10-Day Circuit in Northern Xinjiang | Romantic Tour

As a travel enthusiast who is obsessed with the scenery of the Northwest, I finally set foot on the land of northern Xinjiang this summer. It takes 10 days to set out from Urumqi and cross grasslands, lakes, Gobi Desert and snow-capped mountains. Every frame of the scenery is as shocking as a movie scene. We have compiled this guide to help you discover Xinjiang's myriad customs in the most local way. Day 1: Heading to the Western Regions, first encounter with Urumqi ✈️When flying to Urumqi from all over the country, there are convenient pick-up services at the airport/station. It is recommended to stay near Zhongshan Road or the Grand Bazaar, so you can go downstairs and eat freshly baked nangbing! Visit the Grand Bazaar in the evening, and smell the aroma of baked buns wafting under the colorful dome. Remember to buy a bag of Hotan dates as a snack. 🍽️For dinner, I strongly recommend "Lao Lang Lao Lang", Shawan big plate chicken with belt noodles, spicy pepper chicken, and a sip of kava, and your first impression of Xinjiang will be instantly full. Day 2: The contrasting aesthetics of Tianchi Secret Realm and Desert Highway 🚗Go to Tianshan Tianchi early in the morning and take the shuttle bus through the spruce forest. The sapphire-like lake reflects Bogda Peak. It is recommended to hike on the Mayash Mountain Trail on the west bank, where there are few people and beautiful scenery. In the afternoon, we drove onto the S21 Desert Highway, the "most beautiful desert highway in China" that passes through the Gurbantunggut. Sand dunes were flying outside the car window. It was super cool to stop and take pictures of the highway (Tips: bring enough water, there is no signal on the desert section). 🌆Stay overnight in Altay. The town is so quiet that you can hear your own footsteps. Don't miss the roasted goose eggs and handmade yogurt at the night market. Day 3: Entering the fairy tale world - Hemu 🛣️Ahe Highway can be called the "Little Duku in Northern Xinjiang". It switches between forests, meadows and snow-capped mountains along the way. It is dusk when you arrive at Hemu. Smoke rises from the log cabins, which looks like the scene in "Heidi and Grandpa". 🌌Stay in Hemu B&B, open the window to see the stars, remember to set the alarm! I climbed the Harden Platform at 5 a.m., when the first ray of sunlight shone over the village, cattle and horses were walking through the morning mist, and my hands were shaking as I pressed the shutter button - this is what life is worth! Day 4: Kanas Lake, soaking time in the blues 🚶‍♀️From Hemu to Kanas, take a stroll along the lake first, where cold water fish jump out of the lake and the Siberian taiga rustles in the wind. Take the local bus to Wolong Bay and Moon Bay, hike on the wooden plank road to get close to the secret realm of the "Legend of the Lake Monster", and take photos of the Tuva village in the old village in the evening, where the smoke from cooking and the twilight linger. 💡Tips: Accommodation in Kanas Scenic Area is expensive, it is recommended to stay in Jiadengyu, which is more cost-effective. Day 5: Sunset Rhapsody in the Gobi Desert 🌅The sunset at Wucai Beach is the highlight of this trip! On both sides of the river, the left bank is the barren Yadan "Chibi", and the right bank is a lush oasis. The setting sun dyed the rocks amber, and even the river glowed with golden light. 🌪️Take a sightseeing train to go deeper into the Devil City. The "castles" carved by wind and sand have various shapes. The atmosphere of the filming location of "Seven Swordsmen Under Tianshan" is full. Drone aerial photography can capture the majestic momentum of the Yadan Group (wear a mask! The wind and sand are strong enough to fill your teeth). Day 6: Duku Highway, traveling through four seasons in one day 🚗Finally set foot on the "Duku Highway"! Heading south from Karamay, the northern section (Dushanzi-Qiorma) is a must-experience: the Hashilegen Tunnel, which is lined with snow walls one moment, and the river valley full of flowers the next. It is recommended to stop at the "Watching Tianshan" monument and listen to the stories of the veterans who built the road. 🌄 Arrive at Bayinbuluke in the evening. The Swan Lake wetland reflects the pink sunset. When riding a horse to chase the sunset, the spectacle of the "Nine Suns" with nine bends and eighteen turns will make you hold your breath. Day 7: Narat’s Sky Grassland and the Blue Sky of Liuxing Street 🐎You must ride a horse on the Nalati Sky Grassland! Led by the herdsmen, we went deep into the hinterland, where wild flowers covered the stirrups and smoke rose from the Kazakh yurts in the distance, as if we had entered the movie scene of "Ashes of Time". 🏘️In the afternoon, go to Yining Liuxing Street. The blue and white houses look like a fairy tale town. Buy a cup of handmade ice cream ("Gulandam" is recommended), take a set of retro photos in front of the colorful windowsill, and the Uyghur children will smile and say "Yakexi" to you~ Day 8: Sailimu Lake, a teardrop of the Atlantic Ocean 🚗Driving around the lake is a romantic way to enjoy the scenery! From Yining to Sailimu Lake, driving along the south bank, the lake water gradually changes from peacock blue to emerald green, swans stroll in the shallows, and you can stop the car to get the same blockbuster photos as the "seaside". 💧Recommended spots: Waterfront Beach (take photos of the reflection of the snow-capped mountains), Dianjiangtai (overlooking the S-bend), and in the evening, watch the sunset sink into the center of the lake at Keleyongzhu, and the lake water will turn into a dreamy pink and purple color. Day 9: Dushanzi Grand Canyon, the scar aesthetics of the earth 🌪️The "Duku Glass Bridge" on the canyon cliff challenges your heartbeat. Standing on the transparent bridge deck and looking at the hundred-meter-deep ravine, drone aerial photography can show the shock of "the ravines are like knife carvings". The cliff plank road in the scenic area is suitable for hiking, and if you are lucky, you may see a canyon eagle. 🛣️We returned to Urumqi in the evening. I reviewed the photos on the way and found that every one of them could be used as a wallpaper. Xinjiang is indeed the "color palette of the world". Day 10: Say goodbye with the stars and grasslands 🚗Before leaving the airport, visit the Grand Bazaar again and buy some dried fruits and handmade carpets as souvenirs. In 10 days, from the tranquility of Tianchi Lake to the wildness of the desert highway, from the morning mist of Hemu Lake to the starry sky of Sailimu Lake, every aspect of Xinjiang is addictive. 💡Practical Tips: 1. Outfit: The temperature difference between day and night is 20℃+, so prepare a jacket + thin down jacket, and a bright long skirt (red/yellow) will stand out in the grassland/lake; 2. Rhythm: The sun sets in Xinjiang at 22:00, so you should plan your time to visit scenic spots accordingly. For example, go to Wucai Beach/Devil City in the evening when the light is amazing!