TakeTours > Asia > China > 12 Days Amazing Northern Xinjiang Tour including Idyllic Villages, Lakes, Grasslands, Deserts from Urumqi

12 Days Amazing Northern Xinjiang Tour including Idyllic Villages, Lakes, Grasslands, Deserts from Urumqi Tour Code: 627-20359

  • Visit Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) in the Tianshan Mountains
  • Explore the geological wonders of Keketuohai National Geopark
  • Admire the colorful landforms of Wucaitan (Five-Colored Beach)
  • Discover the stunning scenery of Kanas Lake and its changing colors
  • Experience the traditional village life in Hemu Village
  • See the unique wind-eroded landscape of Karamay Devil City
  • Enjoy the beautiful alpine scenery of Sayram Lake
  • Visit the vast grasslands of Nalati (Narat) Scenic Area
Visit Burqin (Wucaitan (Five-Color Beach)), Fuyun (Keketuohai National Geopark), Hemu (Hemu River, Hemu Viewing Platform, Hemu Village), Jiadenyu (Guanyu Pavilion (Fish Watching Pavilion), Kanas Lake Cruise, Kanas Lake Scenic Area), Jinghe (Huocheng Lavender Field), Karamay (Urho Devil City (Ghost City)), Kuytun (Dushanzi Grand Canyon), Nalati (Nalati Grassland Scenic Area (Sky Grassland)), Sayram Lake (Sayram Lake Scenic Area), Urumqi (Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) Scenic Area, International Grand Bazaar, Red Hill Park, Xinjiang Museum), Yining (Guozigou Bridge (Passing By)).
Price In USD (Price per person based on double occupancy)
May
2026
Jun
2026
Jul
2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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13
$1539
¥10504
€1307
C$2108
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$1539
¥10504
€1307
C$2108
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3% Group Discount: 1. Receive 3% off when you purchase 3+ rooms on the same tour (single order only).
2. Receive 3% off when you book 3+ multi-day tours with minimum order total of $500 at once. Not valid in conjunction with any other discounts or pricing offers.
  • Share Room: If a single male or female guest arises and another same-gender solo traveler agrees to share, the travel agency will assist with room sharing; if not possible, a single room supplement applies.
    If the guest decides to change to a private room after the tour has commenced, they must pay an additional charge equal to twice the single supplement will apply.
Price (/Person)
    Single occupancy
    $2049
    ¥13985
    €1739
    C$2806
    Share Room
    $1539
    ¥10504
    €1307
    C$2108
    Double occupancy
    $1539
    ¥10504
    €1307
    C$2108
Price (/Person)
    Single occupancy
    $2415
    ¥16483
    €2050
    C$3308
    Share Room
    $1744
    ¥11903
    €1481
    C$2389
    Double occupancy
    $1744
    ¥11903
    €1481
    C$2389
What if my dates are not available or appear as sold out? Notify Me!
3% Group Discount: 1. Receive 3% off when you purchase 3+ rooms on the same tour (single order only).
2. Receive 3% off when you book 3+ multi-day tours with minimum order total of $500 at once. Not valid in conjunction with any other discounts or pricing offers.
  • Share Room: If a single male or female guest arises and another same-gender solo traveler agrees to share, the travel agency will assist with room sharing; if not possible, a single room supplement applies.
    If the guest decides to change to a private room after the tour has commenced, they must pay an additional charge equal to twice the single supplement will apply.
  • Overview
  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
  • Day 7
  • Day 8
  • Day 9
  • Day 10
  • Day 11
  • Day 12
Day 1 Urumqi
Day 2 Urumqi - Tianchi - Fuyun (473 km)
Day 3 Fuyun - Keketuohai - Burqin (261 km)
Day 4 Burqin - Jiadenyu (165 km)
Day 5 Jiadenyu - Hemu - Burqin (265 km)
Day 6 Burqin - Karamay - Kuytun (471 km)
Day 7 Kuytun - Sayram Lake - Yining (374 km)
Day 8 Yining - Nalati - Xinyuan (319 km)
Day 9 Nalati/Xinyuan - Yining - Jinghe (528 km)
Day 10 Jinghe - Kuytun - Urumqi (428 km)
Day 11 Urumqi
Day 12 Urumqi

Day 1: Urumqi

Standard Hotel: Urumqi City Hotel
Meal: Excluded
Arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure.

