SIN-URUMQI
Board a luxurious flight to Urumqi, whose name in ancient Dzungar Mongolian means "beautiful pasture." It is the city furthest from the ocean in the world. Urumqi serves as the political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub of Xinjiang and is also a key stop on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road. Upon arrival in this beautiful capital of Xinjiang, begin your delightful journey!
【Red Mountain Park】is a symbol and landmark of Urumqi, and the park's renown stems from the mountain's unique features. Standing at an altitude of 910.8 meters, Red Mountain is composed of purple sandstone, giving it a reddish hue and earning it the name "Red Mountain." The mountain, rugged and imposing, is part of the Bogda Mountain range. Coupled with its mystical legends, Red Mountain has long been regarded as a sacred site, commanding reverence and worship. Locals use it as a place to offer distant homage to Bogda Mountain. From the summit of Red Mountain, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Urumqi's cityscape and gaze at the snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Bogda Mountain in the distance.
【Friendly Reminder】: The daily schedule in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and along the Silk Road is two hours behind Central China Time (due to the time zone difference). However, the entire country follows a unified Central Standard Time. During the journey, please adhere to the schedule announced by your tour guide.
 

URUMQI- FUYUN
Wild Horse Ancient Ecological Park (Petrified Wood + Central Asian Famous Horses)
The park features the largest display base for Akhal-Teke horses in China, showcasing the majestic "horses of sweat and blood." It also houses the Wild Horse Art Gallery, exhibiting oil paintings by renowned artists from both China and abroad. Additional attractions include the Jurassic Petrified Wood Conservation Base, the Silk Road Science and Technology Museum, the Silk Road Historical Figures Memorial Hall, and the Silk Road Art Masterpiece Museum. Combining ecological tourism, cultural heritage, and folk experiences, the park is a treasure trove of rare natural relics from the Western Regions and the rich cultural essence of the ancient and modern Silk Road.
【Flaming Mountain】is renowned for its striking color, as the entire mountain is composed of red sintered rock. When viewed from afar, almost no other colors are visible. During sunrise or sunset, the mountain appears to blaze as if it were still engulfed in flames, illuminated by the sunlight or glowing twilight. Its rare and magnificent sight gives it its name.
【Karamayli Ungulate Nature Reserve】This reserve spans a low mountain range running east to west across the heart of the Junggar Basin, connecting the Tianshan Mountains to the south and the Altai Mountains to the north, with Beitashan to the east. Covering an area of approximately 17,000 square kilometers, the Karamayli Ungulate Nature Reserve features a complex terrain of gobi deserts, hills, sandy areas, and arid landscapes.
The reserve's primary focus is the conservation of the Mongolian wild ass, whose population has grown to over 700. Additionally, it is home to more than 10,000 goitered gazelles (yellow sheep). Rare ungulates such as wild Bactrian camels, Przewalski’s horses, argali sheep, and Pallas’s cats also thrive here, alongside birds like kestrels, golden eagles, great bustards, and sandgrouse, as well as reptiles like sand lizards.
The National Highway 216 runs through the reserve, making it conveniently accessible for tourism and wildlife observation.



 

FUYUN-BURQIN
【Koktokay National Geopark】The park consists of four main areas: the Irtysh Grand Canyon, Kekesuli Lake, Lake Iremit, and the Kalaxianger Earthquake Fault Zone. Combining geological wonders, regional characteristics, and ethnic culture, it is a large-scale tourism destination featuring sightseeing, leisure vacations, adventure tourism (hiking, photography, etc.), and scientific exploration.
As China's first national geopark focused on typical mineral deposits and mining heritage, Koktokay boasts unique Altai granite landscapes and relics of the Fuyun earthquake. These geological treasures hold rare global value and blend scientific significance with aesthetic beauty, making it a shining highlight on the mysterious Junggar Basin tourism circuit.
【Kekesuli Lake (Wild Duck Lake)】Known for its rich aquatic vegetation, the lake features over 20 floating islands of various sizes. Every summer and autumn, thousands of wild ducks, moorhens, and red geese gather here to breed and thrive.
【Irtysh Grand Canyon:】A signature attraction of the park, the canyon begins upstream along the Irtysh River from Koktokay Town. The granite peaks lining both sides of the river form a mesmerizing tableau, with their rounded shapes and varied forms, each peak telling a unique story. Among them is the renowned Shenzhong Mountain (Sacred Bell Mountain), a bell- or cone-shaped granite peak rising dramatically 351 meters above the south bank of the Irtysh River. A symbol of nature’s artistry, this colossal monolith is accompanied by the poignant love legend of Amir and Sara, echoing through the mountains.


