Details
Urumqi Arrival
Your driver and your guide will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the hotel for check-in.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Xuanpu Hotel
Urumqi — S21 Dessert Highway — Ulungur Lake — Rainbow Beach — Burqin
Desert Expressway [S21 Desert Highway] crosses the second largest desert in China — the Gurbantunggut Desert. For 180 kilometres in the heart of the highway, there is no one and no communication signal. Along the way, you can see many wild camels, and there are oases, wetlands, and yardang landforms on water. This is yet another newly popular internet-famous road.
The southern bank of the Rainbow Beach features oases, desert, and blue sky, while the northern bank is made up of colourful mudstone, sandstone, and gravel, forming strange and fantastic rocks. The rock layers consist of red, earthy red, light yellow, and light green sandstone, mudstone, and conglomerate, displaying a variety of colours, resembling colourful ancient castles, monsters, and peaks. It is a cliff-style yardang landform, with undulating terrain and changing colours, formed by the combined effects of fierce river erosion and strong wind erosion. The uneven resistance to weathering among the riverbank strata creates jagged outlines. The rocks here display diverse colours, and under the setting sun, the dominant red hues are interspersed with green, purple, yellow, white, black, and transitional tones, forming a dazzling and charming scene. Therefore, it is called “Rainbow Beach” and is hailed as “the most beautiful yardang landform in Xinjiang.”
In 2008, Rainbow Beach was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction; in 2018, it was shortlisted for the “100 Wonders of the Magical Northwest.”
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sutong Holiday Hotel
Rainbow Beach
Burqin
Burqin — Kanas: Wolong Bay — Moon Bay —Shenxian Bay
After breakfast, take a coach to the scenic area. Upon arrival, transfer to a shuttle bus to enter the Kanas Scenic Area, passing through the famous Three Bays of Kanas: Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Fairy Bay. To ensure a smooth visit, there will be no stops while going uphill; the Three Bays will be visited on the return journey. Arrive at Kanas Lake Scenic Area, which features mountains, rivers, forests, lakes, and grasslands in a stunning natural setting. Kanas Lake is the core attraction, with crystal-clear green water surrounded by mountains and beautiful scenery.
Lunch is at your own arrangement within the scenic area. The Kanas Transfer Centre has nearby restaurants to choose from.
Take the shuttle bus out to visit the Three Bays. Fairy Bay’s water surface glistens like a sparkling pearl necklace. Then arrive at Moon Bay, where a large footprint-like shape lies vividly within the crescent-shaped river bend. Finally, reach Wolong Bay, resembling a stegosaurus from Jurassic Park lying across the centre of the river.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: ZARAT (Guesthouse)
Wolong Bay
Moon Bay
Kanas: Baihaba Village
Baihaba Village is known as the First Village and First Outpost of the Northwest. It is one of only three villages in China where Mongolian Tuvan people live in concentrated communities. Within the village lies the Baihaba National Forest Park, featuring attractions such as stone monuments, the China-Kazakhstan Grand Canyon, and birch forests. In 2005, Baihaba Village was named one of “China’s Eight Most Beautiful Small Towns” by National Geographic magazine. In 2019, it was listed among “China’s Traditional Villages.” In 2020, it was selected as part of the tenth batch of national “One Village, One Product” demonstration villages and towns. In August 2021, it was included in the third batch of national key villages for rural tourism. In November 2023, it was listed in the third batch of national rural governance demonstration villages.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: ZARAT (Guesthouse)
Baihaba Village
Baihaba Village
Kanas — Hemu
Head to the Hemu Viewing Platform. It takes about 40 minutes on foot from the village to the platform. From the top, you can overlook the entire area and enjoy the peaceful morning of Hemu Village, with curling smoke rising gently. The stream under Hemu Bridge flows quietly, and the birch forest offers a fresh, artistic charm. Such beauty and tranquillity make you forget all work stress and enjoy the fresh air brought by nature. Breakfast is not included in the Hemu Scenic Area and must be arranged on your own.
Explore the Hemu Scenic Area freely. Walk on this land filled with wooden cabins, watch passing horses and playful cats. Above is the blue sky and white clouds—it feels as if the soul has been washed anew.
