Details
Urumqi Arrival
We provide 24-hour dedicated airport pickup service to warmly welcome you upon arrival. You will be transferred by car to the hotel, check in, and rest, getting ready for the exciting journey through Xinjiang that awaits you tomorrow.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Xinglong International Hotel
Urumqi — Heavenly Lake — Altay
08:00-08:30 We are delighted to meet you in Xinjiang this season! The driver will arrive at the hotel at the agreed time, ready to begin the journey.
09:30-10:00 Drive to Tian Shan Tianchi Scenic Area, passing through the Tuwu-Da Highway, while enjoying the agricultural economic belt of Northern Xinjiang along the way.
10:00-15:00 Take the shuttle bus to Tian Shan Tianchi Lake area. The scenery of the lake unfolds like a painting, with a deep blue lake resembling a glacier lake, and the shallows are exceptionally clear. From near to far, mountain peaks form a V-shape, standing tall above the lake, like multiple layers of barriers gradually retreating. In the distance, Bogda Peak is clearly visible with its snow-capped summit. On this day, the sky is cloudless, making the mountains and the lake appear more vivid and three-dimensional. Be sure to capture this rare scene with your camera.
15:00-21:30 You will have lunch on your own. After lunch, head towards Altay, enjoying the scenic drive through the Kalamaili Nature Reserve. Here, you will see vast deserts, and occasionally, you might spot a few wild camels leisurely strolling.
21:30-22:30 Arrive in Altay and check in at the hotel. Dinner will be on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vienna International Hotel
Urumqi
Heavenly Lake of Tianshan
Altay — Kanas — Jiadengyu
07:30-08:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and we can begin today’s exciting journey.
08:00-12:30 Drive to the Kanas Scenic Area. Today’s route will take us on mountain roads with speed limits. The mountain roads offer picturesque views, and the driver will stop at beautiful spots so you can take photos and capture memories. It’s like walking through a painting as we travel along the road.
12:30-14:30 Arrive at Jiadengyu and check in at the hotel; have lunch on your own.
14:30-19:00 Take the shuttle bus to the Kanas Scenic Area. You can visit the Fish Watching Platform (the shuttle bus fee of 20 CNY is at your own expense). After climbing 1,068 steps, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Kanas Lake. The brown stairs, with golden numbers marking each step, make the climb feel even more rewarding. Once at the top, Kanas Lake unfolds before you like a green crescent-shaped mirror, with Friendship Peak in the distance standing tall, its white veil-like summit watching over and protecting this sacred land.
You can also take the shuttle bus from the transfer center to the No. 1 direction, heading to the old village terminus. After passing through the wooden plank road in the forest, you will reach the edge of Kanas Lake. Stroll along the lake, where the dappled white birch trees reflect in the water, accompanied by the gentle sound of flowing water as it winds its way toward the distance, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
19:00-20:30 After the tour, return to the hotel. Enjoy your dinner on your own, and in the atmosphere filled with the croaking of frogs and the chirping of insects, quietly gaze at the brightest stars in the night sky.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kaiyuan Holiday Hotel
Altay
Jiadengyu Forest Park
Jiadengyu — Kanas — Hemu
08:00-09:00 Enjoy breakfast on your own, and we can begin today’s exciting journey.
09:00-12:00 Enter the Kanas Scenic Area once again and explore the three bays of Kanas: Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Dragon Bay. There are observation decks close to the roadside, and wooden walkways leading down to the water. As you walk into Fairy Bay, the sunlight breaks through the clouds and casts a radiant glow on the blue-green water, as if countless pearls are scattered across the surface. When mist rises, it feels as if the area is covered in a delicate white veil, both gentle and healing. At the observation deck in Moon Bay, you can admire the winding and graceful Kanas River flowing through dense taiga forests. Dragon Bay is surrounded by thick forests, with the water gently rippling, crystal clear, and the lush trees lining both shores, creating a paradise-like atmosphere. Walking along the three bays of Kanas, all you see is the pure beauty of nature.
14:00-15:00 Have lunch on your own. You can either share with fellow travelers or try some local specialties individually.
15:00-20:00 Transfer by shuttle bus into the Hemu Scenic Area. After about an hour’s drive, you will arrive at Hemu Village. Upon arrival, check in at the wooden house and drop off your luggage. You will then have free time! You can take a walk in the birch forest, take a signature “tourist photo” at the Hemu Bridge, or rent a horse from a local herder to ride to the beautiful peak. Enjoy the panoramic view of Hemu under the setting sun, and see the sunset and smoke rising from chimneys at the Hemu viewing platform, before returning to the wooden house.