 

BURQIN-KANAS-KANAS SCENIC AREA
【Kanas Nature Reserve】is the only place in Asia with Swiss-like scenery and is also China’s only nature reserve that borders four countries. It is the source of the Burlinjin River, the largest tributary of the Irtysh River, which flows into the Arctic Ocean. Often referred to as "the last virgin land untouched by humans," Kanas is a pristine natural wonder.
Notable attractions within the reserve include:
【Dragon Bay (Wolong Bay)】: Surrounded by dense forests, blooming flowers, and lush green grass, the lake features small islands with picturesque scenery. At the inlet, large stones resist the flow of water, creating powerful waves that crash against the rocks, sending droplets flying like pearls.
【Moon Bay (Yue Liang Wan)】: About 1 km north of Dragon Bay along the northern shore of Kanas Lake, you will find a crescent-shaped bay nestled in a canyon, known as Moon Bay.
【Fairy Bay (Shenxian Wan)】: Located to the south of Duck Lake, this area of Kanas Lake widens due to the blockage of downstream debris flows and landslide deposits, creating a section of the Kanas River that is up to 700 meters wide. The valley here is gentle, and large swamps and meadows form along the riverbanks.
Tuva Family Visit (Taste Local Snacks, Enjoy Suri Dance Performance):
The Tuva people are an ancient ethnic group that has lived by herding and hunting. For nearly 400 years, they have settled along the shores of Kanas Lake. Known for their bravery and strength, they are skilled in horseback riding, skiing, and are famous for their singing and dancing. They have maintained a relatively primitive lifestyle.

 

KANAS SCENIC AREA- HEMU VILLAGE
【Fish Viewing Pavilion】Located at the top of Camel Peak on the western shore of Kanas Lake, the Fish Viewing Pavilion was originally built to observe the "lake monster," hence its name. At an elevation of over 600 meters above the lake, it offers the best vantage point to overlook the entire Kanas Lake, where you can enjoy three-quarters of the lake’s surface, surrounded by layers of mountains and verdant peaks reflected in the water. To the north, you can clearly see the highest peak of the Altai Mountains—Friendship Peak. Every step offers a new breathtaking view, making it a place where you can get lost in its beauty. As the saying goes, "Without visiting the Fish Viewing Pavilion, you will never know the true beauty of Kanas Lake."
Friendly Reminder:The Fish Viewing Pavilion is accessible via 1,068 steps. It is recommended to bring a walking stick and knee protection for the hike.
In 2023, the Yunxiao Peak Cable Car at He Mu Village was newly opened, offering a scenic ride to the Jikeplin Viewing Platform. From Yunxiao Peak, you can enjoy breathtaking views beneath a sky of blue and white clouds, with towering mountains standing majestically. The peak offers an expansive panoramic view of He Mu Village. If you wish to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience the charm of nature, a visit to Burqin He Mu Yunxiao Peak will surely captivate you with its stunning beauty!
 

HEMU VILLAGE- BURQIN
【He Mu Village】has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture as one of "China's Ten Most Charming Leisure Villages," making it the only village in Xinjiang to receive this honor. Known as "China's First Village," He Mu’s beauty lies in its rich folk customs and pristine mountain and water landscapes.
【Colorful Beach (Wu Cai Tan)】Often referred to as the "First Beach in the World," Wu Cai Tan stretches along both banks of the river. On the southern bank, the terrain is undulating and the colors change dramatically. This unique landscape has been shaped by powerful river erosion and fierce wind activity, creating a typical Yadan landform. On the northern bank, the cliffs display an intricate, rugged Yadan structure, with deep ravines and varying heights.
 

