12 Days In-depth Northern Xinjiang Adventure Tour
Tour Overview
Explore the most scenic part of Xinjiang in this 12 days in-depth Northern Xinjiang tour along the ancient Silk Road! Linking Urumqi, Fuyun, Burqin, Kanas, Hemu, Kuitun and Turpan, the 12-day adventures with luxury travel service provides opportunity to visit the marvelous Gurbantunggut Desert, Kalamaili Nature Reserve, Koktokay National Geological Park, Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, Karamay, Sayram Lake, Jiaohe Ruins, Urumqi Bazaar…It’s a journey to relax your spirit into the picturesque natural wonders.
Highlights of this tour:
* Come across wild donkeys and goats running in the Gobi Desert at Kalamaili Nature Reserve, a wildlife paradise.* Get hugely impressed by the rare and magical geological heritage at Keketuohai National Geological Park and visit the Tunnel of Mine No.3, which is the largest mine in the world.
* Revel in the unspoiled natural beauty of Kanas, walk along the Kanas River, and admire the spectacular virgin forest.
* Be rewarded with the amazing sunrise of Hemu Village, a paradise for photographers, and experience the unique lifestyle of the local Tuva people who have lived here for centuries.
* Take the shuttle bus to visit the whole Urho Ghost City, marveling at the extraordinary workmanship of nature.
* Stroll along the shores of Sayram Lake to admire colorful wildflowers and rolling grasslands.
* Have a glimpse of China’s largest wind power station and explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which boast the largest group of caves and the most abundant murals in Turpan.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Urumqi Arrival (No meal)
Upon your arrival at Urumqi airport/train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer you to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
- Day 2: Urumqi to Fuyun, 700kms/9hrs (B)Journey through Desert, Spotting Wildlife in Nature Reserve
After having breakfast at the hotel, travel along National Highway 216, passing through the Gurbantunggut Desert. Along the way, you’ll experience the beauty of the Kalamaili Nature Reserve, known for its wildlife. If you're lucky, you might spot wild donkeys and goats running across the Gobi Desert.
As you go past Huoshaoshan Mountain (火烧山), you will be surprised by the wide area that looks like a red sea. The rocks weren’t always red, but they turned that color because of underground coal catching fire on its own. It almost looks like the mountain is still on fire. Stopping here to take some great photos is a great idea! After that, keep driving and enjoy the amazing views on the way.
Accommodation: Overnight in Fuyun
Kalamaili Nature Reserve - Day 3: Drive from Fuyun to Burqin, 260kms/4 hrs (B)Explore Rare Geological Wonders at Keketuohai Park
Today you will explore Keketuohai National Geological Park. It is the first national geopark with typical mines and deposits in the country. You also can visit the Mine No.3 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, you will keep driving for 3 to 4 hours to Burqin.
Accommodation: Overnight in Burqin
No.3 Mine in Keketuohai - Day 4: Burqin to Kanas, 150kms/3 hrs (B)Discover Kanas Lake's Pristine Beauty and Panoramic Views
The beautiful Kanas Nature Reserve is one of the top places to visit in Xinjiang. After a 3-hour drive from Burqin, we reach Jiadengyu for lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to a shuttle bus to the Kanas Lake. It is often called “the pure land on earth” and “the oriental Switzerland.” As you walk along the Kanas River, see peaceful sights like virgin forests and crystal-clear lakes. It’s a perfect spot for relaxing and taking beautiful photos.
You can also walk up 1,068 steps to the top of the Fish-watching Platform for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake. Finishing the relaxing sightseeing, you will check into the hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kanas
Fish Watching Platform - Day 5: Lake Exploration (B)Admire Misty Fairy Bay and Moon Bay's "S" Bend
This morning you will continue to visit Kanas. Shenxian Bay (Fairy Bay) is the first stop, where the scenery shrouded in morning mist is like an ink painting. If you are a photography enthusiast, you will definitely love this place. Afterwards, hike along Moon Bay and Wolong Bay. The "S" bend is a representative scenic spot in Kanas, usually photographed in Moon Bay. Autumn is the best season for viewing.
After the tour, return to the hotel and rest well.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kanas
Moon Bay in Autumn - Day 6: Kanas to Hemu, 70kms/1.5-2hrs (B)Witness Sunrise and Tuva Culture in Tranquil Hemu Village
If the weather is good, you can wake up early to see the beautiful sunrise in the Kanas Scenic Area. After that, head to Hemu Village by our private van. Hemu is one of the three places in China where the Tuva people live. To enter the village, you’ll take a shuttle bus. This peaceful village is a dream for anyone who loves photography. The quiet houses, thick forests, and animals like cows and sheep create a lovely and peaceful scene. Walk around the village at your own pace and get a feel for the special way of life the Tuva people have followed for many generations.
