Overview
Embark on an epic 7-day expedition into the heart of Northern Xinjiang, a land where nature operates on a scale that defies imagination. This is not merely a tour; it is a grand symphony of landscapes, a journey along one of the world’s most legendary mountain roads, and a deep dive into the nomadic soul that defines this wild and beautiful frontier. Prepare to witness a world where celestial peaks cradle sapphire lakes and ancient cultures thrive in modern cities.
Your adventure follows the legendary northern section of the Duku Highway, a marvel of engineering that cuts through the core of the Tianshan Mountains. Each turn on this spectacular road reveals a new vista, like pages in a storybook of geology: from the sun-drenched grasslands of Tangbula to the deep, emerald spruce valleys of Ku’erdening. This journey is a moving kaleidoscope of color and texture, where you will feel the palpable spirit of the ancient Silk Road and the timeless rhythms of Kazakh pastoral life.
Key Experiences on This Journey:
Conquer the Duku Highway: Traverse the northern part of this “Sky Road,” an unforgettable passage through diverse ecosystems and breathtaking scenery.
Sail on Sayram Lake: Experience an exclusive afternoon sailing across the pristine, azure waters of this vast alpine lake, often called the “Last Tear of the Atlantic.”
Discover Heavenly Lake (Tianchi): Ascend into the mountains to witness this mythical turquoise gem, a sacred lake cradled by the snow-capped Bogda Peak.
Witness the Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Stand in awe before the raw power of nature at this immense, billion-year-old fissure carved by glacial rivers.
Immerse in Culture: From the vibrant, multicultural chaos of Urumqi’s International Grand Bazaar to the elegant, hexagonal design of Yining’s Six Star Street, you will experience the rich human tapestry of the region.
This journey is crafted for the discerning traveler who seeks more than just sights—it’s for those who want to feel the pulse of a land, breathe its wild air, and carry home memories of its epic soul. Join us to uncover the wonders of Northern Xinjiang.
Upon your arrival at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC), our driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. If time permits, feel free to embark on a city walk to discover the soul of this frontier capital.
Explore on Your Own:
Red Hill Park (Hongshan Park): A must-visit landmark offering panoramic views of the city.
Xinjiang Regional Museum (Closed on Mondays): A gateway to the region’s history, famously housing the “Beauty of Loulan” mummy. Please book your visit one day in advance via their official WeChat account.
A Taste of Urumqi:
Your culinary adventure in Xinjiang starts here. Urumqi is the heart of regional cuisine, offering authentic delights like lamb skewers (Kao Yang Rou Chuan), whole roasted lamb (Kao Quan Yang), pilaf (Zhua Fan), hand-pulled noodles (La Tiaozi), and the legendary “Lethal” Wusu beer. It’s a feast for the senses!
Restaurant Recommendations (Reference Cost: $5-$15 per person):
Xinqu District: Tianjin Road Food Street No. 1; Wenzhou Street Food Street.
Tianshan District: Xingfu Road Food Street.
Shayibake District: Altai Road Food Circle; Changsha Road “Zhua Fan” Street.
Shuimogou District: Xinmin Road Food Circle.
Warm Tips:
Flight: Please arrange your own flight to Urumqi.
Transport: A complimentary airport pickup service is included. Our driver will meet you based on your provided flight information. No other activities are arranged for the day; meals are at your own expense.
Note: The pickup service uses various vehicle types depending on the group size. Please provide your flight details when booking.
Urumqi → Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) → Kuitun (Approx. 450 km)
Millions of years ago, the colossal glaciers of the Quaternary period carved deep valleys through the Bogda Peak. As the ice receded, it left a natural dam of moraine, creating this crescent-shaped alpine lake—a 3,400-meter-long, 105-meter-deep “Eye of the Earth” suspended in the clouds. This is Heavenly Lake, or Tianchi, the mythical setting where King Mu of Zhou was said to have feasted with the Queen Mother of the West.
Detailed Breakdown:
Urumqi → Tianchi (100 km / 1.5h)
Tianchi → Kuitun (380 km / 4.5h)
Reference Schedule:
08:30 Depart from the hotel.
10:00 – 13:00 Explore Heavenly Lake (shuttle bus included). Options: Boat tour or a walk along the Flying Waterfall trail.
13:30 Return to the parking lot.
14:00 – 19:00 Drive to Kuitun (a simple lunch will be arranged en route).
