10D9N XINJIANG: PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPES

Upon your arrival at the Urumqi International Airport, your friendly driverguide will greet you and start the tour. Urumqi, the world’s most inland city and Asia’s geographical center, blends diverse cultures and stunning landscapes—from glaciers and mountains to Tianchi Lake. Its people are bold and generous, especially over drinks, where sincerity is everything. And don’t miss the sweet grapes, Hami melons, and rich ethnic cuisine!
● Yeme Cultural Park - It is the largest breeding, reproduction, and equestrian base in China, housing over a hundred horse breeds from around the world, including Akhal-Teke, draft horses, ponies, Przewalski's wild horses, and more. Visitors can explore the stables at their own pace and purchase carrots to feed the horses during their visit
Accommodation: Wanda Vista, Mercure, Atour or Quanji Hotel or similar

Turpan was once a major hub along the ancient Silk Road and an important center in the Western Regions. Swedish archaeologist Gunnar Jarring referred to it as "the richest open-air archaeological museum in the world." This mysterious city features remnants of human ingenuity, from the ancient city of Jiaohe to the ruins of Gaochang, as well as the Karez irrigation system and the Flaming Mountains. Despite its small area, Turpan blends various religions and ethnic cultures For adventure seekers, it offers excellent opportunities, with multiple ancient trails in the Tianshan Mountains waiting to be explored.
● Karez - The Karez system represents the spirit of the people of Turpan, symbolizing their hard work and wisdom. It is a hallmark of the region. Throughout its long historical development, the Karez has become an important cultural heritage of Turpan's water culture, serving as a milestone in the history of human civilization.
● The Flaming Mountain - The Flaming Mountains, known as "Kizil Tag" in Uighur, meaning "Red Mountain," were named "Huoshan" (Fire Mountain) by the Tang people due to their intense heat. During the peak of summer, the reddish brown mountain surface sparkles under the scorching sun, with sandstone glowing brightly and hot air swirling upwards, resembling roaring flames and tongues of fire reaching into the sky, hence the name Flaming Mountains.
● Kumtag Desert - Located in Shanshan County, Turpan City, it is the only desert in the world connected to a city, earning it the title of "Desert in the City.

Accommodation: Quanji Hotel, Turpan Quanji Hotel or Mercure Hotel or similar

● Tianchi Lake - A crescent-shaped alpine lake beneath Bogda Peak, known as "Yaochi" since ancient times. Its jade-like waters reflect snowy peaks and lush forests, creating a fairy-tale scene. Best visited in late afternoon when the lake shimmers in gradients of emerald and blue.

Accommodation: Wanda Vista, Mercure, Atour or Quanji Hotel or similar

● Anjihai Grand Canyon - Carved by river erosion on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, this canyon features steep vertical drops and breathtaking views. Its vast network of ravines and layered cliffs creates a magnificent and expansive landscape
● Shihezi Baron Balboa Winery - The winery's architecture is primarily designed in the 19th century French classical style, while its gardens blend French elegance with the cultural influences of Western China, wine traditions, and the history of Changyu. As a modern large-scale winery, it integrates grape cultivation, wine production and sales, cultural promotion, and tourism.

Accommodation: Atour Hotel or Quanji Hotel or similar

Yining City, located in the northwest of Xinjiang, is the capital of the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. It is close to the Horgos, Dulata, and Muzart border ports and has historically served as a vital transportation hub and trading center between inland China and Central and West Asia. Yining is a crucial point for east-west transportation and is the largest border city in western China. It is also an important logistics center and industrial hub within the Ili River Valley. Additionally, the city features approximately ten thousand acres of orchards, and during the blooming and fruit harvest seasons, a delightful fragrance fills the air, earning it the titles of "Flower City" and "Poplar City."
● Sayram lake - is a provincial-level tourist attraction and the fifth batch of national scenicspot in China. It is known as the last place in Xinjiang favored by the warm, humid air currents from the Atlantic Ocean, earning it the nickname "the last tear of the Atlantic."
● Guozhigou Bridge - The Guozigou Grand Bridge is famously known as "the first scenic spot of Ili." Ancient poets praised its beauty, stating, "The wonders of the mountains and waters rival those of Guilin, while the peculiar rock formations surpass those of Yanshan." When traveling from Urumqi to Yining, Guozigou is an essential route.

