The Xinjiang Epic: 16-Day A Complete North & South Odyssey

Upon arrival at Urumqi airport in Xinjiang, our dedicated 24-hour pickup team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Settle in, rest, and prepare for the incredible Xinjiang journey that awaits.

Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Hualin Park → Altay (490 km, approx. 6h)

We begin by conquering the new S21 Desert Highway, a stunning expressway cutting through the Gurbantünggüt Desert. Experience the thrill of traversing a 180km uninhabited zone, spotting wild camels against a backdrop of oases, wetlands, and desert dunes. Later, we find tranquility at Hualin Park, a natural oasis where graceful birch trees line a clear, babbling stream, creating a scene of pristine natural beauty.

Altay → A-He Highway → Hemu Village (210 km, approx. 3.5h)

Today we drive the “A-He Highway,” a new scenic road hailed as the “Duku of the North.” This route is a true “oil painting gallery,” weaving through canyons, forests, wetlands, and grasslands under the gaze of snow-capped peaks. We end in Hemu Village, considered a private garden reserved by the gods. Settle into your traditional wooden cabin and witness a fairy-tale world of lush pastures, grazing cattle, and the gentle Hemu River, all under the watch of the surrounding Siberian Larch forests.

Hemu → Kanas Lake → Baihaba Village (70 km, approx. 2h)

After a magical morning in Hemu, we journey to the heart of the region: the Kanas National Forest Park. Known as “Eastern Switzerland,” this 5A-rated scenic area is a breathtaking combination of glaciers, lakes, forests, and grasslands. We will visit the three famous bays of Kanas Lake: the ethereal Fairy Bay (Shenxian Wan), the gracefully curved Moon Bay (Yue亮湾), and the dragon-shaped Dragon Bay (Wolong Wan). We then proceed to Baihaba Village, the “Number One Village of the Northwest,” a tranquil settlement of Tuvan people located on the China-Kazakhstan border.

Baihaba → G219 Highway → Urho (370 km, approx. 5h)

After a peaceful morning stroll through Baihaba, we hit the road on the legendary G219 Highway. As China’s longest highway, the section we travel is a world-class scenic drive, an artery along the nation’s western border with views that rival any famous road on earth. We travel to Urho, our stop for the night. (Note: If G219 is closed, an alternative route will be taken.)

Urho → World Devil City → Sayram Lake (550 km, approx. 6h)

This morning we explore the World Devil City, a vast expanse of wind-eroded Yardang landforms that resemble a medieval European castle. The otherworldly landscape has served as a backdrop for Oscar-winning films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Here, we include a thrilling peak off-road vehicle experience to take you to the highest viewpoint for a panoramic look at this geological marvel. In the afternoon, we arrive at the “last tear of the Atlantic,” the stunning Sayram Lake. We check into our hotel right at the scenic area’s east gate, allowing us to enjoy a lakeside stroll and watch the sunset paint the sky.

Sayram Lake (2nd Entry) & Sailing → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Dushanzi/Kuitun (370 km, approx. 4.5h)

We enjoy a second entry into Sayram Lake to witness its serene morning beauty and experience a sailing trip on its crystal-clear waters. Afterwards, our journey takes us to the northern starting point of the Duku Highway to marvel at the Dushanzi Grand Canyon. Carved by snowmelt over millions of years, the canyon’s sheer cliffs reveal intricate, vein-like patterns, a breathtaking testament to the power of nature that will leave you in awe.

Dushanzi/Kuitun → Duku Highway (North Section) → Nalati Grassland (230 km, approx. 5h)

Today, we conquer the legendary Duku Highway. We’ll drive the dramatic northern section, passing through the highest tunnel, navigating the infamous “Tiger’s Mouth” cliffs, and paying respects at the Qiao’erma Martyrs’ Cemetery. This road is a journey through four seasons in a single day. We end at the Nalati Grassland, a vast “sky pasture” known as the “Little Jiangnan of the Frontier,” where we’ll enjoy a relaxing exclusive afternoon tea amidst the stunning scenery.

Nalati → Panlong Valley Road → Bayinbuluke Grassland (60 km, approx. 1.5h)

We first explore the Panlong Valley Road within the Nalati scenic area, a beautiful 26km loop through a hidden forest sanctuary deep in the grasslands. Then we continue to the Bayinbuluke Grassland, China’s only swan nature reserve. Here, the highlight is the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns of the Kaidu River. We will wait at the viewpoint for sunset, where, with luck, the setting sun will reflect in each of the river’s nine bends, creating the legendary “nine suns” spectacle.

Bayinbuluke → Duku Highway (South Section) → Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon → Kuqa (270 km, approx. 5h)

We continue our journey south along the Duku Highway’s southern section. This part of the road features the beautiful alpine lakes of Daxiaolongchi (Greater and Lesser Dragon Pools), which shimmer like sapphire gems amidst green meadows. Our destination is the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon. Formed 140 million years ago, its massive red rock formations have been sculpted by eons of wind and water, glowing with a fiery intensity at sunrise and sunset.

Kuqa → Flame Spring → Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves → Aksu (340 km, approx. 5h)

We start with a visit to the incredible Flame Spring, a natural phenomenon where flames dance upon boiling spring water. We then journey to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. As one of China’s “Four Great Grottoes,” Kizil is the oldest, predating even the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang. Its unique cave shapes and stunning murals represent the pinnacle of ancient Qiuci (Kucha) art and culture.

Aksu → Kashgar Old City Rooftop Photoshoot → Kashgar (480 km, approx. 5h)

We travel to Kashgar, the soul of the Silk Road. We’ll head straight into the Kashgar Old City, a living, labyrinthine museum. Here, we’ve arranged an exclusive rooftop photoshoot experience (complimentary, includes 1 set of makeup & styling, 6 retouched photos, and 30 original digital files) to capture your memories against the stunning backdrop of the ancient city.

Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakoram Lake → Glacier Park → Tashkurgan (340 km, approx. 5.5h)

Today, we ascend the Pamir Plateau. Our journey takes us past the surreal Baisha Lake and onto the shores of the stunning Karakoram Lake, nestled at the foot of Muztagh Ata Peak. We then visit the Muztagh Ata Glacier Park, located on the slopes of the 7,546-meter “Father of Ice Mountains,” to get up close with the majesty of high-altitude glaciers.

Tashkurgan → Wakhan Corridor → Khunjerab Pass → Tajik Home Visit → Tashkurgan (270 km, approx. 4h)

We venture towards the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow, historic strip of land that was once a key part of the Silk Road. We then drive to the Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved international border crossing in the world at over 5,000 meters, connecting China and Pakistan. (Note: Visit is subject to official opening). We will also enjoy a Tajik home visit to experience the culture and hospitality of the local people before returning to Tashkurgan.

Tashkurgan → Panlong Ancient Road → Bandir Blue Lake → Muji Volcano → Kashgar (480 km, approx. 7.5h)

Our final epic day on the plateau. We conquer the Panlong Ancient Road with its 600+ hairpin turns. We then visit the impossibly blue Bandir Lake and the spectacular Muji Volcano Cluster, known as the “Eye of the Pamirs.” This vast area of dormant volcanoes offers a stunning, otherworldly landscape before we make our final drive back to Kashgar.

A Fond Farewell, Until We Meet Again in Xinjiang

Your unforgettable grand tour of Xinjiang concludes today. We will arrange your transfer to the airport in Kashgar for your flight home.