14 Days North Xinjiang Tour to Yili Pastureland

Today you will catch the flight to Urumqi. We will meet you at the airport with a welcome board, then bring you to the downtown hotel and check in. Have a good rest and prepare for tomorrow's wonderful trip!

Start today's exploration to Sayram Lake. In the spring, summer and autumn, the sapphire water of the lake seems to meet the sky in the distance. The pasture is a charming scene of flourishing trees, waving grass and wildflowers that are reflected in the clear water of the lake. The local Kazaks with their yurts as well as variety of the cattle and sheep will bring you a different experience!

Today is a good day and we will continue the trip to Fruit Gully.

There are pine trees, rivers and brooks converge here flanking by numerous ridges and peaks. Known as the "1st scene of Yili", the gully has a pleasant cool weather in summer and autumn, and the ground is covered with flowers with bees and butterflies flying and dancing among them. Countless fruits hanging from the branches of the trees on the hillsides, pure white snow far and near, together with flocks of sheep and yurts scattering in the gully here and there compose a beautiful picture of grassland.

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

The journey is still ongoing. Today's first destination is Zhaosu Wetland Park. This wetland park has many biological species, such as some rare plants and protected animals. You will hike in the park 2-3 hours to see hordes of horses galloping like arrows in the river. Every day at noon, there will be a large number of horses bath in the river, chasing each other and splashing waves. 

Next, let's turn to the Horse Cultural Park, where you can see various famous horses such as sweaty horses, Russian horses, British thoroughbred horses, Dutch horses, and Turkish horses, etc. It is also the best and most standard grassland green ecological racecourse in Xinjiang for equestrian sports, events and training. Here, you can not only travel for sightseeing, but also ride a horse to experience folk culture.

After visiting, we will transfer you to hotel for overnight stay. Have a good rest!

Get up early and start your journey! Today, we will drive to Xiata, which is bordered by the main vein of the peaked Tianshan Mountains and the mighty Turks River. 

The natural scenery of Xiata is simply breathtaking. At a glance, the snow-capped mountains seem to connect with the sky, shining dazzling light under the sun. The forest at the foot of the mountain is lush, and each tree seems to tell us a story of thousands of years. The clear stream shuttles between the forest and the grassland, like a silver ribbon, adding endless vitality to the land.

Here, you can have a dialogue with nature and enjoy a visual feast!

Today is another exciting day for sightseeing! You will spend whole day into Xiata, take the photo and experience the hot spring in the ingenious pastureland.

This beautiful land is also home to the hospitable Kazakh people. Their yurts, scattered across the green grassland, looked from a distance like cottages from a fairy tale. It is also a good choice to step into the yurt and experience their lifestyle first hand. Life here, though simple, is full of warmth and harmony. In Xiata, you can also taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine, participate in colorful Kazakh folk activities, and feel the unique cultural charm.

Your today's trip now kicks off! After breakfast, we will drive to Tekes to visit the famous Bagua City, the only city without traffic lights in the world. The whole Tekes County was designed and built according to the orientation of the Eight Diagrams of the Book of Changes. The city center radiates eight streets, namely, "Qian"(乾), "Dui"(兑), "Li"(离), "Zhen"(震), "Xun"(巽), "Kan"(坎), "Gen"(艮), and "Kun"(坤), from the inside to the outside. It is said that even people without sense of direction won't get lost here. It was firstly built in 1937 according to the shape of the Eight-Diagram. Since 1951, the city has been expanded constantly on its former base and become more and more flourishing. 

Good morning! Today we will drive to ingenious Kalajun Prairie. It is as beautiful as in a poem or a picture. For generations, people on the grassland have lived a simple nomadic life. The traditional lifestyle exudes a unique charm. Therefore, it is quite easy to soak in this colorful carpet spreading all the way to the foot of snow-capped Heavenly Mountain. The unique natural ecological and geographical environment here also create suitable living conditions for wild animals and plants. Enjoy the fresh air and take some beautiful photos, you'll feel relaxed both physically and mentally!

In the morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine! Then pack up your equipment, and remember to bring some drinking water with you.

We will start trekking through East Karajun Grassland. There is a vast sea of flowers, flocks of cattle, sheep, horses, and Kazakh yurts here. If we encounter a herdsman, we will be lucky to be warmly invited to his house as a guest.

After a whole day trekking, we will head to Yurt for overnight stay. Have a good rest and enjoy this special night!

Today is full day sightseeing in Nalati Grassland! It is one of the four famous grasslands in the world. There are springs densely distributed here. Every year, from May to September, with flowers all blossoming out here and numerous herds gathering around, a great number of tourists from domestic and abroad are attracted here. Nalati is also called "Deer Garden" in history and is an ideal place for people of the pasture to exchange materials and hold cultural activities. Ride a horse in the vast grassland or explore the traditional Kazakh way of life is also an activity that you can't miss in this place. 

Enjoy your leisure time in the morning, then we will head to Bayinbuluk by car to explore an attracting scenery in Bayinbuluk Grassland. As the second largest grassland in China, with verdant grass, flock of sheep and various plants, it is a fairyland which is worth for you to spend your time. 

Then we are going to Swan Lake, a unique natural reserve for swan in China. It is the paradise of flocks of wild swan.

Please note you will need special Xinjiang Travel Permit to Bayinbuluk which will be applied 4months in prior. 

This wonderful day will start from driving to Kuqa.

Along the way, we will first stop at Dragon Pools, including small and big ones. The "Big Dragon Pool" is even more magnificent. Xuanzang of Tang Dynasty passed through it on his pilgrimage to the West, which was recorded in his book. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it can be framed with the snow-capped mountains in the distance. There is also a parking platform on the side of the road, and you can get off to enjoy the lake from a panoramic view. There are vendors selling all kinds of Xinjiang fruits and vegetables on the observation deck. Feel free to buy some and taste if you have interest.

Then, we will proceed our tour to Tianshan Grand Canyon, a mysterious canyon in the branch of the Tianshan Mountains, formed by the reddish-brown rock after millions of years of wind and rain erosion by nature. The mountains here reach into the clouds, burning like clusters of flames in the sunlight. Its charm lies not only in the grandeur, but also in the deep, quiet and mysterious feeling it brings to visitors. Standing at the bottom of the valley looking up at the mountains, you only feel that the steep peaks seem to be pressing down at any time, making you feel suffocated and dizzy.

This day begins with driving 4hrs to Korler and then you will take a fast train back to Urumqi (3.5hrs train ride). The journey may be a little tired, please prepare plenty of food. Hope you enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way!

Upon arrival, if time permits, we can walk around the neighborhood and enjoy the night scenery of Urumqi!

Always hard to say goodbye to our tourists. Today is time to back to your sweet home and you will be transferred to the airport. All we want is that you will enjoy this trip, and looking forwards to seeing you soon!