16 Days Northern Xinjiang Tour with Duku Highway to Kuqa

Welcome to 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.

After enjoying the nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, and then our professional tour guide will bring you to head to Burqin, Arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to visit Five-Colored Beach, just walk into the colourful Beach, you will feel as if in a dream world. The unique lava landscape consisted of purplish red, vandyke red, yellow and light green mudstone, sandstone and gravel. this is the most beautiful colourful Beach, the masterpiece of nature, and the miracle of Burqin.

Exciting day! we will drive along the mountain road to the amazing Kanas Nature Reserve,  is one of the best places in Xinjiang where you can not only enjoy the magnificent mountains and lakes, but also visit the snow-capped icebergs. and then you will have plenty of time to trek around the well-known Three Bays (Moon Bay, Dragon Bay, Immortal Bay), enjoy the most beautiful mountain lake you have never seen. The lake takes on different colors following the four seasons of the year, sometimes it's crystal blue, sometimes it's dark green or even gray.

When we get off the shuttle bus, we can continue the shuttle bus tour to Fish Pavilion for a bird's eye view of Kanas Lake and its surrounding. or you can experience the cruise if you are interested. later afternoon we will check into the hotel. dinner and rest.

Morning enjoy your nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and today we will still stay in Kanas which is the most beautiful mountain lake you have never seen. The lake takes on different colors following the four seasons of the year, sometimes it's crystal blue, sometimes it's dark green, or even gray. you can enjoy the leisure time in Kanas. if the time of last day is not enough, today you will have a chance to walk from the bay to the other one and take a picture.

After the visit, we will drive back to Jiadengyu and transfer to the hotel, Have a good rest.

Today we will take the coach to Hemu village, which is also known as the first village in China, the Scenic Spot is located in Burqin County, Altay District, about 30 kilometres east of Kanas Lake. It is an exquisite and unique wooden house village with a small bridge and magnificent scenery. Meanwhile, you can also experience the unique lifestyle of Tuvas, which is quite worth to visit.

Get up early to climb up wooden steps to reach the grassland on the hill to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise. Scenery at the hill top overlooking the whole village, wooden houses, birch trees and the green colors river meandering its way in the village is really majestic.

Riding horse to enjoy the sunrise highly recommended. 

After lunch drive 5 or 6 hours to the Urho Ghost City, one of the famous yardang landform in China, caused by strong howling wind and erosion. The various strange shapes formed by the wind erosion make you connect them with pagodas, temples, animals, etc.

Continue heading to Karamy. Upon arrival, checking in the hotel and relax with the rest of day.

After breakfast, drive to visit the Sayram Lake, which is known as the last drop of tears of the Atlantic. The largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. Stroll around the lake and enjoythe blooming wildflowers and the beautiful grassland around the lake.

After breakfast, we will still in Sayram Lake enjoying the beautiful natural scenery. Then cross the Guozigou(fruit valley), hike around the valley, step on the wooden deck trails, that will lead you to the most scenic spots with views of Guozigou Bridge and Lake

After lunch in the Yurts of the local Kazahks Family, continue our driving to Yili and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Lavender Farm en route from June to Sept.

Today is a good day. After breakfast, we hit the road to Zhaosu, a county  under the administration of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture contains an area of 10,455 km². On the way, you can enjoy the scenery of Zhaosu Cole Flower adotted with flowers, cattle, sheep and horses, and the Xiata Grassland on the edge of main Tianshana Mountains and Trqux river running across which.

This morning, you will start your journey from the ingenious Kalajun Prairie, which is as beautiful as in a poem or a picture. There are springs densely distributed here. The ideal place for people of the pasture to exchange materials and hold cultural activities. Kalajun, in Kazak, means "a dark wilderness". For generations, people on the grassland have lived a simple nomadic life. The traditional lifestyle exudes a unique charm. You can take the photos there. Then we drive to the Tekes known for being a planned community with a shape of a ba gua.

After breakfast,drive you to Naraty,then visit the beatiful Naraty Grassland, which is one of the world's four largest grasslands of the sub-alpine meadow flora,  has been a famous pasture beautiful grassland scenery cfeaturing local kazakh folk customs since the ancient times. You will have full day to explore the grassland.

Enjoy the sunrise in the morning and head to Bayinbuluk by car(3hrs) to explore another grassland scenery in Bayanbulak Grassland, which is the second largest grassland in China. There are verdant grass, flock of sheep and various plants. A fairyland which is worth for you to spend your time here. Then we are going to Swan Lake, the unique natural reserve for swan in China. It is the paradise of flocks of wild swan.

Please note you will need special Xinjiang Travel Permit to Bayinbuluk which will be applied 4months in prior. 

Today we leave Bayinbuluk Grassland for Kuqa along the Dushanzi-kuqa highway with 3 hours ride. On the road we can enjoy the stunning scenery.

On arrival, visit the Tianshan Great Canyon, the excellent geological park all over the world. It recorded the whole process of crustal movement in Xinjiang during the past 400 million years.

After lunch, continue to visit Kuqa Mosque, the second Mosque in Xinjiang, situated to the north of the old city of Kuqa county downtown. At dusk, wander around the Kuqa Old Town to explore the local culture and history.

In the evening, taste local delicacies before having a good rest in the hotel

Say goodbye to Kuqa and drive 5 or 6hrs to Korla, which is known as the "City of Pears" and the "City of Petroleum".

Explore Iron Gate in suburbs of Korla, an important fortress of the ancient Silk Road. You will be told some stories about the glorious city's past.

Then you will walk along the Peacock River which water comes from Bosten Lake. Two thousand years ago, the river stretched into Lop Nur and raised the people of Loulan Ancient City. After dinner, stroll through the city at your own pace and spend a free evening night.

Morning breakfast at the hotel, then we will drive back to Urumqi. Upon arrival you will visit the Grand International Bazaar, where you can taste Xinjiang foods and fruits.

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