BURQIN- KUITUN
【Devil's City (Mo Gui Cheng)】is a unique wind-eroded landscape known for its strange, eerie shapes. The local Mongols call it "Sulu Mukhak," while the Kazakhs refer to it as "Shaytankersi," meaning "Devil's City." During the summer and autumn seasons, strong winds, often at speeds of 7-8 levels, sweep through the valley, carrying sand and gravel and producing a chilling sound, like ghosts crying and wolves howling. This is how the name "Devil's City" came about. Due to its distinctive scenery, many films have used Devil's City as an outdoor shooting location, including the Oscar-winning movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This landscape was ranked as China's Most Beautiful Yadan Landform by the "Beautify China" event organized by China National Geographic.
 

KUITUN-YINING
【Sayram Lake】Located in the high mountain basin of the western Tianshan Mountains in the city of Bole, Xinjiang, Sayram Lake is known as "Sayram Zhor" in Mongolian, meaning "Lake on the Ridge." It is also called "San Tai Haizi" because a third postal station, the Elezhetu Bolu Military Post, was established on the eastern shore during the Qing Dynasty. Sayram Lake is the highest and largest mountain lake in Xinjiang, renowned for its stunning scenery, and it is often referred to as "the last drop of tears from the Atlantic Ocean."
Sayram Lake, like a brilliant sapphire, is suspended in a fault basin between the Western Tianshan Mountains, surrounded by mountains with the sky reflecting in its waters. In the spring and summer, the expansive meadows by the lake are lush with grass, dotted with yellow flowers, and teeming with cattle and sheep. Traditional yurts stand scattered across the landscape, creating a picturesque and poetic scene that evokes the spirit of the ancient Silk Road. Visitors can immerse themselves in the romanticism of nature and the unique ethnic culture of this remote region.
【Guozi Valley】 renowned for its picturesque scenery and unique landscapes, has long been regarded as one of Xinjiang's most famous attractions and is known as the "First Sight of Ili." Also called Talerqi Valley, it spans 28 kilometers and generally follows the route of the Bird-Ili Highway, which aligns with the northern path of the ancient Silk Road.
After exploring Guozi Valley, continue to China's Lavender Hometown—Huocheng County in Ili Prefecture. With abundant sunshine, a humid climate, and significant temperature differences between day and night, Huocheng shares the same latitude as Provence in France and Hokkaido in Japan, making it one of the world's top three lavender cultivation bases. It has been officially designated by the Ministry of Agriculture as "China's Lavender Hometown." Each year in mid to late June, tens of thousands of acres of lavender bloom across the hills and plains of Ili, creating a breathtaking sea of purple.
 

YINING-TEKES
Kuokesu Grand Canyon】is a dramatic landscape of steep terrain and towering cliffs, with an average depth of 700 to 800 meters. Cascading water forms multi-level drops, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. From the mountaintop, you can gaze down upon the canyon, taking in its breathtaking panorama. Within the canyon, the beautiful Kuokesu River meanders through, its turbulent waters roaring and surging with a fall of 300 to 400 meters. The canyon is home to natural wonders such as the Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends and Crocodile Bay.
★Crocodile Bay: Located in the middle of the Kuokesu Grand Canyon, it is named for the mountain formations resembling two crocodiles resting in the valley. The water, rich in minerals, creates striking color variations as it interacts with sunlight and the surrounding mountains, presenting a unique scene with hues of milky white, emerald green, and jade green.
★Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends: Found within the canyon, this location offers a stunning view of the Kuokesu River winding through the majestic Tianshan Mountains.
【Bagua City】The town of Tekes is famous for its unique Bagua (Eight Trigrams) layout and is the world's largest and most complete city of its kind. It is also the only place where Wusun culture and the teachings of the I Ching intersect. Tekes is home to China's westernmost Bagua City, a hub for I Ching culture and Daoist teachings. Historically, it was the center of Wusun, the largest nomadic kingdom in China's western regions, and it boasts the country's highest concentration of Wusun ancient tombs. It is also noted in Chinese history as the place where the most princesses were sent for political marriages.
 

