Day 1: Kuala Lumpur – Urumqi Airport Transfer
Route: Kuala Lumpur – Urumqi airport transfer service
Details: Upon your arrival at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, you will be met by our guide and driver, then transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and acclimate. Urumqi, the gateway to the ancient Silk Road, offers a fascinating blend of modern Chinese culture and Central Asian influences. You may wish to take a leisurely walk near the International Bazaar or sample local Uyghur cuisine. 
🏠 Overnight hotel: Atour Hotel Urumqi International Bazaar People’s Cinema
💸 Distance: 20 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 40 mins
🍽️ Meals: No meals included
Day 2: Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – General Mountain Ropeway – Altay
Route: Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – General Mountain Ropeway – Altay
Details: After breakfast, depart Urumqi and drive along the spectacular S21 Desert Highway, a newly built road that cuts through the Gurbantünggüt Desert. Enjoy the vast desert landscapes before arriving at General Mountain, where you can take a scenic ropeway ride for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and grasslands. Continue your journey to Altay, a beautiful city nestled in the Altai Mountains, known for its rich natural scenery and Kazakh culture. Arrive in the evening and check into your hotel.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Luxemon Gem Hotel Altay
💸 Distance: 550 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 7-8 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Old Village – Bonfire Party – Hemu
Route: Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Old Village – Bonfire Party – Hemu
Details: After breakfast, drive along the breathtaking Ahe Highway, one of the most scenic roads in Xinjiang. The winding road takes you through lush forests, rolling meadows, and past snow-capped peaks. Arrive at Hemu Old Village, a picturesque Tuva settlement featuring traditional wooden cabins surrounded by golden birch forests and grazing horses. In the evening, join a lively bonfire party with local villagers, experiencing the warm hospitality and traditional music of the Tuva people. Overnight in Hemu.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Yuling Courtyard Homestay Hemu
💸 Distance: 240 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 5-6 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Hemu – Kanas Lake – Fish Watching Platform – Kanas
Route: Hemu – Kanas Lake – Fish Watching Platform – Kanas
Details: After breakfast, drive to the world-famous Kanas Lake, often described as the most beautiful lake in China. Spend the day immersed in its legendary beauty. Ascend the Fish Watching Platform (Guanyu Pavilion), perched on a hillside overlooking the lake. The climb rewards you with a spectacular panoramic view of Kanas Lake – turquoise waters framed by snow-capped peaks and virgin forest. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakeshore or opt for a boat ride (at your own expense). Overnight near Kanas Lake.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Forestcare Designer Holiday Homestay Kanas
💸 Distance: 80 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 2 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Kanas – Three Bays – Colorful Beach – Urho
Route: Kanas – Three Bays – Colorful Beach – Urho
Details: After breakfast, explore the most beautiful section of the Kanas River – the Three Bays: Moon Bay (shaped like a crescent moon), Dragon Bay (with a sandbar resembling a dragon), and Fairy Bay (where morning mist creates an ethereal atmosphere). Then drive to Colorful Beach (Wucaitan), where surreal, multi-hued rock formations glow brilliantly against the winding Irtysh River. Continue your journey to Urho, arriving in the evening for your overnight stay.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Haitang Hotel Urho Karamay
💸 Distance: 370 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 6-7 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Urho – Ghost City – Jinghe County
Route: Urho – Ghost City – Jinghe County
Details: Depart Urho after breakfast and visit Wuerhe Ghost City, a vast desert landscape of wind-eroded rock formations that create an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere. This classic “Yadan” landscape – named for the Uyghur word meaning “steep bank” – features towering rock pillars, sculpted arches, and hollow gullies that produce haunting whistling sounds when the wind blows. After exploring this natural marvel, continue your drive to Jinghe County for your overnight stay.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Wanda Moments Hotel Jinghe
💸 Distance: 430 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 6-7 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Jinghe County – Ring Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Yining City
Route: Jinghe County – Ring Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Yining City
Details: After breakfast, drive to the breathtaking Sayram Lake, known as the “last tear of the Atlantic Ocean.” This high-altitude alpine lake (2,070 meters) receives its moisture from Atlantic currents that travel across Europe and Central Asia. Enjoy a full circle drive around the lake, stopping at scenic viewpoints to take photos and soak in the tranquility. Then stop at the viewing platform of Guozigou Bridge, one of China’s highest and most scenic bridges, spanning a dramatic gorge. Continue to Yining City, arriving in the late afternoon. In the evening, explore Liuxing Street (Six Star Street), a beautifully preserved hexagonal district with colorful Uyghur homes and gardens.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Rezen Hotel Yining Global Harbor Liuxing Street
💸 Distance: 380 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 7-8 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Yining – Aktas – Tekes Bagua City – Tekes
