Northern Xinjiang Loop | Xinjiang Urumqi + Tianshan Tianchi + Kanas + Hemu + Sayram Lake + Ili Nalati Grassland + Dushanzi Grand Canyon 12-Day 11-Night Pure Play Small Group Tour

Welcome to Urumqi~! Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the city farthest from the ocean in the world, and a necessary passage on the new northern route of the world-famous ancient "Silk Road." Located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, surrounded by mountains and water, with vast fertile fields, the people who have lived here for generations affectionately call it "Urumqi," meaning "beautiful pasture." Our driver will greet you in the arrival hall of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport and take you to a hotel in downtown Urumqi for check-in. After that, you can rest at the hotel or go out to explore the surroundings. Suggested Activities in Your Free Time If there is still time, you can arrange your own activities in Urumqi. For those who want to learn about Xinjiang's humanistic history, [Xinjiang Museum] is the top recommendation (free, no entry after 16:30 in the afternoon; closed on Mondays); for those who want to experience exotic charm, you can go to [Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar], with its unique Western Regions culture and dazzling array of goods, where you might find some good deals. For those who want to taste delicious food, you can go to the Grand Bazaar night market to eat and stroll, such as the nationally famous big plate chicken, crispy outside and tender inside grilled lamb chops, lamb skewers, Ili horse sausages, various specialty noodles, and so on.

After breakfast, you will drive about 70 km (about 1–1.5 hours) to visit Tianchi Lake at the Tianshan Mountains. 【Tianchi Lake at the Tianshan Mountains】, called "Yaochi" in ancient times, is a crescent-shaped lake on the northern side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The lake surface is at an elevation of 1,910 meters, with the deepest point reaching 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak, surrounded by spruce forests, with scenery like a fairyland. The scenic area includes natural landscapes such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows, and forested canyons. As the light changes, the lake water appears emerald green up close and blue in the distance, which is very beautiful. You can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk (total length 12.5 km, about 3–5 hours) and enjoy the stunning surrounding lake and mountain scenery. Optional activities at Tianchi Lake at the Tianshan Mountains (at your own expense) 1. Lake cruise: Take a boat cruise on Tianchi Lake and immersively enjoy the magnificent 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 Lake and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance. Afterward, continue to Fuyun. Along the way, the scenery gradually changes from urban buildings to gobi desert. This is the Junggar Basin. In the hinterland of the 【Gurbantunggut Desert】 lies a paradise for wildlife. This is a protected area for ungulates, where you will often encounter wild donkeys, wild horses, wild camels, and more. If you are lucky, you can photograph them foraging. After arriving in Fuyun, check into the hotel and rest.

After breakfast, you will travel by vehicle 52 kilometers (about 1 hour) to visit 【Koktokay Scenic Area】. Take the Koktokay scenic vehicle along the Irtysh River, enjoying the towering birch forests, Stone Gate, Husband-and-Wife Trees, and other sights, and photograph the iconic attraction of Koktokay Scenic Area, Divine Bell Mountain. Then head to Kokosuri. Kokosuri is one of the main attractions of Koktokay and also a marsh wetland. Its lake water is blue and clear, with rich aquatic flora and fauna. From afar, the waterside is covered with green grass, wildflowers bloom, and cattle and sheep gather in flocks. In the afternoon sunlight, smoke rises from the yurts of Kazakh herders, like a frontier pastoral song. In summer and autumn, large numbers of red geese, white swans, gray cranes, sand gulls, wild ducks, and other birds breed here. Then leave Fuyun and continue onward, arriving at Wucaitan around evening. 【Wucaitan】has one river and two banks, with different scenery to the north and south. On the south bank, oases, desert, and the blue horizon merge, offering a panoramic view. On the north bank is a cliff-style Yardang landform, with undulating mountain forms and changeable colors. The rocks here are mainly red, interspersed with green, yellow, white, black, and transitional colors. Especially under the setting sun at dusk, the colors are gorgeous and charming, and you can see Xinjiang's most beautiful Yardang landform. After the visit, continue by vehicle to Burqin for check-in.

After breakfast, you will drive 122 km (about 2-2.5 hours) to visit the [Kanas Scenic Area]. After arriving at the Jiadengyu Ticket Center, transfer to the shuttle bus to enter the scenic area. First head to the Fish Watching Platform, standing at the highest point of Kanas to take in the panoramic view of the entire Kanas Lake and the distant mountains (the shuttle bus only goes to the halfway point, and you need to walk up 1,068 steps). Afterwards, stroll along the lakeside boardwalk and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lakes and mountains. 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: Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay and Wolong Bay. First take the sightseeing bus to Shenxian Bay to enjoy the often mist-shrouded scenery where mountain views, lake water and trees complement each other, as if in a fairyland. Then arrive at Moon Bay, where a short walk lets you enjoy the panorama of the crescent-shaped river bend. Afterwards, take the sightseeing bus or hike along the shaded path to Wolong 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 lake shore display their last colors and complement the emerald lake, a beauty that leaves people amazed.