Accommodation: Atour Hotel or Tianyuan International Hotel or similar

Tekes County is situated in the northwestern part of Xinjiang, in the eastern section of the Tekes River Valley along the upper reaches of the Ili River. The county town of Tekes is the only well-preserved and formally structured Bagua city (Eight Trigrams City) in China. It was awarded the "Guinness World Records" title for being the "largest Bagua city in the world." In 2008, it was designated as a National Famous Historical and Cultural City by the State Council, being part of the fourth group of cities to receive this recognition. Tekes not only epitomizes the culture of the I Ching but also served as a heartland of the Wusun culture.。
● Kazanqi - Located in Yining City, Xinjiang, the Kazan Folk Culture Tourism Area is the only large-scale original ecological cultural attraction in Northern Xinjiang that primarily showcases Uyghur traditions. It serves as a window to Yining's urban identity and a vivid portrayal of ethnic culture. Blending the profound Uyghur heritage of Southern Xinjiang with the unique local customs of Northern Xinjiang, it offers a rich cultural experience.
● Yizhao Highway - The Yizi Highway is a picturesque scenic route where you can almost reach out and touch the clouds overhead. It features majestic, perpetually snow-capped mountains and vast surrounding grasslands teeming with cattle and sheep. There are also alpine meadows, snow-capped peaks, lush forests, expansive grasslands, and babbling streams… Every view offers breathtaking scenery.

Accommodation: Tekes Hengtong International Hotel or similar

As the sun first rises and kisses the grassland with its rays, the ancestors of the herders gave this land a poetic name: Narati, meaning "the place that first sees the sun.
● Nalati Grassland - It is one of the world's four largest alpine valley grasslands, featuring blue skies, white clouds, glaciers, snow-capped peaks, forests, grasslands, canyons, and rivers. It is the most densely populated grassland for Kazakh communities globally and was recognized by the Shanghai Guinness World Records as the "grassland with the most Kazakh population" and the “grassland with the most Kazakh yurts." This area serves as an "open-air museum" showcasing the traditional lifestyle of the Kazakh people.
● The First Kazakh Village - The origins of the Kazakh people are complex. It is generally believed that they were primarily formed through the fusion of various ancient groups, including the Wusun, Kangju, Alans (Yancai), the Saka people from the Central Asian steppes, the Yuezhi, and later, the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Rouran, Turks,Tiele, Khitan, Mongols, and other ethnic groups that migrated into the region.

Accommodation:Nalati Lingshang Cloud Residence Homestay or similar

● The Hundred-Mile Gallery - Surrounded by mountains and vast grasslands, the area features rushing rivers and magnificent scenery along the way. It is not only a paradise for photographers but also an ideal destination for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities and connecting with nature. Here, you can immerse yourself in the rich culture of the grasslands. Endless meadows are adorned with unique wildflowers, small animals, and birds native to the prairie. Visitors can also witness the daily lives and customs of the herders, while the distinctive traditional Mongolian clothing and cuisine offer an unforgettable experience.
● Duku Highway - The Duku Highway winds like a giant dragon resting atop the Tianshan Mountains. At the southern end of the highway, visitors can admire the spectacular Kizilia Mountain Landscape Area, where the majestic red rock formations create a breathtaking sight. Not far from there, the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Scenic Area also astonishes travelers with its perilously winding and secluded paths. Additionally, within the canyon lies the A’ai Grotto, a Buddhist cave carved during the Tang Dynasty, which houses exquisite murals. This area has now become an authoritative outdoor filming location.

Accomodation: Atour Hotel or Quanji Hotel or similar

● Urumqi Grand Bazaar - Located in Tianshan District, Urumqi, this is the largest bazaar in China and the most concentrated and well-preserved showcase of Uyghur culture. Its most iconic landmark is the Silk Road Sightseeing Tower at the center of the plaza, where each floor features paintings and exhibitions narrating the history of the Silk Road. Inside the bazaar, visitors can find an overwhelming variety of Xinjiang specialty foods and handicrafts. Combining Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, entertainment, and dining, it serves as a central hub and display center for Xinjiang’s tourism industry.

Accommodation: Wanda Vista, Mercure, Atour or Quanji Hotel or similar