Day 2: Urumqi - Tianchi - Fuyun (473 km)

Standard Hotel: Fuyun City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Drive to the Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) scenic area, a crescent-shaped lake at the foot of Bogda Peak. Enjoy the alpine landscapes, lake views, and optional activities like boat rides or the Mayashan cable car. After the visit, continue the journey to Fuyun for overnight stay.
  • Urumqi, CN

    Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) Scenic Area

    Heavenly Lake is a renowned natural scenic area in Xinjiang, featuring clear waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains and forests.

Day 3: Fuyun - Keketuohai - Burqin (261 km)

Standard Hotel: Burqin City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Visit the Keketuohai National Geopark, featuring unique granite landforms, the Ertix River Grand Canyon, and the Shenzhong Mountain. See the famous No. 3 Mine Pit. Later, travel to Burqin to visit the Wucaitan (Five-Color Beach), renowned for its colorful Yardang landforms along the Ertix River, especially beautiful at sunset.
  • Fuyun, CN

    Fuyun County is located in northern Xinjiang, known for its rich mineral resources and distinctive natural landscapes.

    Keketuohai National Geopark

    Keketuohai National Geopark is famous for its unique granite landforms and abundant mineral resources.
  • Burqin, CN

    Burqin County is a key gateway to Kanas Lake, attracting visitors with its beautiful natural scenery and unique Tuvan culture.

    Wucaitan (Five-Color Beach)

    Wucaitan is known for its colorful yardang landforms that glow in the sunset, creating a vibrant and unique landscape.

Day 4: Burqin - Jiadenyu (165 km)

Standard Hotel: Jiadenyu Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Travel to Jiadenyu and enter the Kanas Lake Scenic Area. Explore the famous 'color-changing lake', take in panoramic views from the Guanyu Pavilion (Fish Watching Pavilion), and optionally take a boat cruise on the lake. Enjoy the pristine natural scenery of the Altay Mountains.
  • Jiadenyu, CN

    Jiadenyu is the main entrance and tourist hub for the Kanas Lake scenic area, offering accommodation and transportation services.

    Kanas Lake Scenic Area

    Kanas Lake is famous for its mysterious lake monster legends, clear waters, and surrounding mountain forests, especially vibrant in autumn.

    Guanyu Pavilion (Fish Watching Pavilion)

    Guanyu Pavilion is a viewing platform at Kanas Lake offering panoramic views of the lake, making it an excellent spot for sightseeing and photography.

    Kanas Lake Cruise

    A cruise on Kanas Lake allows visitors to closely admire the lake and mountain scenery, experiencing the tranquility and beauty of the lake.

Day 5: Jiadenyu - Hemu - Burqin (265 km)

Standard Hotel: Burqin City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Visit the traditional Tuvan village of Hemu, known for its original log cabins and stunning natural setting. Explore the village, walk along the Hemu River, and ascend to the viewing platform for panoramic views. Afterwards, return to Burqin for the night.
  • Hemu, CN

    Hemu is a tranquil Tuvan village that attracts visitors with its original wooden houses, grasslands, and river scenery.

    Hemu Village

    Hemu Village is the core settlement in the Hemu area, preserving traditional Tuvan wooden houses and lifestyle in a serene environment.

    Hemu River

    The Hemu River meanders through Hemu Village, with clear waters and banks lined with birch forests and grasslands, offering pleasant scenery.

    Hemu Viewing Platform

    The Hemu Viewing Platform is located on a hillside near the village, offering a panoramic view of the entire Hemu Village and the surrounding valley.

Day 6: Burqin - Karamay - Kuytun (471 km)

Standard Hotel: Kuytun City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Drive to Karamay to visit the Urho Devil City (Ghost City), a spectacular area of wind-eroded Yardang landforms. Learn about its geology and see the unique shapes. Continue the journey to Kuytun for overnight stay.
  • Karamay, CN

    Karamay is an oil city in Xinjiang, known for its unique yardang landforms and petroleum industry landscapes.

