7 Days Private Northern Xinjiang Scenic Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Urumqi Arrival
   Taste Islamic Flavor from Building to Ethnic Products

   Please make your own way to arrive at Urumqi Diwobao Airport between 2-3 pm. When you arrive at Urumqi, the local driver will pick you up with a "China Xian Tour" banner.

   In the late afternoon, your Urumqi tour guide will take you to the Erdaoqiao International Bazaar - one of the largest bazaars in the world with a strong Islamic flavor in its buildings. You can stroll around the bazaar to explore various ethnic products from clothing, jewelry, and handicrafts to local specialties and musical instruments.

   

   Try Uighur fruitcakes and dried fruits. At the end of the visit, we will drive around 1.5 hours to a hotel near Heavenly Lake overnight.

   Accommodation: near Heavenly Lake

2. Day 2: Urumqi to Koktokay Town (460km/5hrs driving)
   Admire Alpine Lakes, Drive Through Desert Landscapes with Wildlife Sightings

   In the morning, you will go to the amazing Heavenly Lake, a picturesque Alpine lake that is 2,000m up in the Tianshan mountain range. You can choose to absorb the beautiful surroundings by taking a cruise, or hiking along the lake... (boat cruise is an optional activity, please pay on the spot by yourself if you want to experience it)

   

   Later, drive to Fuyun for the night. On the way, we will pass by the Gurbantunggut Desert and the Kalamaili Nature Reserve. If you are lucky, you may see wild donkeys and goats running in the Gobi Desert.

   Accommodation: in Koktokay Town

   

3. Day 3: Koktokay to Burqin Tour (330km/4-5hrs driving)
   Explore Unique Granite Landform, the World's Largest Mine

   Today we are going to explore Keketuohai National Geological Park. It is the first national geopark with typical mines and deposits in the country. Comprising 4 major scenic areas, the park features a unique granite landform, and the thousands of years of erosion by wind, rain, and river cutting have sculpted it into dramatic deep gorges, and canyon rivers.

   

   Your guide will lead you to visit the No.3 Mine, which is the largest mine in the world and known as the Geology and Mineral Museum. Once you come to Keketuohai, you will be hugely impressed by the rare and magical geological heritage.

   After saying goodbye to this world wonder, we will drive to Burqin for the night.

   Accommodation: in Burqin

   

4. Day 4: Burqin to Hemu Tour (140km/2.5hrs driving)
   Shoot Tranquil Village, Dense Woods, Local Tuva People

   Today, continue your Northern Xinjiang tour with a drive to Hemu Village - one of the three settlements of Tuva people in China. We will enter the village on a shuttle bus. It's truly a paradise for photographers. The tranquil village, dense woods, and herds of cattle and sheep make a picturesque landscape. You can freely walk around the village to experience the unique lifestyle of the local Tuva people who have lived here for centuries.

   

   Special note: please have lunch or dinner in the hotel, otherwise no breakfast will be provided the next day. The Chinese-style meal is available in the hotel, around RMB80 per person, please pay there on your own.

   Accommodation: in Hemu

5. Day 5: Hemu to Kanas Tour (70km/2hrs driving)
   Immerse in Stunning Lakes and Virgin Forests

   The charming Kanas Nature Reserve is a must-see for visitors to Xinjiang. After a 2-hour ride on the winding road, you will arrive at Jiadengyu for lunch, and then take the scenic shuttle bus to the legendary Kanas Lake.

   

   You may have never seen so a beautiful mountain lake. As the seasons change, the lake bursts into different colors, crystal blue, dark green, or even gray. Walking from one bay to another and taking some pictures, you will have a relaxing time immersing yourself in the idyllic beauty and embracing nature.

   Strolling along the Kanas River, you will see the virgin forests, Fairy Bay, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Wild Duck Lake which would be a perfect chance to take nice pictures! After finishing the relaxing sightseeing, you will check into the hotel.

   Accommodation: in Kanas

   

6. Day 6: Kanas to Urho Tour (380km/6hrs driving)
   Marvel at Magnificent Danxia & Yardang Landforms

   Start early in the morning and head out to the Wucaitan (Five-colored Beach) first. The scenery on both sides of the Burqin River is vastly different, with colorful Danxia landforms on the north bank and lush valley forests on the south bank. Wucaitan is composed of red, light yellow, and light green sandstone and conglomerate, with various colors and hues. At sunset, under the soft radiance of the sun, the colors of the beach become even more vibrant.

   

   After spending some time at the beach, your North Xinjiang trip transfers you to Urho Ghost City, a unique geological park featuring bizarre rock formations and an eerie landscape, believed to have been formed by wind and water erosion over millions of years. Hop on a shuttle bus and explore the entire Ghost City. Listen to your guide share stories and legends about the Ghost City and its history.

   Accommodation: in Urho

   

7. Day 7: Urho to Urumqi Tour (470km/5.5hrs driving), Departure

   On your last day, you will check out from your hotel and then drive back to Urumqi for departure. This is the end of your 7-day private Northern Xinjiang tour package. If you want to explore more in Xinjiang such as Turpan and Kashgar, please feel free to contact us!

   Note: Please book a return flight after 5 pm to ensure no rush for the trip.

   Accommodation: N/A