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Itinerary
Welcome to beautiful Xinjiang! Your guide and driver will hold a banner and wait for you at the airport. They will then take you to your hotel for some rest. (The airport is 25 km from the city centre, about a 30-minute drive). You will have free time to explore. If you’re unsure where to go, feel free to ask our guide for suggestions.
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Stay in Urumqi
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up. You will travel along the S21, the first desert highway in Xinjiang, towards Burqin. Enjoy the views of the Gurbantunggut Desert, the second largest desert in China. The drive takes nearly 7 hours. When you reach Beitun, enjoy a delicious Xinjiang meal and take a short rest.
After lunch, continue your journey to Burqin. Then, head to Five Colored Beach (Rainbow Beach) for a visit. It is known as “the most beautiful Yadan landform in Xinjiang.” It also features the beauty of “one river and two shores.” The “river” refers to the Ertix River, the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean. The river divides Five Colored Beach into the southern and northern banks. From the south, you can enjoy a stunning view of the oasis, Gurbantunggut Desert, and the blue sky.
In the evening, return to the beautiful Burqin County and check into your hotel for a restful night.
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Stay in Burqin
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, you will head to Kanas National Geopark. Though it’s not far, the narrow mountain roads mean you will travel at a slow pace, reaching the Jiadengyu ticket station after about 4.5 hours. From there, take a bus to the Kanas transfer centre, where you can enjoy a tasty lunch of Xinjiang cuisine.
After lunch, explore the Kanas National Geopark. The shuttle bus will take you to the scenic area. You’ll then walk into the mystical Kanas Lake area, surrounded by crystal-clear water, towering trees, and mountains. The views from every angle seem like unreal wonderland. You can stop the shuttle at Immortal Bay, Dragon Bay, and Moon Bay (神仙湾，卧龙湾和月亮湾) to capture these stunning sights with your eyes and camera.
After the tour, return to the Kanas transfer centre by shuttle, take the bus back to the Jiadengyu ticket station, where your guide and driver will help you check into your hotel.
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Stay in Jiadengyu
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. After that, board the vehicle for a scenic drive to the Hemu ticket office (around 3 hours). From there, take the shuttle bus into Hemu Village, known as the “Garden of the Gods” or a pure land world.
As you step into Hemu Village, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a dream. The air smells of smoke from cooking fires, and the sight of grazing sheep fills the landscape. You’ll walk across small bridges, beside streams, and through birch forests, all while surrounded by charming log cabins. This place resembles the paradise-like setting of the “Dwarven Shire” in The Lord of the Rings. Hemu is home to the Tuva people, who still uphold their ancient traditions. The village sits harmoniously within an untouched wilderness—snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, clear blue skies, and white clouds all form a stunning natural backdrop.
After lunch, you can continue exploring the village and soak in the peaceful surroundings.
Once your tour in Hemu ends, your driver will take you to your hotel for check-in. Your time in Hemu Village will conclude here.
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Stay in Hemu
After breakfast at the hotel, take the shuttle bus back to the Hemu ticket office (30 minutes). From there, drive along National Highway 217, passing the Karamay Oil Field. You’ll see the oil pumps in the distance as you continue towards the Wulun area.
It’s time for lunch and a short rest. After lunch, we’ll visit the Urho Ghost City. This site showcases typical Yadan landforms. In the Cretaceous period, it was an ocean. Over time, tectonic movements turned it into a desert, filled with sandstone and mudstone layers. Geologists call this landform a “Gobi Plateau.” It is part of the “Top 100 Scenic Spots of the Magical Northwest.”
In the late afternoon, after Urho Ghost tour, we will drive you to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to rest and relax.
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Stay in Urho
Today, you will spend nearly a whole day on the road. After breakfast, we will drive to Dushanzi District and officially enter the northern section of Duku Highway. This scenic route cuts through the Tianshan Mountains and offers unique views, making it a milestone in China’s road history. It is known as the “Heroic Road.” Along the way, you’ll see vast grasslands, towering snow-capped mountains, and long snow corridors. The sights are endless, and you will have plenty of opportunities to snap some amazing photos.
We will pass through Qiaorma, where you can visit the martyrs’ cemetery. It honours the 168 soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the construction of the Duku Highway. You can stop and pay respects if you wish. As we drive, we’ll make occasional stops at safe points so you can take photos and enjoy the scenery.
If you’re feeling hungry, you can have lunch either in the afternoon or around midday. After you’ve eaten, we will continue our journey along the Duku Highway, aiming to reach Nalati around 7 pm. Our guide will help you check in to your hotel in Nalati, and you can rest well for the night.