    Urho Devil City (Ghost City)

    Urho Devil City is a wind-eroded yardang landform with strange shapes that whistle in the wind, resembling a devil's city.

Day 7: Kuytun - Sayram Lake - Yining (374 km)

Standard Hotel: Yining City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Travel to the stunning Sayram Lake, a vast alpine lake set against snow-capped mountains. Enjoy a scenic drive around the lake. Pass by the impressive Guozigou Bridge. Continue to Yining city for your overnight stay.
  • Sayram Lake, CN

    Sayram Lake is the highest alpine lake in Xinjiang, often called the 'last tear of the Atlantic.' Its clear blue waters are surrounded by snow-capped mountains and grasslands, forming a spectacular natural landscape in northern Xinjiang.

    Sayram Lake Scenic Area

    The Sayram Lake Scenic Area centers on the alpine lake, encompassing surrounding grasslands, snow-capped mountain backdrops, and leisure facilities. Visitors can walk along the shore, ride horses, or enjoy lake views from observation decks, experiencing the serenity and grandeur at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.
  • Yining, CN

    Yining is the capital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang, located in the heart of the Ili River Valley. The city blends multiple ethnic cultures, known for its orchards, historic districts, and Central Asian atmosphere, serving as the gateway to exploring the Ili Valley.

    Guozigou Bridge (Passing By) (Passing By)

    Guozigou Bridge is a landmark viaduct on the Guozigou Expressway in Xinjiang, spanning a deep valley and connecting Sayram Lake with the Ili River Valley. When passing by, drivers can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Day 8: Yining - Nalati - Xinyuan (319 km)

Standard Hotel: Nalati or Xinyuan County Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Travel to the Nalati Grassland Scenic Area. Explore the vast 'Sky Grassland', enjoy the pastoral scenery, and experience the Kazakh culture. Optionally, you can go horseback riding (at your own expense). Overnight in Nalati town or Xinyuan County.
  • Nalati, CN

    Nalati is a grassland town in the Ili River Valley, known for its vast alpine meadows and Kazakh pastoral culture, with lush green pastures and grazing livestock in summer.

    Nalati Grassland Scenic Area (Sky Grassland)

    The Nalati Grassland Scenic Area showcases classic alpine grassland scenery, with wildflowers in summer, offering horseback riding, insights into herder life, and natural beauty.

Day 9: Nalati/Xinyuan - Yining - Jinghe (528 km)

Standard Hotel: Jinghe City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Drive back via Yining to Jinghe. If traveling in June, there may be a stop at a lavender field in Huocheng to see the blooming flowers (June departures only).
  • Jinghe, CN

    Jinghe County is an oasis town in northern Xinjiang, famous for its goji berry cultivation and serving as a transportation hub for attractions like Sayram Lake and Ebinur Lake.

    Huocheng Lavender Field

    Huocheng Lavender Field blooms into a sea of purple in summer, known as 'China's Provence,' and is a popular destination for photography and romantic getaways.

Day 10: Jinghe - Kuytun - Urumqi (428 km)

Standard Hotel: Urumqi City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Drive to Kuytun area to visit the Dushanzi Grand Canyon, a deep gorge carved by snowmelt rivers from the Tianshan Mountains. Enjoy the dramatic views from the cliff edge. Continue the journey back to Urumqi.
  • Kuytun, CN

    Kuytun is a county-level city in Xinjiang, situated at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It serves as a transportation hub in northern Xinjiang, connecting the Ili Valley with other major regions.

    Dushanzi Grand Canyon

    Dushanzi Grand Canyon was carved over millennia by Tianshan snowmelt, featuring steep, colorful cliffs that showcase dramatic geological fissures and natural power.

Day 11: Urumqi

Standard Hotel: Urumqi City Hotel
Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Urumqi. Visit Red Hill Park for a panoramic city view, explore the Xinjiang Museum to learn about local history and culture, and experience the vibrant International Grand Bazaar for shopping and local food.
  • Urumqi, CN

    Red Hill Park

    Red Hill Park is a iconic hilltop park in downtown Urumqi, offering panoramic city views from its summit, along with historical structures and leisure paths.