20:00-20:30 Have dinner on your own. You can either share with fellow travelers or enjoy some local specialties individually.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hexi Autumn Villa
Kanas
Hemu Village
Hemu — Rainbow Beach — Burqin
06:00-08:00 Head to the He Mu Viewing Platform to enjoy the rising smoke from the village. Before the sun rises, ascend the platform to capture the morning light over He Mu village. A thin mist drifts like white gauze through the valley, and the rising smoke from the village creates a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
08:00-09:30 Have breakfast on your own, and then we can begin another exciting day of our journey.
09:30-15:00 Free time in the He Mu Scenic Area. For those interested, you can hike to the Beautiful Peak Grassland, around 5 kilometers, or experience the feeling of galloping across the mountain fields on horseback. The river, white birch forest, smoke rising from small wooden houses, and the Tuvan herders with their cattle and sheep—all these resemble a utopia where hobbits might live.
15:00-18:00 In the afternoon, take a vehicle to the Five-Colored Beach.
18:00-19:30 Explore the Five-Colored Beach Scenic Area and visit the Yadan landforms. On the northern shore, the mountains undulate and the colors change, formed by the erosive power of flowing rivers and strong winds. The varying resistance of the rock layers against weathering has created uneven contours, with the rocks displaying a spectrum of colors, mainly red with touches of green, purple, yellow, white, black, and transitional hues, making for a vibrant and colorful landscape.
19:30-22:00 Arrive in Burqin and check into your accommodation. Enjoy a free dinner at the Buerjin Night Market. The night market, filled with the aroma of grilled fish and meat, is one of the most distinctive places in the city. Be sure to try the cold-water fish from the Ertix River and the unique Xinjiang drink, Kvass.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Hepanyishu Hotel
Rainbow Beach
Burqin
Burqin — Mogui City — Kuitun
08:30-09:30 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and we can begin today’s exciting journey.
09:30-12:30 Travel to Urho.
12:30-14:00 Have lunch on your own, either with fellow travelers or by trying some local specialties.
14:00-17:00 Visit the Urho World Devil’s City, a wind-eroded Yadan landform. This “castle” was shaped by the wind and is surrounded by unique and strange soil mounds. The ground beneath is cracked yellow earth with no vegetation, and the area is eerily quiet. Inside, you’ll see the oil fields of the Hundred-Mile Oil Field, bizarre stone formations resembling galloping horses, the filming location for “The Seven Swords Descend the Mountain,” and even reconstructed dinosaur models—some standing on cliffs, others crouching on rocky walls, all very lifelike.
17:00-20:00 Return to Kuitun City and check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ritsuen Hotel
Mogui City
Kuitun
Kuitun — Sailimu Lake — Jinghe
07:00-08:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and we are ready to start another exciting day of our journey.
08:00-11:30 Travel by car to Sailimu Lake.
11:30-18:30 Explore Sailimu Lake, with multiple stops along the way. We will take turns getting off the bus to take photos. The Genghis Khan Platform is a paradise for photography enthusiasts, offering a panoramic view of Sailimu Lake. We will then proceed to the West Sea Grassland, where you can see many Mongolian yurts and various wildflowers. It’s the perfect place to capture the charm of the Sailimu Lake flower sea. Ladies, bring your beautiful long dresses and colorful scarves to take photos that will make you feel like you’re in a movie.
18:30-20:30 Travel to Jinghe and check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wenzhou Hotel
Sailimu Lake
Sailimu Lake
Jinghe — Northern Section of Duku Highway — Nalati
08:00-09:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and get ready to begin another exciting day of your journey.
09:00-11:30 Head towards Dushanzi District, and enter the Duku Highway.
11:30-18:30 Travel along the Duku Highway, winding through mountain roads, with stops along the way. You’ll pass through snow-capped mountains, lakes, pine forests, and grasslands, crossing the Tianshan Daban Pass. Experience the four seasons of scenery in a single day, making this a truly unique experience. The route is surrounded by picturesque grasslands, towering snow-capped peaks, and the famous 100-meter-long snow protection corridor. Along the way, there are several scenic spots for photo opportunities, such as the Tianshan Stone Monument, a dammed lake, the panoramic view of the Duku Highway, and the snow-capped scenery at the Hasiregen Tunnel. Lunch will be on your own along the way.