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Stay in Nalati
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll head towards the National 5A Scenic Area – Nalati Scenic Area. Once we arrive, we’ll take a shuttle to explore the high mountain valley and grassland views.
As you stroll through Nalati Grassland, imagine the vast, endless fields under the wide blue sky. Feel the cool wind as you see cattle and sheep grazing in the distance. This is the beauty of the northern outskirts of Jiangnan. The hospitality of the Kazakh herders will welcome you with warmth. Surrounded by towering mountains, pine forests, and wide plains, you’ll get a taste of Kazakh culture and nomadic life.
After enjoying the local cuisine, we will continue to explore the area for another 3-4 hours. When the tour finishes, we’ll drive to Yining to check into your hotel.
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Stay in Yining
After breakfast, we will head towards the Lavender Fields. The lavender blooms, like dewdrops on magical creatures, stretch across the fields. The flowers seem half-flower, half-grass. This lavender garden offers you the perfect opportunity for stunning, romantic, and elegant photos. The best time to visit is from mid-June to mid-July, during the blooming season. If we visit outside this period, we will skip this attraction. Next, we will continue our journey to Sayram Lake Scenic Area, where we will stop for a break and enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon, we will explore Sayram Lake, known as the “Last Drop of Tears from the Atlantic.” The area has several distinct zones: lakefront views, pastoral scenery, and ecological preservation areas. It is also home to rare birds like swans. From afar, the lake and sky blend together, shifting from deep blue to light blue. It’s like a living ink painting. As we approach the shore, the water is crystal clear, revealing stones that have been smoothed by the lake over centuries. The scene is otherworldly, with dandelions and wildflowers dotting the landscape. It feels like stepping into a fairyland.
In the evening, we’ll drive to Kuitun for hotel check-in.
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Stay in Kuytun
This morning, we will drive east along the Lianhuo Expressway towards Urumqi. We should arrive by noon and can enjoy lunch upon arrival. After a short rest, we will head to Red Hill Park (30-minute drive) in the afternoon. This park is a landmark of Urumqi. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city, where ancient and modern architecture blend. It’s a perfect spot for photos.
Next, we will visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar (30-minute drive). This area is a vibrant mix of unique architecture, local culture, traditional foods, and entertainment. You’ll get a real taste of Xinjiang’s rich ethnic diversity.
In the evening, the driver will take you to your hotel for a restful night.
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Stay in Urumqi
Today is the last day. You can arrange your time based on your flight schedule. Pack your bags and get ready to head home or continue your next adventure. The driver will take you to the airport or high-speed train station, depending on your departure time. Thank you for choosing JustChinaTour, we wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
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Hotels in Xinjiang may not always meet the standards of first-tier cities, so it’s essential to manage expectations. Rest assured, our tour ensures you stay in comfortable accommodations.
Nalati Grassland is a beautiful spot for exploring nature, but be prepared for strong UV rays and bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
Sayram Lake, also known as the "Last Drop of Tears from the Atlantic," is a stunning spot where the sky and water blend into a picture-perfect scene. It’s home to rare birds like swans and surrounded by beautiful wildflowers.
Urho Ghost City showcases dramatic Yadan landforms and has a fascinating geological history. It was once a sea during the Cretaceous period before tectonic shifts turned it into a desert.
The journey from Urumqi to Burqin County takes about 7 hours by car, passing through stunning desert landscapes like the Gurbantunggut Desert.
The Five Colored Beach is famous for its vibrant Yadan landforms and breathtaking views of the Ertix River, which divides the area into two distinct landscapes.
Hemu Village is a picturesque spot where you’ll experience the unique lifestyle of the Tuva people. Enjoy the pristine wilderness, with its log cabins, grazing sheep, and beautiful birch forests.
The journey to Kanas involves winding mountain roads. If you're prone to motion sickness, it's recommended to bring medication to ensure a comfortable trip.
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bit bumpy
Harold Wong –
The scenery is just wow! But the road to Urho Ghost City was a bit bumpy and I got carsick. Still worth it tho. Never seen such crazy landscapes before, especially Five Colored Beach—totally unique!
enjoy this tour
Ayaka Yamamoto –
I really enjoy this tour. The Duku Highway was the best part for me. So many beautiful spot to take picture. My family love it so much. We want come back again next spring.
Tiring but good and safe
Gino Johanssan –
The tour was great but little tiring. Long distances between attractions but our driver was really good and safe. Kanas Lake is now my favourite place in China!
Knowledgeable
Takashi Sato –
Absolutely stunning tour! Kanas Lake and Hemu Village were like something out of a dream. Our guide was super knowledgeable and shared so much about the Kazakh culture. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to see the real Xinjiang.