20:00 Arrive at the hotel in Kuitun for a free evening.
Kuitun → Duku Highway (North Section) → Tangbula → Nalati Town (Approx. 320 km)
The northern section of the Duku Highway is China’s “lifeline across the Tianshan,” carved through four ice-covered passes over ten years of blood and sweat. As you pass through the Haxilegen Tunnel (3,390m), snow-capped peaks stand in salute. This is a somber epic of engineering, where 128 road-building heroes are eternally laid to rest, transforming a perilous barrier into a passage for humanity.
A Symphony in Four Topographical Movements:
From the gravelly Gobi of Kuitun to the spruce grasslands of Nalati, experience a fantastic journey with a 2,000-meter vertical drop.
Gate of the Snowfields: At Tiger’s Mouth (Laohu Kou), jagged cliffs resemble dragon’s fangs.
Emerald Canyon: The Qiao’erma Valley reveals stunning waterfalls, with sunlight scattering like diamonds through fir forests.
Hundred-Mile Gallery: The Tangbula Grassland is woven with 113 streams, where seas of purple fritillary flowers bloom.
Pastoral Song in the Clouds: In Nalati, watch as Kazakh herders on horseback stir the golden morning mist.
Qiao’erma Martyrs’ Cemetery:
We stop here to pay our respects. You might meet Chen Jungui, a veteran who has guarded his comrades’ tombs for 38 years. He tells the story of a company trapped by a blizzard in 1974, who, after eating their last leather belt, carved a vow in blood on the rock: “Even in death, we must get this road across the Tianshan!”
Detailed Breakdown:
Kuitun → Duku Highway Starting Point (40 km / 0.5h)
Duku Start → Qiao’erma (140 km / 3h)
Qiao’erma → Tangbula (30 km / 0.5h)
Tangbula → Nalati (110 km / 2h)
Reference Schedule:
07:00 An early start.
08:30 Touch the snow at Haxilegen Pass.
11:30 Visit the Qiao’erma Martyrs’ Cemetery.
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch and optional horse riding on the Tangbula Grassland.
17:30 Arrive in Nalati Town.
Nalati Town → Ku’erdening → Six Star Street → Yining (Approx. 290 km)
Pastoral Song (Nalati): In the morning mist, Kazakh herders on horseback drive their flocks like pearls rolling into the Gongnaisi River Valley.
The Green Heart (Ku’erdening): A “rebellious” north-south valley runs parallel to the 4,200m Kabanbayi Peak. Here, glacial meltwater writes hieroglyphs among the roots of ancient spruces.
The Color Cube (Six Star Street, Yining): A hexagonal town plan designed in 1934 by a German planner. Blue walls and colorful windows frame the life of 13 different ethnic groups.
Six Star Street (Liuxing Jie): A Chemical Reaction of Color and Music
Explore an open-air palette of Russian blue, Uyghur ochre, and Kazakh gold. The intricate carvings on the window frames of 79 heritage houses hide a century of cultural fusion.
Detailed Breakdown:
Nalati Town → Ku’erdening (150 km / 3h)
Ku’erdening → Yining (140 km / 2.5h)
Reference Schedule:
09:00 Depart after a restful morning.
12:30 – 16:00 Light hike in Ku’erdening National Park, visiting Qimengde Viewpoint and the “Spruce King.”
18:30 Arrive at Six Star Street in Yining.
19:00 – 21:00 Cultural Experience: ✓ Visit the Accordion Museum ✓ Taste the famous Gulandam ice cream.
Warm Tips:
Horse riding is a popular activity. Please choose registered stables and prioritize safety.
Daytime UV radiation is strong and the air can be cool. Bring long sleeves and sun protection.
Yining → Sayram Lake Loop → Kuitun (Approx. 560 km)
Sayram Lake is an alpine masterpiece. Formed 2 million years ago by glacial erosion, this 458 sq km body of water at an altitude of 2,071m is like liquid sapphire. Its waters are so clear (12m visibility) that you can see underground springs dancing with glacial melt.
An Epic of the Road
The journey from Yining takes us across the Guozigou Bridge. This 700-meter-long cable-stayed behemoth soars 200 meters above the valley floor like a silver dragon. Driving through the morning mist here feels like entering the Misty Mountains of Middle-earth.
