Xinjiang used to be the most important portion of western China when mentioning Silk Road. There were lots of small kingdoms in the vast land of Xinjiang in ancient times. And now they are ruins hidden in the desert. This 13-day small group tour will lead you to explore some of them and appreciate the most breathtaking scenery in north Xinjiang.
Urumqi
Urumqi
Day 1 Urumqi arrival
Day 2 Urumqi – Fuyun County: Multi-colored Bay, Huoshaoshan Mountain
Day 3 Fuyun – Burqin: Keketuohai National Grological Park, Shenzhong Mountain
Day 4 Burqin – Kanas: Kanas Nature Reserve
Day 5 Kanas – Karamy: Sayram Lake
Day 7 Sayram Lake – Naraty: Naraty Grassland, Uyghur Cultural Street
Day 8 Naraty – Bayinbuluk: Swan Lake Natural Reserve
Day 9 Bayinbuluk – Korla: Iron Gate, Peacock River
Day 10 Korla – Turpan: Karez Well, Sugong Pagoda, Jiaohe Ruins
Day 11 Turpan – Urumqi: Flaming Mountain, Astana Tombs, Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Tuyu Valley
Day 12 Urumqi: Heavenly Lake
Day 13 Urumqi departure
You will be picked up by our local driver at airport who will hold a welcome board with your name on it and then transfer to your downtown hotel for rest. The rest of the day is free at your disposal. Accommodation: Hoi Tak Hotel
Board the van in the morning and drive to Fuyun County. On the way we will visit Multi-colored Bay, a unique desert landscape and Yandan Landform. Then continue driving to Fuyun County and pay a visit to Huoshaoshan Mountain, just like Flaming Mountain in some extent, Huoshaoshan Mountain is also a sea of read rocks. Accommodation: Fuyun Black Gold Hotel
After breakfast drive for 90 km we will arrive at the Keketuohai National Geological Park, the first national geological park which themed at typical mineral deposit and mine ruins. Afterward take a tram ride along the Irtysh Grand Canyon to Shenzhong Mountain which is known as Earthquake Museum. Then head to Burqin. Accommodation: Burqin Sutong Holiday Hotel
After breakfast we will head to China’s only European-like ecological site Kanas Nature Reserve, where the highlight is the famous Kanas Lake, an alpine lake encircled by dense forest. Shaped like a crescent, the lake has the features of both northern vigor and southern grace. Accommodation: Kanas Hongfu Lake Kanas Resort
Today we will drive to Karamy. On the way we will visit the Urho Ghost City, also known as “Wuerhe Wind City”, a unique wind-eroded geological area commonly referred to as “wind city” because of the frequent howling winds. Due to its eeriness, it is also commonly referred to as “Ghost City”. Accommodation: Karamy Heyi Hotel
In the morning we will drive along Ili Valley to Sayram Lake to appreciate the pure world of the alpine mountain. Spending the rest day on mountain and staying overnight in the yurt. Accommodation: Sarym Lake Yurt
In the morning drive across the Fruit Valley and then continue to Yili and we will arrive in Naraty in the afternoon. The rest day is free for you. Arriving in Naraty pay a visit to Uyghur Culture Street to see local folk culture. At last pay a visit to Naraty Grassland, a famous tourism and holiday resort in Xinjiang which boasts beautiful grassland scenery and Kazak ethnic flavor. Accommodation: Air Grassland Hotel
After breakfast drive to visit Swan Lake Natural Reserve, the second largest grassland in China boasting luxuriant verdant grass, numerous flocks of sheep and varied plants, and the located in the grassland. After that drive to Bayinbuluk. Accommodation: Bayinbuluk Longxing Hotel
In the morning board the van and drive into Tianshan Mountain to have a fast visit of mountainous area. Then arriving Korla pay a visit to Iron Gate (Tiemenguan Pass) which used to be an important pass along Silk Road. Then take a walk along Peacock River to spend some leisure time. Accommodation: Garden Hotel Korla
Meet your guide and driver and drive to Turpan. In Turpan you will visit the Karez Well— an amazing irrigation system which made Turpan a rich oasis. Then we will go to visit Sugong Pagoda, the largest existed ancient Islamic pagoda in Xinjiang. Afterward drive to the Jiaohe Ruins, one of the most important towns along the ancient Silk Road and the largest, oldest and best-preserved earth construction in the world. Accommodation: Karez Hotel
In the morning pay a visit to Flaming Mountain, the hottest place in China in summer days. The highest temperature can be over 40 degree. Then continue the tour to Gaochang Ancient City, a well preserved ruins of Gaochang Kingdom in the Tang Dynasty. Afterward move to visit Astana Tombs which known as the underground museum. Later on drive to visit the 1000+ years old Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves. The last stop will be Tuyu Valley where you will visit a local village. Accommodation: Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel
After hotel breakfast drive to Heavenly Lake where tourists could optionally do a cruise on the lake. It will make you totally relaxed no matter you are sitting in a boat, walking in the mountains, or just standing by the lake. Accommodation: Urumqi Hoi Tak Hotel
Picked up from hotel lobby according to your flight time and transferred to the airport for flight departing Urumqi. Service ends here.