Tour Overview
| Duration | 9 Days / 8 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Northern Xinjiang — Urumqi / Burqin / Kanas / Hemu / Turpan |
| Price From | $1,929 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Photography & Nature Adventure |
| Data Source | ChinaDiscovery.com 2026 |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Urumqi
Welcome to Urumqi. Driver will meet you at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport. Afternoon visit to the Xinjiang Regional Museum, home to the Tarim mummies — the 4,000-year-old Caucasian mummies that prove ancient Caucasian presence on the Silk Road (the Loulan Beauty is the most famous). The museum has an impressive collection of ancient Sogdian textiles. Evening Uyghur specialty: laghman noodles (hand-pulled noodles with tomatoes and peppers). Overnight in Urumqi.
Day 2: Drive to Burqin via Wuerhe Ghost City
Drive north through the Jungar Basin — passing from desert to forest. Stop at Wuerhe Ghost City (a yardang field of sandstone rocks shaped 100 million years by wind). Continue to Burqin (650km, 8 hours) — a small Kazakh town on the Irtysh River. Stop in Burqin Bazaar for Uyghur snacks. Overnight in Burqin.
Day 3: Burqin → Kanas Nature Reserve
Drive 130km to Kanas Nature Reserve, a UNESCO-protected wilderness famous for being the mythological lake creature (“Kanas Monster”) claimed by local Kazakhs. Take the park shuttle to the Three Bays of Kanas Lake (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, Dragon Bay), each a perfect landscape composition of mountain, forest, and turquoise water. Continue to the Hemu Village viewpoint (on the way) — a Tuvan village of wooden log cabins. Overnight in Kanas.
Day 4: Kanas Lake & Forests
Full day exploring Kanas Lake (5,400 acres, 24m deep) — the deepest lake in China. Hike the 19km around the lake through old-growth spruce forests. See the “Dushanzi Grand Canyon” — towering 200m vertical cliffs. Visit the Tuvan people of Hemu Village — visit their log-cabin homes and share traditional lunch. Try the Tuvan honey-banana pancakes. Overnight in Hemu Village.
Day 5: Hemu Village → Burqin
Sunrise hike to Hemu viewpoint for the iconic morning view over the foggy Hemu River. Walk the village streets and learn about Tuvan culture. Afternoon drive back to Burqin. Stop at the Irtysh River Waterfront Park. Overnight in Burqin.
Day 6: Drive to Karamay & Urho
Drive south to Karamay (250km). Visit the Colorful Beach (五彩滩) — a riverbank painted in sandstone colors: yellow, orange, purple. Stop at Dushanzi Grand Canyon for the dramatic red sandstone cliffs. Visit the Wuerhe Ghost City for the unique sunset hues on the wind-eroded rocks. Overnight in Karamay.
Day 7: Drive to Turpan via Sayram Lake
Drive west 600km (7 hours) to Sayram Lake — a 32,000-acre alpine lake at 2,073m, with snow peaks and wetlands. Stop for a Kazakh meal. Continue to the Jinghe River border crossing area. Continue across the Tianshan Mountains to Turpan. Overnight in Turpan.
Day 8: Turpan — Silk Road Heritage
Morning at the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (Ming era Uyghur Buddhist caves) and the Red Flame Mountain (Huo Yan Shan). Afternoon visit to the Karez Underground Irrigation System (5,000-year-old underground canals), Gaochang Ancient City (Tang-era Uyghur capital), and Grape Valley — a literal valley of vineyards where Uyghur farmers serve fresh grapes. Visit the Turpan Museum to see the preserved Tarim mummies. Overnight in Turpan.
Day 9: Return to Urumqi & Depart
Morning flight to Urumqi. Visit the International Grand Bazaar of Xinjiang for last shopping. Evening departure flight.
Inclusions
- 8 nights (1 Urumqi + 2 Burqin + 1 Kanas + 1 Hemu + 1 Karamay + 2 Turpan)
- Kanas Lake Three Bays + Hemu Village hike
- Colorful Beach + Dushanzi Grand Canyon
- Wuerhe Ghost City + Bezeklik Caves + Karez
- Gaochang Ancient City + Grape Valley
- All flights + private vehicle + Uyghur meals
