The south and north Xinjiang 18 days tour

Welcome to Urumqi! We will meet you at the airport and stay in Urumqi hotel overnight.

After breakfast, drive 1.5 hours to Heavenly Lake (national 5A scenic spot, famous summer resort). Take shuttle bus to scenic spot, then battery car to lakeside. After visiting, have lunch and return to Urumqi. Overnight in Urumqi.

Drive to Turpan ("Fire State"), passing beautiful salt lake and wind power station. Visit Tuyoq Village (oldest Uygur village in Xinjiang) located in Flaming Mountain Canyon. Lunch in ancient village, then visit Jiaohe Ancient Ruins (UNESCO World Heritage site).

Visit Karez Well underground irrigation system (one of China's three great ancient projects with Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and Great Wall). See Su Gong Pagoda (built 1778) and adjacent mosque (largest in Turpan). Return to Urumqi for overnight.

Drive 4 hours via S21 desert road to Burjin. Visit Colorful Bay scenic spot to see Yadan landscape and source of Irtysh River (only river flowing into Arctic Ocean). Evening visit Russian-style folk night market for local cuisine and crafts.

Drive to Kanas scenic area. Take shuttle bus to visit Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Yaze Lake, and Kanas Lake (deepest freshwater lake in Xinjiang, 188m deep). Optional cruise or Tuva family visit. Hike 1068 steps to Fish Viewing Pavilion for panoramic views. Overnight in Jiadengyu village.

Drive 2 hours to Hemu scenic area. Take local shuttle through birch forests along Irtysh River. Hemu Village ("God's Private Land") surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rivers, forests. Photography opportunities. Stay in original log cabin, enjoy starry night sky.

Drive to Ulhe Ghost Town ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" filming site). See spectacular Yadan landforms shaped like ancient castles, elephants, peacocks, lions, human figurines. Overnight in Ulho or Karamay.

Drive to Sayram Lake ("Last Tear of Atlantic Ocean"). 5-hour lake tour. Pass magnificent Guozigou Bridge. Overnight in Qingshuihe Town.

Drive to Yining City. Visit Kazanqi Folk Street and Liuxing Street to experience Xinjiang ethnic culture. Overnight in Yining.

Drive to Narati scenic area. Visit "Sky Prairie" in Tianshan Mountains, known as "Outside the Yangtze River." Overnight in Narati Town.

Drive via southern Duku Highway, enjoying canyons, high mountains, snow peaks. Visit Large and Small Dragon Lakes. Arrive Kuqa for overnight.

Visit Wensu County Tomur Grand Canyon ("King of Canyons" in Tianshan Tomur World Natural Heritage). See largest red layer canyon with highest aesthetic value. Drive to Aksu for overnight.

Drive to Kashgar along Taklimakan Desert edge. Overnight in Kashgar.

Drive along Karakoram Mountains to Taxkorgan County. Visit White Sand Lake with blue waters and snow-white sand. See Muztag Glacier Park. Overnight in Taxkorgan.

Visit Golden Grassland and Stone Fortress. Explore Karakul Lake at foot of Muztag Peak ("Father of Glaciers"). See Tajk ethnic herders. Return to Kashgar for overnight.

See Kashgar Ancient City opening ceremony. Visit Khan Bazaar, Oil Painting Street. Enjoy tea at century-old teahouse with folk music. See Id Kah Mosque (Xinjiang's largest mosque) and Xiangfei Garden (tomb of Qianlong's concubine). Evening night tour of Kashgar Ancient City.

Our guide and driver will transfer you to airport for your flight. Your 18-day Xinjiang tour ends. Have a good trip and see you next time!