Classic Xinjiang Tour: Sayram Lake, Narat and Duku Adventure

Drive to Sayram Lake (560kms)

After breakfast, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Urumqi, then we will drive to
Sayram Lake
—known as “the last tear of the Atlantic”. It is the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. We will stroll around the lake and enjoy the blooming wildflowers and the beautiful grasslands surrounding it.

Traffic:
Car (560kms)

Hotel:
Overnight in Sayram Lake

Meals:
Breakfast

Altitude:
2070m

Visit Guozigou Bridge then Drive to Zhaosu (330kms)

Today is a wonderful day. You will see the
Guozigou Bridge
, the largest and most important bridge in Xinjiang. Along the way, you’ll encounter many scenic bends and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Guozigou Valley—the most beautiful valley in Northern Xinjiang.

Afterwards, we’ll continue our tour to Zhaosu, a county under the administration of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, covering

Drive to Tekes, Enjoy the ingenious Kalajun Prairie (70kms)

This morning, we will drive to Tekes, where your journey begins at the breathtaking
Kalajun Prairie
—a place as poetic and picturesque as a painting. The prairie is dotted with numerous springs, making it an ideal gathering place for local herders to trade goods and celebrate cultural traditions. “Kalajun” in Kazakh means “dark wilderness”, and for generations, the people here have maintained a s

Drive to Naraty, Visit Naraty Grassland (280kms)

After breakfast, we will drive to Nalati and visit the breathtaking
Nalati Grassland
. As one of the world’s four largest sub-alpine meadow grasslands, this famous pasture has been renowned since ancient times for its stunning landscapes and rich Kazakh folk culture.

You’ll have a full day to explore and immerse yourself in the beauty of this magnificent grassland.

Traffic:
Car (280kms)

H

Drive along the Road of Dudu to Kuitun (350kms)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before we embark on our tour along the
Duku Highway
——one of China’s most challenging and spectacular mountain roads, winding through the heart of the Tianshan Mountains.

Later, we’ll drive to Kuitun where you’ll check in to your hotel for the evening.

Traffic:
Car (350kms)

Hotel:
Overnight in Kuitun

Meals:
Breakfast

Altitude:
486m

Duku

Drive to Shanshan and visit Kumtag Desert (530kms)

After breakfast, your adventure begins as we drive to Shanshan to visit the remarkable
Kumtag Desert
. This extreme landscape experiences dramatic temperature swings, from freezing nights to scorching daytime heat. You’ll witness the striking contrast between the desert’s golden sand dunes and the Gobi’s lunar-like gravel plains, a stark difference from the lush green valleys 500km to the south w

Drive to Turpan, Explore Flaming Mountains and Karez Well (100kms)

After breakfast, we’ll drive to
Turpan
where today’s adventure begins at the legendary
Flaming Mountains
——China’s hottest location, where temperatures frequently soar to 50°C (122°F) or higher. Here you’ll discover connections to the classic “Journey to the West” tale and relax in the shade of the Grape Valley’s famous trellises. Next, we’ll visit the remarkable
Karez Well
system, an ancient