10-Day Northern Xinjiang Expedition
10-Day Northern Xinjiang Expedition
Wild Landscapes · Nomadic Trails · Photography Adventure
Primary keywords included: Northern Xinjiang tour / Xinjiang expedition / Kanas Lake tour / Hemu Village tour / Xinjiang photography tour / 4x4 adventure / Sayram Lake
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Trip Overview
The 10-Day Northern Xinjiang Expedition is an immersive adventure designed for active travelers, photographers, and nature lovers who want more than a standard sightseeing tour.
Travel deep into China’s wild northwest—Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Karajun Grasslands, Devil’s City—combining day hikes, horseback riding, lakeside cycling, photography sessions, and 4x4 overland travel across dramatic landscapes.
Starting / Ending City: Urumqi
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Group Size: Max 12 travelers
Trip Style: Small-Group Adventure
Physical Level: Moderate – Challenging
Best Season: Mid-June – September
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Why Travel With Us — Key Highlights
• 🚶 Active Discovery Focus
Not just sightseeing. Includes day hiking, horseback riding, lakeside cycling, and curated sunrise/sunset sessions.
• 📸 Photography-Friendly Expedition
Led by a guide who understands light, composition & timing, ensuring you’re in the right place at the right moment.
• 🚙 True Overland Access via 4x4
Reach remote valleys and grassland ridges with experienced local 4x4 drivers.
• 🏡 Authentic Local Stays
Sleep in Tuva wooden cabins, pastoral guesthouses, eco-lodges—feel the culture, not just observe it.
• 🌄 Off-The-Beaten-Path Geography
Explore the wild highlands of Altay, the sapphire waters of Sayram, and rolling green Karajun landscapes.
Ideal For: photographers, hikers, overlanders, nature travelers, small groups & outdoor lovers.
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Detailed Itinerary (Day-by-Day)
Day 1 — Urumqi → Burqin (via S21 Desert Highway)
Meet your group and guide in Urumqi. Drive north across the Gurbantünggüt Desert on the S21—one of China’s most impressive modern desert highways.
Arrive in Burqin, gateway to the Altay Mountains.
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Day 2 — Kanas Lake Nature Reserve Hiking
Enter the legendary Kanas Lake Nature Reserve. Enjoy leisurely hiking on boardwalk trails to view Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Dragon Bay, surrounded by Siberian taiga forest.
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Day 3 — Fish-Watching Pavilion Panorama → Hemu Village
Ascend to Fish-Watching Pavilion (Guanyutai) for a full panoramic view of the serpentine lake.
Transfer to Hemu Village, a wooden alpine settlement home to the Tuva ethnic group.
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Day 4 — Hemu Sunrise Photography & Horseback Riding
Optional early wake-up for sunrise mist photography—a world-famous phenomenon in Hemu.
Later, enjoy a guided horseback ride through golden birch forest and along the Hemu River.
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Day 5 — Scenic Drive → Urho Devil’s City Sunset
Drive south through vast empty landscapes to Urho Devil’s City (Yardang Geopark).
Photograph dramatic sunset light across wind-carved rock formations.
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Day 6 — Sayram Lake Cycling / Hiking
Arrive at Sayram Lake, known as “the last tear of the Atlantic.”
Cycle or walk along clear alpine waters backed by snowy Tian Shan peaks.
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Day 7 — Lavender Fields (Seasonal) → Qiongkushitai Village
In late June/July, visit Huocheng Lavender Fields (“China’s Provence”).
Continue to the hidden pastoral valley of Qiongkushitai, rich with nomadic culture.
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Day 8 — Alpine Horse Trek & Picnic
Full-day horseback trek into high alpine meadows and pristine lakes.
Picnic lunch with panoramic views of untouched valleys (weather-dependent).
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Day 9 — Karajun Grasslands Hiking
Explore the rolling curves of the Karajun Grasslands, famous for soft “human body” contours.
Short hikes to ridgeline viewpoints and village meadows.
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Day 10 — Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway → Urumqi (Trip Ends)
Drive along the legendary Duku Highway, one of China’s most scenic mountain roads.
Arrive in Urumqi in the afternoon—end of expedition.
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Included Services
• Accommodation (9 nights)
• Private 4x4 vehicle transport
• English-speaking expedition guide
• Photography guidance throughout
• Horseback riding experiences (Hemu & Qiongkushitai)
• Bicycle experience at Sayram Lake
• Entrance fees & permits
• Daily breakfast + selected dinners
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Not Included
• International / domestic flights to Urumqi
• Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
• Personal gear (trekking poles, hiking shoes, etc.)
• Tips & personal expenses
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Who This Trip Suits
Recommended For:
✔ Active travelers & hikers
✔ Landscape photographers
✔ Small private groups
✔ Culture & nature explorers
Not Ideal For:
✘ Low-activity travelers
✘ Passengers seeking luxury hotels every night
✘ Large coach tour expectations
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Best Travel Time & Seasonal Notes
• June – July: wildflowers, lavender fields, green grasslands
• August: warm weather & stable outdoor photography
• September: golden birch forests in Hemu & Kanas
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FAQs
Q: How difficult is this tour?
A: Moderate to challenging. Expect 4–6 hours of activity per day with uneven terrain.
Q: What accommodations should I expect?
A: A mix of hotels, Tuva wooden cabins, eco-lodges, and mountain guesthouses.
Q: What photography experience is needed?
A: None. All skill levels welcome.
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Ready to Join the Expedition? 👉 Huatu Travel
Request availability / pricing or inquire about private group departures.
