There are multiple different tour routes to choose from for a 5-day tour in Xinjiang. Here are three recommended travel plans:
First Route: Urumqi and Surrounding Classic Route
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, go to the booked hotel in the morning to check in and rest for a while. In the afternoon, head to Hongshan Park to overlook the panoramic view of Urumqi city, then go to the International Bazaar to feel the strong ethnic atmosphere, buy special handicrafts, and taste Xinjiang cuisine such as kebab and hand-seized rice.
Day 2: Take a vehicle from Urumqi to Tianshan Tianchi, admire the surrounding snow-capped mountains and clear lake water, and also hike to explore the surrounding forests and alpine meadows. Return to Urumqi at night.
Day 3: Take a flight from Urumqi to Kanas, visit Kanas Lake upon arrival, admire the scenery of Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay, etc., and also take a boat tour of the lake. Stay overnight in Kanas.
Day 4: Head to Hemu Village to admire the picturesque village scenery and experience the Tuva people’s lifestyle. Afterwards, proceed to Burqin and visit Colorful Beach at night.
Day 5: Continue exploring Burqin, and in the afternoon, depending on your return schedule, return to Urumqi and head to the airport or train station to end the trip.
Second Route: Kashgar Folk Customs Route in Southern Xinjiang
Day 1: Arrive in Kashgar, first visit the historic Kashgar Old Town to feel the rich Uyghur cultural atmosphere and taste local specialties.
Day 2: Head to Baisha Lake, known as the "Maldives of China", to enjoy its tranquility and beauty. Afterwards, you can cross the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway and ascend the Pamir Plateau.
Day 3: Visit the盘龙 Grotto Road, an important passage on the Silk Road with picturesque scenery along the way, and also encounter magnificent grottoes and rock paintings.
Day 4: Head to Karakul Lake to overlook its expansive waters, then visit theMuztagh Ata Glacier Park to feel the tranquility and purity of the plateau.
Day 5: Free activities in Kashgar city, deeply explore the unique charm of this southern Xinjiang pearl, or enjoy some rare leisure time.
Third Route: In-depth Tour of Kanas + Hemu
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi, visit Tianshan Tianchi, and then proceed to Fuyun for accommodation.
Day 2: Depart from Fuyun, visit Koktokay and Wulungu Lake, and arrive in Burqin.
Day 3: Depart from Burqin, head to Hemu Village to admire the log cabins and secluded village scenery, and stay overnight in Hemu.
Day 4: Depart from Hemu, visit Kanas’s Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay), then watch the sunset at Colorful Beach, and arrive in Burqin.
Day 5: Depart from Burqin, visit the Wuerhe Devil City, and then return to Urumqi to end the trip.
The three routes each have their own characteristics, and tourists can choose a suitable route based on their interests and schedule.