Northern Xinjiang Mini-Loop | 8 Days 7 Nights Xinjiang Highlights Tour
Meals: Self-provided
Accommodation: Urumqi
Welcome to Urumqi! Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the city furthest from the ocean in the world, and a crucial stop on the ancient Silk Road's northern route. Located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with vast fertile plains, it is affectionately known as "Urumqi" by its long-time inhabitants, meaning "beautiful pasture." Our driver will meet you at the arrival hall of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Urumqi for check-in. Afterwards, you can relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding area.
Suggested activities for your free time:
If you have time, you can arrange your own activities in Urumqi. For those interested in learning about Xinjiang's history and culture, the Xinjiang Museum is highly recommended (free admission, exit only after 4:30 PM; closed Mondays). To experience a different culture, visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar ; its unique Western Region culture and wide variety of goods might offer you some great finds. For food lovers, stroll through the Grand Bazaar night market and sample famous dishes such as braised chicken with potatoes, crispy roasted lamb chops, lamb skewers, Yili horse sausage, and various specialty noodles.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Fuyun County
After breakfast, you will travel approximately 70 kilometers (about 1-1.5 hours) to visit Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains. Tianchi Lake , formerly known as "Yaochi" (Jade Pool), is a crescent-shaped lake on the north side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains and a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The lake sits at an altitude of 1910 meters, with a maximum depth of 105 meters. The lake reflects Bogda Peak and is surrounded by spruce trees, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty. The scenic area encompasses alpine lakes, wetlands, meadows, forests, and canyons. As the light changes, the lake water displays a beautiful interplay of green and blue hues. You can stroll along the lakeside trail (12.5km long, about 3-5 hours) and admire the stunning scenery.
Optional activities at Tianchi Lake (at your own expense):
1. Lake cruise: Take a cruise around Tianchi Lake and immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery of the Jade Pool;
2. Mayashan Cableway: Take the cableway to the top of the mountain at an altitude of 3056 meters, overlook the panoramic view of Tianchi Lake and the magnificent Bogda Peak in the distance.
Afterwards, continue to Fuyun. Along the way, the scenery gradually changes from city houses to Gobi desert. This is the Junggar Basin. In the heart of the Gurbantünggüt Desert lies a paradise for wild animals. This is an ungulate reserve where you can often encounter wild donkeys, wild horses, and wild camels. If you're lucky, you might even be able to photograph them foraging for food. After arriving in Fuyun, check into your hotel and rest.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Burqin
After breakfast, you will travel 52 kilometers (approximately 1 hour) to visit the [Keketuohai Scenic Area] . The scenic area shuttle will travel along the Ertis River, allowing you to admire the towering birch forests, stone gates, and the "Couple Trees," among other landscapes. You will also photograph the iconic Shenzhong Mountain, a landmark of the Keketuohai Scenic Area. Afterwards, you will visit Kekesuli, one of the main attractions of Keketuohai and a marshland. The lake water here is crystal clear, teeming with aquatic flora and fauna. In the distance, the water's edge is covered with lush green grass, wildflowers bloom, and herds of cattle and sheep graze. Under the afternoon sun, smoke rises from the yurts of Kazakh herders, creating a pastoral scene reminiscent of a frontier idyll. During the summer and autumn seasons, large numbers of red geese, swans, cranes, gulls, and wild ducks breed and thrive here.
After leaving Fuyun, we continued our journey, arriving at Wucaitan (Five-Colored Beach) around dusk . Wucaitan features two distinct riverbanks, one on the north and one on the south. The south bank boasts an oasis, desert, and a blue sky merging seamlessly, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The north bank is characterized by cliff-like Yardang landforms, with undulating mountains and varied colors. The rocks here are predominantly red, interspersed with green, yellow, white, black, and transitional hues. Especially at sunset, the colors are vibrant and enchanting, showcasing some of the most beautiful Yardang landforms in Xinjiang. After the visit, we continued our journey to Burqin for overnight accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Jiadengyu
After breakfast, you will travel 122 kilometers (approximately 2-2.5 hours) to visit the Kanas Scenic Area . Upon arrival at the Jiadengyu Ticket Center, you will transfer to a shuttle bus to enter the scenic area. First, you will visit the Fish Viewing Platform, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Kanas Lake and the distant mountains from the highest point of Kanas (the shuttle bus only goes up to the halfway point, requiring you to climb 1068 steps). Afterward, you can stroll along the lakeside boardwalk and appreciate the beauty of the surrounding lake and mountain scenery.
Optional activity (at your own expense): You can take a boat trip on Kanas Lake and immerse yourself in the scenery of Kanas, enjoying the wonderful experience of being in a painting.