    Xinjiang Museum

    The Xinjiang Museum houses a rich collection of Silk Road artifacts and mummies, serving as a key place to learn about the region's multi-ethnic history, culture, and ancient East-West exchanges.

    International Grand Bazaar

    The International Grand Bazaar is a famous market in Urumqi with Islamic-style architecture, offering a wide array of Xinjiang crafts, dried fruits, carpets, and local snacks.

Day 12: Urumqi

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
After breakfast, transfer to the airport or train station for your departure, concluding the journey.

Complimentary Transfer Service
(Available only on designated group departure and end dates)

  • Free Pick‑up: Arrivals between 08:00 - 22:00

  • Free Drop‑off: Departures between 09:00 - 23:00 (early morning flights are also covered if you are willing to leave in advance)

Transfers are currently provided with a driver only. If multiple guests arrive around the same time, a guide may be arranged at our discretion. Any policy updates will be communicated separately.

  • If you arrive before the group start date or leave after the group end date, a separate transfer fee applies

  • If your arrival or departure falls outside the free transfer time window, a separate transfer fee also applies

  • For shared group transfers, guests with close arrival times will be picked up together, with a waiting time of approximately 1.5 hours. If you prefer not to wait, please notify us at least 1 day in advance to arrange a private transfer at an additional cost.

Price Includes

  • Transportation as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Hotel accommodation in standard twin/double rooms
  • Hotel breakfasts
  • First entrance tickets and necessary shuttle buses for listed attractions
  • All vehicle expenses (tolls, fuel, mountain entry fees)
  • Shared airport/train station transfers (with possible waiting time)
  • Chinese-speaking guide service
  • Travel accident insurance, vehicle seat insurance, travel agency liability insurance
  • Two bottles of mineral water per person per day

Price Excludes

  • Airfare/train tickets to/from Urumqi
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, snacks, drinks, etc.)
  • Meals not mentioned as included
  • Tips for guide (suggested 40-70 RMB per person per day)
  • Tips for driver (suggested 20-50 RMB per person per day)
  • Additional expenses due to force majeure events (natural disasters, strikes, epidemics, flight changes, etc.)

Terms & Condition

  • PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
    Booking and Reservation
    All tours are for early booking, tour operator suggests the each passenger should book tour at least 3 weeks before departure date. Passenger may make reservation via email; however, seats will not be assigned until the deposit has been paid. At time of reservation, passenger may require to provide name, phone number and address and specify designated tour and date of travel.All seats are pre-assigned with numbers; seat assignment is based on a first come first serve basis after down payment.
  • Travel Documents
    Each passenger must carry a valid travel document. (Valid visa for countries needed) (E.g. Green Card, Passport, Re-Entry Permit, and etc.) Tour operator is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.
  • Cancellation penalties per person (request day and departure day are not counted)
    30 days or more prior to departure - - 10% of total purchase amount..
    15-29 days or more prior to departure - 30% of total purchase amount.
    7-14 days prior to departure - 50% of total purchase amount.
    Within 6 days prior to departure - 100% of total purchase amount.
    Day of departure no show or late - 100% per person.
    Unused features are non-refundable. No shows forfeit entire payment.
    Trips require a minimum number of participants to avoid cancellation. We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled trip to fully refund affected customers although tour companies will make every effort to maintain normal operations.
    The refund amount will be credited directly to your TakeTours wallet as credits for future use. Or the refund can also be forwarded directly to your credit card with a 6% handling fee.
    NOTE: We cannot grant any refunds more than 30 days after completion of the tour.
  • Travel Insurance
    Tour operator is not responsible for any loss of or damage to personal items, or personal injury that may occur on or during the tour. It is optional that passengers to buy travel insurance, for more information, please consult your travel agent.
  • Itinerary Variations
    We constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary - we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods duplicate departures may operate, and sometimes in reverse order in which case hotels may vary from those stated on the itinerary pages.
  • Tour Cancellation
    We reserve the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. If cancellation is made any time prior to departure of the tour, Taketours only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the tour booking. We are not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations.

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