Route: Yining – Aktas – Tekes Bagua City – Tekes
Details: After breakfast, depart Yining and drive towards Tekes. En route, stop at Aktas, a scenic area known for its unique rock formations and expansive grasslands. Continue to Tekes Bagua City, a unique town designed in the shape of a Bagua (eight-diagram) pattern – a traditional Chinese compass layout. The city has no traffic lights due to its clever circular design. Explore the town’s eight main streets radiating from the central square. Overnight in Tekes.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Mehood Lestle Hotel Tekes Bagua City
💸 Distance: 180 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 4-5 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Tekes – Qiongkushitai – Wooden House Village Area – Back Mountain Cloud Grassland
Route: Tekes – Qiongkushitai – Wooden House Village Area – Back Mountain Cloud Grassland
Details: After breakfast, drive to Qiongkushitai, a hidden gem nestled in the Tianshan Mountains. Explore the Wooden House Village Area, a traditional settlement where local herders live in rustic wooden homes surrounded by pristine nature. Continue to Back Mountain Cloud Grassland, an elevated alpine meadow that often appears to float above the clouds. Enjoy sweeping views of the valleys below, dotted with grazing yaks and horses. Take a leisurely walk or horseback ride through the flower-strewn meadows. Overnight in Qiongkushitai.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Zhande Hotel Qiongkushitai
💸 Distance: 180 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 3.5-4 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Qiongkushitai – Kuldning – Xinyuan County
Route: Qiongkushitai – Kuldning – Xinyuan County
Details: After breakfast, drive towards Xinyuan County. En route, visit Kuldning, a beautiful alpine meadow known for its stunning wildflowers, mountain views, and pristine streams. The area is home to Kazakh herders who graze their livestock in the high pastures. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the lush grasslands and soak in the breathtaking scenery. After exploring, continue to Xinyuan County, a modern town serving as a gateway to the Nalati Grassland. Overnight in Xinyuan.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Days Hotel by Wyndham Xinyuan Nalati Airport
💸 Distance: 400 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 7-8 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Xinyuan County – Nalati Sky Grassland – Tangbula Ancient Road Front Mountain Area – Tangbula
Route: Xinyuan County – Nalati Sky Grassland – Tangbula Ancient Road Front Mountain Area – Tangbula
Details: After breakfast, drive to Nalati Sky Grassland, also known as Kongzhong Caoyuan. Perched at an elevation of over 2,000 meters, this vast alpine pasture seems to float above the surrounding valleys. Spend the morning exploring the sweeping grasslands dotted with white yurts and grazing horses. Then continue to the Tangbula Ancient Road Front Mountain Area, a scenic region along the historic Tangbula Ancient Road – an important passage on the ancient Silk Road. Enjoy the dramatic mountain landscapes before arriving in Tangbula for your overnight stay.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Taoli Mengkte Secluded Manor Tangbula
💸 Distance: 180 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 4-5 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Tangbula – Fairy Lake – Mengkte Ancient Road – Tangbula
Route: Tangbula – Fairy Lake – Mengkte Ancient Road – Tangbula
Details: After breakfast, take a day trip to Fairy Lake, a pristine alpine lake nestled in the Tianshan Mountains. The crystal-clear waters reflect the surrounding snow-capped peaks, creating a scene of serene beauty. Continue to the Mengkte Ancient Road, a historic passage that once connected the northern and southern Tianshan regions. Walk along sections of this ancient trail and imagine the Silk Road caravans that once traveled here. Return to Tangbula in the evening for your second overnight stay.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Taoli Mengkte Secluded Manor Tangbula
💸 Distance: 110 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 2-2.5 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Tangbula – Northern Section of Duku Highway – Urumqi
Route: Tangbula – Northern Section of Duku Highway – Urumqi
Details: After breakfast, begin your journey back to Urumqi. Today you will drive through the northern section of the famous Duku Highway, one of China’s most spectacular mountain roads, which winds through the heart of the Tianshan Mountains. The landscape changes dramatically along the way – from lush grasslands to barren canyons, from alpine meadows to snow-capped peaks. Enjoy breathtaking views at every turn. Continue your drive to Urumqi, arriving in the late afternoon or evening.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Atour Hotel Urumqi International Bazaar People’s Cinema
💸 Distance: 500 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 8-9 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14: Urumqi – Kuala Lumpur Airport Drop-off
Route: Urumqi – Kuala Lumpur airport drop-off service
Details: At the appointed time, you will be transferred to Urumqi Tianshan International Airport for your flight back to Kuala Lumpur. As you leave this vast and spectacular region, you’ll carry with you memories of turquoise alpine lakes, soaring mountain passes, lush grasslands, and the warm hospitality of the Kazakh, Tuva, and Uyghur people. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home – and hope to welcome you back to this fascinating region again soon.
🏠 Overnight hotel: Not included
💸 Distance: 20 km
🚗 Driving time (excluding sightseeing stops): 40 mins
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast (depending on flight time)