11 Days In-depth Northern Xinjiang Adventure Tour – Small Group

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Xinjiang

   So glad to have you on our 11-day Northern Xinjiang photography tour! Upon your arrival in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, a local driver has been waiting for you at the exit holding a welcome sign "China Xian Tour" and then escort you to your carefully selected hotel.

   Urumqi is filled with rich Western flavors - Islamic-style buildings dotted around where you can find distinctive ethnic commodities, unique food and fruits. The rest of the day is dedicated to exploring this exotic city on your own. There is no English-speaking guide and no activities arranged today.

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   4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
2. Day 2: Urumqi to Fuyun Town (500km/7-8hrs Driving)
   From High Mountain Lakes to the Second Largest Desert in China

   Your journey to Northern Xinjiang starts after you finish your hotel breakfast. The first destination of the day leads to the stunning Heavenly Lake which ancient Chinese mythology describes as the bathing location of the Queen Mother of the West. The Tianchi Lake at 1,910 meters elevation and 105 meters depth shows Mount Bogda and its surrounding spruce trees which create a fairyland appearance. Walking through this area shows you the natural beauty of alpine lakes and wetland meadows and forested canyons.

   Optional activities: you can pay extra to take a boat trip on the lake to get a unique perspective.

   

   Afterward, proceed to drive National Highway 216 through the extensive Gurbantunggut Desert that serves as China's second largest desert which extends over 48800 square kilometers and provides breathtaking views. The route takes you to Kalamari Nature Reserve which opened its doors in 1982 to protect various native species including Mongolian wild asses and wild horses and antelopes. Wild animals will be seen roaming throughout the Gobi area.

   At the end of the tour, your driver will transfer you to Fuyun. Enjoy a relaxing evening in this quaint town.

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   4-Star Hotel in Fuyun
3. Day 3: Fuyun to Burqin (400km/6 hrs driving)
   Learn about the Geological History of the Earth, Admire Typical Mine Deposits

   Today, you will be guided to explore Xinjiang Keketuohai Geopark, which covers an area of 2337.9 square kilometers and is characterized by typical granite deposits and mines. Among them, the No.3 Mine is the most worth seeing, famous at home and abroad as the "Museum of Geology and Minerals", and the "Mecca" in the minds of Chinese and foreign geologists.

   The mine contains 86 of the 140 known earth minerals and more than 90 of its mineral reserves consist of rare metals. Your professional guide will assist you in discovering the secrets that this location holds. After the exploration, drive to Burqin to stay overnight.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Burqin
4. Day 4: Burqin to Hemu Village (120km/3hrs Driving)
   Stroll through China's Most Beautiful Village, Learn about the Unique Lifestyle of the Tuva People

   After breakfast, your North Xinjiang group tour will take you to Hemu, a small picturesque village co-populated by Kazakhs and Tuva people. The village is small, with the main road through the village being about two to three kilometers long, and can be explored on foot. The viewpoint is located on the hillside across the Hemu River, where you can capture a panoramic view of the village.

   

   Strolling through the village, you will notice that all the houses here are wooden and the local ethnic minority people maintain their quaint way of life (optional: China Xian Tour can arrange a home visit for you to learn about their unique customs, if you are interested). The Hemu River, with its light blue waters, flows alongside the village, while grasslands and birch forests surround the village. Autumn is the best season to visit Hemu, when it is golden, just like a fairy tale.

   Tonight, you will relax in a cabin.

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   4-Star Hotel in Hemu
5. Day 5: Hemu to Kanas (70km/1h Driving)
   Witness the Changing Colors of the Kanas Lake

   The Kanas Nature Reserve is the main attraction for today's trip which is located in the remote mountain areas and the thick forest regions of Burqin County in Altay Region. Surely, it is a must stop for anyone who enjoys taking photographs in the Xinjiang. After reaching this destination, transfer to board a sightseeing bus to explore the scenic area.

   You will see the clear and serene lake, which changes color with the season and weather. The lake area features a forest of spruce trees and fir trees together with Siberian larch trees, while the sunny slopes display dense grass and various plant communities that become as beautiful as a fairyland during autumn because of their gold and red and dark green colors.

   

   You can reach the 600-meter-high Fish Viewing Platform to see Kanas Lake and the distant snow-covered mountains and misty green mountains. You can take a cruise for an additional fee if you want to explore this scenic area from a different viewpoint.

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   4-Star Hotel near Kanas
6. Day 6: Kanas to Burqin
   Marvel at the Colorful Yardang Landforms Against the Golden Sunset

   This morning you will continue your stop in Kanas to enjoy the pristine mountain and lake views. After lunch, drive about 3 hours back to Burqin to enjoy a river beach - Five-Colored Beach, which is famous for its Yardang landforms.

