14 Days Northern Xinjiang Panoramic View Tour

Today’s highlights would be Kanas lake and Tuwa village, Kanas Lake in the valley of Altai Mountains, Altay, north corner of Xinjiang, is one of the most charming and top destinations in Xinjiang. The scenic area, most known for Kanas Lake Monster, boasts an incredible fairyland-like natural landscape: aquamarine lake flowing through green dense forests covered peaks, snowy mountains standing in the distance, misty lake with colorful autumn birch trees forming a watercolor painting and serene wooden houses and ancient lifestyle well-preserved in the Tuva villages.

Located close to Kanas, deep in the Altai Mountains of Northern Xinjiang, Hemu Village is the northernmost village in Western China. It is more known as one of the three only existing Tuva villages in China (the other two are Baihaba Village and Kanas Village) and the farmost and biggest one among them. The inhabitants are mainly Tuvas of the Mongolian and Kazakhs. The Tuvas are said to be the descendants of soldiers who followed Genghis Khan on the western expedition. Now they still use the rare Tuva language and make a living by traditional hunting and nomadic lifestyle. Many old and authentic culture are thus well-preserved here. Another fascination of Hemu Village is its fairyland scenery - primitive small wooden houses with morning mist and surrounding extensive birch forests and grandiose snowy mountains afar. The serenity, oil painting-like autumn scenery and ethereal watercolor painting winter landscape attract numerous visitors to witness and explore this “Private Land of God.”

About 2 hrs driving, we shall reach Five Colored Beach, walk into the colorful Beach, you will feel as if in a dream world. The unique lava landscape consisted of purplish red, vandyke red, yellow and light green mudstone, sandstone and gravel. this is the most beautiful colorful Beach, masterpiece of nature, and miracle of Burqin.

Today we will drive to Kuitun and visit the Urho Ghost City. The Ghost City is a typical of yadan landforms that are made by wind and water erosion. One hundred and twenty million years ago, there was a freshwater lake and the area was inhabited by dinosaurs. Fossils of Kelmayisaurus, Urho stegosaurus and Jungar pterosaur have been found. On two occasions, earth movements caused the lake to rise and the water disappeared. The lake became a place of sandstone and shale, and then was uplifted quickly to form the gobi platform. This was eroded by wind and water over a long period of time, becomes a valley in which the rocks eroded irregularly to form features like castles, warships, pavilions, people, animals and a mushroom. When the wind blows, there can be strange sound, like the growl of ghost, giving rise to the name ‘Ghost City’.

Today's highlight would be the Sayram Lake. It is in the Bortala Prefecture near the Tianshan Mountains. In Kazakh, "sayram" means "blessing". Sayram Lake has gained the reputation of "the pearl embedded in the Tianshan Mountains" since it's the only lake located in the Tianshan Mountains and looks like a pearl from the distance and been dubbed as "the last teardrop of the Atlantic Ocean" for it's the farthest place that the warm and humid air current of the Atlantic Ocean reaches. For centuries, people are captivated by the fascinating scenery of and legends behind the lake. Later we will continue to drive via Guozigou Bridge. Located in China’s largest and most northwesterly province of Xinjiang, the 4-lane structure consists of two extremely tall H-frame ladder towers 215.5 meters / 707 feet and 209.5 meters 687 feet. The crossing is the largest structure on the remote G30 Lianhuo Expressway connecting Lianyungang and Horgos near Sayram Lake.

After breakfast, we will depart to Tekes and visit the Karajun Prairie, a typical highland prairie. When in spring, all kinds of flowers bloom, making the prairie a colorful grassland. You can also see goats or cows leisurely grazing on the grassland. Totally a wonderland! 

After breakfast, we will check out and drive from Tekes to Naraty, where we will visit the most beautiful grassland-Naraty Grassland. Naraty Grassland, also called “The Sky Grassland,” is located in the east of Naraty Town. It is 1 of the world‘s sub-alpine meadow plant areas and well-known for its beautiful mountainous scenery and unique local culture. The boundless grassland looks like a green carpet.

After breakfast, we will drive to Kuitun by the famous Duku road ( Duku road is not accessible in winter time), Duku road is said to be one of the most beautiful roads of China crossing Tianshan Mountains from south to north. The road seems like a dragon crossing the two main subranges of Tianshan- Narat and Borohoro. It was recently paved and crosses three mountain passes (through tunnels). Most of the road travels above 2000 m altitude and tops out at 3.460m (11,351ft) in Haxilegen Pass. High risk of mudslides.

It will be our last sightseeing day. We will move back to Urumqi and enjoy the scenery along the way. We will reach Urumqi in the afternoon time. You can take the time to have a rest  or can take time wander in the Urumqi bazzar upto your choice

Leisure time on your own til it is the time to leave for the airport. See you off in the airport and wish you a sweet journey to home and end up the service