Day 1 — Urumqi • S101 Danxia Highway • Kensiwate Reservoir • Jinghe
Distance / Time: Approx. 500 km / 7 hrs driving
Altitude: 800–1,300 m
Accommodation: Jinghe
Leave Urumqi and begin your Xinjiang adventure along the spectacular S101 Danxia Highway. Discover colorful Jurassic red rock formations, winding valleys, and one of Xinjiang’s most underrated scenic roads before stopping at the emerald waters of Kensiwate Reservoir.
Highlights: S101 Danxia Highway • Kensiwate Reservoir • Scenic Road Trip
Day 2 — Sayram Lake • Guozigou Valley • Yining
Distance / Time: Approx. 280 km / 5 hrs driving
Altitude: 2,000–2,100 m
Accommodation: Yining
Circle the breathtaking Sayram Lake, known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic,” before continuing through the spectacular Guozigou Valley, famous for its dramatic bridge, forests, snow-capped mountains, and alpine scenery.
Highlights: Sayram Lake • Guozigou Bridge • Alpine Landscapes
Day 3 — Yizhao Highway • Zhaosu • Heavenly Horses
Distance / Time: Approx. 120 km / 3 hrs driving
Altitude: 2,000–2,400 m
Accommodation: Zhaosu
Drive one of Xinjiang’s most beautiful seasonal mountain roads, the Yizhao Highway, crossing alpine meadows and mountain passes before arriving in Zhaosu to witness the famous Heavenly Horses returning across the river at sunset.
Highlights: Yizhao Highway • Heavenly Horses • Nomadic Landscapes
Day 4 — Kalajun Grassland • Tekes
Distance / Time: Approx. 120 km / 2.5 hrs driving
Altitude: 2,000–2,500 m
Accommodation: Tekes
Spend the day exploring Kalajun Grassland, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape featuring rolling meadows, deep river canyons, wildflowers, and panoramic viewpoints before arriving in the unique Eight-Trigram town of Tekes.
Highlights: Kalajun Grassland • UNESCO Landscape • Tekes
Day 5 — Qiaxi Forest Park • Xinyuan
Distance / Time: Approx. 260 km / 4 hrs driving
Altitude: 1,800–2,000 m
Accommodation: Xinyuan
Explore Qiaxi Forest Park, where snow mountains, spruce forests, rivers, and open grasslands create one of Xinjiang’s most peaceful hidden landscapes before continuing to Xinyuan.
Highlights: Qiaxi Forest Park • Alpine Forest • Scenic Valley
Day 6 — Nalati Grassland
Distance / Time: Approx. 70 km / 1.5 hrs driving
Altitude: 2,000–2,500 m
Accommodation: Nalati
Spend a full day exploring Nalati Grassland, one of Xinjiang’s most famous alpine meadows. Discover rolling hills, grazing horses, nomadic settlements, and panoramic mountain scenery with opportunities for hiking or optional horseback riding.
Highlights: Nalati Grassland • Nomadic Culture • Horse Riding
Day 7 — Duku Highway • Bayinbuluke
Distance / Time: Approx. 90 km / 2 hrs driving
Altitude: 2,500 m
Accommodation: Bayinbuluke
Drive the central section of the legendary Duku Highway before arriving at Bayinbuluke Grassland. Visit Swan Lake and wait for sunset over the famous Nine Bends of the Kaidu River.
Highlights: Duku Highway • Bayinbuluke Grassland • Sunset
Day 8 — Northern Duku Highway • Urumqi
Distance / Time: Approx. 380 km / 7 hrs driving
Altitude: 500–3,300 m
Accommodation: Urumqi
Continue along the northern section of the Duku Highway, crossing spectacular mountain passes, forests, and valleys before returning to Urumqi.
Highlights: Duku Highway • Snow Mountains • Mountain Passes
Day 9–10 — Burqin • Kanas Lake
Distance / Time: Approx. 650 km / 8 hrs driving + sightseeing
Altitude: 1,300–1,500 m
Accommodation: Kanas
Travel north into the Altai Mountains and spend two days exploring the breathtaking Kanas National Park. Discover crystal-clear alpine lakes, dense forests, scenic boardwalks, and panoramic viewpoints surrounded by untouched wilderness.
Highlights: Kanas Lake • Altai Mountains • Alpine Forests
Day 11 — Hemu Village
Distance / Time: Scenic transfer
Altitude: Approx. 1,100 m
Accommodation: Hemu Village
Visit Hemu Village, one of China’s most beautiful wooden villages, home to the Tuvan people. Wander through traditional log houses, riverside meadows, and peaceful mountain landscapes.
Highlights: Hemu Village • Tuvan Culture • Wooden Village
Day 12 — Burqin
Distance / Time: Approx. 180 km / 3 hrs driving
Accommodation: Burqin
Leave the Altai Mountains and return to Burqin, enjoying scenic landscapes and opportunities to experience local markets and regional cuisine.
Highlights: Altai Landscapes • Burqin Town
Day 13 — Keketuohai National Geopark
Distance / Time: Approx. 430 km / 6 hrs driving
Accommodation: Keketuohai
Explore Keketuohai National Geopark, famous for dramatic granite peaks, river valleys, colorful forests, and fascinating geological formations before your final night in northern Xinjiang.
Highlights: Keketuohai National Geopark • Granite Mountains • River Valleys
Day 14 — Return to Urumqi • Departure
Distance / Time: Approx. 500 km / 6 hrs driving
Accommodation: Not Included
Return to Urumqi and transfer to the airport, concluding your unforgettable journey across Northern Xinjiang’s lakes, forests, grasslands, and scenic highways.
Highlights: Northern Xinjiang Scenic Journey Complete
