One of the following plans can be chosen for the best 3-day tour in Xinjiang:?
Plan A: Urumqi – Sayram Lake – Yining?
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi for Sayram Lake. It is recommended to rent a car online in advance and choose accommodation in the new urban area for easy access to the highway to Sayram Lake the next day. Upon arrival, you can take a self-driving tour around the lake and feel the magnificent natural scenery.?
Day 2: Take a tour around Sayram Lake. It is recommended to go in a counterclockwise direction and bring your own food to avoid any dissatisfaction with the food at the scenic area restaurants. Continue exploring in the afternoon and choose to stay in Yining at night. The homestays in Yining are super beautiful and perfect for photo opportunities.?
Day 3: Embark on an exploration tour in Yining, visiting various restaurants, courtyards, and clothing stores to experience the local customs and cuisine. Afterward, take a plane or train back to Urumqi to end a delightful journey.?
Plan B: Urumqi – Kanas – Hemu?
Day 1: Fly directly from Urumqi to Kanas Airport in the morning, which takes only 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, take a bus or coach to the scenic area, and after dropping off your luggage, you can take a shuttle bus to the Fish Viewing Terrace to overlook the panoramic view of Kanas, then head to Kanas Lake for some fun.?
Day 2: In the morning, visit Baihaba Village, then take a bus to Hemu. Hemu village is larger, and you can choose to stay in a wooden house near the commercial street. In the afternoon, you can go horseback riding at Meili Peak or take photos in the Birch Forest and Irtysh River. At night, you can enjoy the starry galaxy in the courtyard.?
Day 3: In the morning, head to the Sunrise Platform to enjoy the scenery, then take the airport shuttle bus back to Urumqi to end a fulfilling trip.?
These two routes cover different scenery in Xinjiang, including lakes, grasslands, homestays, and mountainous areas, allowing you to choose a route that suits your preferences and actual situation.?