11 Days Xinjiang Apricot Blossom Tour

Today your travel begins with a welcome meeting at airport. After checking in the hotel, rest of your time is free to explore Lanzhou with a long history and colorful culture. There are many historical sites worth visiting.

Morning take the flight to Urumqi, upon arrival, transfer you to the hotel and check you in. The rest of day is for you to explore this city.

Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and the farthest land from any ocean.  It is the heaven of travelers for its beautiful natural scenery, profound cultural deposits and special local customs and practices. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel and check in. The rest of day is free at leisure.

Morning head to Xinjiang Regional Museum, where are many archaeological treasures of the Silk Road and Xinjiang's minority cultures. You will learn about the history of Xinjiang and its peculiar ethnic customs.

Then we make our way to Bezekilik Thousand Buddha Caves which are a complex of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to 14th century between the cities of Turpan and Shanshan (Loulan) at the northeast of the Taklamakan Desert near the ancient ruins of Gaochang in the Mutou Valley. 

Today's tour end up with the 2hrs's exploration of Jiaohe Ruins, resembles Pompei, but 300 years older，a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan and a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys where you can experience the way of life of the Uygur ancestors.

With an early start today our first stop Tuyoq Valley, an ancient oasis-village. We will have lunch in the local Uygur family before exploring this traditional village surrounded by the impressive grape trellis and the stories of the adventurers all of the world.

About 3pm, head up to the Karez Well irrigation system that produce the best melons and grapes in China. Following is the visiting to Sugong Minaret, a conduit for cultural exchange between different ethnic and religious groups.

After visiting, drive back to Urumqi

We will drive 1.5 hours to entrance of the Heavenly Lake about 08:30, following is the 40-minutes shuttle bus twisting through the picturesque Tianshan mountains to the edge of the Lake. Either Trek around the lake, enjoy the boating cruise, or even take the cable car to the explore the Maya Mountain for the incredible view of Bogoda Peak. 

Then drive to Kuitun, visit the Urho Ghost City, also known as Wuerhe Wind City", a unique wind-eroded geological area commonly referred to as "wind city" because of the frequent howling winds.

After breakfast, we will meet you at the hotel lobby and hit the road, driving all the way to Yining. On the way, you will enjoy the scenery of the Sayram Lake, the highlight of your northern Xinjiang tour, which is known as the last drop of tears of the Atlantic. Sayram Lake is a fairyland with wonderful natural scenery whose water is very clear and pure. you can stroll on the shore, enjoy the blooming wildflowers and the beautiful grassland around the lake. See the famous Guozigou Bridge, the largest and most important bridge in Xinjiang. There are many beautiful bends and you can enjoy the scenery of Guozigou valley which is the most beautiful valley in Nothern Xinjiang en route. In the evening you will no doubt be drawn back to hotel for a  night out with your new pals.

After delighted breakfast, we will drive to Xinyuan county and visit Apricot blossom, which is located in tuergen township, xinyuan county. It is not far from the national highway 218.Due to the winter inversion climate in mountain and valley, the largest original wild apricot forest in the middle ages remains, which is distributed in the north bank of gongnai river, covering an area of more than 30,000 mu. It is one of the areas where wild apricot forest is relatively concentrated in xinjiang.

We'll head to the famous pasture Naraty Grassland with about 4-5 hours driving. Upon your arrival, we will enjoy the Naraty Air Prairie. Naraty, one of four famous grassland in the world. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and explore the Kazakh way of life.

Naraty Air Prairie is as beautiful as in a poem or a picture. There are springs densely distributed here. Every year, with flowers all blossoming out here and numerous herds gathering around, a great number of tourists domestic and abroad are attracted here. The Narat Prairie is also called "Deer Garden" in history and an ideal place for people of the pasture to exchange materials and hold cultural activities. Ride the horse in the vast grassland. Explore the traditional Kazakh way of life is also an activity that you can't miss in this place.

Afterwards, transfer you to Xinyuan county and check in the hotel

Get up early this morning, we will continue our sightseeing on Naraty Grassland, with flowers all blossoming out here and numerous herds gathering around, a great number of tourists domestic and abroad are attracted here. The Narat Prairie is also called " Deer Garden" in history and an ideal place for people of the pasture to exchange materials and hold cultural activities. After the visiting, we will drive back to Yining downtown and transfer you to the hotel and check in

This morning we will drive back to Urumqi and go sightseeing in Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Urumqi. You'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything that you can imagine.

Today you will say goodbye to Urumqi, be transferred based on your flight or train schedule. Wish you a pleasant journey home!