18:30-19:30 After checking into the hotel, enjoy dinner at your leisure.
*If the Duku Highway is closed, typically apart from mid-June to September, here are some alternative plans for you to consider:
1. Travel by car via Hejing, rerouting back to Urumqi (this will be a longer drive, so we suggest bringing some snacks for the journey).
2. If you prefer not to return by car, you can travel from Nalati to Yining by car, and then take a high-speed train from Yining to Urumqi (additional costs apply).
3. If you need our assistance with purchasing tickets, the charges are as follows: additional car fare from Nalati to Yining is 42 USD per person, and the high-speed train fare from Yining to Urumqi is 18 USD per person.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nalati Wansen Resort
Duku Highway
Duku Highway
Nalati — Nalati Grassland — Urumqi
08:00-09:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and get ready to start another exciting day of your journey.
09:00-12:30 Take the shuttle to Nalati Sky Grassland, located in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains. Known as the “Jiangnan of the Frontier” and praised as “Heaven on Earth,” the Nalati Grassland is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the Gongnaisi River winding through it. The natural beauty here creates a picturesque landscape with lush vegetation and a serene environment. On the way to Bayinbuluke, feel free to stop whenever you come across unique and beautiful scenes and capture those wonderful moments.
12:30-13:30 Enjoy lunch on your own. You can either share with fellow travelers or try local specialties on your own.
13:00-16:00 Head towards Urumqi.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Xinglong International Hotel
Nalati Grassland
Urumqi Grand Bazaar
Urumqi — Korla — Lop Nur Village — Kuche
08:00-09:30 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel to kick off today’s exciting journey.
09:30-11:30 Head towards Korla.
11:30-14:30 Lunch on your own. You can either share with fellow travelers or try the local specialties.
14:30-19:30 Explore the Lop Nur village.
19:30-20:30 Head to the hotel for check-in and enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wanchen Kailai Hotel
Korla
Kuche
Kuche — Wensu Grand Canyon — Aksu
08:00-09:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and we’re ready to start today’s exciting journey.
09:00-12:00 Head to the Wensu Grand Canyon.
12:00-13:00 Lunch on your own, either sharing with your group or trying local specialties.
13:00-17:00 Explore the Wensu Grand Canyon. Entering the scenic area feels like stepping into a magnificent natural gallery. The canyon features clearly defined rock layers, with folds created by pressure, and the curved lines stand out vividly. The fractured rocks are wedged between the layers of the mountain, and after millions of years of wind and rain erosion, they have formed towering cliffs, unique peaks, and strange, rugged shapes, presenting a colorful, diverse, and spectacular landscape.
17:00-19:00 Head to Aksu.
19:00-20:30 Check into the hotel and enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vienna International Hotel
Wensu Grand Canyon
Aksu
Aksu — Desert Highway — Hotan
09:00-10:00 Enjoy a warm breakfast at the hotel, and get ready to begin today’s exciting journey.
10:00-19:00 Travel by car along the desert highway to Hetian. Along the way, you will see various desert wonders and human-made marvels that have altered nature. As you enter the heart of the desert, you can witness strange natural landscapes. Gaze into the distance, where the vast sand dunes stretch endlessly, layers upon layers reaching from the ground to the sky and back again to infinity.
19:00-19:30 Check-in at the hotel.
19:30-22:30 Enjoy a free dinner, or visit the Hetian Night Market to experience the unique southern Xinjiang ambiance.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jinjiang Metropolis Hotel
Desert Highway
Hotan
Hotan — Kashgar
08:00-09:00 Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel, and we’re ready to begin today’s exciting journey!
09:00-14:00 Free time for lunch, either share with fellow travelers or try local specialties on your own.
14:00-16:30 Travel by car to Kashgar.
16:00-17:00 Check into the hotel.
17:00-22:30 Stroll through the ancient city of Kashgar, and in the evening, explore the famous Kashgar Night Market across from the old town, where you can indulge in a variety of delicious local foods.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhihan Huanpeng Hotel
Kashgar
Kashgar
Kashgar — White Sand Lake — Golden Grass Wetland & Stone City — Tashkurgan
08:00-08:30 Enjoy a heartwarming breakfast at the hotel, and we can begin today’s exciting journey!
