Xinjiang Scenery with Ethnic Flavor Appreciation

S-609: 11 Days Urumqi - Buerjin - Kanas Lake - Hemu - Altay - Kuitun - Huocheng - Yining - Nalati Grassland - Korla - Yanqi - Urumqi
Tour Type: Private Tour, any part of the itinerary can be customized
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals: 10 breakfasts

Highlights:
  • In-depth visit to the 2000-year-old Silk Road & learn about the culture and history
  • Enjoy the beautiful and mysterious Kanas Lake, a heavenly oasis in Xinjiang
  • Explore Nalati Grassland, the most fecund pasture in south Tianshan Mountains
  • Visit Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, the largest Islamic style bazaar in China
From USD2389USD2102Free Inquiry
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Day 1 Arrival in Urumqi
Your guide and driver will meet you at Urumqi Airport today and then transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and get prepared for the following Xinjiang tour.

Accommodation: Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel
Day 2 Urumqi - Buerjin
It is a long drive today for about 8 to 9 hours from Urumqi to Buerjin. On the way, you will enjoy the fabulous scenery of the desert. Upon arrival at Buerjin, your will be escorted to check in at the hotel. Then you will witness the charming sunset at the colorful Rainbow Beach.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Shangshi International Hotel
Day 3 Buerjin - Jiadengyu - Kanas
Drive about 2 hours to Jiadengyu. The whole day will be devoted to the charming Kanas Nature Reserve. The Kanas Lake is an alpine lake encircled by dense forest. Shaped like a crescent, the lake has the features of both northern vigor and southern grace of Xinjiang. You will take a boat trip on the beautiful lake. Afterwards, go for a short hike to the Watching Fish Pavilion, located about 60 meters above the lake, which is the best place to overview the whole Kanas Lake. Ascending it, you could also appreciate the marvelous mountain splendor around. In the evening, enjoy the Mogolian Tuwa Tribe music live show in the village.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Friendship Peak Resort Hotel
Kanas Lake
Kanas Lake
A Local Nomadic Family
A Local Nomadic Family
Day 4 Jiadengyu - Hemu - Altay
We will take you to Altay today. It is about 4 hours' driving. On the way, visit Hemu, a small village close to Mongolia and Russia. The villagers here are living by nomadic hunting. The rivers, wooden houses, wisps of smoke and birch forest make this place a fairy world in real life, just like a colorful oil painting. Stay one night in a local hotel in Altay.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Altay Di Qu Hotel
Day 5 Altay - Kuitun
A 6-hour's private transfer will take you to Kuitun. En route, visit the Urbo Ghost City with the typical Yadan landform, which is the masterpiece of nature. The rock grounds are sculptured to various forms by the wind and rain for thousands of years. Here, you could find the rocks in shape of castles, palaces and even monsters. Upon arrival in Kuitun, check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Haofeng International Grand Hotel
Day 6 Kuitun - Huocheng
Drive to Huocheng for about 6 hours, where 29 minority groups live. After checking in at the hotel, proceed to the Sayram Lake, which is also praised as "the last drop of the Atlantic tears". It is the highest and largest cold water lake in Xinjiang covering an area of 458 square kms (177 square miles) and with an altitude of 2073 meters (6801 feet). With the perpetual snow mountains on its west bank and the vast area of grassland on its east bank, the Sayram Lake is absolutely a gorgeous place to visit. The best time is to visit it is from June to August, when the water is extremely clear and blue and the many unknown flowers are in the full blossom.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sayram Lake Hotel
Urbo Ghost City
Urbo Ghost City
Our Guests at the Sayram Lake
Our Guests at the Sayram Lake
Day 7 Huocheng - Yining
In the morning, visit the Khorgos Port between China and Kazakhstan. Standing at the door of the port, you could see afar to Kazakhstan. Have a brief visit to the border cooperation area. Then visit the lavender flora park. It is the third largest lavender park in the world, only after Provence and Furano. The whole park is divided into different areas. The No. 65 has the largest area and the best lavenders. Here you could get many fascinating pictures with your camera. At last, drive to Yining and check in at the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Meijing Hotel
Day 8 Yining - Nalati Grassland
Today's highlight is the Nalati Grassland in the Nalati National Forest Park, a famous pasture since ancient time. This is also a famous tourism and holiday resort in Xinjiang which boasts beautiful grassland scenery and the Kazak ethnic flavor. You could join in the horse riding on the boundless grassland and get close to the local Kazak culture. It is a little bit cold here than in the city especially in the morning and evening, so please take some warm clothes with you.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Liancheng Ecology Resort Xinyuan
Nalati Grassland
Nalati Grassland
Yurts on the Nalati Grassland
Yurts on the Nalati Grassland
Day 9 Nalati - Korla
After breakfast, we will continue to Korla by a private drive of about 8 hours. On the way, you can enjoy the amazing landscapes of picturesque forests, grasslands, deserts, and endless snow mountains. Your driver will make photo stops according to your requests. On arrival at Korla, we will help you check into the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Jinjiang Metropolis Hotel
Day 10 Korla - Yanqi - Urumqi
After breakfast, we will head to Urumqi. En route, you can enjoy the wonderful scenery along the Tianshan Road. You might see the unique black headed sheep wandering on the grassland on both sides of the road. We will also stop to visit the Bosteng Lake, which is a roup of small lakes covering an area of 240 square kilometers (93 square miles).

After the visit, we will drive for about 6 hours to get back to Urumqi. You will check in at the hotel. After a short rest, your guide will accompany you to visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazar, where the Uighur culture is best preserved. You will be dazzled by the strong Islamic style buildings with the unique Xinjiang flavored foods and handicrafts. You may choose some favorite souvenirs for your family or friends.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel
Beautiful Scenery along the Tianshan Road
Beautiful Scenery along the Tianshan Road
Snack Stall at Xinjiang International Grand Bazar
Snack Stall at Xinjiang International Grand Bazar
Day 11 Departure from Urumqi
Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your homeward flight. We wish you a pleasant journey!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
Tour Prices
Christmas & 2025 Special: 12% off - Book before Dec 31, 2024
2-3 travelers4-5 travelers
USD3629 USD3193USD2389 USD2102
  • Prices are per person on twin sharing.
  • The prices in red reflect 12% discount.
  • If you are a group of 6 people or more, we will offer a more favorable price by your group size.
Price Includes
  • Domestic airfares
  • Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
  • Lunches as itinerary specifies
  • Private English-speaking guides
  • Private drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
  • Entrance fees to tourist sites
Price Excludes
  • Airfares of arrival and departure
  • Entry visa fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers
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