Reminders:
1. Hemu has a large temperature difference between day and night. Even in summer, bring warm clothes such as thick sweaters, down jackets, or outdoor jackets to prevent catching cold.
2. The shuttle buses in the scenic area run in loops. Please check your belongings carefully when getting off to avoid losing anything.
3. Do not climb mountains without permission during your visit to ensure personal safety.
4. The area features pristine natural scenery. Spruce and birch trees are highly flammable. Please protect the environment: smoking is prohibited, littering is forbidden, and ecological preservation is essential.
5. According to Hemu lodging custom, breakfast is complimentary only if you dine at the accommodation for the main meals; otherwise, you will need to arrange your own breakfast.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Xiangjian Ruyuan Residense
Hemu Village
Hemu Village
Hemu — Populus euphratica forest — Urho
The Urho Poplar Forest is one of the largest natural forest areas in northwest China, with a total area of 300,000 mu. It is divided into three main viewing zones: the primitive poplar forest, the canyon poplar forest, and the ten-thousand-mu poplar forest. The best time to visit is in autumn, especially from mid to late September, when the poplar leaves turn golden, offering the most stunning views. The site remains very natural and untouched, with little commercial presence and no vendors in sight, so you should bring your own food and warm clothing.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: West Wuzhan
Populus Forest
Populus Forest
Urho — Sailimu lake
From the moment we step into Sailimu Lake Scenic Area, the unique charm of a self-driving journey greets us. In the distance, majestic snow-capped mountains stand tall, mirrored alongside the blue sky and white clouds in the lake, painting a breathtaking landscape so surreal it compels us to stop the car and capture the dreamlike scene with our cameras. (Today, due to limited driving distance, we can only reach the Command Platform.)
Sailimu Lake Camping Activity — we escape the noise of the city and embrace the arms of nature. This is a spontaneous camping trip. In the evening, the campsite hosts a small music concert and there’s a cosy mini bar. At night, we fall asleep under the galaxy of stars, and in the morning, birdsong awakens us.
As dusk approaches, the sunlight softens, as if nature itself has gently tinted the world. We walk to the lakeshore to admire the sunset. At this moment, the surface of Sailimu Lake glistens, reflecting the fading light in specks of gold. The snow mountains in the distance grow clearer under the sunset’s edge, their peaks shimmering with a golden glow. The grasslands beside the lake also don a golden cloak, with every blade shining. A breeze rolls over, stirring waves in the grass like a golden sea.
Today, we explore the latter part of the Sailimu Lake Scenic Area, circling the lake to reach the Western Sea Grassland. Here, we see countless yurts and a variety of wildflowers. Taking photos in this flower-filled paradise lets us truly feel the charm of Sailimu’s bloom. Ladies who love beauty, bring your bright long dresses and vibrant silk scarves, and capture the perfect scene you’ve been dreaming of.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Spruce Resort
Urho
Sailimu Lake
Sailimu Lake — Guozigou Bridge — Liuxing Street — Yining
Guozigou Bridge rises like a giant dragon soaring across the canyon, majestic and imposing. It seems like a masterpiece crafted by the heavens, seamlessly blending the beauty of nature with modern architectural ingenuity, leaving us in awe.
Liuxing Street, every corner of it feels like a carefully arranged painting, enchanting us entirely. At night, it shines like a brilliant pearl, glowing warmly beneath the night sky. Strolling along this exotic old street feels like a journey through time along the ancient Silk Road, rich with the scent of history.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:Jinlan Hotel
Guozigou Bridge
Liuxing Street
Yining — Yizhao Highway — Xiata Tourism Resort — Tianma Tourism and Cultural Park — Xiata
The Yizhao Highway is part of the ancient Silk Road’s “Gongyue Route.” It is a miraculous road that winds over snow-covered peaks reaching over 3,000 metres, crossing the majestic Tianshan Mountains. This thrilling mountain road is filled with countless 360° hairpin turns. Though just over a hundred kilometres long, every stretch is perilous and every step nerve-racking. It is also a scenic avenue of breathtaking beauty, where clouds feel within reach and lush meadows bloom between sheer cliffs and rocky slopes. This is the Yizhao Highway—one of the most beautiful roads in Xinjiang.