08:30-14:30 After breakfast, visit the Blenkou White Sand Lake, where you can admire the distant White Sand Mountain and the shimmering waters nearby. Capture the beauty with your camera as you enjoy the serene surroundings.
Pamir in Tajik means “the Roof of the World.” When traveling today, be mindful not to engage in activities like running or jumping, as it may lead to discomfort from altitude sickness. The flat China-Pakistan Friendship Highway connects the plateau, ascending from Kashgar, and as the altitude increases, the mountains rise majestically.
14:30-15:30 Enjoy lunch on your own. You can either share with fellow travelers or taste local specialties individually.
15:30-19:00 Head to Tashkurgan. Along the way, we’ll catch a glimpse of the Muztagh Ata Peak in the distance, with herds of yaks and sheep scattered across the landscape, resembling a beautiful painting. The sky itself looks like it has a natural filter.
19:00-20:30 Visit the Pamir Tourist Area, starting with the Golden Grassland, a rare high-altitude wetland. It’s a sight to behold, especially under the sunset. Capture the herds of cattle and sheep, where nature harmonizes perfectly. Then, head to the Stone City to explore the ancient city ruins and reflect on the grandeur of the ancient Silk Road.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: East Search Culture Hotel
White Sand Lake
Tashkurgan
Tashkurgan – Panlong Ancient Road – Karakul Lake – Kashgar
07:00-08:00 Enjoy a heartwarming breakfast at the hotel, and get ready for another exciting day of our journey.
08:00-12:00 Head towards the Wacha Panlong Ancient Road. Located in Wacha Township, Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar, this road is locally known as Wacha Highway. The mountain road has over 600 turns and stretches for 75 kilometers at an altitude of about 4,100 meters. The perfect combination of the black road, earthy-colored mountains, and distant snow-capped peaks is unique to the Pamir Plateau.
17:00-18:00 Visit Karakul Lake, where you can overlook the vast and rippling waters, perfect for taking photos and striking a pose. The towering Muztagh Ata, Kongur Peak, and Kongur Joubie Peak, all covered in snow year-round, surround Karakul Lake. On clear days, the lake’s surface mirrors the snowy mountains, offering a stunning view of the towering peaks in the distance and the calm waters up close, adding a magical and beautiful touch to the lake.
18:00-22:30 Arrive in Kashgar city, check in at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhihan Huanpeng Hotel
Karakul Lake
Panlong Valley Road
Kashger Departure
00:00-14:00 You can arrange your day according to your flight schedule. Your wonderful holiday is about to end, and it’s time to say goodbye to your lovely travel companions. Pack your bags and get ready to return to your warm home. If you are taking a flight or train, the driver will send you to the airport or train station based on your departure time.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Self-arranged
Dates & Prices
| Month | Date | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun | 2025-6 | $ 1,660 USD | Book now |
| Jul | 2025-7 | $ 1,937 USD | Book now |
| Aug | 2025-8 | $ 1,937 USD | Book now |
| Sep | 2025-9 | $ 2,062 USD | Book now |
| Oct | 2025-10 | $ 2,062 USD | Book now |
You are consulting 2025-04-12 16-Day Xinjiang Panorama Tour: Urumqi, Heavenly Lake, Altay, Nalati, Tashkurgan, Kashgar & More
Fee Description
Fees Include:
- Vehicle: Luxury 7-seater (converted from a 14-seater), each seat by the window, equipped with leg rest, massage, heating, and ventilation; driver also serves as tour guide.
- Accommodation: Hotel stays throughout the trip as listed in the itinerary.
- Meals: Breakfast is included at hotels (except Hemu and Sayram Lake — please prepare your own meals in advance).
- Tickets: First admission tickets + shuttle buses to all listed attractions.
- Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance.
Fees Do Not Include:
- Personal expenses — please manage on your own; it’s advised not to purchase high-value items near scenic spots to avoid potential disputes.
- Lunches and dinners throughout the trip.
- Optional activities mentioned in the itinerary require additional fees
- Single room supplement.
- Round-trip Transportation: Flight and train tickets to Urumqi and back (booking service provided).
- Other Expenses: All expenses incurred by travellers due to breach of contract, personal fault, activities arranged independently during the trip, or personal illness not mentioned in the “Services Included” above.
