12 days Photography Tour on Northern Xinjiang

Day 1   Urumqi 

Welcome to Xinjiang, a magical place where combines the history, culture and natural landscape. Today we will wait for you in Urumqi, the first stop of your northern Xinjiang tour. Upon arrival, bring you to downtown and transfer to the hotel check in.
Accommodation: In Urumqi

Day 2   Urumqi  Fuyun    (500kms, 7-8hrs driving)

Morning we will pick you up from your hotel and then bus transfer to Fuyun, a beautiful town famous for Keketuohai National Geological Park. passing by Huoshaoshan where you will witness a sea of red, caused by burnt rocks that look as if they are still burning along the hills. After seeing the Huoshaoshan, you will travel along the Gurbantunggut desert, the second largest desert in China, and see the Kalamaili Nature Reserve which is the paradise for the wild animals. If you are lucky, you will see the wild donkeys, wild goats running in the Gobi. if parking is allowed, you can take some nice photos in these places. then continue to travel to Fuyun with the beauty of the road. This evening you will stay in Fuyun.
Accommodation: In Fuyun

   
                        Huoshaoshan                                                                              Kalamaili Nature Reserve

Day 3   Fuyun  Burqin    (300kms, 3-4hrs driving)

After buffet breakfast in the hotel, you will start your journey from Keketuohai National Geological Park,  the first national geological park with the typical mine and mineral deposit. you will see the wonderful Shenzhong Mountain and the Irtysh River, the only outflow river from the east to the west into the Arctic Ocean. and explore the Tunnel of Mine No 3, which comprises of many types of minerals. it is the largest pit in the world and know as the Geological and Mineral Museum. Once you come to Keketuohai, you will be shocked by these rare and magical geological heritages. Thereafter, travel to Burqin with about 3-4 hours driving.
Accommodation: In Burqin

   
              Keketuohai                                                                                               Tunnel of Mine No 3

Day 4   Burqin  Kanas    (180kms, 4hrs driving)

Exciting day! we will drive along the mountain road to the amazing 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. Have a lunch when we arrive in Kanas Jiadengyu, after that go to the center of park and take the shuttle bus to visit the famous Moon bay, Dragon Bay and Immortal Bay. When we get off the shuttle bus, we can continue the shuttle bus tour to Fish Pavilion for a bird's eye view of Kanas Lake and its surrounding. or you can experience the cruise if you are interested. later afternoon we will check into the hotel. dinner and rest.
Accommodation: In Kanas

   
Kanas Nature Reserve                                                                                Kanas Nature Reserve

Day 5   Kanas 

Morning enjoy your nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and today we will still stay in Kanas which is the most beautiful mountain lake you have never seen. The lake takes on different colors following the four seasons of the year, sometimes it's crystal blue, sometimes it's dark green, or even gray. you can enjoy the leisure time in Kanas. if the time of last day is not enough, today you will have a chance to walk from the bay to the other one and take a picture.
After the visit, we will drive back to Jiadengyu and transfer to the hotel, Have a good rest.
Accommodation: In Kanas

   
Kanas                                                                                                 Kanas

Day 6   Kanas  Hemu  (70kms, 2-3hrs driving)

In the morning, enjoy your simple buffet breakfast and the sunrise of Kanas. then we will travel to Hemu Village,  which is the one of the famous Tuvas village. Arrive at the entrance of Hemu, we still have to change the shuttle bus to the village. Here we would like to suggest you leave your big luggage in our coach and take your must stuff.
tranquil village, herds of cattle and sheep, warm and hospitable locals, What a beautiful and mysterious place! if you want to explore the life of Tuwa people, they will very welcome you to visit their family.
Accommodation: In Hemu

   
Hemu village                                                                                    Hemu village

Day 7   Hemu  Burqin    (170kms, 4hrs driving)

After buffet breakfast in the hotel, then you will take a 4 hours ride to Burqin, enjoy the sunset of Five-colored Beach, Walk into the colorful Beach, you will feel as if in a dream world. The unique lava landscape consisted of purplish red, vandyke red, yellow and light green mudstone, sandstone and gravel. this is the most beautiful colorful Beach, masterpiece of nature, and miracle of Burqin.
In the evening, you can walk around the street in Burqin, enjoy your leisure time and tasty snacks. And we will spend the night in Burqin.
Accommodation: In Burqin

   
Five colored Beach                                                                                 Five colored Beach

Day 8   Burqin  Kuitun     (455kms, 5-6hrs driving)

Enjoy the sunrise and after breakfast, we will head to Kuitun with about 5-6 hours driving. passing by Karamy, the famous oil city, and 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. this is the most beautiful Yadan Landform in the region. When we arrive at the entrance, we will take the shuttle bus, which is shaped like a small train. you can visit the entire Ghost city by shuttle bus. After the visit, we will proceed to Kuitun for overnight stay.
Accommodation: In Kuitun

   
Urho Ghost City                                                                                  Yadan Landform

Day 9   Kuitun  Sayram Lake  Kuitun        (306kms, 4 hours driving)

After breakfast, we will meet you at the hotel lobby and bring you to Sayram Lake, the another highlight of your northern Xinjiang tour, which is known as the last drop of tears of the Atlantic. Sayram Lake is a fairyland with wonderful natural scenery. its water is very clear and pure. you can stroll on the shore, enjoy the blooming wildflowers and the beautiful grassland around the lake. On the way to Sayram Lake, you will see the famous Guozigou Bridge, the largest and most important bridge in Xinjiang. There are many beautiful S bends and you can enjoy the scenery of Guozigou valley which is the most beautiful valley in southern Xinjiang en route. After visiting, bus transfer to Kuitun hotel for rest.
Accommodation: In Kuitun

   
      Sayram Lake                                                                                               Guozigou Brodge

Day 10   Kuitun  Turpan      (430kms, 5-6hrs driving)

Morning, Take a delightful drive to Turpan, an important town on the Silk Road. See the largest wind power station in China along the highway. Arrive in Turpan, you will take two hours to explore the Tuyoq Village, which is the oldest surviving Uygur village in Xinjiang. you can see the culture of Buddhism and Islam here. then we will proceed to visit the Bezeklik Grottoes, it has always been the Buddhist Center of Gaochang area, there are 57 existing caves and murals for you to visit.
Thereafter, bus transfer to downtown and we will escort you to check in your hotel, Have a good night in Turpan.
Accommodation: In Turpan

   
  Tuyoq village                                                                                              Bezeklik Grottoes

Day 11   Turpan  Urumqi    (200kms, 3hrs driving)

After breakfast, we will first head to the Karez Well, which is special kind of irrigation system consisting of vertical wells, underground canals, ground canals and waterlogging pond. here you can not only visit this ancient irrigation system, but also get rid of the heat of summer. Then we will visit The grape gully, Located 11 kilometers northeast of Turpan, Xinjiang, it is a canyon under the Flame Mountain. There is a Buiruk River in the canyon. The main source of water is melting snow in the mountains. It is named for its rich grapes.Finally, we are going to Jiaohe Ruins, the essence of Turpan with a long history over 2,000 years. upon arrival, spend couple hours to wander around this ancient city, and pursue the past civilization along the ancient Silk Road.Thereafter, drive back to Urumqi and transfer you to hotel. Upon arrival, we will visit Xinjiang International Bazaar, which is the largest in Urumqi. You'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and almost anything that you can imagine.  
Accommodation: In Urumqi

   
Karez Well                                                                                             Grape valley