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 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 entering Hemu Village, you can leisurely stroll along the country paths, relax, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding snow mountains, forests and village. You can also view the Tuvan wooden houses from the outside. If you happen to meet local Kazakhs or Tuvans, you can also try greeting them or chatting to learn more about the local lifestyle and customs. After the tour, head to Burqin County for overnight stay.

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

After breakfast, depart from Kuitun and travel by vehicle about 310 kilometers (3.5 hours) to visit Sayram Lake, known as the last tear of the Atlantic. 【Sayram Lake】presents different colors under different angles of light, sometimes azure, sometimes emerald, and the scenery is very beautiful. Today you will begin exploring from the east gate of the scenic area, enjoying the lake scenery beneath the snow mountains, and then tour the essential sections along the lakeside ring road (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 are blooming, and the scenery is very beautiful. After the visit, pass by the grand, natural, and spectacular 【Guozigou Bridge】. The bridge stands in a beautiful valley, accompanied by towering mountains and surrounded by grasslands and forests. Do not miss the chance to record its magnificence with your camera. After driving out of Guozigou, the view suddenly opens up. Continue to Yining for hotel check-in.

After breakfast, leave Yining and drive about 252 km (3 hours) to Nalati Grassland, one of the world's four great alpine river valley grasslands. [Nalati Grassland] was once a strategic pass on the ancient Silk Road and is now one of the most beautiful grasslands in the world. Immersed in it, endless green grasslands rush toward you, clear and joyful springs flow in the river valley, leisurely cattle and horses are scattered across the grassland, and large patches of fir trees are distributed 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 tour, head to Nalati Town or Xinyuan County for accommodation.

Today, you will travel along the picturesque Xinjiang highway from lush Xinyuan, through the lively Yining City, to the scenic Jinghe County, covering a total distance of 475 kilometers and taking about 7 hours. Along the way, you will be captivated 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 the 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 snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains flowing into the Dushanzi Plain. It is a natural wonder at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. The canyon stretches over 30 km and is up to 400 meters deep, with 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 per person. The glass bridge is about 150 meters high and spans the canyon. Beneath your feet is an abyss. Every step is full of excitement and challenge, and it is also one of the best viewpoints for enjoying the canyon scenery. 2. Canyon zipline: 58 yuan per person. Descend rapidly from a cliff nearly a hundred meters high, taking in the beautiful canyon scenery, very thrilling and exciting. 3. Ground rail slide car: 70 yuan per 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 per 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 sliding down, with water splashing everywhere, fast and exhilarating. After the activities, continue onward and return to Urumqi for accommodation.

After breakfast, you will visit 【Hongshan Park】 in the city center, hike to the top of the hill to see the park's landmark building, Hongshan Tower. Hongshan Tower is a nine-story ochre-red tower, matching the color of Hongshan itself. Climbing Hongshan Tower offers a panoramic view of Urumqi's cityscape of towering buildings and busy traffic, and the scenery is magnificent. Then visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum to learn about the humanistic history of Xinjiang and the ancient Silk Road. 【Xinjiang Museum】is the largest comprehensive museum in the Xinjiang region. Here you can admire a rich collection of cultural relics, including precious artifacts from the ancient Silk Road, traditional clothing of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, folk handicrafts, and more. The museum also has temporary exhibitions displaying artworks and historical relics on various themes. In addition, famous Chinese national treasure-level cultural relics such as the ancient corpse of the "Loulan Beauty" and the Han Dynasty brocade arm protector with the inscription "Five Stars Rise in the East" can also be seen here. After visiting the museum, you can stroll along Xinjiang's famous food street, He Tian Second Street, to find and taste local specialty foods and snacks and experience the lively local atmosphere. Then visit the grand Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Bazaar means market. 【Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar】is the place in Urumqi with the strongest ethnic flavor and the world's largest castle-style bazaar. The architecture here is elegant and beautiful, with a rich Islamic style. Here you can browse shops with highly distinctive ethnic minority goods, buy Xinjiang specialties such as raisins, dried apricots, and essential oils, and also taste various local foods such as Xinjiang fruits, pilaf, and mutton.

After breakfast, we will conclude this wonderful 12-day journey around northern Xinjiang's nature and culture. Our driver will take you to the airport or train station for your next destination. If you wish to extend this trip and explore more destinations in China, such as Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Tibet, etc., you may also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.