rest.

After breakfast, depart from Kuitan and drive about 310 kilometers (about 3.5 hours) to visit [Sayram Lake], honored as "the last tear of the Atlantic." Sayram Lake presents different colors under different lighting angles, sometimes azure blue, sometimes emerald green, and the scenery is very beautiful. Today you will begin exploring from the east gate of the scenic area, enjoy the lake scenery beneath the snow mountains, and then tour the highlight sections of the lakeside ring road (about 90 kilometers, about 5–6 hours), immersing yourself in the magnificent and charming scenery of Sayram Lake. If the weather is good, be sure not to miss the colorful sunset scenery of Sayram Lake. Sayram Lake travel tip: June to August is the best time to visit Sayram Lake. At this time, the climate is warm and comfortable, the sky is clear, the grass is green and flowers bloom, and the scenery is very beautiful. After the visit, pass by the grand, natural, and magnificent [Guozigou Bridge]. The bridge stands in a beautiful valley, accompanied by towering mountains and surrounded by grassland and trees. Don't miss recording its grandeur with your camera. After driving out of Guozigou, the view suddenly opens up. Continue to Yining city hotel to check in and rest.

After breakfast, leave Yining and drive about 252 km (about 3 hours) to Nalati Grassland, one of the world's four great alpine river valley grasslands. [Nalati Grassland] was once an important pass on the ancient Silk Road and is now one of the most beautiful grasslands in the world. Once there, you are greeted by endless green grassland, clear and joyful springs flowing in the valley, leisurely cattle and horses scattered across the grassland, and large patches of fir trees on the distant slopes. Under the blue sky and white clouds, it is like an exquisitely crafted oil painting. After arriving at Nalati Grassland, you will visit the most classic and most popular attraction, the Air Grassland. You will take the scenic area sightseeing bus to visit Tianjie Platform to enjoy the vast grassland scenery, Tianmu Platform to enjoy the lush vegetation, and Youmu Renjia to experience special activities such as horseback riding and travel photography. After the visit, go to Nalati Town or Xinyuan County to check in and rest.

Today you will travel along the picturesque Xinjiang highway from lush Xinyuan, through lively Yining City, to scenic Jinghe County, a total of 475 km taking about 7 hours. Along the way, you will be enchanted by the endless green pastures, the towering snow-capped mountains in the distance, the winding rivers, and the fields dotted with wildflowers. If you happen to travel in June, you will also have the chance to see romantic and beautiful lavender fields.

After breakfast, you will depart from Jinghe and return to Urumqi. Along the way, you will visit the Dushanzi Grand Canyon Scenic Area. [Dushanzi Grand Canyon] was formed by meltwater from the Tianshan Mountains flowing into the Dushanzi Plain. It is a natural wonder at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, with the canyon stretching over 30 km and reaching a depth of 400 meters, featuring steep cliffs, winding gorges and peculiar geological landscapes. Optional activities at Dushanzi Grand Canyon (at your own expense) 1. Duku Grand Glass Bridge: 80 yuan/person. The glass bridge is about 150 meters high and spans the canyon, with an abyss beneath your feet. Every step is full of excitement and challenge, and it is also one of the best vantage points for enjoying the canyon scenery. 2. Canyon zipline: 58 yuan/person. Speed down from a cliff nearly 100 meters high and take in the canyon's beauty, very thrilling and exciting. 3. Ground rail slide car: 70 yuan/person. The top choice for family trips. The slide is about 850 meters long with 8 high-speed curves. It saves effort going up and is fun going down. 4. Canyon water slide: 68 yuan/person. The slide is 1,000 meters long, made of fully transparent glass, with 1 large S-curve and 2 360° turns. Ride a rubber boat down as water splashes around you, fast and exhilarating. After the tour, you will drive about 3.5–4 hours back to Urumqi, and this wonderful and unforgettable 10-day Northern Xinjiang roaming journey comes to an end. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more destinations in China, such as Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Yunnan, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, Tibet, Guilin, etc., you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.