12 Days Northern Xinjiang Tour With Duku Highway

Day 2

Urumqi - S101 Scenic Road-Duashazi 5hrs driving

Visit sites: Travel along the stunning Scenic Road to explore a vast region filled with canyons, dunes, and snow-capped steppes. You can experience all four seasons in a single day.

Accommodation: Xigema International Hotel

Day 3

Dushanzi - Sayram Lake 4hrs driving

Visit sites: Travel to Sayram Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in China, also known as “The Last Tear of the Atlantic.” Every year, it attracts tourists from around the globe. Tonight, we will settle into a ger at the Sayram Camping site for our stay.

Accommodation: Salim Lake Spruce Resort

Day 4

Sayram Lake - Huocheng 2hrs driving - Yining 3hrs driving

Visit sites: Enjoy a morning tour of the Huocheng Lavender Farm, where the group can admire a vast field of vibrant lavender. Along the way, we will cross the Guozigou Bridge, known as the most beautiful bridge in Xinjiang.

In the afternoon, the tour will take us to Kazanqi Folk Village, the only large-scale ecological cultural scenic spot in northern Xinjiang that showcases Uyghur customs. During our visit, we can enjoy local ice cream, explore traditional Uyghur houses, and stroll through the characteristic blue houses that will remind you of Chefchaouen.

Accommodation: Yining Runchang Hotel

Day 5

Yining - Kalajun Prairie - Kuksu Canyon 2.5hrs driving - Tekes 50 mins driving

Visit sites: After breakfast, we will head directly to Kalajun Prairie. The name “Kalajun” means “vast black grassland” in Kazakh. Along the grassland, we will be able to reach the edge of Kalajun Canyon, which was once rated as the most beautiful three-dimensional grassland in China by China National Geographic magazine. We can also take a cable car ride to Kuoksu Canyon. Tonight, we will return to Tekes.

Accommodation: Tekes Ougede Hotel

Day 6

Tekes - Xiata 2hrs driving - Zhaosu Wetland Park 1hr driving - Tekes 1.5hrs driving

Visit sites: After breakfast, we will head to Xiata Scenic Park, which features an ancient road connecting the northern and southern sides of the Tianshan Mountains. This road was considered the most dangerous route on the ancient Silk Road. According to local legend, princesses from the Qin and Han Dynasties, as well as Xuanzang, traveled this path, adding an air of mystery to the area. On our way back, we will visit Zhaosu Wetland Park, where you can see the spectacular Tianma Bathing River. The Ili horses can be seen galloping through the river, creating a truly breathtaking sight!

Accommodation: Tekes Ougede Hotel

Day 7

Tekes - Qiongku Shitai 2.5hrs driving

Visit sites: Qiongku Shitai is a small village situated at the edge of the Ili River Valley. The natural scenery in this area remains pristine and largely untouched by human activities. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it serves as the gateway to the Wusun Ancient Road and is a significant stop on the Silk Road. Most of the houses in the village are constructed of wood. Predominantly inhabited by Kazakhs, it is a pastoral village with rich historical significance and strong authenticity. Due to the exceptional preservation of its wooden building complex, Qiongku Shitai is recognized as a “Famous Historical and Cultural Village in China.”

Accommodation: Qiongku Shitai Yunzhen Gudao

Day 9

Nalati Prairie

Visit sites: After breakfast, our first stop will be Nalati Prairie. Nalati has been a famous pasture since ancient times, featuring flat river valleys, high mountain peaks, deep gorges, lush forests, and vast grasslands. This stunning landscape, combined with local Kazakh folk customs, has transformed Nalati into a popular tourist destination, offering sightseeing, scientific exploration, leisure activities, summer vacations, and opportunities for souvenir shopping. You’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of this prairie. Depending on the timing, you can also enjoy optional activities like horseback riding, hiking, and photography.

Accommodation: Nalati Wansen Resort

Day 10

Nalati - Duku Highway - Dushanzi 6-7hrs driving

Visit sites: Today, the group will drive to Dushanzi via the Duku Highway. This highway connects Southern and Northern Xinjiang and is considered a landmark in the history of highway construction in China. The Duku Highway is known as one of the best road trips in China due to its breathtaking landscapes. It also serves as a national defense highway, running from Dushanzi to Kuqa.

Every year, from mid-June to mid-September, this charming road attracts numerous travelers who navigate through the mountains. The Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway is one of the most unique and challenging routes, spanning 561 kilometers. It traverses steep mountains and passes through various peaks, valleys, and diverse ethnic communities. However, it is only open for three months each year.

Accommodation: Dushanzi Xigema Hotel

Day 11

Duzhanzi - Urumqi 3hrs driving

Visit sites: After breakfast today, we will head to Dushanzi Grand Canyon. Recognized as a 4A-level tourist attraction and described as a "billion-year wonder of the unique realm" by China National Geographic magazine, the Dushanzi Grand Canyon is among the top 100 most stunning photography locations in Xinjiang. This popular scenic spot offers a combination of geological landscapes and interactive experiences for visitors and serves as the starting point for one of China's most beautiful self-driving routes, the Duku Highway.

After our time at the canyon, we will return to Urumqi. Following lunch, we will visit the International Bazaar, which is the largest bazaar in the world in terms of scale. It blends Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, tourism, and entertainment, making it one of the most famous landmarks in Xinjiang.

Accommodation: Urumqi Hantang Hotel