TEKES-NALATI
Nalati Airgrass Prairie 
Legend has it that during Genghis Khan’s westward expedition, a Mongolian army trekked through the depths of the Tianshan Mountains towards Ili. It was spring, yet the mountains were engulfed in blizzards. Exhausted and starving, the troops pressed on until they crossed a ridge, where they were greeted by a stunning expanse of verdant grasslands adorned with colorful blossoms. The area, filled with bubbling springs and babbling streams, felt like stepping into another world. As the clouds parted and the sun set in fiery hues, they exclaimed in awe, “Nalati!” meaning "the place of sunlight," giving the grassland its name.
Nalati Grassland, part of the subalpine meadow plant region, is one of the world’s four great grasslands and has long been a renowned grazing area. It features flat river valleys, towering peaks, dense forests, and expansive grasslands, creating a breathtaking mosaic of natural beauty. This scenery, combined with the vibrant Kazakh cultural traditions, makes Nalati a premier destination for sightseeing, leisure, scientific exploration, summer retreats, and souvenir shopping.
 

NALATI-KUITUN
Today, we say goodbye to the stunning Nalati Grassland and journey along the Tian Shan Highway to Dushanzi. The beauty of the Tian Shan Highway is beyond words. Snow-capped mountains resemble delicately drawn pencil sketches, appearing ethereal and surreal through the veil of mist and clouds.
【Hundred-Mile Gallery】Also known as Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery, this natural scenic area is located in the eastern part of Nileke County in Xinjiang’s Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. Renowned for its grasslands, hot springs, snowy peaks, and rivers, this narrow river valley grassland is often referred to as a "hundred-mile painting scroll." Stretching over 100 kilometers, the Kash River flows through the entire area. The scenery changes dramatically with the seasons, from the vibrant hues of spring to the rich, golden tones of autumn, offering unique and captivating views year-round.
【Travel Tip】：1.Driving along the Duku Highway, you can experience all four seasons and a diverse range of landscapes within a single day, including Gobi deserts, Yardang landforms, alpine meadows, forested valleys, snowy mountains, grasslands, and azure skies. This route saves 500 kilometers compared to the typical detour through Korla or Yining to Urumqi.
 

KUITUN-PROVINCE HIGHWAY S101-URUMQI [TODAY CHANGE TO 4X4 SUV]
【S101 Provincial Highway】
The S101 Provincial Highway is a road built through the shallow mountain areas of the Yilianhabirga Mountains in the central Tianshan region. Known for its stunning scenery but challenging road conditions, it is an ideal route for photography, adventure, hiking, and painting enthusiasts.
Highlights Along the S101：
Unique Landforms: Features distinctive mountain formations and beautiful grasslands.
Kangjia Shimenzi Rock Engravings: Notable for ancient reproductive rock art, showcasing historical significance.
"So Beautiful is Our Country": A strikingly named scenic spot located in the Karaza Group Mountains within Hutubi County. This area is home to the most well-developed Danxia landforms and is celebrated as the "Hundred-Mile Danxia Scenic Wonder."
Geological Corridor: Kangjia Shimenzi is a representative area of the "Hundred-Mile Danxia," formed 70 million years ago during the Himalayan orogeny. This "Tianshan Geological Corridor" feels like stepping back into the Jurassic era.
 

URUMQI-SINGAPORE
Let us head to the airport for our flight home, bringing this incredible journey through the mysterious Northern Xinjiang and Ili Valley to a perfect conclusion. This marks the end of a joyful and unforgettable deep exploration trip.