Accommodation: Overnight in Hemu Village
Hemu Village - Day 7: Hemu to Burqin, 160kms/3hrs (B)Marvel at Five-colored Beach's Surreal Mineral Hues
Early birds will be rewarded with the amazing sunrise of Hemu Village. After saying goodbye to the pristine village, drive 4 hours to the Five-colored Beach in Burqin. The scale of the Yardang landscape is not very large, but it is quite a surreal spot created by water erosion and wind erosion.
Sitting on the north bank of the rippling Eerqisi River and facing the lush greenery on the opposite bank, it seems like an alien world. Because the rocks contain different kinds of mineral substances, they show different colors under the sunshine. The sunset, river, forest, and colorful bank make an incredible picture that will bedazzle you with too many things for your eyes to feast on. There is a suspension bridge at the far end. It looks like a beautiful oil painting! Last, drive to Burqin County for overnight.
Accommodation: Overnight in Burqin
Sunrise at Hemu Village - Day 8: Drive to Kuitun from Burqin, 460kms/5 hours (B)See Eerie Urho Ghost City's Wind-Sculpted Landscapes
After breakfast, driving for 5-6 hours to Kuitun via the famous oil city, Karamay.
You will arrive at the Urho Ghost City following the Gurbantunggut Desert. The Ghost City is also known as “Wind City” because of the howling winds throughout the year. The eerie landform is the joint result of intermittent torrential scouring and strong wind erosion. You can tour the whole Ghost City on a shuttle bus. After visiting this seemingly horrifying site, drive to Kuitun and check into a local hotel.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kuitun
Urho Ghost City - Day 9: Kuitun to Sayram Lake (B)Enjoy Sayram Lake's Pure Waters and Alpine Beauty
Today will start with a visit to Sayram Lake, another highlight of your trip to northern Xinjiang. The lake is the highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang with intoxicating scenery. It also has a nickname of “Atlantic Ocean’s last teardrop” because it is the last place that the warm and humid air of the Atlantic Ocean reaches. The lake water is limpid and pure. You can stroll along the lake and enjoy the colorful wild flowers and rolling grassland.
On the way to Sayram Lake, you will have opportunity to see the famous Guozigou Bridge which is the largest and most important bridge in Xinjiang. You will see many impressing S-shaped curves and admire the most beautiful valley in northern Xinjiang, Guozigou Valley.
After the visit, transfer back to Kuitun.
Accommodation: Overnight in Kuitun
Sayram Lake - Day 10: Kuitun to Turpan, 430kms/5.5 hrs (B)Glimpse Tuyu Valley's Culture and Bezeklik's Ancient Caves
After breakfast, drive about 5.5 hours to Turpan, one of the important stops on the Silk Road. Along the way, you will have a glimpse of China's largest wind power station.
Arriving in Turpan, the first scenic site will be Tuyu Valley. It is the oldest Uyghur village in Xinjiang and a nice place to soak up Buddhist and Islamic culture. Next, continue to explore the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. Among all the grottoes in Turpan, Bezeklik has the largest group of caves and the most abundant murals. It is also one of the largest Buddhist cave temple sites in Xinjiang. There are 57 caves open to visitors now.
Accommodation: Overnight in Turpan
Tuyugou Valley - Day 11: Turpan to Urumqi, 195kms/3 hrs (B)Wander Around 2000-Yaer-Old Jiaohe Ruins and Urumqi's Vibrant Bazaar
After breakfast, follow your guide to explore the amazing Turpan further! The first stop will be Karez Well, an underground irrigation system created by the ancient Xinjiang people. This project can be called the source of life for the arid northwestern region. Then, move on to Jiaohe Ruins, the largest, oldest, and best-preserved raw-soil building in the world with a history of more than 2,000 years. Wander around this ancient city, stepping back in time to trace past civilizations.
After finishing the sightseeing, drive for around 3 hours to the capital of Xinjiang, Urumqi. Upon arrival, just follow your guide to tick off Xinjiang International Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Urumqi. You will see all kinds of stuff, such as fruits, clothes, crafts, knives, and rugs in this bustling market. You can buy some souvenirs or local dried fruits and nuts for your family and friends if you would like to.
Accommodation: Overnight in Urumqi
Chinaxiantour's customers in International Bazaar - Day 12: Urumqi Departure (B)
The 12 days in-depth North Xinjiang tour will end by today. We will arrange an airport transfer for you and wish you a pleasant journey home! If you want to visit more places in Xinjiang or other Chinese cities, please feel free to contact us. We will be very pleased to serve you.
Accommodation: N/A
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
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