• Northern Xinjiang Tour With Kanas Lake

    ★★★★★

     4.9/5 507 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-2448

    Destination:Urumqi, Karamay, Burqin

Duration

7 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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About This Trip

This 7-day journey takes you across the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Xinjiang, from snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes to mysterious deserts and remote villages. Starting and ending in Urumqi, the tour blends natural wonders with rich ethnic culture. Explore Heavenly Lake’s alpine beauty, the dramatic gorges of Dushanzi, and the golden rivers of Burqin. Discover the legendary Kanas Lake and the idyllic Tuva village of Hemu, traverse the scenic Ahe Highway, and experience the charm of local Uyghur and Kazakh traditions along the way.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1UrumqiInternational Grand Bazaar
2-3Dushanzi, KaramayHeaven Lake of Tianshan, Dushanzi Canyon Scenic Area, Black Oil Mountain, Ghost City, Colorful Beach
4-5Burqin CountyKanas Lake, Rainbow Beach, Hemu Village, Hemu Grasslands
6Altay – UrumqiScenic Drive Along S21 Desert Highway
7UrumqiDeparture
Quick Question

Itinerary

Upon arrival in Urumqi, you will be transferred to your hotel to rest and refresh. In the afternoon, explore the bustling International Grand Bazaar (Erdao Qiao), where colorful stalls brim with spices, dried fruits, handwoven textiles, and traditional crafts. The Islamic-style arches and minarets create a lively, photogenic scene that captures the essence of Uyghur culture.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Drive from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake, a turquoise alpine lake framed by snow-capped peaks and dense pine forests. Walk along the shore or take a short hike to enjoy the mirrored reflections of the mountains. Continue west (~250 – 270 km, ~3 hours) to Dushanzi Grand Canyon, where deep valleys, towering cliffs, and winding rivers provide dramatic landscapes perfect for photography and awe-inspiring views.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Depart Dushanzi for Burqin, a journey of 472 km across Northern Xinjiang. Along the way, you’ll pass the striking Black Oil Mountain, where dark hills are dotted with natural oil springs that glisten like pools of black liquid under the sun. Next, visit the Urho Ghost City, a surreal desert of wind-sculpted rock formations that stretch like jagged sculptures across the arid landscape.

Finish the day at the Colorful Beach, a one-of-a-kind Yadan formation where a vibrant green oasis meets rolling multicolored hills. As the evening sun casts its glow, the layers of red, purple, and gold are mirrored in the gently flowing river, creating a scene of otherworldly beauty.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Drive to Kanas Lake, a glacial lake nestled deep within the surrounding mountains. Emerald waters shimmer under the sunlight, while misty slopes rise like soft clouds along the shore, creating a tranquil, almost magical panorama. Pause at the viewpoints to admire the pine forests and distant peaks reflected in the crystal-clear water.

Continue to Hemu Village, a fairy-tale Tuva settlement of wooden houses, gently flowing streams, and forests framing the village like a natural painting. An evening stroll through Hemu reveals its quiet charm and traditional architecture. The crisp mountain air, combined with the soft sounds of flowing water and birdsong, immerses you in the serene rhythm of this remote highland community.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Morning exploration of Hemu’s surrounding grasslands, dotted with grazing livestock and framed by distant mountains. Depart along the scenic Ahe Highway toward Altay, passing rolling meadows, forests, and highland villages over several hundred kilometers. Arrive in Altay in the evening, a tranquil town surrounded by rugged peaks.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Early in the morning, depart for the long drive back to Urumqi via the S21 Desert Highway. This iconic route crosses the vast Junggar Basin and the Gurban Tonggut Desert, revealing endless sand dunes, barren plains, and scattered green oases. The journey spans several hundred kilometers of dramatic desert landscapes before arriving in Urumqi in the evening.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer from the hotel to Urumqi airport for departure, concluding your 7-day journey across Northern Xinjiang, from alpine lakes and gorges to desert highways and remote villages.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

12-Year TripAdvisor Award

Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    James T.
    Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Greenfly
    Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Ludovic V.
    Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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