Northern Xinjiang 12-Day In-Depth Tour

🌄【Itinerary Overview】 From June to September, Northern Xinjiang transforms into a vibrant palette of colors: grasslands like green carpets, lakes resembling emeralds, and villages exuding autumn vibes. This 12-day loop tour covers the best of the region north of the Tianshan Mountains, starting from Urumqi and traversing the Altai Mountains and Ili Grasslands. Highlights include Kanas, Hemu Village, Sayram Lake, and the Duku Highway. With daily drives averaging 4-6 hours, the itinerary balances in-depth exploration with comfort. 🌟【Daily Itinerary｜What to Do? Where to Stay?】 Day 1: Urumqi → Heavenly Lake of Tianshan → Altay ✅ Highlights: - Heavenly Lake of Tianshan: Take a shuttle bus to the lakeside, enjoy views of Bogda Peak, and hike the Ma Ya Mountain trail on the west shore for panoramic views. - Overnight in Altay: Explore the city’s food street and try Kazakh specialties like fermented mare’s milk and hand-grabbed lamb to fuel up for the next day’s mountain adventure. 🚗 Drive: Heavenly Lake → Altay, approximately 6.5 hours via S21 Highway (good road conditions). Day 2: Altay → Ahe Highway → Hemu Village ✅ Hidden Gems: - Ahe Highway: Opened in 2023, this “most beautiful highway in Northwest China” features forests, meadows, and streams, rivaling the landscapes of Northern Europe. - Hemu Village: Stay in scenic wooden cabins, climb the Haden Platform at dusk for views of smoke rising from chimneys, and stargaze at night (spectacular starry skies from June to August, visible Milky Way in September). 💡 Tips: Hemu entrance fee is 50 RMB + shuttle bus 52 RMB. Stay in the old village for the best morning mist photography at Hemu River Bridge. Day 3: Hemu → Kanas Lake → Fish Viewing Platform → Kanas ✅ Stunning Scenery: - Kanas Lake: Take a boat ride (120 RMB) or hike along the lakeside boardwalk. In September, the lake’s sapphire-blue waters are breathtaking. - Fish Viewing Platform: Climb 1,068 steps to overlook the “Eye of God.” Wildflowers bloom from June to August, and autumn foliage dazzles in September. 🏡 Accommodation: Stay inside Kanas Scenic Area (Jiadengyu) for convenient access to the Three Bays the next day. Day 4: Kanas → Three Bays (Wolong Bay/Moon Bay/Fairy Bay) → Five-Colored Beach → Burqin ✅ Hiking and Sunset: - Three Bays Hiking: Walk from Fairy Bay to Moon Bay (about 5 km). Morning mist creates a dreamlike atmosphere (best time: 8-10 AM). - Five-Colored Beach: Capture the unique Yadan landforms and poplar forest sunset at dusk (entrance fee: 45 RMB). 🍽️ Dinner: Burqin Riverside Night Market—must-try grilled dogfish and kvass. Day 5: Burqin → Urho Ghost City → Kuitun ✅ Desert Wonders: - Ghost City: Ride a small train through Yadan landforms, a filming location for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Best photography time is after 4 PM. 🚗 Drive: Approximately 5 hours via Kui-A Highway, with views of oil fields and “nodding donkey” pumps along the way. Day 6: Kuitun → Sayram Lake → Lavender Manor → Yining ✅ A Feast of Blue and Purple: - Sayram Lake: Xinjiang’s largest alpine lake. Drive around the southern shore (enter via South Gate, exit via East Gate). Stay in the scenic area’s RV camp or yurts for stargazing and sunrise photography. - Lavender Manor: In June and early July, lavender blooms in Huocheng rivaling Provence (recommended: Kogurqin Manor). 🏠 Accommodation: Stay in Yining’s Kazanqi Blue Alley to experience Uyghur-style homestays. Day 7: Yining → Yizhao Highway → Xiata → Zhaosu ✅ Cloud Highway + Glacier Hiking: - Yizhao Highway: Open from June to October, this route crosses the Wusun Mountains with views of Baishi Peak and rapeseed fields (June-July). - Xiata Ancient Trail: Take a shuttle bus to the hot spring hotel, then hike 3 km to General’s Bridge for views of Muzart Glacier. Autumn foliage is stunning in September. ⚠️ Note: Yizhao Highway is restricted to vehicles under 7 seats. Check weather conditions to avoid road closures. Day 8: Zhaosu → Tianma Bathing River → Qiongkushitai Village ✅ Grasslands and Villages: - Tianma Bathing River: Zhaosu Wetland Park (entrance fee: 30 RMB). Watch herders drive horses across the river at 12 PM/6 PM—spectacular splashes. - Qiongkushitai: Stay in wooden cabins, climb the back hill at dusk for views of undulating “human-shaped grasslands,” and stargaze (no light pollution). 🚗 Road Conditions: The last 30 km to Qiongkushitai is gravel road; sedans should proceed with caution. Day 9: Qiongkushitai → Kalajun → Tekes ✅ Multi-Dimensional Grassland: - Kalajun: A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Take a cable car to the “Sky Grassland” and hike the Falcon Platform trail (wildflowers bloom from May to July). - Tekes: View the Eight-Trigram City from the central observation deck. Enjoy handmade ice cream and roasted buns at the night market. 