A Road Trip Across 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 (275km, 3 hours' drive)

  The Xinjiang Museum you will visit this morning would be an interesting primer on this region. Among over 40,000 cultural relics and specimens, the life-like statues in "the exhibit of Xinjiang's ethnic customs" paint a vivid picture of ethnic groups living in this area. Then, step into the International Grand Bazaar, the most iconic ethnic market in Urumqi, where dried fruits and traditional Uyghur handicrafts are worth exploring. Later on, drive about 3 hours to Dushanzi Grand Canyon. It seems the earth suddenly broke and dropped vertically. Standing in 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.

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  • Kuitun

• Day 3: Kuytun - Yining, Sayram Lake (300 km, 3.5 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, the lake is known as a pearl of the Silk Road. After that, check into your hotel nearby Sayram Lake and take a good rest.

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  • Yining

• Day 4: Yining - Tekes, Guozigou Canyon & Bagua City (350km, 4.5 hours' drive)

  Today, a 4.5-hour drive will bring you to Tekes County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. Along the way, you will pass through the Guozigou Canyon, once a key site on the Silk Road, with a magnificent cable-stayed bridge spanning the valley filled with fruit trees today. The highway winds through the Tianshan Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the highland scenic corridor. Finally, end the day at Tekes Bagua City, a city whose modern urban layout is inspired by the traditional Chinese philosophical concept of the Eight Trigrams. Stay overnight in Bagua City.

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  • Tekes County

• Day 5: Tekes - Zhaosu: Kalajun Grassland (120km, 2 hours' drive)

  This morning, it takes about 30 minutes to Kalajun Grassland. Upon arrival, spend most of the day exploring the Kalajun Grassland, a typical alpine meadow and natural steppe covering 2,848 square kilometers. Backed by the rolling snow-capped Tianshan Mountains and facing the azure sky, you will be amazed by this stunning beauty. Afterwards, take a 90-kilometer ride to your hotel in Zhaosu County for some rest.

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  • Zhaosu

• Day 6: Zhaosu - Yining, Kazanqi Village, Six-Star Street (220km, 4 hours' drive)

  Today, you will travel back to Yining City along the Xiata Ancient Road and Yizhao Highway, both renowned for highland scenery and historical significance. The Kazanqi Folk-custom Village located in the city is our destination today. It is a large, authentic cultural site mainly reflecting the Uyghur folk customs. You can get a sense of locals' original life through Uyghur's delicious street food, delicate handicrafts. Next, make your way to Six-Star Street, where the Han, Kazakh, Hui, Uyghur, Russian, and other ethnic groups coexist in modern, colorful residences.

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  • 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.

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