Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456
Itinerary highlights
In the beautiful autumn of October, it’s the season for the Populus euphratica in southern Xinjiang. ‘One cannot appreciate the vastness of the motherland without visiting Xinjiang.’ 90% of China’s Populus euphratica are in Xinjiang, and 90% of Xinjiang’s Populus euphratica are in southern Xinjiang. Entering the ‘Largest Desert in China’, the Taklamakan Desert, and traveling along the straight, endless desert highway that stretches north-south across the Tarim Basin. The scenery along the way is magnificent, with not only large areas of golden Populus euphratica forests but also sand dunes resembling yellow dragons playing in the sea, their ‘scales’ shimmering in the sunshine. The undulating sand dunes and the golden Populus euphratica scattered deep in the desert form a picture with distinct layers.
Main shooting attractions
1. Three mysterious canyons — Dushanzi, Tianshan, Tuyugou
2. Tianshan Geographic Corridor — 101 National Defense Highway
3. An idyllic retreat — Bayinbuluke
4. Ethnic folklore museum — Kuqa Old Town
5. A thousand-year appointment — Populus euphratica in Xayar
6. China’s largest desert — Taklamakan Desert
7. Gold standard, natural landscape — Lop Nur Village
8. Vast and spectacular — Dadaban City Wind Farm
Itinerary arrangement
D1: Various locations – Urumqi (★Activity gathering day)
Shooting locations: Urumqi’s culture and architecture
Accommodation: Urumqi
D2: Urumqi — National Defense Highway — Dushanzi
Shooting locations: 101 National Defense Highway, Hongshan Grand Canyon
After breakfast, depart for the 101 National Defense Highway (the road condition is poor, but the scenery is beautiful). Then head to Liuhuanggou, capturing the colorful Yadan landform along the way. In the afternoon, take the G30 highway to Anjihai’s Hongshan Grand Canyon to photograph the sunset, and stay in Dushanzi in the evening.
Accommodation: Dushanzi
D3: Dushanzi — Bayanbulak
Shooting Locations: Nine-Bend and Eighteen-Turn Scenic Area
In the morning, head to Kuitun Grand Canyon to photograph the sunrise, then cross the Tianshan Mountains and arrive in Joerma. In the afternoon, head to Bayanbulak to capture the sunset at the Nine-Bend and Eighteen-Turn Scenic Area.
Accommodation: Bayanbulak
D4: Bayanbulak — Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan
Shooting Locations: Tianshan Stone Forest
In the morning, head to Tianshan Stone Forest to photograph the sunrise, then capture the Dalongchi and Xiaolongchi along the way. In the afternoon, visit the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan, and stay in the Grand Canyon scenic area in the evening.
Accommodation: Kuqa Grand Canyon
D5: Tianshan Grand Canyon — Kuqa — Shaya
Shooting Locations: Sunset in Shaya Populus euphratica Forest
Depart in the morning to photograph Hongshan Stone Forest, then head to Yanshuigou for shooting. Arrive in Kuqa County in the afternoon, and after lunch, visit the old town of Kuqa to capture humanistic scenes. In the afternoon, arrive at the Populus euphratica scenic area in Shaya to photograph the sunset, and stay in Shaya County in the evening.
Accommodation: Shaya
D6: Shaya — Taklamakan Desert — Lunnan
Shooting Locations: Sunrise in Shaya Populus euphratica Forest, Taklamakan Desert
In the morning, head to the Populus euphratica Forest in Shaya to photograph the sunrise of Populus euphratica in the water. Then, take the oil pipeline route to Lunnan Town, shooting the unique vegetation of Xinjiang, "Tamarix", along the way. In the afternoon, visit the Tahe Bridge to photograph the dead Populus euphratica that has stood for thousands of years, and capture the sunset in the Taklamakan Desert. Return to Lunnan Town in the evening and check into the hotel.
Accommodation: Lunnan Town
D7: Lunnan — Xiaocao Lake — Lunnan
Shooting Locations: Xiaocao Lake
In the morning, head to the hinterland of Xiaocao Lake to photograph Populus euphratica in the water. Photographers can freely express themselves this day. In the afternoon, capture the sunset of Populus euphratica in Xiaocao Lake, and return to Lunnan Town in the evening.
Accommodation: Lunnan Town
D8: Lunnan — Yuli County
Shooting Locations: Lopnur Man Village
In the morning, take the Tahe River Road to Yuli County. The road is rugged, but the scenery is excellent. In the afternoon, visit the Lopnur Man Village for shooting, and stay in Yuli County in the evening.
Accommodation: Yuli County
D9: Yuli County — Korla
Shooting Locations: Populus euphratica Forest in the 31st Regiment
In the morning, head to the 31st Regiment in Yuli County to photograph Populus euphratica. In the afternoon, return to Korla and check into the hotel.
Accommodation: Korla
D10: Korla — Shanshan County
Shooting Locations: Huoyan Mountain, Sunset in Kumtag Desert
Depart from Korla in the morning and head to Shanshan via the highway. In the afternoon, visit Huoyan Mountain for shooting, and then capture the sunset in Kumtag Desert.
Accommodation: Shanshan County
D11: Shanshan County — Urumqi
Shooting Locations: Sunrise in Kumtag Desert, Tuyugou Grand Canyon, Sunset in Dabancheng
In the morning, take photos of the sunrise in Kumtag Desert in Shanshan, then head to Turpan to photograph Tuyugou Grand Canyon. In the afternoon, arrive at Dabancheng Wind Farm to capture the sunset, and arrive in Urumqi in the evening to end the pleasant journey.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456