Afterwards, continue your tour of the three bays: Fairy Bay , Moon Bay , and Crouching Dragon Bay . First, take a sightseeing bus to Fairy Bay to enjoy the often misty scenery, where mountains, lakes, and trees reflect each other, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere. Then, arrive at Moon Bay and take a short walk to admire the panoramic view of the crescent-shaped river bend. Afterwards, take a sightseeing bus or hike along the tree-lined path to Crouching Dragon Bay, named for the outline of the small island in the river that resembles a reclining sword dragon. The scenery here is even more stunning, especially in autumn when the trees along the lake shore and the emerald green lake complement each other, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Burqin
After breakfast, depart from Kanas and drive for about an hour to Hemu Village, one of China's most charming and tranquil villages. Hemu Village is a small village inhabited by Kazakhs and Tuva people. The houses here are all built of logs, exuding a rustic and primitive charm. Wisps of smoke rise from the tranquil village, and the Hemu River flows quietly through birch forests. Colorful Gesang flowers bloom on the fences in front of the houses, creating a particularly enchanting scene against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds. Once in Hemu Village, you can leisurely stroll along the country lanes, relax, and admire the surrounding snow-capped mountains, forests, and village scenery. You can also view the Tuva people's wooden houses from the outside. If you happen to encounter local Kazakhs or Tuva people, you can try to greet or chat with them to learn more about their lifestyle and customs. After the tour, proceed to Burqin County for overnight accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Kuitun
After breakfast, depart from Burqin and travel approximately 236 kilometers (about 3 hours) by car to visit the Karamay World Devil City, once rated by China National Geographic as the most beautiful of China's three Yardang landforms. Also known as Urho Wind City, the Karamay World Devil City is famous for its stunning Yardang landforms and the eerie sounds of the wind blowing through the valleys. It was a filming location for the Oscar-winning film *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*. You can take a sightseeing bus to admire the naturally formed ancient city walls, fortresses, and palaces, as well as the vivid and lifelike flora and fauna. After the visit, proceed to Kuitun for overnight stay, a journey of approximately 245 kilometers, taking 2.5-3 hours.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: Yining
After breakfast, depart from Kuitun and travel approximately 310 kilometers (3.5 hours) to visit Sayram Lake, known as the "Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean. " Sayram Lake displays different colors depending on the angle of the light, ranging from azure to emerald green, creating a stunningly beautiful scene. Today, you will begin your exploration from the east gate of the scenic area, admiring the lake's beauty beneath the snow-capped mountains. Then, you will travel along the scenic route of the lakeside highway (90 kilometers, approximately 5-6 hours), immersing yourself in the magnificent and captivating scenery of Sayram Lake. If the weather is good, you will definitely miss the breathtaking sunset over Sayram Lake.
Travel tips for Sayram Lake: June to August is the best time to visit Sayram Lake. During this period, the weather is warm and comfortable, the sky is clear, the grass is green and the flowers are in bloom, and the scenery is very beautiful.
After your visit, you'll pass by the magnificent and imposing Guozigou Bridge. Nestled in a scenic valley, surrounded by towering mountains, grasslands, and forests, don't miss the chance to capture its grandeur with your camera. Leaving Guozigou, the view opens up dramatically, and you'll continue to your hotel in Yining City for your overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation: /
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Yining Railway Station to take the high-speed train back to Urumqi (approximately 5-5.5 hours). This will conclude your trip. We hope this journey to Xinjiang has left you with wonderful memories, and we look forward to seeing you again!
Returning to my warm home
Fee Description
1. Based on your travel needs, you can specify the accommodation standard for your itinerary, such as 3- to 5-star hotels.
2. Travel prices may fluctuate depending on travel dates, group size, hotel class, and other factors.
Included in the fee
Tour guide: Chinese/English speaking tour guide provided throughout the trip.
Entrance fees: First entrance fees to the attractions listed in the itinerary
Transportation: Vehicle type will be arranged according to the number of participants, ensuring one seat per person.
Accommodation: Hotels listed in the itinerary (star rating optional)
Meals: Meals as listed in the itinerary (breakfast included at the hotel)
Service: Our service begins with your initial consultation and continues until the end of your trip, providing you with personalized one-on-one support throughout.
The fee does not include
Documents: Visa
Activities: Optional activities and special attractions recommended in the itinerary.
Hotel: Personal expenses within the hotel such as laundry, hairdressing, telephone, fax, pay TV, drinks, and tobacco.
Other: Additional costs incurred due to force majeure events such as traffic delays, strikes, weather, aircraft or mechanical failures, flight cancellations or schedule changes, and any costs not mentioned in the inclusions.
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