11-Day Northern Xinjiang Highlights with Autumn Foliage in Altay

Get ready for an exciting journey! Once you land at Urumqi airport, your adventure really begins! Today is your free day to explore Urumqi

After breakfast, our first stop is Heavenly Lake. In the summer, Heavenly Lake is an ideal cool resort. Boaters on it see the ever-changing silvery mountains soaring into the blue sky, their slopes highlighted with verdant pasture and flamboyant wildflowers. Fishing at dusk has its special charm. A day in this fairyland promises restoration. Heavenly Lake, a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offers science lovers opportunities. Later, we will start our journey and arrive in the Altay region at night.

Koktokay is a township with significant historical ties to both China and the Soviet Union, primarily due to its location near the world's largest mineral deposit of rare metals, known as Pit No. 3. In the morning, we will travel to Koktokay, which is home to one of the most beautiful national parks in China. This area is predominantly inhabited by Kazakhs, who have a rich nomadic culture deeply connected to the land. The Irtysh River flows through Koktokay, showcasing a vibrant array of colors throughout the seasons. In the late afternoon, we will drive to Fuhai and check into our hotel.

Contrary to its name, the "Sea Devil City" (海上魔⻤城) isn't by the ocean. It's a stunning and eerie wind-eroded geological park situated dramatically on the shores of Ulungur Lake (乌伦古湖), one of China's top ten freshwater lakes, in Fuhai County, Xinjiang. Nestled just 24 km north of Burqin Town (布尔津镇) in Xinjiang, the Rainbow Beach ( 五 彩 滩 ) is a stunning riverside geological park renowned for its vibrant, eroded cliffs and dramatic desert-meets-water scenery. It stands as one of northern Xinjiang's most photogenic natural wonders.

It takes 2 hours to drive to Kanas. Kanas Lake is located in Burqin County of the Altay Region, about 800 kilometers away from Urumqi. It is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Xinjiang and a world geological park recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In Mongolian, Kanas means gorgeous and mysterious. The Taiga forest, made up of Siberian larch and Siberian spruce in the Kanas Valley, is home to abundant wildlife. Its surrounding snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and birch forests have made it known as the "Switzerland of the East" and a "paradise for photographers". When exploring the area, visitors can visit ethnic minority families to learn about the natural history, culture, diet, religion, and customs of the region. The Kanas Valley is home to a large population of ethnic Tuvans and Kazakhs.

Hemu Village is located close to Kanas, deep in the Altay Mountains of Northern Xinjiang, and is the northernmost village in Western China. It is one of the three existing Tuva villages in China, along with Baihaba Village and Kanas Village, and the largest among them. The inhabitants are mainly Tuvas of Mongolian and Kazakh descent. The Tuvas are said to be descendants of soldiers who followed Genghis Khan on his Western expedition. They still use the rare Tuva language and make a living through traditional hunting and a nomadic lifestyle, preserving many old and authentic cultures.

After breakfast, we will head to the World Ghost City. Walk among the surreal Yadan landforms (wind-eroded rock formations). Take the scenic train get to best photo spots: Sunset colors enhance the desert landscape (if staying late). Note: Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat—strong sun & wind!

Nestled at an altitude of 2,070 meters in the Tianshan Mountains, near the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Sayram Lake—often referred to as the “Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains”—is one of Xinjiang's most breathtaking alpine lakes. The lake is home to migratory birds, including swans, as well as rare species like snow leopards. We have VIP access, which grants us a private car permit, allowing us to spend as much time as we want here for photography.

Today, we drive to Kazanqi, located in Yining (Ghulja) City, a vibrant historical neighborhood renowned for its rich blend of Uyghur, Kazakh, Russian, and Hui cultures. Once a hub for Central Asian traders along the ancient Silk Road, it preserves traditional architecture, handicrafts, and a lively atmosphere that offers a window into Xinjiang's multicultural heritage. We'll ride in a traditional horsedrawn carriage and enjoy tasty handmade local ice cream.

Today, we're trading highways for steel tracks—racing 5 hours across Xinjiang's wild heartland by train! From Yining's apple-scented valleys to Urumqi's desert-edge buzz, watch the drama unfold: snow-dusted peaks → emerald grasslands → rust-red canyons. All from a window seat, tea in hand.

Fly back home, and the trip ends.