7 Days Kanas Trekking & Turpan Uighur Culture

Welcome to Altay, a beautiful and peaceful “mountain city”, and homeland for multi ethnic groups, various cultures, natural wonders harmoniously co-existing. When you arriving, you will be met and get checked in the nice hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this charming city.

With the early start of driving along the most beautiful Altay-Hemu Highway to Tuwa villages. Magnificent valleys, grasslands, blooming wildflowers along the highway and the snow mountains in the distance will be enjoyable to see.

Arriving in Hemu Village after about 3-4hrs driving. It is called the First Village in China for with the panorama of herds of cattle and sheep, flowers and trees, Tuwan's tradition and Kanas natural wonders. Have a try Tuwans food, music, and religion. If you want to explore the life of Tuwa people, they will very welcome you to visit their family.

It is about 20kms hiking from Hemu to Black Lake. Along the way, you will see Tuwan wooden houses, breathe oxygen, and take photos till to Black Lake, where mountains and trees reflect on the water making the panorama picturesque. Stay at the local family or wooden house, enjoy the beautiful starry sky at night.

A new day of hiking begins, the distance from Black Lake to Jiadengyu is about 20kms. From the Black Lake to the west, we will climb the mountain ridge and through the extremely dense pine forest. Then you can see Kanas Lake and the fish Pavilion on the peak.

Kanas Lake 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. See the marvelous scenery at famous Kanas Three Bay(Immortal Bay, Moon Bay, Dragon Bay), you can also head to the Fish Pavilion, enjoy a panoramic view of Kanas. 

Lunch will arranged at the local restaurant. Then we will drive to Beitun and catch an overnight train to Urumqi.

Today we will head for Turpan for 3 hours driving. Along the way will pass by the splendid Wulabai Reservoir and Salt Lake, and see the largest Dabancheng Winder Power Station on the both sides of the highway. When arriving, you'll be amazed by the historical sites and oasis land of this ethnic city. The first site in Turpan is Sugong Minaret, the largest Islamic minaret in China built in 1778 by Sulaiman that is the ruler and leader of Turpan to commemorate and commend his father's achievements of the reunion of Xinjiang. Then enjoy the view of ancient Jiaohe Ruins with a history of 2,300 years shaped like a willow leave. It is adorable at that time the city was built in the dotted complete functions and rich in design aesthetics. For the best preserved ruins of its ancient era in China, it was rated as World Culture Heritage on June 22, 2014. On the way to Shanshan, we will have an exploration at the oldest Tuyoq Village located in Tuyugou Gorge of Shanshan County, where Uiygur's ancestors built a village on it encircled by the Flaming Mountains and bred here for generations ever since with 1700 years till today. Hiking around the best-preserved Uighur Wood and Earth Village is going to be extraordinary and fresh。

Travel back to Urumqi after a delighted breakfast. Take your time at Xinjiang Regional Museum to learn about the history and culture of Xinjiang. You will follow the guide to explore the mysterious Loulan mummy, see the unique costumes of the western regions and the cultural relics unearthed in different dynasties. Then enjoy a walking tour at the bustling Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, which is the largest bazaar in the world. The unique Islamic architectural style makes it one of the landmarks of Urumqi, you can find fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything with Xinjiang style.

Airport transfer will be arranged after the visit, wish you have a pleasant journey home.