[10-Day Summer Northern Xinjiang Tour: Kanas + Ili] World Devil City + Serene Hemu Village + Scenic Drive Around Sayram Lake + Ili’s “Häagen-Dazs”

Today’s Itinerary: Fly to Urumqi, known as the “Heart of Asia,” the “Land of Song and Dance,” and the “Home of Fruits and Melons.” Upon arrival, our professional staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown hotel. After checking in, take some time to rest. Later, you may independently visit the International Grand Bazaar—the largest bazaar in China—where you can savor a wide variety of Xinjiang delicacies and handcrafted souvenirs. The bazaar seamlessly blends Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, entertainment, and dining.

Helpful Tips:
1. As you will be traveling by air today, please have your ID documents ready.
2. Xinjiang has few clouds and strong UV radiation; remember to use sun protection and stay well hydrated.
3. Respect local customs: Do not handle merchandise in the bazaar unless you intend to buy it; do not haggle if you are not planning to purchase; women should dress modestly; and always obtain permission before photographing members of ethnic minority groups.

Today’s itinerary: Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Altay
Estimated travel time: The distance from Urumqi to Altay is approximately 550 km, with a driving time of around 6 hours.

After breakfast, depart by vehicle for Altay. The journey begins across the vast and wild Junggar Basin, where the Gurbantünggüt Desert unfurls golden curves on the horizon. You’ll then enter the Kalamaili Mountains, whose ochre-red rock formations lie serene and otherworldly, reminiscent of the Martian surface. As you approach the Altai Mountains, sprawling pastures unfold and oases gradually come into view.

Today’s Itinerary: Altay → Hemu
Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 230 km, about 5 hours by car

After breakfast, we’ll drive along the scenic A’he Highway to Hemu Scenic Area, known as “God’s Backyard.” Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the core area of Hemu via the official shuttle bus. Hemu is the largest settlement of the Tuvan people in China. Here, you can experience authentic Tuvan culture and explore a picturesque village nestled among dense forests. At sunrise and sunset, rising cooking smoke and morning mist envelop the entire village, creating an ethereal, fairy-tale-like atmosphere that is truly breathtaking.

Dinner will feature a local specialty: Hemu-style hot pot served in a traditional earthenware pot. After dinner, we’ll check into a cozy guesthouse within Hemu Village.

Helpful Tips:
1. Hemu lies within a national forest reserve; mobile phone signal and Wi-Fi connectivity may be weak or intermittent.
2. As accommodations and dining options are located inside the scenic area, facilities are relatively basic. Please keep this in mind when planning your stay.

Today’s Itinerary: Sunrise viewing in Hemu Village – Kanas – Guanyu Platform (Fish Viewing Platform) in Kanas – Jiadengyu

Estimated Travel Time: The distance from Hemu to Jiadengyu is approximately 40 km, with a driving time of about 1 hour.

You may choose to wake up early and hike to the Hemu Viewpoint. Enveloped in a thin mist, Hemu Village exudes an extraordinary tranquility. Climb to the hilltop and await the sunrise amid the soft, white haze. After breakfast, take the scenic area shuttle bus to Kanas Scenic Area, then proceed to its highest point—the Guanyu Platform (Fish Viewing Platform). Reaching the top of the platform requires climbing 1,068 steps. Follow the wooden boardwalks, where every step offers a new picturesque view. From the summit of Guanyu Platform, keep an eye out for traces of the legendary “lake monster,” and enjoy a panoramic vista of Kanas Lake.

[Helpful Tips]
1. Temperatures in Kanas Scenic Area vary significantly between morning/evening and midday. Dress warmly in the early morning and evening, and use sun protection during midday.
2. During peak season, there may be occasional queues for the scenic area shuttle buses. Your understanding is appreciated when crowds are heavy.
3. The scenic area features extensive wooden boardwalks, which can become slippery in rainy or damp weather. Please watch your step while exploring.
4. Comfortable footwear is recommended for climbing the steps to Guanyu Platform.
5. Accommodation and dining options in the Jiadengyu service area are limited. Thank you for your understanding.

Today’s Itinerary: Second Visit to Kanas – Tour of the Three Bays – Burqin
Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 130 km from Kanas to Burqin, about 2.5 hours by car

After breakfast, take the shuttle bus back into the Kanas Scenic Area for a driving tour of its famous “Three Bays”: Wolong Bay (Sleeping Dragon Bay), Moon Bay, and Shenxian Bay (Fairy Bay).

After the tour, head to Burqin to savor a local specialty—the “Whole Fish Banquet.” Following dinner, check in to your hotel for rest.