Human Imprints:
Genghis Khan’s Code: On the cliffs of the General’s Platform (Dianjiang Tai), an inscription marks the “Western Expedition’s Supply Route.” Legend says his army broke the ice here for water in 1219.
Living Fossil of Pastoral Song: The epic Kazakh “seasonal migration” continues today. Each autumn, over 100,000 livestock move south along the ancient paths that crisscross the modern highway.
Driving Route:
Yining → Sayram Lake (146 km / 2h): Via Qingyi Expressway and Guozigou bridge and tunnels.
Lake Loop (90 km / 4h, counter-clockwise): Moon Bay (sailing) → General’s Platform (hike) → Swan Lake (bird feeding) → Kele Yongzhu Spring → Pine Tree Head (hike) → Exit South Gate.
Sayram Lake → Kuitun (317 km / 3.5h): Via Lianyungang-Khorgos Expressway, stopping at Dushanzi Grand Canyon before sunset.
Reference Schedule:
08:00 Depart from Yining.
10:00 – 15:30 In-depth exploration of Sayram Lake: ✓ Hike the General’s Platform ✓ Experience a sailboat ride.
16:00 Depart for Kuitun.
20:30 Arrive at the hotel.
Kuitun → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Urumqi Culture Center → Grand Bazaar → Urumqi (Approx. 280 km)
I. Dushanzi Grand Canyon: An Epic Poem of Earth’s Fissures
This geological theater was carved by Tianshan snowmelt over 2 million years. The 200-meter-deep canyon walls are sheer and sharp, their nine distinct terraces like the earth’s growth rings. See the reddish-brown cliffs turn to gold in the morning light and walk the 9D glass bridge suspended over the abyss. This was a key filming location for the blockbuster movie Pegasus.
II. Urumqi Culture Center (“Six Pavilions, One Heart”): A Civilizational Slice of a Future Ark
This stunning architectural marvel resembles a snow lotus, with six silver domes surrounding a central glass cupola. It feels like a base from a sci-fi film has landed in the desert. Explore halls dedicated to history, geology, and intangible cultural heritage, where you can even try your hand at dying a scarf with the traditional Yarkant technique.
III. International Grand Bazaar: A Silk Road Kaleidoscope
This is the epicenter of a dopamine storm. The 80-meter-high sightseeing tower is covered in blue and green glazed tiles. The air is thick with the scent of spices and sizzling lamb skewers grilled on tamarisk branches. Witness giant, wheel-sized Nang bread being baked in a tandoor-like oven that shoots sparks like a miniature volcano.
A Final Word:
“When the last clang fades from the coppersmith’s stall at the Grand Bazaar, you will understand—this journey measures not in miles, but in the genetic leap from wilderness to civilization.” – Urban Notes from Northern Xinjiang, 2025
Detailed Breakdown:
Kuitun → Grand Canyon (30 km / 0.5h)
Canyon → Urumqi Culture Center (250 km / 3h)
Center → Grand Bazaar (15 km / 0.3h)
Reference Schedule:
09:00 Explore the Grand Canyon (glass bridge optional).
11:30 Visit the Urumqi Culture Center (Intangible Heritage Hall recommended).
13:00 Depart for Urumqi (lunch on the way).
16:30 Shopping and exploring at the International Grand Bazaar.
19:00 The tour concludes. Transfer to the airport or your hotel.
Your incredible journey through Northern Xinjiang comes to an end today. Enjoy a final breakfast in Urumqi. Based on your flight schedule, we will arrange a shared transfer to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) for your departure.
Thank you for exploring with us, and we wish you a safe journey home!
Important Notes for Departure:
Scheduling your Flight: We recommend booking a flight that departs later in the evening. This will give you ample free time for last-minute exploration or souvenir shopping in the city.
Airport Transfer: The complimentary airport transfer is scheduled approximately 3.5 hours before your flight’s departure time. This is to account for potential heavy traffic due to city-wide construction and the high-level security checks at Urumqi airport. The shared transfer will group travelers with similar departure times (within a 1-hour window).
Late Departure: If you have a late flight, you are welcome to store your luggage (costs may apply) and explore the city on your own.
Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping?
If you’d like to bring home some local specialties, here are a few recommended markets:
Dehai Dried Fruit Wholesale Market: Lianyun’gang Road
Hualing Dried Fruit Market: Youhao South Road
Donghuan Dried Fruit Market: Jin’yin Road
Beiyuanchun Dried Fruit Market: Kelamayi West Street
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