Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi
Route: Airport → Hotel
Details: Upon arrival at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Atour Hotel Urumqi International Bazaar People’s Cinema. Take the rest of the day to settle in, rest, and adjust to the local time and climate.
🏨 Overnight: Atour Hotel Urumqi International Bazaar People’s Cinema
🚗 Distance: Approximately 25 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 40 minutes
🍽️ Meals: No meals included
Day 2: Urumqi to Beitun via Heavenly Lake, S21 Desert Highway and Karamay Desert Park
Route: Urumqi → Heavenly Lake → S21 Desert Highway → Karamay Desert Park → Beitun
Details: Depart Urumqi early morning and first visit Heavenly Lake for a few hours. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakeshore surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense pine forests. Then continue driving along the S21 Desert Highway across the vast Gurbantunggut Desert, experiencing the grandeur of the Gobi. Stop at Karamay Desert Park to enjoy the sand dunes and desert views. Arrive in Beitun city in the evening and stay overnight.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Beitun
🚗 Distance: Approximately 550 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 8 to 9 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Beitun to Hemu via Ahe Highway
Route: Beitun → Ahe Highway → Hemu Old Village → Bonfire Party → Hemu
Details: Travel along the scenic Ahe Highway to reach the remote village of Hemu. Wander the wooden boardwalks of Hemu Old Village and soak in the quiet charm of this traditional Tuvan settlement. In the evening, join a local bonfire party to experience Tuvan folk culture. Stay overnight at Yuling Courtyard Homestay Hemu.
🏨 Overnight: Yuling Courtyard Homestay Hemu
🚗 Distance: Approximately 240 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Hemu to Kanas Lake
Route: Hemu → Kanas Lake → Guanyutai (Fish Viewing Platform) → Kanas
Details: Leave Hemu early morning and head to Kanas Scenic Area. Take a leisurely walk along the shores of Kanas Lake, then hike up to the Guanyutai (Fish Viewing Platform) for a stunning panoramic view of the “Color-Changing Lake.” Check into Forestcare Designer Holiday Homestay Kanas in the evening, where you can enjoy the starry night sky.
🏨 Overnight: Forestcare Designer Holiday Homestay Kanas
🚗 Distance: Approximately 80 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 2 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Kanas to Urho via Three Bays and Colorful Beach
Route: Kanas → Three Bays → Colorful Beach → Urho
Details: Wake early to visit the famous Three Bays of Kanas: Shenxianwan (Immortal Bay), Yueliangwan (Moon Bay), and Wolongwan (Crouching Dragon Bay). The morning mist creates a magical, almost ethereal atmosphere. Continue to the Colorful Beach to see the striking contrast between the Yadan landforms and the Irtysh River. Arrive in Urho in the late afternoon and check into Haitang Hotel Urho Karamay. 
🏨 Overnight: Haitang Hotel Urho Karamay
🚗 Distance: Approximately 370 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 6 to 7 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Urho to Jinghe County via Ghost City
Route: Urho → Ghost City → Jinghe County
Details: Spend the morning exploring the iconic Urho Ghost City, a dramatic Yadan landform sculpted by wind erosion. Continue your journey to Jinghe County, arriving in the late afternoon. Check into Wanda Moments Hotel Jinghe for the night.
🏨 Overnight: Wanda Moments Hotel Jinghe
🚗 Distance: Approximately 430 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 6 to 7 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Jinghe County to Yining via Sayram Lake and Guozigou Bridge
Route: Jinghe County → Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yining City
Details: Set off early morning for Sayram Lake, known as the “Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains.” Drive the full ring road to admire its crystal-blue waters and wildflower meadows. Stop at the viewpoint for the spectacular Guozigou Bridge, an engineering marvel. Arrive in Yining in the evening and check into Rezen Hotel Yining Global Harbor Liuxing Street.
🏨 Overnight: Rezen Hotel Yining Global Harbor Liuxing Street
🚗 Distance: Approximately 380 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 7 to 8 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Yining to Tekes via Yizhao Highway and Kalajun Grassland
Route: Yining → Yizhao Highway → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes
Details: Depart Yining and travel along the scenic Yizhao Highway into the mountains. Arrive at Kalajun Grassland, famous for its rolling “body of a grassland” terrain and vast alpine meadows. Continue to Tekes, known as the “Bagua City,” and check into Mehood Lestie Hotel Tekes Bagua City. 
🏨 Overnight: Mehood Lestie Hotel Tekes Bagua City
🚗 Distance: Approximately 180 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Tekes to Nalati Sky Grassland
Route: Tekes → Nalati Sky Grassland → Nalati
Details: Head to Nalati, one of China’s most famous grasslands. Explore the Nalati Sky Grassland, where snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, and winding rivers create a postcard-perfect scene. Stay overnight at a hotel in the Nalati area.
🏨 Overnight: Hotel in Nalati area
🚗 Distance: Approximately 250 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Nalati to Urumqi via Duku Highway (North Section)
Route: Nalati → Qiaoerma → Duku Highway (North Section) → Urumqi
Details: Travel along the famous Duku Highway (North Section). Admire the ever-changing scenery of snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, experiencing the famous “four seasons in one day” phenomenon. Pass through Qiaoerma and enjoy the dramatic mountain landscapes. Arrive in Urumqi in the evening and stay overnight. 
🏨 Overnight: Atour Hotel Urumqi International Bazaar People’s Cinema
🚗 Distance: Approximately 500 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 8 to 9 hours
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Departure from Urumqi
Route: Hotel → Urumqi Airport
Details: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport for your departure flight. Your unforgettable journey through Northern Xinjiang concludes here. 
🏨 Overnight: Not applicable (departure day)
🚗 Distance: Approximately 25 km
⏱️ Driving time: Approximately 40 minutes
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast (depending on flight time)
