Recommended travel routes for summer vacations in Xinjiang, customized private tours in Xinjiang
0991-8585456 (same number)
The scenic spots in Xinjiang are distributed with Urumqi as the center, extending in the east, south, west, and north directions. First, let me introduce the classic beauty of each direction to give you a preliminary concept of the distribution of scenic spots.
1. Around Urumqi: Hongshan Park, Shuimofang, Erdaoqiao International Bazaar, Tianchi Lake in Tianshan Mountains, Turpan, Nanshan Pasture; recommended playing time: 2-3 days.
2. North Route: Koktokay, Colorful Beach, Colorful City, Hakpa, Hemu Village, Kanas, Urho Magic City; recommended playing time: 5-6 days.
3. South Route: Korla, Luntai, Kuqa, Kashgar, Xiangfei Tomb, Dawakun Desert, Pamir Plateau, Id Kah Mosque; recommended playing time: 7-8 days.
4. West Route: Sayram Lake, Khorgos Port, Yining, Nalati Grassland, Bayanbulak Grassland; recommended playing time: 4-5 days.
5. East Route: Shanshan, Kumtag Desert; recommended playing time: 1-2 days.
Xinjiang is generally divided into Southern Xinjiang and Northern Xinjiang. The aforementioned North Route, West Route, and East Route are collectively referred to as Northern Xinjiang, where most of the main attractions are concentrated. This is also the route chosen by many tourists.
Perfect Free-and-Easy Travel Plan in Xinjiang
One-day tour of Tianchi Lake in Tianshan Mountains
Urumqi is 120 kilometers away from Tianchi Lake in Tianshan Mountains, with a drive time of about 2 hours.
Tianchi Lake in Tianshan Mountains is a world-famous alpine moraine lake. The scenic area centers around Tianchi Lake, integrating forests, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and cultural landscapes to form a unique scenic feature.
Mainly visit the eight major landscapes of Tianchi Lake: “Stone Gate and a Thread of Sky”, “Dragon Pool and Azure Moon”, “Three Stones Touching the Sky”, “Pillar Stabilizing the Sea”, “South Mountain Viewing Snow”, “West Mountain Viewing Pines”, “Sea Peak Morning Glow”, and “Cascading Waterfall from Suspended Spring”. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snow-capped peaks reflected in the clear green lake, like a world beyond this mortal realm.
You can also take a cruise ship or painted pleasure boat to sail between the alpine lakes and experience the feeling of returning to the mountains and forests. From afar, you can see Bogda Peak, the eastern peak of the Tianshan Mountains; feel the heroic sentiment of the Seven Swords Descending from Tianshan.
The visiting time within Tianshan Tian Chi Scenic Area is about 4 hours.
One-day tour of Turpan
Turpan is about 260 km one-way from Urumqi, with a journey time of about 2.5 hours. Taking a vehicle from Urumqi to Turpan, you will pass by Asia’s largest wind farm—Dabancheng Wind Farm, as well as the Ten-Mile Salt Lake, and you can also catch a distant view of the place where Wang Luobin, the king of western love songs, lived—Dabancheng Ancient Town.
Upon arriving at the gate of Turpan, visit the “underground canal” known as one of the three great ancient projects of China, namely the ancient underground water conservancy project in China—Kaner Well, and experience this human miracle that embodies diligence and wisdom.
Main attractions in Turpan Scenic Area include:
3. 【Flaming Mountain】A very famous attraction in Xinjiang, with valleys and gullies running crisscross and undulating.
4. 【Grape Valley】A refreshing world at the foot of Flaming Mountain, with grapevines covering both sides of the streams. Consultation hotline: (same as above)
Four-day tour of Kanas on the North Route (itinerary reference)
Day 1: Urumqi—Colorful Beach—Burqin (one-way about 750 km, about 10 hours of driving)
Day 2: Burqin—Kanas Lake—Jiadengyu (one-way 180 km, about 4 hours of driving)
Day 3: Jiadengyu—Hemu—Burqin (one-way 180 km of mountainous roads, about 4 hours of driving)
Day 4: Burqin—Urho Ghost City—Urumqi (one-way about 750 km, about 10 hours of driving)
Four-day self-guided tour by chartered bus on the West Route (itinerary reference)
Main attractions of the West Route
Day 1: Urumqi—Sayram Lake—Qingshuihe (about 640 km, about 9 hours)
Day 2: Qingshuihe—Nalati (about 320 km, about 6 hours)
Day 3: Nalati—Yining (about 260 km, about 4 hours)
Day 4: Yining—Urumqi (about 720 km, about 9 hours)
West Route Day 1: Urumqi—Sayram Lake—Qingshuihe
Starting from Urumqi, the main attraction of the day is Sayram Lake. There is a legend about Sayram Lake: a long, long time ago, before Sayram Lake existed, this place was a beautiful grassland blooming with flowers.
The above routes introduce the classic attractions in Northern Xinjiang, which can also be visited as a loop itinerary without backtracking. This route can be taken by chartered bus or self-drive—starting from Urumqi, taking National Highway 216 to visit Mount Tianshan and Tian Chi Lake, Keketuohai, Kanas, Baihaba, Hemu, and then to Burqin. From Burqin, take National Highway 217 to Sayram Lake, with stops at the Ghost City and Karamay Oilfield along the way, before continuing to Yining, Nalati, Bayinbuluk, Turpan, and finally returning to Urumqi. This is a loop route and is a classic itinerary chosen by many tourists.
Consultation hotline for chartered bus tours in Xinjiang: (same as below)