13 Days North Xinjiang Tour: Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake, Narat, Bayinbuluk Grassland

Today you will take your flight or train to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang. we will wait for you at the airport or train station. upon you arrival, be met and transfer you to the hotel for rest.

A splendid journey to Northern Xinjiang will begin. the first stop we will head today is Fuyun. Along the journey, pass by: Huoshaoshan (Burning Mountain), where you will witness a sea of red, caused by burnt rocks that look as if they are still burning along the hills. Check in hotel upon arrival. 

The tour today will begin from the Keketuohai National Geological Park.For thousand years, Keketouhai is famous for its abundant resources, beautiful mountain scenery,the long history, the legendary pastureland culture and primitive human culture and many more. Then you will see Irene Wood Lake, also known as "Haizi Kou" and explore the Tunnel of Mine No 3, which comprises of many types of minerals. Take a tram ride and travel along Irtysh Grand Canyon till you reach Shenzhong Mountain and visit the "Earthquake Museum".Thereafter, travel to Burqin for dinner and overnight stay. If time permits, you may stroll along Burqin local night market.

After breakfast head to Kanas Nature Reserve, China's only European-like ecological site that has been awarded the title of the "Pure Land of the World" due to its unspoiled natural scenery. En-route, visit Irtysh Lake, the only lake in China that flows directly into the North Pacific Ocean, along with Burqin River, Kanas River, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Shenxian Bay and Cocoa Surrey Lake. Kanas Lake is like a string of pearls in the Alps as it branches into smaller river streams which look like a multitude of islands amidst the forests and grasslands. Check in hotel for rest.

Enjoy the fresh air and sunrise, then we will travel to a beautiful and tranquil Tuva village Hemu, which is the one of the famous Tuvas village. You can experience the unique life style of Tuvas and enjoy the beautiful scenery. arrive at the entrance, you will continue change the shuttle bus and get into the village, upon arrival, you will have a time to explore Hemu.

After breakfast, travel along the Gurbantunggut Desert to the Urho Ghost City, also known as Wuerhe Wind City", a unique wind-eroded geological area commonly referred to as "wind city" because of the frequent howling winds. Due to its eeriness, it is also commonly referred to as "Ghost City". It is located northeast of Karamay city. Continue journey to Karamay City. The name of the city comes from the Uyghur language, and means "black oil", referring to the oil fields near the city. Since the city officially established for petroleum production in year 1955, it has become a modern integrated oil complex, a 'petroleum city' nowadays.

Excursion tour to Sayram Lake, known as the last drop of tears of the Atlantic. This alpine lake is an amazing natural water resource which is circled by green grasslands. It is like a brilliant emerald inlaid in the basin surrounded by Tianshan Mountain. The water in the lake is very pure and clear. Flocks of ducks and swans coast on its surface. Flourishing cypress and cedar trees cover the whole mountain range. Cottages scatter the foothills of the mountains. Horses and sheep graze on the mountain slope. then you will see the famous Guozigou Valley, which is length of 28km along the road Wu, the general direction in Iraq, is the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang, North Road. tonight you will overnight in Yining.

Morning to the capital of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture – Yining via Guojigou Valley. There are about 35 minorities that live and work in this city such as Han, Uygurs, Kazak, Hui, Mongolian, Uzbek, Russians, and more. Visit the Uyghur Culture Street in Yining and then Excursion tour to Naraty Grassland. The grassland has quiet streams, fresh air and abundant vegetation. It is home to a 10th of China's Kazakh community, and its rolling hills are dotted with their camps. The landscape is carpeted with wild flowers, upon which wander herds of goats, sheep and cows.

After breakfast head to Bayinbuluk and enjoy the grassland there.taking up 1,000 square kilometers. In 1986 it was listed by the State as the national nature reserve．It is a paradise of flocks of swan. The swans are like white sails wandering on the lake,carefree and contenting themselves.Therefore it is offered the name"Swan Lake".

After the visiting, we will head to Heshuo for overnight stay.

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then we will drive to Turpan, an important town on the ancient silk road, also one of the centers of the Uygur cultures. Upon arrival, we will also pay a visit to Karez Well, A special irrigation system that the locals make full use of the topography of Turpan to draw the underground water to irrigate their farmland ingeniously. Next travel to Sugong Minaret, the largest Islamic minaret in China built in 1778 by Sulaiman that is the ruler and leader of Turpan to commemorate and commend his father's achievements of the reunion of Xinjiang. enjoy the sunset of Jiaohe Ruins with a history of 2,300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30m. It is one of the best preserved ruins of its ancient era in China, it was include in the World Heritage List on June 22, 2014.

Sightseeing in Turpan. A must and first visit is the oldest Uighur village Tuyoq Village located in the very center of Flaming Mountain Canyon. It used to be the holy site of Buddhism and Islam. The village consists of four parts: Canyon scenery, Thousand Buddha Caves, Maza tomb and the old buildings of the ancient village. drive you to explore the Bezeklik Grottoes, the Buddhist Center of Gaochang area, is a complex of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to 14th century between the cities of Turpan and Shanshan at the north-east of the Taklamakan Desert near the ancient ruins of Gaochang in the Mutou Valley. Some murals show a large Buddha surrounded by other figures, including Turks, Indians and Europeans. Some of the murals are masterpieces of religious art. From here, you can enjoy the outlook of Flaming Mountain around the Grottoes. After the visiting, we will drive back to Urumqi, passing by the wind power station which is the largest one in Asia spreading at the foot of Tianshan Mountain. Following glimpse of Salt Lake in Dabancheng. Arrive in Urumqi, transfer to the hotel, have a good rest.

Breakfast time in the hotel is from 7am to 11am, enjoy your delighted buffet breakfast and our nice and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby around 08:30, then we will drive 1hr to the entrance of the park. 40 minutes shuttle bus driving in the mountains, you will visit the Kazakh village en route. After the shuttle bus, 10mins walking up to the lakeside. You will have 2hrs to do some trekking around the Heavenly lake, either enjoy the boating cruise,or even take the cable cart to the top of the mountain so that close to Bogda Peak-the highest peak in the east part of Tian Shan Mountain, which is capped by glacier and snow glistening in the sun, finely contrasted with blue lake water, forming a fabulous scenery.

Lunch (15usd/pax pay on your own) will be arranged in the local Kazakh yurt by the side of the lake. Afterwards back to Urumqi to visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum which is the main institution to collect and investigate the unearthed cultural relics and specimens in Xinjiang.

Optional: if time permit, you can do free shopping in the International bazaar, and upgrade your service to Enjoy the Xinjiang Culture show with Banquette (fr. 50USD)

Time to bid farewell to these exciting destinations and bring home a wonderful memories of North Xinjiang