   Five-Colored Beach is a small scenic spot with a depth of about 1 kilometer. There are a number of trestles and viewing platforms. The usual visiting time is about 2 hours, but if you are a photography enthusiast, you may need more time.

   The best time to visit Five-Colored Beach is at sunset. Due to the dry, flat terrain here, there are long golden or red sunsets in the evening that cast a beautiful glow over the colorful terrain. Across the river is a dense aspen forest that mirrors a beautiful scenery in the river.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Burqin
7. Day 7: Burqin to Kuitun (460km/6hrs Driving)
   Be Amazed by the Natural Masterpieces of Wind-eroded Earth Pillars

   After breakfast, say goodbye to Burqin and head to Urho Ghost City, which is a typical Yardang landform. Huge stone pillars of different shapes stand side by side on the Gobi Desert, very spectacular and majestic.

   Ghost City is located in a windy area, also known as the "Wind City". Strong winds often howl between the stone pillars, resembling the cries of ghosts, which is the reason why it is named "Ghost City".

   This is a typical wind-erosion landform. The wind stirs up sand, gravel, and rocks, constantly striking, colliding, and rubbing against the rocks. Over time, rocks of varying hardness are "blown" by the wind into various strange shapes.

   After the visit, you will be driven to Kuitun. Upon arrival, check into a comfortable hotel and rest well for the night.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Kuitun
8. Day 8: Kuitun to Urumqi (250km/3hrs Driving)
   Explore the Rich Cultural Heritage of Xinjiang and Taste Local Cuisine

   The in-depth Northern Xinjiang excursion will arrive back in Urumqi today. The path will take you to the Dushanzi Grand Canyon which exists as a result of 100 million years of snowmelt originating from the Tianshan mountains. The National Geographic of China named this site as the initial tourist destination which exists along the Duku Highway, which Route 2013 Highway, the most scenic highway in Xinjiang.

   Then continue driving to Urumqi and visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum which displays Xinjiang history through various ethnic group artifacts. The exhibit features ancient corpses, one of the rarest discoveries in China together with Han Dynasty brocade artifacts.

   You will proceed to Erdaoqiao International Bazaar - the main commercial center of Xinjiang while displaying its tourist attractions through architectural designs that reflect Islamic cultural heritage. The market offers a diverse selection of handmade items which includes traditional clothing, printed hats, carpets and musical instruments. You should visit the local specialty shops since they offer exceptional seasonal fruits which have achieved national recognition.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
9. Day 9: Urumqi to Turpan
   Enjoy Interesting Desert Activities and the Ancient Spirit of Ethnic Minority

   After breakfast, drive 3 hours to Kumutag Desert. Located at the eastern edge of Turpan Basin in Xinjiang, Kumutag is a flowing desert with numerous sand dens and sand hills, etc. Here you have a wide selection of recreational programs to choose from, such as camel rides and desert buggy rides (additional charges).

   

   After the desert adventure, it takes about an hour to reach Tuyoq Village. There is the oldest surviving Uyghur village in Xinjiang with a history of over 1700 years and still retains the oldest way of life: wearing ethnic costumes and using donkey carts for daily transportation. Besides, the Thousand Buddha Cave in this canyon is one of the three famous Buddhist grottoes in Xinjiang. It be traced back to the Jin (266-420) and Sixteen Kingdoms periods (304-439). Of the original 24 caves, eight caves have maintained a few surviving murals after both natural and human-made destruction.

   Your next destination introduces you to the Flaming Mountains which hold the record as China's most extreme temperature location with summer temperatures reaching 47.8℃. The main peak of Flaming Mountain features a forest which contains pines and cypresses that retain their green foliage throughout the entire year. The geological formations which display their distinctive red color will create an unforgettable experience for you.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Turpan
10. Day 10: Turpan to Urumqi (3.5hrs Driving)
    The Wisdom of Irrigation System & the Historical Relics of the Turpan Region

    The first stop on today's journey is the Karez Well, a specialized irrigation system for desert regions. You will take a guided tour deep into the intricate underground channels to see how they distribute water efficiently.

    Continue your cultural tour to the Sugong Pagoda, the largest surviving ancient pagoda in Xinjiang completed in 1778 AD. It is an Islamic pagoda with a novel and chic shape, and the exterior is made of grayish-yellow bricks.

    

    Turpan has a 3000-year history of grape growing. Next, you will visit the Grape Valley where you will see lush vineyards and taste sweet grapes. Finally, end your Turpan tour with a 2-hour tour of Jiaohe Ruins, the ruins of an ancient city that has been preserved for more than 2,000 years. The buildings of this ancient city are built with rammed earth, making them very distinctive.

    After the tour, return to Urumqi city.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Urumqi
11. Day 11: Departure from Urumqi

    Your 11-day North Xinjiang tour will end today. Enjoy your leisurely morning until your driver escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination or home. Hope you had a good time in Northern Xinjiang and wish you all the best in the future.

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