Today’s Itinerary: Burqin → Five-Colored Beach → Karamay Devil City (Urho Ghost City) → Kuitun

Driving Distances and Times:
- Burqin to Devil City: approx. 280 km, about 3 hours
- Devil City to Kuitun: approx. 250 km, about 3.5 hours

[Five-Colored Beach Scenic Area]
This riverside beach is renowned for its Yadan (yardang) landforms. The hills feature unusual geological formations that display a variety of colors. At sunset, the hues become especially vibrant and surreal, creating a spectacular scene.

[Devil City Scenic Area]
Explore the yardang landforms by taking the scenic shuttle train within the park. The train makes brief stops at each station, allowing time to disembark for sightseeing and photography. The rock formations take on countless bizarre shapes—some resembling people, others eagles or peacocks—offering visitors a profound sense of the vastness and desolation of the desert Gobi.

After the visit, travel by coach to Kuitun and check into your hotel for rest.

[Helpful Tips]
1. There are many mosquitoes and other insects in the Five-Colored Beach Scenic Area. Visitors are advised to bring personal protective items such as Fengyoujing (essential balm), insect repellent, and face veils before entering, and to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Today’s Itinerary: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Sayram Lake (scenic drive around the lake) – Princess Jieyou Lavender Manor – Kazanqi Folk Village – Yining

Driving Distances Today:
- Kuitun to Sayram Lake: approximately 310 km, about 4 hours by car
- Lavender Manor to Yining City: approximately 50 km, about 1 hour by car

[Sayram Lake] Nestled against snow-capped mountains, Sayram Lake is bordered by vast grasslands and features crystal-clear, azure waters. Every June and July, the lakeside meadows burst into bloom with colorful wildflowers, complementing the blue waters beneath the snowy peaks. We have arranged a scenic drive around the lake for you.

[Lavender Base] One of the world’s top three lavender-growing regions. Expansive fields of purple lavender bloom in layered waves, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into Provence, France—a perfect spot for romantic photos amid the purple hues.

[Kazanqi Folk Village] This is the only large-scale, authentic cultural attraction that primarily showcases Uyghur customs and traditions. It offers an immersive experience of rich Uyghur culture while preserving unique local flavors. Enjoy a bowl of beef rice noodles before heading to your hotel in Yining for check-in.

Today’s Itinerary: Yining – Nalati Grassland – Nalati Town
Driving Reference: Approximately 200 km from Yining to Nalati, with a driving time of about 3.5 hours.

[Nalati Grand Grassland] (Self-driving tickets prioritized)
Nalati is one of the world’s four major alpine river-valley grasslands. It features a stunning combination of blue skies, white clouds, glaciers and snow-capped peaks, forests and meadows, as well as gorges and rivers. As the most concentrated settlement area of the Kazakh population worldwide, it serves as an “open-air museum” that vividly reflects and showcases traditional Kazakh lifestyles. April to June is the best season for flower viewing on the grassland, while from July to September the landscape turns lush green, with flocks of sheep drifting like clouds across the pastures. The pleasant climate makes it an ideal retreat from summer heat.

After the tour, return to Nalati Town. Enjoy dinner before checking into your hotel for rest.

[Helpful Tips]
1. Today’s attraction is an alpine grassland site with significant temperature differences between morning and evening. Please bring a warm jacket, use sun protection, and wear lightweight, comfortable shoes.
2. Due to large day-night temperature swings in Xinjiang, we recommend keeping a jacket in the vehicle and taking proper sun-protection measures.
3. Self-driving tickets for the Nalati Scenic Area are limited and cannot be guaranteed. If unavailable, the alternative option is to explore the area using the scenic area’s shuttle buses.

Today’s itinerary: Nalati – Duku Highway – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Kuitun
Estimated driving time and distance: Nalati to Dushanzi, 230 km, approximately 7 hours

[Dushanzi Grand Canyon]
Located at the gorge pass along the Duku Highway, this canyon was formed over many years by the continuous erosion of the Kuitun River as it flows out of the Tianshan Mountains. Towering cliffs rise dramatically, creating a majestic and awe-inspiring landscape. The sheer vertical walls are breathtakingly steep, with ochre-red soil interspersed with gravel, offering a raw and magnificent scenery. The site has been well developed for tourism, featuring attractions such as a glass skywalk and high-wire cycling (Dawazi). Visitors can enjoy thrilling activities or simply take photos against the stunning backdrop.

After the visit, proceed to Kuitun. Following dinner, check in to the hotel for rest.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule (we recommend choosing a flight departing after 2:00 PM), concluding your enchanting journey through Xinjiang.