Three Extreme Sceneries of Tianshan: Xinjiang Altay + Ili + Turpan 15-Day Grand Loop
New Activity
Departing from Ürümqi
Urumqi
- S21 Desert Highway Crossing China’s first desert expressway, cutting straight into the hinterland of the Gurbantunggut Desert. Stop and take photos of the vast no-man’s-land.
- Ahe Highway · Xinjiang’s Scenic Ceiling A less-known grassland and forest corridor than Duku Highway, connecting Gobi, wetlands, and the primeval forests of the Altai Mountains in one day. No entrance fees, yet better than many scenic spots.
- Hemu and Kanas Double Morning Mist Hemu Village’s sunrise smoke + Shenxian Bay’s misty morning. Capture two different styles of “人间仙境” (heaven on earth) in one trip.
- Sayram Lake “Two-Entry Loop” No rushing! On the first day, cycle counter-clockwise around the lake to photograph swans and S-bends. On the second morning, re-shoot the sunrise at Dianjiangtai, leaving no regrets about the lighting.
- Duku Highway Northern Section Full Experience Starting from the 0-kilometer mark in Nalati, cross the year-round snow-capped Hashilegen Daban, experiencing an extreme temperature difference from “short sleeves to down jackets” in 6 hours.
- Kuerdening Light Hike Avoid the crowded Kalajun. Hike through the World Natural Heritage spruce forest to Qimengde Observation Deck, facing the original grandeur of snow-capped mountains and grasslands.
- Wucaitan (Five-Colored Beach) Limited Opening A unique spectacle where Yardang landforms and the Irtysh River meet, open only in summer. Arrive 2 hours before sunset, and the rocks display a colorful array of red, yellow, purple, and green.
- Kumtag Desert Off-road Surfing The world’s only desert connected to a city. Ride a professional off-road vehicle to the top of the sand dunes, overlooking the junction of the Shanshan Oasis and the sea of sand.
- Yining Blue Residences In-depth Tour Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the blue alleys of Kazanchi + listen to Russian accordion music in Liuxing Street, moving beyond mere check-in style sightseeing.
- Dushanzi Grand Canyon Cliff Sunset Sit in a cafe on the edge of the canyon, watching the sunset glow dye the Tianshan mountain peaks and billion-year-old geological fissures, accompanied by a “cliff latte.”
- Travel agency liability insurance + tourist personal travel accident insurance
- Professional 24h airport pick-up and drop-off, arranged according to flight times
What to expect
- Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, airport pickup according to flight schedule
- Day 2: Urumqi to S21 Desert Highway to Altay General Mountain Sunset Cable Car to Altay (approx. 550 km, approx. 5h drive)
- Day 3: Altay to Ahe Highway to Hemu Scenic Area to Hemu (approx. 240 km; approx. 5h drive)
- Day 4: Hemu Scenic Area to Xinjiang Kanas National Geological Park to Kanas Lake to Kanas Village (approx. 100 km, approx. 2h drive)
- Day 5: Kanas Village to Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Immortal Bay to Wucai Beach (open only in summer, closed in winter) to Burqin (approx. 200 km, approx. 4h drive)
- Day 6: Burqin to World Ghost City to Kuitun City (approx. 460 km; approx. 6h drive)
- Day 7: Kuitun City to Sayram Lake for a tour around the lake (approx. 320 km, approx. 4h drive)
- Day 8: Sayram Lake, second tour around the lake to Guozigou Bridge to Yining City Kazanchi/Liuxing Street (150 km, approx. 2.5h drive)
- Day 9: Yining City to Kulduning Scenic Area to Nalati Town (approx. 320 km, approx. 5.5h drive)
- Day 10: Nalati Town to Nalati Scenic Area for an in-depth tour to Nalati Town
- Day 11: Nalati Town to Duku Highway North Section to Dushanzi Grand Canyon to Kuitun (approx. 260 km, approx. 6h drive)
- Day 12: Kuitun to Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area to Urumqi (approx. 360 km, approx. 4h drive)
- Day 13: Urumqi to Flaming Mountains Scenic Area to Tuyugou Mazar Village to Kumtag Desert to Shanshan (approx. 340 km, approx. 6h drive)
- Day 14: Shanshan to Jiaohe Ancient City to Karez Folk Garden to Urumqi (approx. 310 km, approx. 4.5h drive)
- Day 15: Depart Urumqi, 24-hour airport/train station drop-off service provided
Foreign guests can register with confidence
- The Chinese team leader will communicate using mobile translation software
- After placing an order, staff will communicate itinerary details with you via WeChat or email; please provide your WeChat ID

Sayram Lake

World Ghost City

Hemu Village

Sailimu Lake cruise

Yining Kazanchi

Duku Highway North Section

Nalati Grassland

Kulduneng Spruce Forest Park
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