Xinjiang Chartered Tour: 0991-8585456, 1813962-2229 (same as WeChat)
Three-day tour of Luntai Desert Populus euphratica Forest, Lop Nur Village, and Korla Pear City: 1180 yuan/person, departing every Friday in October. Lop Nur Village is a scenic area integrating desert, Populus euphratica, rivers, and lakes, showcasing various natural landscapes and beautiful ecological environments. The vast Taklamakan Desert, the largest in China, lies to the south of the scenic area, undulating endlessly and surging like the waves of the sea. Ride the ‘Desert Ship’ deep into the sandy sea, view the desert scenery, listen to the lingering sound of camel bells, and feel happy and relaxed. Here, there are various forms of primitive Populus euphratica forests. The Tarim River and the Weigan River complement each other beautifully, and the Taklamakan Desert stretches as far as the eye can see. Canoeing, eating grilled fish, and speaking the Lop Nur dialect are all part of the Lop people’s way of life here. Here, you can wade in the river, walk through the forest, ride a camel to view the sandy sea; go hunting, slide down sand dunes, fish in boats, listen to Lop people singing folk songs, watch Lop dances around a bonfire, and enjoy the fun of returning to nature.
Day 1: Urumqi – Korla (one-way car journey of approximately 500 kilometers, 6 hours)
Assemble at the designated location early and travel by car to Korla in the Pear City. Then, proceed to [Lop Nur Village] (entrance ticket and shuttle bus included) for a visit. Here, there are various forms of primitive Populus euphratica forests. The Tarim River and the Weigan River complement each other beautifully, and the Taklamakan Desert stretches as far as the eye can see. Canoeing, eating grilled fish, and speaking the Lop Nur dialect are all part of the Lop people’s way of life here. You can wade in the river, walk through the forest, ride a camel to view the sandy sea, go hunting, slide down sand dunes, fish in boats, listen to Lop people singing folk songs, sleep in huts, and appreciate the desert’s charming scenery with the words, ‘A solitary column of smoke rises straight in the vast desert, the setting sun rounds the long river.’ Afterwards, return to Korla to check into the hotel.
Luntai Poplar Forest in Xinjiang is one of China’s top ten most beautiful forests. Large areas of poplar forests are integrated with rivers, deserts, gobies, oases, sandy lakes, ancient roads, and desert grasslands. During the golden autumn season, it is the most beautiful season for poplar forests. The poplar forests in the wilderness put on their brightest attire of the year. The golden leaves, under the sunshine, create a dazzling forest, decorating the monotonous desert like a fairy tale world. In Luntai Tarim Poplar Forest Park, in addition to feeling the perseverance and tenacity of the golden poplars, you can also experience the magnificent and awe-inspiring scenery beyond the Great Wall. Moreover, you can take a vintage sightseeing train and travel through the endless sea of gold, taking in the beautiful scenery of poplar forests, tamarisk bushes, reed marshes, Qiayang River, lakes in the forest, and other attractions, enjoying the enchanting and fantastic scenery to your heart’s content.
Day 2: Korla – Luntai (one-way by car about 200 kilometers, 3 hours)
After breakfast, take the bus to Luntai, the city of the Golden Wheel and the location of the Western Regions Protectorate of the Western Han Dynasty; enter the heart of the Sea of Death – the Taklamakan Desert, by the wild horse-running Tarim River, visit [Desert Poplar Forest Park] (ticket included), feel the three-thousand-year cultural life connotation of the desert hero poplar tree, which "lives for three thousand years without dying, stands for three thousand years without falling, and remains for three thousand years without decaying", and experience the splendid and romantic scenery of the desert forest. Later, return to Luntai and check into the hotel.
Tiemen Pass scenic area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and national scenic area. It is a strategic pass between the Yanqi Basin and the Tarim Basin, located in the gorge between Huola Mountain and Kuruk Mountain, 8 kilometers north of Korla City. The Peacock River winds through the gorge. The ancient Silk Road North Route (Middle Route of the Rear Mountains) was carved along the foothills of Huola Mountain. "With two mountains towering on both sides, a narrow path passing through the middle, the road leans against steep rocks, overlooking deep ravines, with roaring water flowing through day and night, winding and tortuous, dark and dangerous" (Xie Bin’s "Travel Notes of Xinjiang"), it has always been regarded as a military fortress where "one person guards the pass, ten thousand cannot pass". Tang Dynasty prime minister Zhang Jiuling wrote: "Iron Gate leads to a thousand passes, guarding the throat", highlighting its important military status. Due to its strategic location and being the only passage from North Xinjiang to South Xinjiang, it is called Tiemen Pass. The gorge is also known as Tieguan Valley or Zheliu Valley.
Day 3: Luntai – Urumqi (one-way by car about 600 kilometers, 8 hours)
After breakfast, take the bus to the strategic pass between North and South Xinjiang, the throat of the ancient Silk Road – [Tiemen Pass] (ticket included); due to its strategic location, it is listed as one of China’s ancient 26 passes. Later, return to Urumqi for group dismissal.
Expenses included:
1. Transportation fee: Full-journey domestic tourist air-conditioned bus, one seat per person.
2. Tickets: Lop Nur Village scenic area ticket + shuttle bus, Desert Poplar Forest ticket, Tiemen Pass ticket
3. Accommodation: Full-journey three-star double standard rooms
4. Tour guide service: Full-journey tour guide service
6. Meals: Including 2 breakfasts and 3 lunches, Chinese road meals, Xinjiang-style noodles or meatball soup
Xinjiang chartered tour bus: 0991-8585456 1813962-2229 (same number)