💡 Tips: Kalajun has East and West routes. Recommended: Koksu Grand Canyon (human-shaped grasslands) + Flower Platform. Day 10: Tekes → Chaxi/Kurdening → Nalati ✅ Lesser-Known Grasslands: - Chaxi: Known as “Little Switzerland,” ideal for forest and meadow hikes. Golden lotus flowers bloom in June. - Kurdening: Snow-capped spruce forests, perfect for summer escapes. 🚗 Choose One: Chaxi is 80 km (2 hours) from Tekes; Kurdening is 120 km (3 hours). Both have paved roads. 🏡 Accommodation: Stay in Nalati Town for easy access to the scenic area the next day. Day 11: Nalati → Duku Highway North Section → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Kuitun ✅ Four Seasons in One Day: - Duku Highway: The northern section (Nalati → Dushanzi) crosses the Tianshan Mountains. Must-stop spots include Hashilegen Tunnel (possible snow remnants from June to September) and Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery. - Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Walk the cliffside boardwalk for views of “Earth’s Scars” and try the canyon cableway (entrance fee: 30 RMB + additional activities). ⚠️ Note: Duku Highway restricts vehicles over 7 seats before 8 PM daily. Check the “Ping’an Dushanzi” WeChat account for real-time updates. Day 12: Kuitun → S101 National Defense Highway → Urumqi ✅ Danxia Finale: - S101: Known as the “Tianshan Geological Gallery,” this route passes Anjihai Grand Canyon (ideal for drone shots of red-layered canyons), Kenswat Reservoir, and Hundred-Mile Danxia. The road is paved but winding; start early. 🚗 Drive: Kuitun → Urumqi, approximately 5 hours via Lianhuo Highway, concluding the loop tour. 📸【Seasonal Highlights from June to September】 | Month | Scenic Features | Recommended Activities | |-------|-----------------|------------------------| | June-July | Lavender blooms, grassland wildflowers, Sayram Lake’s blue hues | Capture purple fields in Huocheng, hike flower trails in Kalajun | | August | Sunflower fields (Zhaosu), river valleys at peak water levels | Camp in Qiongkushitai’s back hills, explore Xiata streams | | September | Autumn scenery in Hemu and Kanas, herders’ seasonal migration | Stay in Hemu cabins, photograph golden birch forests at sunrise | 🧳【Pre-Trip Essentials】 1. Documents: Bring your ID card. No border permits needed for Xiata or Qiongkushitai. ID checks required for Yizhao Highway/Duku Highway. 2. Clothing: From June to August, pack sunscreen and sunglasses (midday temperatures exceed 35°C). In September, bring a windbreaker (mountain areas drop to 0°C at dawn/dusk). Pair skirts with leggings to avoid grassland insects. 3. Accommodation: Book rooms in Hemu/Kanas/Qiongkushitai one month in advance during peak season (July-August). Facilities are basic (mostly farm stays, some lack air conditioning). 4. Transportation: Opt for car rentals or group tours (some routes have inaccurate navigation). Check real-time road conditions for Duku Highway/Yizhao Highway via “Ping’an Dushanzi” and “Ili Traffic Police” accounts. 🍖【Northern Xinjiang Food Recommendations】 - Urumqi: Blood Station Big Plate Chicken, baked buns (Azheng Taste) - Burqin: Coldwater fish feast (dogfish, five-spotted black fish) - Yining: Handmade ice cream (Halimulati), kvass fermented bread drink - Nalati: Kazakh mare’s milk, Baursak (fried dough with milk tea) ⚠️【Avoiding Pitfalls】 - Scenic Area Costs: Prices in Kanas/Hemu are high; bring snacks. Negotiate horseback riding fees in advance (Hemu approx. 100 RMB/hour). - Time Zone: Xinjiang is 2 hours behind mainland China. Lunch at 2 PM, dinner at 8 PM, sunset after 10 PM. Plan accordingly. - Environmental Protection: Do not litter in grasslands or lakes. Villages like Qiongkushitai lack trash bins; bring garbage bags. 🌟【Why Choose This Route?】 ✅ Explore Northern Xinjiang’s “Top Four Attractions”: Kanas (lake monster legend), Hemu (Xinjiang’s most picturesque village), Sayram Lake (the last tear of the Atlantic), Duku Highway (China’s most beautiful road). ✅ In-Depth Experience: Spend two nights in Hemu/Qiongkushitai to savor morning mist and starry skies. Include hiking in Xiata/Kalajun for a non-rushed itinerary. ✅ Seasonal Adaptation: Chase flowers in June-July, escape the heat in August, and enjoy autumn foliage in September—each month offers unique landscapes. If Northern Xinjiang is a poem, then June to September is its most enchanting chapter. From snow-capped mountains to grasslands, from lakes to villages, every step feels like entering a Miyazaki animation. Save this guide and embark on a romantic journey to Northern Xinjiang! 💌 Interactive Topic: Which Northern Xinjiang attraction would you love to photograph? 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