Urumqi - S21 - Ulungur Lake/Sea Devil's City - Burqin (approx. 580km total, approx. 7h drive)
08:00-09:30 The driver, according to the time agreed the previous evening, goes to each group member's hotel to pick them up in turn.
09:30-10:00 Facing the rising sun, begin today's exciting journey, setting off from Urumqi along the newly opened [S21 Desert Highway] to the destination.
10:00-17:00 Accompanied by cheerful music, we chat and laugh all the way. The scenery along the route gradually changes from city buildings to gobi desert; this is the Junggar Basin. In the hinterland of the Gurbantunggut Desert hides a paradise for wildlife, a protected area for ungulates, where you will often encounter wild donkeys, wild horses, wild camels and more, and if lucky you can photograph them foraging.
17:00-17:30 Head to [Ulungur Lake] / [Sea Devil's City Scenic Area] (choose one of the two).
17:30-18:30 Located on the east bank of Jili Lake, it boasts magnificent geological landscapes, unique sea yardang landforms and distinctive folk culture. The film "Seven Swords" and the TV drama "Zhaoge" were shot here. Travelers call it a "yardang geological wonder" and a "Devil's City with life". The mythical wonder of Sea Devil's City is a colorful world, a castle created by nature, a lake created by nature; they have depended on each other for tens of millions of years, telling in silent language of nature's majesty and grandeur, vastness and gentleness. In winter, Fuhai is like an ink-wash Chinese painting; though the colors are simple, it is still breathtakingly beautiful. Here you can also experience an ice-and-snow park, snowmobiles, skiing, ice fishing and more.
18:30-20:00 In the evening we will arrive at the European-style "fairy-tale town" of Burqin. After checking in, rest, and after night falls you can freely explore the local food night market.
[Warm Tips]
1. Today's morning drive is long, so please bring snacks in advance.
2. For Ulungur Lake/Sea Devil's City, choose one of the two scenic areas; for group tourists, the minority follows the majority in choosing which to visit.
3. Prices at the Burqin night market vary; before ordering, be sure to ask clearly about the pricing unit and prices to avoid an unpleasant experience.
🍽️ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on your own
🏨 Burqin