Northern Xinjiang Discovery, Platinum Diamond Edition — 10 Days

[Airport pick-up] After arriving at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport, you will be picked up by a special car and transferred to the hotel to check in. If time permits, guests can go to the International Grand Bazaar to experience the rich ethnic customs or taste local specialties.

Note:Local routines in Urumqi are about 2 hours behind Beijing, although official clocks use Beijing time. Rest early to adjust and prepare for the next day.

[Full day] Depart from the hotel to visit [Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Scenic Area] (including cruise ship, the whole tour is not less than 4 hours). Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, known as "Yaochi" in ancient times, has an altitude of 1910 meters. The scenic spot is centered on Tianchi, with a complete 4 It is a vertical natural landscape zone with snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes as its main features, with ancient Yaochi myths and folk customs as its cultural connotation. It is a resort for sightseeing, popular science investigation, adventure, leisure and fitness, and folk customs.

Then take the New Oriental Express to [Beitun].

In the morning, we went to Chonghur to visit Kazakh people’s homes, taste Kazakh family delicacies, and understand the lifestyle of ethnic minorities.

In the afternoon, visit [Colorful Beach], a unique colorful hilly landform by the Irtysh River. The colorful beach is located on both sides of the river, with different views in the north and south. The south bank is an oasis desert, and the north bank is a colorful sandstone landform.

After breakfast, go to [Kanas Scenic Area] (about 2 hours’ drive) and visit Kanas Lake (including cruise ship), Moon Bay, Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay and other iconic attractions.

After breakfast, visit [Hemu Village]. The residents of Hemu Village are basically nomadic. The houses here are all built of logs, which not only fills the village with a primitive flavor, but also keeps the ancient Hemu mysterious. The rivers, wooden houses, cooking smoke, birch forests and people grazing on the bridges of Hemu form a beautiful landscape painting. Hemu Bridge is the symbol of Hemu Village. This ancient wooden bridge has a history of more than 100 years. Over the past 100 years, it has withstood the impact of the Kanas Glacier several times. The locals can recall the past when they see the Hemu Bridge. Standing on the bridge, you can see Hemu Village and the endless white birch forest on the shore. And overlooking the Hemu River under the bridge, you can see the same purity and beauty as Hemu Village.

After that, take a bus to [Ahe Highway] (in case of special weather conditions, traffic control on Ahe Highway is prohibited). On 2025, 6, and May 30, Ahe Highway was officially opened to traffic in both directions. It is the Ahe Highway that passes through the hinterland of Altay. It took four years to build and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

Enjoy Altay cold water fish feast for dinner, then take a special train to [Kuitun].

After early pick-up, transfer to a seven-seater commercial vehicle to go to the [Northern Section of Duku Highway], which is the most steep and challenging section of the Duku Highway and is known as the "Essential Road" and "Hero's Road" Xinjiang Corps. This section of the road is centered on the wonders of the canyon and the secret realm of the snow-capped mountains. You can experience the feeling of traveling through "four seasons in one day and different days in ten miles" in just a few hours. Check in at [Starting Point 0 of Duku Highway].

Then go to [Jorma Memorial Hall], listen to the veterans telling the story of building the Duku Highway, and then go to Nalati to check in.

Special reminder and agreement about the Duku Highway: This itinerary has been arranged to pass through the northern section of the Duku Highway. The Duku Highway is affected by natural weather factors every year, and the opening hours are uncertain. If it is not possible to arrange to cross the Duku Highway due to weather reasons, the travel agency will refund the relevant unincurred price difference. (Subject to actual arrangements)

In the morning, drive to the [Nalati Grassland-Sky Grassland Route], known as the four largest grasslands in Asia and Europe (the total tour is no less than 4 hours). The Nalati Grassland is known as the "Tianshan Green Island" with its three-dimensional and diverse landscapes and rich nomadic culture. It is an ideal destination to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature and ethnic customs.

and then stayed at Tekes Bagua City.

After breakfast, drive to [Kokosu Grand Canyon Scenic Area], which is the core of the five scenic spots in the Kalajun tourist area and is characterized by its unique canyon landforms, water landscapes and alpine grasslands. It combines high gorges, flat lakes, snow-capped peaks, primitive vegetation, peaks and cliffs, streams and strange rocks. Ecology and humanities complement each other, giving people a sense of magnificence and beauty.

and then stayed in Yining.

After breakfast, go to the national AAAAA-level scenic spot [Sailim Lake] (tour no less than 1.5 hours). Sayram Lake was called the Western Pure Sea in ancient times and is a high mountain cold water lake in Xinjiang. Because it is the last place where the warm and moist air currents from the Atlantic Ocean visit, it is called the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean.

Drive through Guozigou, the first pass into Ili (no stopping due to traffic restrictions). The gateway to the Ili Valley winds through snowy peaks and pine forests under blue skies. The Guozigou Bridge cost ≈ USD 0.36 billion and spans 700 metres. The deck is 200 metres above the valley floor, and the two main towers are 209 and 215.5 metres high. The steel truss uses 17,000 tonnes of domestic bridge-grade steel and high-strength bolts. Installation tolerance was kept within 2 millimetres. It was the region’s first cable-stayed highway bridge and China’s first twin-tower, double-plane cable-stayed highway bridge with a steel truss.

Then take the New Oriental Express to [Urumqi].