Trek Koktokay’s towering granite peaks, walk the legendary Three Bays of Kanas, and witness North Xinjiang’s fiery autumn colors at their peak. Hike golden birch forests, climb Fish Pavilion, and discover Hemu’s ancient Tuvan culture – seven days of pure wilderness adventure
Route: Airport → Hotel
Details: Upon your arrival at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, you will be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to rest and recover from your long journey. Should you feel energetic, you may take a leisurely stroll through the nearby streets to sample local Xinjiang cuisine or simply relax in preparation for the adventures ahead.
Overnight: Urumqi Downtown Hotel
Distance: Approximately 30 km (airport to hotel)
Driving time: Approximately 40 minutes
Meals: No meals included
Route: Urumqi → Heavenly Lake → Fuyun County
Details: After breakfast, we drive to the breathtaking Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), nestled high in the Tianshan Mountains. We will spend approximately three hours hiking along the shores of this crystal-clear alpine lake, surrounded by towering pine forests and cascading waterfalls. The snow-capped Bogda Peak provides a stunning backdrop for photographs. After our lakeside adventure, we continue our journey eastward across the vast Junggar Basin, arriving in Fuyun County by evening for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Fuyun Local Hotel
Distance: Approximately 400 km
Driving time: Approximately 6 hours (excluding stops)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Route: Fuyun → Koktokay National Park → Altay City
Details: Today we explore the remarkable Koktokay National Park, a geological wonderland of granite peaks, deep river gorges, and vibrant autumn colors. We embark on a 3- to 4-hour hike through the park’s most scenic trails, taking in the dramatic rock formations and pristine alpine landscapes. After a local-style lunch, we drive northwest to Altay City, the gateway to the northern wilderness. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and have the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Altay City Hotel
Distance: Approximately 250 km
Driving time: Approximately 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Route: Altay City → Ahe Scenic Road → Hemu Village
Details: We depart Altay City and travel along the spectacular Ahe Scenic Road, often called the “Gallery Road of Xinjiang” for its breathtaking mountain vistas. Winding through the heart of the Altai Mountains, this route offers uninterrupted views of snow-dusted peaks, dense forests, and wide alpine valleys. We arrive at the enchanting Hemu Village around lunchtime, a remote Tuvan settlement famous for its traditional log cabins. The entire afternoon is dedicated to exploring this picturesque village: we hike up to the Haden Viewing Platform for a panoramic view of the village and its surrounding golden birch forests, then take a leisurely walk along the Hemu River, where autumn colors are at their absolute peak. In the evening, we enjoy a local cultural performance featuring traditional Tuvan music and dance. We stay overnight in Hemu Village.
Overnight: Hemu Local Guesthouse
Distance: Approximately 230 km
Driving time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Route: Hemu Village → Kanas Lake → Fish Pavilion → Jiadengyu
Details: Rise early for a truly magical experience: watching the sunrise over Hemu Village as morning mist and fog drift above the wooden rooftops, with golden light slowly illuminating the surrounding peaks. After breakfast, we drive a short distance to the legendary Kanas Lake. We spend the day hiking along the shores of this turquoise alpine lake and following the Kanas River, where the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. The highlight is ascending the 2,068 steps to the Fish Pavilion (Guanyutai), the highest viewpoint overlooking the entire lake and the vast Kanas region. From here, the sweeping views of the serpentine lake framed by autumn-colored forests are unforgettable. We stay overnight within the Kanas Scenic Area at Jiadengyu.
Overnight: Jiadengyu Local Hotel
Distance: Approximately 70 km
Driving time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Route: Kanas Lake (Three Bays) → Wucaitan (Rainbow Beach) → Burqin County
Details: This morning is dedicated to the famous Three Bays of Kanas. We take a scenic hike of approximately three hours along the boardwalk connecting Moon Bay, Dragon Bay, and Fairy Bay, each offering unique and breathtaking views of the river valley with its crystal-clear waters and fiery autumn foliage. After this memorable walk, we exit the Kanas area and drive towards Burqin County. On our way, we stop at Wucaitan, also known as Rainbow Beach, a stunningly colorful landscape of eroded hills along the banks of the Irtysh River. The golden autumn colors along the riverbank create a spectacular contrast with the blue water and colorful rock formations, making this a perfect spot for photography. We stay overnight in Burqin County.
Overnight: Burjin Hotel
Distance: Approximately 150 km
Driving time: Approximately 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Route: Burqin → Altay Airport
Details: After breakfast, we drive to Altay Airport for your departure flight. There are many daily flights from Altay to major cities in eastern China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an. Your guide will assist you with check-in and bid you farewell, marking the end of your unforgettable autumn hiking adventure in North Xinjiang.
Overnight: Not applicable (departure day)
Distance: Approximately 100 km
Driving time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
| Days | Destination | Hotel Name | Link to trip.com for review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Urumqi | Yilite Hotel (Urumqi Dehui Wanda Plaza Hetian 2nd Street) | Trip.com |
| Day 2 | Fuyun | Vienna International Hotel | Trip.com |
| Day 3 | Altay | Rezen Retreat Hotel – Altay Swan Lake Park | Trip.com |
| Day 4 | Hemu | BUWAN Courtyard Garden Vacation Homestay (Hemu Scenic Area Store) | Trip.com |
| Day 5 | Jiadengyu | Yurt stay | |
| Day 6 | Altay | Rezen Retreat Hotel – Altay Swan Lake Park | Trip.com |