Travel Expenses: AA!!!
Departure Time: 6:30 AM on the day of departure
Planned Travel Time: National Day, October, 11th
Departure Location: Urumqi City
Contact Number: (Same) 0991-8585456
Vehicles: Toyota Coaster 19-seat luxury air-conditioned business van or Benz Sprinter 19-seat
[Must-visits in Xinjiang]: Tianshan Heavenly Lake, Kanas Lake, Alataw Pass, Colorful Beach, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Bayinbrok, Luntai Tarim Poplar Forest, Turpan, Hami
[Recommendation Reasons]: Experience the exotic scenery and folk customs of colorful Xinjiang in one go; admire the snowy Tianshan Mountains, Tianshan lakes, grasslands, deserts, Gobi Desert, as well as enjoy Xinjiang’s culinary delights such as meat dishes and fruits.
[Special Experiences]: Feel the mystery and beauty of Kanas Lake, the净土of the East in this human world, akin to Switzerland; witness the vast desert and the winding Bayinbrok Grassland; embrace the fiery passion of Turpan, renowned as the City of Fire.
[Explore Xinjiang]: Urumqi + Tianshan Heavenly Lake + Bolle Alataw Pass + Kanas Lake + Nalati + Luntai Tarim Poplar Forest + Turpan + A panoramic view of Northern Xinjiang.
Day 1: Urumqi – Tianshan Heavenly Lake (about 100km, 1.5 hours)
Tianshan Tianchi, anciently known as “Jade Pool”, is a natural scenic area centered around a high-mountain lake. It is 37 kilometers away from Fukang City and 97 kilometers away from Urumqi, the capital of the autonomous region. The planned total area of Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area is 548 square kilometers, divided into 8 scenic areas, 15 scenic clusters, and 38 scenic spots. It is a typical mountainous natural landscape in the arid northwest region of China. In 2007, Tianshan Tianchi was rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction by the China National Tourism Administration. From June 5 to 6, 2013, it was assessed as a national geopark by the Ministry of Land and Resources of China.
Today, we will visit Tianchi, known as the “Pearl of Tianshan Mountain”. Upon arrival, we will visit Tianchi Stone Gate, the Needle Stabilizing the Sea, Big and Small Tianchi Lakes, Suspended Spring and Waterfall, and overlook the beautiful Bogda Snow Peak, the highest peak in the eastern section of Tianshan Mountain.
Day 2: Tianchi — Burqin (about 650 kilometers, 7 hours by car) Accommodation: Burqin
After breakfast, we will take a bus along the Irtysh River to Burqin, passing through the Gurbantonggut Desert, the Kalamaili Hooved Animal Nature Reserve, and Huoshao Mountain! We will arrive in Burqin in the evening.
Burqin County is named after the Burqin River. “Burqin” is a Mongolian term. In Mongolian, a three-year-old male camel is called “Bur”, and “qin” means herdsman. The local Kazakh language also calls this place “Kuigan” (meaning a confluence), as the Burqin River converges with the Irtysh River here.
Burqin County is part of Altay, located in the north of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, at the southwestern foot of the Altai Mountains and the northern edge of the Junggar Basin. Its north and northeast borders on Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia, making it the only county in western China that borders on Russia with a 218-kilometer-long border. There are numerous rivers within its territory, and it is a must-pass place for the import and export of two border trade ports in northwestern Xinjiang. The border with Russia has an ideal port with great development value, which is the only closest channel to open economic and trade exchanges between the northwest region and Russia. It is also the birthplace of the largest tributary of Irtysh River, the only Arctic Ocean water system in China.
Day 3: Burqin — Kanas — Jiadengyu (180 kilometers, about 3.5 hours) Accommodation: Jiadengyu / Hemu
In the early morning, the sky in Burqin only reveals a bright red dawn, while people are still asleep, we have to set off again. Driving up the winding mountain road, greens fill our sight. Horses, cows, and sheep appear on the hillside, and distant yurts are where the nomadic people live! The scene centered around the yurts really has a poetic atmosphere. The beauty of harmony immerses in all the scenes of the journey. Xinjiang is also beautiful on the way!
Day 4: Jiadengyu / Hemu / Burqin (about 180 kilometers, 3 hours by car)
After breakfast, we will take a bus to the Garden of God – Hemu Village, a paradise on earth (if affected by force majeure, we may visit Baishahu Lake instead). Among the little river, wooden cabins, curling smoke, birch forest, and shepherds grazing on wooden bridges, it is like entering the legendary Shire, the home of Hobbits.
Day 5: Burqin – Bole (about 700 km, 9 hours)
After breakfast, take a car to Bole, passing through the Tuoli Grasslands. The endless grass carpet and cattle and sheep are on both sides of the mountains. Visit Alataw Pass, the earliest port in Xinjiang connecting to Europe. Alataw Pass is located in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, and is the western bridgehead of the China section of the world-famous New Eurasian Land Bridge. It is the only national first-class port in western China that has both railway and highway facilities. This steel avenue connecting Asia and Europe has erected a new economic land bridge spanning Asia and Europe.
Day 6: Bole – Yining – Nalati (via G218, 470 km, about 6 hours)
After breakfast, take a car to the Pearl of Tianshan Mountains – [Sayram Lake], enjoying the picturesque Guozi Valley along the way. Guozi Valley is the gateway to the Ili River Valley, with white clouds, blue sky, snowy mountains, pine trees, winding roads, and beautiful scenery. The Guozi Valley Bridge is 700 meters long, with a clear height of 200 meters above the valley floor. The main towers are 209 meters and 215.5 meters tall, respectively. The main bridge of the bridge adopts a steel truss structure, using 17,000 tons of domestic special bridge steel and connected with high-strength bolts, with an installation accuracy controlled within two millimeters. The bridge is the first cable-stayed bridge on the highway in the autonomous region and the first highway double-tower, double-cable-plane steel truss cable-stayed bridge in China.
Day 7: Nalati – Bayinbrook – Tarim Poplar Forest – Luntai County (about 570 km, 9.5 hours)
After breakfast, take a car to [Bayinbrook Swan Lake] to experience the vastness and flatness of the Bayinbrook Grasslands. The blue sky, white clouds, grasslands, and sheep flocks will let you truly appreciate the charming scenery beyond the Great Wall. Along the way, view the source of Bosten Lake, China’s largest inland freshwater lake – the Kaidu River. Then, head to China’s only swan lake nature reserve to search for the graceful posture of swans. The winding river with nine turns and eighteen bends offers a sense of the Mongolian people’s enthusiasm and boldness. Later, take a car through the picturesque Tianshan beautiful forest farm – Gongnais. Gongnais boasts beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons, with mountain grasslands and valley grasslands coexisting. With rivers, lakes, springs, streams, wild fruits, mountain flowers, and exotic animals, Gongnais is a fascinating destination with charming scenery everywhere;
Day 8: Luntai – Turpan (about 580 km, 8.5 hours)
After breakfast, head to Turpan. Upon arrival, visit the barren and treeless [Flame Mountain]. While enjoying the scenery, follow the story of Sun Wukong borrowing the Iron Fan from Princess Iron Fan to extinguish the flames of Flame Mountain! Afterwards, visit the [Grape Manor]. Beneath the lush grapevines, lively Xinjiang dance music plays, and passionate steps are danced. While tasting Xinjiang-style roasted buns and mutton skewers, enjoy the beautiful dance moves, delighting the eyes and refreshing the mind! Overnight stay in Turpan.
Day 9: Turpan – Urumqi (Group Disbands)
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456