16 Days South+North Xinjiang

Duration

16 Day

Main Sights

23

Age

Child Friendly

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Urumqi Arrival

Your guide and driver will pick you up at Urumqi airport. Transfer to the hotel,

after check-in, you could have dinner in old town may be a little walk (Optional).

DAY 2 - Urumqi to Burqin

After breakfast, embark on a scenic journey north and arrive in Burqin by late afternoon and head straight to the Colorful Beach along the Irtysh River.

Colorful Beach

DAY 3 - Burqin to Kanas

Enter the legendary Kanas Nature Reserve, home to China’s most beautiful lake. Hike the Three Bays—Moon Bay’s perfect crescent, Dragon Bay’s misty peninsulas, and Immortal Bay’s mirror-like waters—framed by Siberian spruce forests.

Kanas

DAY 4 - Kanas to Hemu

Drive to Hemu Village, a fairy-tale settlement of log cabins and grazing horses set in a sun-drenched valley. Ride the Jijiekelin Cable Car for panoramic views of the Altai Mountains’ golden meadows. Savor a rustic lunch with a local Tuvan family before an evening of stargazing.

Hemu

DAY 5 - Hemu to Burqin

Return to Burqin and witness the Colorful Beach at sunset. This masterpiece of desert geology dazzles with lava formations in crimson, ochre, and emerald along the Irtysh River. Walk the boardwalks as shifting light transforms the landscape into a painter’s palette—a photographer’s dream.

Colorful Beach

DAY 6 - Burqin to Karamy

Journey through the Gobi to Urho Ghost City, where fierce winds have sculpted eerie sandstone towers and mysterious formations. Feel the desert’s power as you wander this dramatic, silent cityscape. Arrive in Karamy, an oil boomtown, for a modern contrast with regional cuisine.

Urho Ghost City

DAY 7 - Karamy to Lake Sayram

After breakfast, ascend to the “Last Tear of the Atlantic”—Lake Sayram. At 2,070 meters altitude, this alpine lake mirrors the snow-capped Tian Shan peaks in its crystalline waters. Stroll along the shore where wildflowers dance in the breeze and Kazakh yurts dot the grasslands. Here, heaven and earth merge in perfect harmony, creating a sanctuary for the soul.

Lake Sayram

DAY 8 - Lake Sayram to Yining

Begin with sunrise over the lake’s turquoise waters, then cross the breathtaking Guoziguo Pass (Fruit Valley), a historic Silk Road corridor with dramatic switchbacks and panoramic vistas. (In June, visit the Lavender Farm.)

Yining

DAY 9 - Yining to Tekes

Drive to the Kalajun Grassland, part of the vast Ili grasslands renowned for their rolling hills carpeted with wildflowers. Hike through the red sandstone depths of Koksu Canyon, a hidden geological wonder. In Tekes, explore Tekes Li Street, the heart of the unique Bagua (Eight Trigrams) city layout—an ancient design where every road radiates from a central park, creating a perfect urban mandala.

Kalajun Grassland

DAY 10 - Tekes to Nalati

After breakfast, enter the “Sky Grassland” of Nalati, where nomadic Kazakh culture thrives. Ride horses across endless meadows dotted with wildflowers, listen to traditional dombra music, and witness eagle hunting demonstrations. The grassland seems to touch the clouds, offering a glimpse into millennia-old pastoral traditions.

Sky Grassland

DAY 11 - Nalati to Kuqa (via Duku Road)

After breakfast, embark on one of China’s most scenic drives—the legendary Duku Road. Wind through the Tian Shan Mountains, crossing snow passes and alpine lakes.

Duku Highway

DAY 12 - Kuqa

After breakfast, explore the Kuche Great Canyon’s fiery red sandstone walls that tower above narrow passages, creating a natural cathedral of stone. Later, wander through Kuqa Old Town’s mud-brick alleys, where Uyghur artisans craft copperware and the aroma of roasted lamb and naan bread fills the air—a living museum of Silk Road culture.

Kuche Great Canyon

DAY 13 - Kuqa to Aksu

After breakfast, visit the Kizil Caves, the earliest Buddhist grottoes in China. Admire the delicate murals depicting Jataka tales and Gandhara art, painted by monks along the ancient Silk Road. Though time has faded some colors, the spiritual devotion and artistic mastery remain vividly etched in these sacred chambers.

Kizil Caves

DAY 14 - Aksu to Kashgar

After breakfast, journey to the fabled Kashgar Old City. Walk through labyrinthine mud-brick lanes where children play, craftsmen hammer silver, and the Sunday Market’s chaos brims with exotic spices and textiles. This is the heartbeat of the Silk Road, where centuries of trade and culture converge in every sight and sound.

Kashgar Old City

DAY 15 - Kashgar

After breakfast, visit the magnificent Id Kah Mosque, Central Asia’s largest, where faithful worshippers create a sea of white caps on Fridays. Then pay respects at the Apak Hoja Tomb, a masterpiece of Uyghur architecture.

Kashgar Grand Bazaar

DAY 16 - Kashgar departure

After breakfast, our guide will transfer you to the airport for your homeward flight, carrying memories of Xinjiang’s unparalleled landscapes, cultures and the warmth of its people. Your Silk Road adventure concludes, but the stories will last forever.

Included / Excluded

Included:

1. One driver plus one guide.

2. Full -board for the driver and guide.

3. Accommodation:

-10 nights in the 4-5 star hotels (subject to actual budget)

-2 people per room

4. Meal: Full hotel buffet breakfast .

5. Tickets: The main entrance for all listed attractions + scenic area shuttle bus

6. Intimate gift: Water, tissues, wet wipes, yoghurt, local seasonal fruit.

7. Insurance: 500,000 travel accident insurance.

Not Included:

1. Major transportation: Fly tickets.

2. Meals: Full meal.

3. Force Majeure: Due to traffic delays, strikes, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, additional costs are incurred due to force majeure.

4. Consumption: All personal expenses during the trip and optional items in the scenic area.

5. Others: Other projects and scenic spots not mentioned in the fee include optional items: Additional payment (optional)

6. Single room difference: This trip is arranged for 2 people/room, if you need a single person a price difference is required.

7. Lunch/Dinner not included.

Gallery

Each image tells a unique story, inviting us into a world of emotion, beauty, and complexity. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and challenged as we journey through this captivating collection of images.

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