There are various recommended routes for an eight-day tour of Northern Xinjiang. Here are two typical itineraries for reference:?
Route 1?
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi, traverse the S21 online celebrity desert highway, enjoy the sunset beauty of Colorful Beach, and arrive in Burqin.?
Day 2: Depart from Burqin, explore Kanas’ mysterious color-changing lake, hike up the Fish Viewing Platform, and stay overnight in Kanas.?
Day 3: Walk around Kanas’ Three Bays, visit Hemu’s fairy-tale log cabins, and enjoy the starry night sky.?
Day 4: Depart from Hemu, view the viewing platform in the morning fog, then visit the Wind-Eroded Devil’s City, take the "online celebrity train", and arrive in Karamay.?
Day 5: Take a scenic drive around Sayram Lake, enjoy the beauty of the mirror-like lake, visit the Lavender Manor, and arrive in Yining in the evening.?
Day 6: Head to the Nalati Aerial Grassland, visit the online celebrity bridge, and experience the beauty of the grassland.?
Day 7: Visit Bayanbulak’s Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn River and Swan Lake, and arrive in Hejing or Heshuo in the evening.?
Day 8: Cross the Tianshan Mountains, admire the wonders of the Gobi Desert, and finally return to Urumqi.?
Route 2?
Day 1: Explore Urumqi city, including Hongshan Park, Hongguangshan Grand Buddha Temple, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, and Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. In the evening, taste authentic cuisine and folk customs at the Bazaar.?
Day 2: Head to Tianshan Tianchi to appreciate the beauty of nature, traverse the S21 Desert Highway to feel the desert’s charm, and finally experience the grandeur and mystery of the Gurbantunggut Desert.?
Day 3: Delve into Hemu Scenic Area, take a stroll among primitive forests and log cabins, and climb up to the Hemu Viewing Platform to overlook the entire village.?
Day 4: Enter Kanas Scenic Area, explore Kanas Lake, and feel the charm of the lakeside scenery.?
Day 5: Visit the Devil’s City to experience its unique landforms and wind-erosion landscapes.?
Day 6: Enjoy a leisurely tour of Sayram Lake, admiring the clarity and beauty of this plateau lake.?
Day 7: Visit Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar again to pick out some souvenirs you like and taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine.?
Day 8: Free activities in Urumqi, and then prepare for the return trip.?
Both routes cover the classic attractions and unique experiences of Northern Xinjiang, and you can choose based on personal preferences and schedule. During the trip, you can also taste the special cuisines of Xinjiang, such as Large Plate Chicken, Spicy Chicken with Pepper, and Mutton Kebabs, allowing your taste buds to enjoy a feast as well.?