12 Days Northern Xinjiang & Duku Highway

Welcome to Xinjiang! As the saying goes: You will never know how broad China is before coming to Xinjiang. Start your wonderful journey from now on! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to have hotel check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Urumqi or just have a good rest.

Freshen yourself up in the Heavenly Lake in the morning. It is a picturesque alpine lake, with snow mountains surrounded and meadows dotted around. We will change to the shuttle bus of the scenic area and you will be amazed by the lush forest and magnificent mountains on the way. Find a place to sit down and feel the gentle breeze under the blue sky.

Afterwards, we will head to Fuyun to have overnight stay. We will encounter the stunning Huoshaoshan (Burning Mountain) on the way. The brilliant colors of the rocks is always spectacular no matter what the weather is. The mountain looks being burning from a distance and formed a sea of red.

In the morning, driveing about 1 hour, we will arrive at the Koktokay National Geological Park. We will pass by the lake Kekesuli, which looks very pretty, with wetlands and small  islands dotted on the lake. Upon arrivel, the first sight coming into view is the Haizikou reservoir. Then go further deep into the park, you will see the Tunnel of Mine No 3, which contains many kinds of minerals. Wandering around it for some time, and we will continue our trip by taking a tram. The tram will run through the Irtysh Grand Canyon and stop at the Shenzhong Mountain. Get off the tram and visit the “Earthquake Museum”, which is a rare example of earthquake fault zone.

Later in the day, drive to Burqin to stay overnight.

Exciting day! Today we will drive to Hemu Village, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in China. It is the biggest Tuva village in China, where to see the unique settled nomadic life style of Tuvas. Not like the other tribes, Tuvas settle down in the village and live in the wooden houses. The singing streams with small bridges over them and the beautiful meadows with lush forest accompanied forms a picturesque scenery of the tranquil village.

Have a nice dream in this fairyland!

Another day to be amazed! We will drive along the mountain road into the Kanas Nature Reserve. Kanas is regarded as the only European-like place in China as the lush pine forest and continuous meadows looks very like the scenery in Switzerland. It is awarded as the “Pure Land of the World” because of its unparalleled scenery.

We will take the shuttle bus to get to the hinterland of the park. By visiting the famous three bays, you will know why there are so many people addicted to Kanas. In Moon bay, Dragon Bay and Immortal Bay, close your eyes and listen to the voice of river and forest. And when you come to the Fish Pavilion, you will again be surrounded by the voice of nature with the best view of Kanas Lake. You can even experience the cruise on the lake if you would like to.

Be waked up by the breeze and bird’s singing in the morning. You must have had a nice dream last night! We will spend half of the day in Kanas by strolling around the area. Take as many beautiful photos as possible. The color of the lake is also changing following the change of sunlight, weather and seasons. Sometimes it is crystal blue, sometimes milky blue and sometimes dark green or even gray.

Drive to Burqin in the afternoon. We will enjoy the stunning scenery of sunset of Five-Colored Beach on the way. You will feel like in another planet when you enter the beach. The unique lava landscape is made up of colorful mudstone, sandstone and gravel in purplish red, vandyke red, yellow and light green. You will be filled with the wonder at the sight of the scenery. It is the real masterpiece of nature.

Today we will go south to Kuitun. On the way visit the Urho Ghost City, which is also known as wind city. You will see many strange stones like planted from the ground with all types of shape. Mushrooms, warriors, castles… That are all the masterpieces of nature that caused by the wind erosion. In the evening, if you stand in the draught, you will hear the howl of the wind and feel its power so as to know how the city is formed.The splendid “city” is just like a magic kingdom that is showing the different style of beauty of the world. We will change to take the small train in the scenic area to take a round trip of the whole city.

Afterwards, head to Kuitun downtown to have overnight stay.

We will formally start our Duku Highway trip today! Drive to Dushanzi district in the morning, and go to Dushanzi Grand Canyon for sightseeing. The canyon looks quite magnificent as it is 100 to 400 meters wide and 200 meters high. Not like the ghost city, the canyon is formed by the power of water. As water is softer than the wind, the stones were polished more sophisticated to have millions of small holes and alluvial gullies under the erosion of snow and rainwater flowing down from the Tianshan mountains for billions of years. The terraces on both sides are cut by the river into at least 9 levels. Feel the power of nature by appreciating the magnificent scenery by your own eyes!

Then drive across the most beautiful road in China – Duku Highway to head to Naraty! Driving on the winding mountain road is extremely enjoyable and comfortable!

You will be picked by your local guide and driver at the hotel lobby in the morning. Today we will start our exciting day from visiting Naraty Air Grassland. It is the essential part of Naraty grassland. It is called air grassland because of its altitude of more than 2200 meters above sea level. The grass on the land looks like green velvet and the wildflowers dotted is like the scattered little gems set on it. It has been the best pasture of local Kazakh people for thousands of years. The tranquil river valley, lush mountains and the deep gorges together formed the stunning scenery of the heaven on earth.

After Naraty visiting, we will drive to Tekes downtown. You will have a wonderful evening in Lijie Street to feel the unique charm of “Bagua” culture of Tekes. Stroll around and try some local special food, end your day with the lovely street. Then you will be transferred to the hotel to have check-in and a good rest.

Another day for grassland scenery! Today we will leave for the fascinating Karajun Prairie. Different from Naraty, Karajun is more wild and wet. Streams are interwoven on the carpet-like grassland and springs are densely distributed. Karajun in Kazak means“dark wildness”, which truly lives up to its name. Release yourself in the interminable wilderness and experience the nomadic life style! 

Later in the day, head to Yining and spend your evening at Kazanqi Folk Village, which is the only large-scale cultural senic spot in Northern Xinjiang. It is one of the best places to experience the unique culture of Uygur and Kazakh people. Learn their folklores and stories and spend your time with the lovely kids living nearby.

Then not very far from the Kazanqi is Liuxing Street. It gets its name from the hexagonal structure. It was built in 1930s and after a hundred years of development, the street has become a sharp scenery line in Yining. Walking into the street, you will feel like in a beautiful canvas and surrounded by endless blue. Discover the surprises of the street by yourself and you can also pay a visit the Alexander Accordion Museum.

Besides the beautiful grassland, lakes in Ili is also the things that you should never miss out. Today we will start our trip from a lovely place. We will again head to Kuitun. You will suddenly smell the pleasant scent of flower and that means you have arrived in the Lavender Farm. Immersing in the dream-like flower sea and the scent will linger in your clothes for a very long time.

Continue to drive ahead, we will pass by a famous bridge – Guozigou Bridge. It is the most important and expensive bridge in Xinjiang with a cost of 45 million dollars for 1 meter’s construction! The picturesque Guozigou valley will bring you the epitome of the best scenery of northern Xinjiang.

Then not far from the Guozigou Bridge is the highlight today – Sayram Lake! It is known as the last drop of tears of the Atlantic. It is the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang and also the most ocean-like lake. The lovely wildflowers surrounding the lake almost change their type every week by themselves. The unique blue of the lake cannot be seen elsewhere, so people call“Sayram Blue”. 

oday is the last day of your trip. We will drive about 4 hours to go back to Urumqi after breakfast. Enjoy the scenery on the way and have a good rest. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the airport based on the schedule. Wish you a pleasant journey home and hope to see you again in your next China trip!