12 Days Xinjiang Travel to Kanas Lake and Taklamakan Desert 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.

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 Fuyun county. On the way, you can enjoy the stunning Huoshaoshan (Burning Mountain), where you will witness a sea of red, caused by burnt rocks that look as if they are still burning along the hills.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby and you will start your trip from Keketuohai National Geological Park. Then you will see "Haizi Kou" and explore the Tunnel of Mine No 3, which comprises of many types of minerals. Take a tram ride and travel along Irtysh Grand Canyon till you reach Shenzhong Mountain and visit the "Earthquake Museum". Thereafter, travel to Burqin for dinner and overnight stay.

We have to start the tour in the early morning, and then drive along the mountain road to Kanas Nature Reserve, China's only European-like ecological site that has been awarded the title of the "Pure Land of the World" due to its unspoiled natural scenery. En-route, visit Kanas Lake. Upon arrival have lunch and then change the shuttle bus to the inside of the Reserve to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Later afternoon back to Jiadengyu district to check into the hotel. Dinner and 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.

After enjoying the nice buffet breakfast at the hotel, and then our professional tour guide will bring you to head to Burqin, it is the best place where you can enjoy the sunset of 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.

After breakfast, we will drive to Kuitun, travel along the Gurbantunggut Desert 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.

Enjoy your breakfast the hotel, on the way travel to Anjihai Grand Canyon, which is called the paradise of the photographer. Anjihai River is originated in Tianshan Mountain, through many years of scouring, in the vicinity of Tungut, it was formed a huge alluvial fan under the Northern slope of Tianshan Mountain. The scale of the river valley alluvial fan is quite magnificent, to the north opening with umbrella-shaped, it can be called a geographical wonder. Back to Urumqi and head to Grand International Bazaar where you can watch Uygur dance show and taste local delicacies.

Today we will take the moring flight to Kuqa. and bring you to visit the Kuqa Mosque upon arrival, which is the second Mosque in Xinjiang. Stroll around Kuqa Old Town will make you have an unforgettable memory.

After breakfast, our driver will take you down to Luntai County. Today you will have a full day trip to visit the magnificent view of Poplars Diversifolia Park, an oasis of the desert. The park is located in the north of Taklimakan Desert and the middle portion of Tarim River. Poplars diversifolia is said to live for 1000 years after birth , stand erect for 1000 years after death and be unrotten for 1000 years after falling down. You will have a chance to appreciate the vast desert and a beautiful scenery of  Populus diversifolia. 

Return to your hotel and have a good rest!

After buffet in the hotel and we will head to our first step, Kizil Grottoes, which is a typical representative of Qiuci Grottoes. And then visit the Tianshan Great Canyon, which is the excellent geological park all over the world. It recorded the whole process of crustal movement in Xinjiang during the past 400 million years. 

Today you will end your enjoyable tour in Xinjiang, and back to Urumqi to catch the international flight to your destination. Wish you a pleasant journey home!