Xiata has been designated a national forest park. In 2014, it was rated as a national 4A-level scenic area. It is hailed as one of the “Top Ten Adventure Hotspots in China” and also recognised as an “important gene bank of flora and fauna resources” and a “world-class destination for pristine ecological tourism.”
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Yibo Interstella Camp
Yizhao Highway
Xiata Tourism Resort
Xiata — Kalajun — Tekes
The Kalajun Grassland is a typical alpine multicoloured meadow and natural prairie, located in Tekes County within the Ili River Valley of Xinjiang. It forms a transitional zone between the western Tianshan Mountains and the Ili Valley. The grassland sits at an altitude ranging from 1,305 to 3,957 metres, stretching 89 kilometres east to west and 32 kilometres north to south, covering a total area of 2,848 square kilometres.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhande Hotel
Kalajun Grassland
Tekes the Bagua City
Tekes — Tree-hole Highway — Qiafuqihai Hydroelectric Plant — Kurdenin — Nalati
Departing from Tekes, you’ll travel along the enchanting Tree-hole Highway, a lesser-known but stunning route flanked by dense forests and dramatic mountain curves. The road eventually leads to the Qiafuqihai Hydroelectric Plant, a quiet marvel nestled amid turquoise waters and steep valley walls. From there, the path winds through the tranquil settlement of Kurdenin, where alpine pastures stretch endlessly beneath the open sky. Your day ends in Nalati, one of China’s most iconic grasslands, renowned for its sweeping meadows, nomadic culture, and endless horizons kissed by the Tianshan peaks.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Starry Sky Hotel
Kurdenin Scenic Spot
Nalati Grassland
Nalati — Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery — Duku Highway — Urumqi
Tangbula refers to the stretch of grassland landscape along the Kash River Gorge within Nileke County, Xinjiang. It takes its name from a ravine 105 kilometres southeast of the county seat, where massive boulders on the eastern ridge resemble imperial seals—hence the name “Tangbula,” meaning “Great Seal” in Kazakh. The area boasts stunning scenery, including forests, meadows, waterfalls, and rugged stones. It gained fame after serving as a filming location for the movie Tianshan Red Flowers.
The Duku Highway is like a journey through a tunnel of time, offering the rare experience of witnessing all four seasons in a single day. From spring blossoms to winter snow, its breathtaking scenery unfolds like a living painting. Every step reveals a new vista—whether it’s the snow-capped peaks welcoming you at dawn or the lush green slopes basking in midday sun, it is a road that captivates and lingers in memory.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Xuanpu Hotel
Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery
Duku Highway
Urumqi Departure
Your journey ends with the driver escorting you to the airport. A brief journey, yet every parting carries its own sentiment. Looking forward to our next meeting in Xinjiang.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Self-arranged
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 2025-5 | $ 1,604 USD | Book now |
| Jun | 2025-6 | $ 1,798 USD | Book now |
| Jul | 2025-7 | $ 1,798 USD | Book now |
| Aug | 2025-8 | $ 1,798 USD | Book now |
| Sep | 2025-9 | $ 1,798 USD | Book now |
| Oct | 2025-10 | $ 1,798 USD | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 13-Day Northern Xinjiang Panorama Tour: Urumqi, Urho, Kanas, Tekes, Sailimu Lake & More
Fee Description
Services Included:
- Transportation: 14-converted-to-7-seater tourist vehicle with aeroline seats.
- Driving Service: Service, food, and accommodation fees of drivers.
- Attraction Fees: All listed in the itinerary and shuttle bus fees; entertainments in the scenic spots are on your own expense.
- Accommodation: 4-star hotels throughout the tour
- Breakfast: Daily breakfast at hotels; no breakfast in the guesthouses or residences.
- Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance.
Services Excluded:
- Personal expenses are at your own discretion. It is recommended not to purchase expensive items near scenic areas to avoid disputes.
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional activities at your own expense.
- Single room supplement applies.
- Flights from various locations worldwide to Xining are not included.
