Discover Northern Xinjiang

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi

  Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region! As a part of the famous ancient Silk Road and the home to a number of ethnic groups, this area is full of the natural landscape, outstanding cultural relics and historic sites, as well as colorful ethnic customs. The southern of Xinjiang mainly showcases humanistic customs while the northern part that this trip will on display, is outstanding for natural beauty. Upon your arrival, a local guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the remaining time at leisure.

  • Urumqi

• Day 2: Urumqi - Kuytun, Dushanzi Grand Canyon (3 hours' drive)

  Xinjiang Museum that you will visit this morning would be an interesting primer for this region. Among over 40,000 items of cultural relics and specimens, the life-like statues inside "the exhibit of Xinjiang's ethnic customs" paint a vivid picture of ethnic groups living around this area. Later on, drive about 3 hours to Dushanzi Grand Canyon. It seems like the earth had suddenly broken and dropped vertically. Standing on the canyon, you will marvel at the power of water to wash this area into a magnificent landscape. When the tour ends, come to Kuytun City for the night.

  • B
  • Kuitun

• Day 3: Kuytun - Yining, Sayram Lake (470 km, 6.5 hours' drive)

  Have breakfast at the hotel and then continue our journey to Sayram Lake, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. With the background of snow-capped mountains, surrounded by vast grasslands, and filled with sparkling blue waters, this lake is known as a pearl of the Silk Road. After that, you will pass through a magnificent cable-stayed bridge called the Guozigou Bridge and then reach Yining City. Check into your hotel and take a good rest.

  • B
  • Yining

• Day 4: Yining - Tekes, Kalajun Grassland (3 hours' drive)

  Today about 3 hours' drive will bring us to Tekes County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. After arrival, you will spend the rest of the day exploring the Kalajun Grassland, a typical alpine meadow natural steppe with an area of 2848 square kilometers. Backing on the rolling snow-capped Tianshan Mountains and facing the azure sky as well as lush green grasslands, you will be amazed by this gorgeous beauty.

  • B
  • Tekes County

• Day 5: Tekes - Nalatizhen, Nalati Grassland (3.5 hours' drive)

  Set out to Nalati Grassland nearby Nalatizhen, which usually takes about 3.5 hours' drive. Nalati Grassland, meaning "the first place to see the sun" in Mongol, lies on the depth of the Tianshan Mountains and is home to the hospitable Kazak people. Looking around here, you can see the vast grassland against gentle streams, imposing mountains stretching to the distance, flocks of cattle and sheep as well as scattered yurts.

  • B
  • Nalatizhen

• Day 6: Nalatizhen - Yining, Kazanqi Village (3.5 hours' drive)

  Today you will drive about 3.5 hours return to Yining City. The Kazanqi Folk-custom Village inside the city is our destination today. It is a large original ecological cultural scenic spot mainly reflecting the Uygur folk customs. You can get a sense of their original daily life through the colorful ancient residences, delicious sweet food, delicate handicrafts, and so on.

  • B
  • Yining

• Day 7: Yining, Departure

  The discovery journey of Northern Xinjiang comes to an end. At the appointment time, our local guide will await you in the hotel lobby and then transfer you to Yining airport for your departure flight. Look forward to seeing you again and travel the Southern Xinjiang together.

  • B