Northern Xinjiang Tour With Kanas Lake

Itinerary

• Day 1: Urumqi, Arrival & International Grand Bazaar

  Upon arrival in Urumqi, you will be transferred to your hotel to rest and refresh. In the afternoon, explore the bustling International Grand Bazaar (Erdao Qiao), where colorful stalls brim with spices, dried fruits, handwoven textiles, and traditional crafts. The Islamic-style arches and minarets create a lively, photogenic scene that captures the essence of Uyghur culture.

  • Urumqi

• Day 2: Heavenly Lake & Dushanzi Grand Canyon

  Drive from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake, a turquoise alpine lake framed by snow-capped peaks and dense pine forests. Walk along the shore or take a short hike to enjoy the mirrored reflections of the mountains. Continue west (~250 - 270 km, ~3 hours) to Dushanzi Grand Canyon, where deep valleys, towering cliffs, and winding rivers provide dramatic landscapes perfect for photography and awe-inspiring views.

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  • Dushanzi

• Day 3: Dushanzi - Burqin: Black Oil Mountain, Urho Ghost City & Colorful Beach

  Depart Dushanzi for Burqin, a journey of 472 km across Northern Xinjiang. Along the way, you'll pass the striking Black Oil Mountain, where dark hills are dotted with natural oil springs that glisten like pools of black liquid under the sun. Next, visit the Urho Ghost City, a surreal desert of wind-sculpted rock formations that stretch like jagged sculptures across the arid landscape.

  Finish the day at the Colorful Beach, a one-of-a-kind Yadan formation where a vibrant green oasis meets rolling multicolored hills. As the evening sun casts its glow, the layers of red, purple, and gold are mirrored in the gently flowing river, creating a scene of otherworldly beauty.

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  • Burqin County

• Day 4: Burqin - Kanas Lake - Hemu Village

  Drive to Kanas Lake, a glacial lake nestled deep within the surrounding mountains. Emerald waters shimmer under the sunlight, while misty slopes rise like soft clouds along the shore, creating a tranquil, almost magical panorama. Pause at the viewpoints to admire the pine forests and distant peaks reflected in the crystal-clear water.

  Continue to Hemu Village, a fairy-tale Tuva settlement of wooden houses, gently flowing streams, and forests framing the village like a natural painting. An evening stroll through Hemu reveals its quiet charm and traditional architecture. The crisp mountain air, combined with the soft sounds of flowing water and birdsong, immerses you in the serene rhythm of this remote highland community.

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  • Hemu Village

• Day 5: Hemu Grasslands - Ahe Highway - Altay

  Morning exploration of Hemu's surrounding grasslands, dotted with grazing livestock and framed by distant mountains. Depart along the scenic Ahe Highway toward Altay, passing rolling meadows, forests, and highland villages over several hundred kilometers. Arrive in Altay in the evening, a tranquil town surrounded by rugged peaks.

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  • Altay

• Day 6: Altay - Urumqi, via S21 Desert Highway

  Early in the morning, depart for the long drive back to Urumqi via the S21 Desert Highway. This iconic route crosses the vast Junggar Basin and the Gurban Tonggut Desert, revealing endless sand dunes, barren plains, and scattered green oases. The journey spans several hundred kilometers of dramatic desert landscapes before arriving in Urumqi in the evening.

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  • Urumqi

• Day 7: Urumqi, Departure

  Depending on your flight schedule, transfer from the hotel to Urumqi airport for departure, concluding your 7-day journey across Northern Xinjiang, from alpine lakes and gorges to desert highways and remote villages.

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