15D12N Northern Xinjiang Special

Destination Overview

DID YOU KNOW? Xinjiang shares a border with eight countries

Highlights

Accomodation

Itinerary

Day 1 - Singapore āœˆļø Beijing

  • Depart Singapore for your transit flight to Urumqi via Beijing

Day 2 - Beijing āœˆļø Urumqi šŸšŽ Koktokay (B/L/D)

  • Upon arrival in Urumqi, enjoy a simple breakfast
  • Wild Horse Ancient Ecological Park – located in Liyushan Park, it features petrified wood, iron meteorites, Przewalski’s horse, Ferghana horse, and more.
  • Transfer to Koktokay, check into hotel

Day 3 - Koktokay šŸšŽ Burqin (B/L/D)

  • Koktokay National Geopark – consists of Ertix Grand Canyon, Kekesuli Lake, Iremit Lake, and the Kalaxianger Earthquake Fault Zone
  • Kalaxianger Fault Zonea 176km-long relic from a magnitude-8 earthquake in 1931; called the world’s best-preserved earthquake site
  • Photostop View of Iremit Lake – a figure-8-shaped lake surrounded by lush mountains
  • Birch Forest a picturesque landscape with Kazakh villages and roaming horses
  • Divine Bell Mountain – a towering solitary peak by the Irtysh River, shrouded in legend
  • Photostop View of Kekesuli Lake – (scenic view) also called Wild Duck Lake, a bird sanctuary with reeds and floating islands.
  • Ertix Grand Canyon – deep canyon carved by the river, surrounded by peaks, forests, and Divine Bell Mountain – a spectacular sight in the Altai Mountains

Day 4 - Burqin šŸšŽ Hemu Village (B/L/D)​

  • Hemu Village – the largest and most remote Tuva ethnic village in China. Scenic wooden cottages amidst mountains and forests, ideal for photography and cultural immersion

Day 5 - Hemu Village šŸšŽ Kanas (B/L/D) ​

  • Kanas Lake Scenic Area a pristine glacial lake at 1,374m altitude. Surrounded by snowy peaks and forests, blending natural beauty and Tuva culture
  • Wolong Bay peaceful and mirror-like on one side, roaring on the other.
  • Moon Bay crescent-shaped bay with changing colors
  • Immortal Bayserene misty scenes at dawn among birch trees
  • Fish Viewing Pavilionhighest point with a panoramic view of the lake

Day 6 - Kanas šŸšŽ Burqin (B/L/D)

  • Colorful Beach (Five-Colored Beach) – unique riverbank landscape of vivid, multi-colored rock formations shaped by wind and water erosion
  • Burqin Riverbank Night Market – free and easy

Day 7 - Burqin šŸšŽ Karamay šŸšŽ Kuytun (B/L/D)

  • Urho Devil City (Ghost City) a surreal landscape shaped by wind erosion; eerie winds produce ghostly sounds
  • Hundred-Mile Oilfield – is a key petroleum hub in western China. View hundreds of ā€œnodding donkeyā€ oil pumps working tirelessly

Day 8 - Kuytun šŸšŽ Yining (B/L/D)

  • Sayram Lake – surrounded by mountains, a stunning alpine lake with mirror-like waters
  • Haixi Grassland – lush pastureland west of the lake
  • Genghis Khan’s Commanding Platform – site of a historical military encampment during the Mongol Westward Campaign in 1219
  • Guozigou Bridge – an engineering marvel with twin towers and double cable-stayed spans across a deep valley
  • Princess Jieyou Lavender Museum in Huocheng (pass through) – explore vast lavender fields, one of the world’s three major lavender-producing areas

Day 9 - Yining šŸšŽ Nalati (B/L/D)

  • Nalati Grasslandamong China’s top six grasslands. Rolling meadows, wildflowers, and alpine views
  • Nalati Aerial Grassland – a high-altitude meadow with yurts, wildflowers, and panoramic scenery
  • ā€œBeekeeper Girlā€ Spot – inspired by the song ā€œThe Shepherd of Koktokay,ā€ relive the romance and music of the steppes

Day 10 - Nalati šŸšŽ Dushanzi (B/L/D)

  • Northern section of the Duku Highway – a miracle of Chinese highway engineering connecting southern and northern Xinjiang
  • Stop at Qiaoerma Martyrs’ Cemetery, paying respects to 168 heroes who died building the highway
  • Tangbula Grassland Gallery – one of Ili’s most beautiful grasslands, with winding rivers, forests, and wildflowers. Especially vibrant in summer

Day 11 - Dushanzi šŸšŽ Urumqi (B/L/D)

  • Dushanzi Grand Canyon – majestic red canyons shaped like brush strokes from Chinese landscape painting
  • International Grand Bazaar – the largest bazaar in the world. Explore ethnic clothing, carpets, crafts, and Uyghur cuisine – a bustling Silk Road experience

Day 12 - Urumqi šŸšŽ Turpan (B/L/D)

  • Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) – a scenic alpine lake in the Tianshan Mountains
  • En route to Turpan, view Wind Power Station and Salt Lake
  • Gaochang Ancient City – a well-preserved ancient city site that played a key role in the Silk Road

Day 13 - Turpan šŸšŽ Urumqi (B/L/D)

  • Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves – 83 caves cut into cliffs during the late Northern and Southern Dynasties; 57 remain today with vivid murals
  • Flaming Mountains red sandstone mountains made famous by Journey to the West
  • Karez Well SystemĀ – ancient underground irrigation tunnels – an ingenious solution for desert agriculture

Day 14 - Urumqi āœˆļø Beijing āœˆļø Singapore (B/L)

  • Free time after breakfast. Enjoy lunch before transferring to the airport. Dinner is at your own expense at Beijing airport

Day 15 - Singapore

  • Land in Singapore

IK CHIN reserves the right to change, alter, cancel or amend any part of the itinerary due to weather & traffic conditions.

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