Xinjiang Scenery with Ethnic Flavor Appreciation

Your guide and driver will meet you at Urumqi Airport today and then transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and get prepared for the following Xinjiang tour.

Accommodation: Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel

It is a long drive today for about 8 to 9 hours from Urumqi to Buerjin. On the way, you will enjoy the fabulous scenery of the desert. Upon arrival at Buerjin, your will be escorted to check in at the hotel. Then you will witness the charming sunset at the colorful Rainbow Beach.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shangshi International Hotel

Drive about 2 hours to Jiadengyu. The whole day will be devoted to the charming Kanas Nature Reserve. The Kanas Lake is an alpine lake encircled by dense forest. Shaped like a crescent, the lake has the features of both northern vigor and southern grace of Xinjiang. You will take a boat trip on the beautiful lake. Afterwards, go for a short hike to the Watching Fish Pavilion, located about 60 meters above the lake, which is the best place to overview the whole Kanas Lake. Ascending it, you could also appreciate the marvelous mountain splendor around. In the evening, enjoy the Mogolian Tuwa Tribe music live show in the village.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Friendship Peak Resort Hotel

We will take you to Altay today. It is about 4 hours' driving. On the way, visit Hemu, a small village close to Mongolia and Russia. The villagers here are living by nomadic hunting. The rivers, wooden houses, wisps of smoke and birch forest make this place a fairy world in real life, just like a colorful oil painting. Stay one night in a local hotel in Altay.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Altay Di Qu Hotel

A 6-hour's private transfer will take you to Kuitun. En route, visit the Urbo Ghost City with the typical Yadan landform, which is the masterpiece of nature. The rock grounds are sculptured to various forms by the wind and rain for thousands of years. Here, you could find the rocks in shape of castles, palaces and even monsters. Upon arrival in Kuitun, check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Haofeng International Grand Hotel

Drive to Huocheng for about 6 hours, where 29 minority groups live. After checking in at the hotel, proceed to the Sayram Lake, which is also praised as "the last drop of the Atlantic tears". It is the highest and largest cold water lake in Xinjiang covering an area of 458 square kms (177 square miles) and with an altitude of 2073 meters (6801 feet). With the perpetual snow mountains on its west bank and the vast area of grassland on its east bank, the Sayram Lake is absolutely a gorgeous place to visit. The best time is to visit it is from June to August, when the water is extremely clear and blue and the many unknown flowers are in the full blossom.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sayram Lake Hotel

In the morning, visit the Khorgos Port between China and Kazakhstan. Standing at the door of the port, you could see afar to Kazakhstan. Have a brief visit to the border cooperation area. Then visit the lavender flora park. It is the third largest lavender park in the world, only after Provence and Furano. The whole park is divided into different areas. The No. 65 has the largest area and the best lavenders. Here you could get many fascinating pictures with your camera. At last, drive to Yining and check in at the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Meijing Hotel

Today's highlight is the Nalati Grassland in the Nalati National Forest Park, a famous pasture since ancient time. This is also a famous tourism and holiday resort in Xinjiang which boasts beautiful grassland scenery and the Kazak ethnic flavor. You could join in the horse riding on the boundless grassland and get close to the local Kazak culture. It is a little bit cold here than in the city especially in the morning and evening, so please take some warm clothes with you.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Liancheng Ecology Resort Xinyuan

After breakfast this morning, you will be driven to the Bayanbulak Grassland. Today's private tour will cover the Bayanbulak Grassland and the Swan Lake Natural Reserve. The Bayanbulak Grassland is the second largest grassland in China boasting luxuriant verdant grass, numerous flocks of sheep and varied plants. Being a far-flung and level prairie, it also abounds in varieties of grass, and is studded with numerous lakes and encircled by snow mountains. The Swan Lake is located in this grassland. Actually, it is made of a group of small lakes. You could go up to the Bird Watch Platform built there to appreciate the splendid spectacle of the swans, lakes, mountains, clouds and blue sky.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: White Swan Guest House

After breakfast, we will head to Yanqi County. On the way, enjoy the wonderful scenery along the Tianshan Road. Also you could see the unique black headed sheep wandering on the grassland on both sides of the road. Visit the Bosteng Lake, which is a group of small lakes covering an area of 240 square kilometers (93 square miles). 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Best local hotel

Drive for about 6 hours to get back to Urumqi. You will check in at the hotel. After a short rest, your guide will accompany you to visit the Xinjiang International Grand Bazar, where the Uighur culture is best preserved. You will be dazzled by the strong Islamic style buildings with the unique Xinjiang flavored foods and handicrafts. You may choose some favorite souvenirs for your family or friends.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Excemon Xinjiang Yilite Hotel

Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your homeward flight. We wish you a pleasant journey!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast