Northern Xinjiang Odyssey: Urumqi, Altai & Ili Valley

12 Day Journey Across Northern Xinjiang’s Changing Seasons

This trip will be co-hosted by Yasmin.

A 12-day private overland journey across Northern Xinjiang's most complete landscape circuit, from desert highways and Gobi basins to alpine lakes, glacier-fed forests, and the vast grasslands of the Ili Valley.

Departing in early September, this route captures Northern Xinjiang in its most dynamic seasonal transition: the last stretch of summer across the Ili grasslands, and the first wave of golden autumn emerging in the Altai forests of Kanas and Hemu.

This is a continuous cross-regional expedition designed around movement through landscapes rather than isolated sightseeing stops, combining long scenic drives, immersive nature stays, and direct access to core scenic zones.

Travel is conducted in private expedition vehicles with reclining, single-sofa-style seating, ensuring maximum comfort throughout extended driving segments.

Accommodation includes carefully selected 4-star hotels in cities and premium scenic wooden lodges inside Hemu and Kanas, allowing travelers to stay directly within the natural environment during the most scenic segments of the journey.

The standard tour price is based on twin-share accommodation in standard double or twin rooms. Solo travelers will be paired with another traveler of the same sex. For travelers who prefer not to share a room, single occupancy is available via a private room upgrade.

Friends traveling together may request to be roomed together at the time of booking. Couples should indicate during booking if they require a shared double bed configuration (one double bed instead of twin beds), which will be arranged accordingly.

Pre-tour accommodation in Urumqi can be arranged upon request for travelers who plan on arriving before the official start date of the tour. This is recommended for those flying in from international destinations or seeking additional rest and acclimatization before the journey begins, with stays arranged at the same hotel used for the start of the tour to ensure a seamless and convenient arrival experience.

Post-tour accommodation in Urumqi can likewise be arranged for travelers wishing to remain in the city after the tour concludes. This allows for a relaxed extension of the journey, with the same hotel available for continued stay to ensure consistency, comfort, and ease of onward travel arrangements. For travelers seeking a more comprehensive exploration of Xinjiang, this journey can also be combined with our Southern Xinjiang Expedition, offering a complete journey through the region's contrasting landscapes, from the alpine lakes and grasslands of the north to the desert oases and Silk Road heritage of the south, for the ultimate Xinjiang experience.

Guests who book both our Northern and Southern Xinjiang tours will receive a complimentary benefit for their journey between Urumqi and Kashgar. If you take the overnight sleeper train, your train ticket will be covered. If you choose to fly, you may do so at your own expense, and we will provide a free night at our hotel in Kashgar.

While flying is faster, we believe the classic Chinese sleeper train is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives. Settle into your berth, watch the landscapes of Xinjiang roll by, and wake up the next morning in the legendary Kashgar, the historic gateway between China and Central Asia.

Tour Highlights

Urumqi and the Desert Frontier

The journey begins in Urumqi, the gateway to Northern Xinjiang, before crossing the S21 Desert Highway into the vast expanse of the Junggar Basin. The landscape quickly shifts into open desert, where long horizons, shifting dunes, and empty roads set the tone for the expedition’s sense of scale and remoteness.

Altai Mountains: Hemu & Kanas

In the Altai Mountains, the route enters a world of forested valleys, alpine rivers, and wooden villages. Hemu sits quietly beneath birch forests and morning mist, while Kanas Lake reveals glacier-fed waters and deep valleys beginning their early autumn transformation. It is a landscape defined by silence, light, and seasonal change.

Ili Valley & Duku Highway

The Ili Valley opens into vast grasslands and alpine lakes at Sayram Lake, where snow peaks reflect on still water and the landscape stretches endlessly in all directions. Deeper into Kurdening and Nalati, forests and meadows define the rhythm of nomadic life, before the journey concludes on the Northern Duku Highway—where grassland, forest, snow, and canyon compress into a single continuous drive.

Sunday, September 14 – Arrival in Urumqi

Afternoon

• Arrive at your own convenience into Urumqi (URC), the capital of Xinjiang and starting point of the expedition.
• Your driver will be waiting for you at arrivals holding your name sign.
• Transfer directly to hotel for check-in.
• After settling in, we will hold our pre-tour meeting at 4:00PM, where you will meet your Tianxia tour leader and fellow travelers.
• We then head out together to the Grand Bazaar, learning about life in the region as we check out spice markets, dried fruit stalls, naan ovens, street grills, immersing ourselves into the city's vibrant life and culture.
• Dinner tonight will be at a traditional Uygur restaurant, accompanied by live music and dance, offering your first taste of the rich cultural traditions of Xinjiang.
• Keep an eye out for any street food you're tempted by but can’t quite fit in. When we return to Urumqi at the end of the journey, you'll have the chance to explore freely at your own pace!
• Overnight in Urumqi. Sleep well, because half of Xinjiang's beauty is on the road, so you'll want to be awake for tomorrow's road trip!

Monday, September 15 – Urumqi to Altay: Crossing the Desert Frontier

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We say goodbye to Urumqi and begin our journey northward into the vast landscapes of the Junggar Basin. Today marks the first major transition of the expedition as we enter the S21 Desert Highway, a newly built corridor that cuts directly through the Gurbantünggüt Desert.
• As we leave the city behind, the environment shifts rapidly into open desert plains, where sand dunes stretch to the horizon and vegetation becomes increasingly sparse. We'll stop along the way for desert road photography, capturing the vast, lonely grandeur of China's Northwest.
• Lunch will be taken at a roadside stop en route, featuring local northern Xinjiang dishes like big-plate chicken and hand-grabbed mutton.

Afternoon

• We arrive at the Karamay Desert Park, deep in the heart of the desert. Here we will soak in the stark beauty of dunes against a brilliant blue sky, and experience the surreal silence. If you wish, you can take a short desert walk, feeling your feet sink into the soft desert sand.
• As we continue towards Altay, we will stop by Ulungur Lake, where turquoise water meets desert sand in a striking "half-lake, half-desert" scene, a truly unique scene worthy of desktop wallpapers.
• By late afternoon, we arrive in Altay City, a quiet frontier town surrounded by mountains and rivers that mark the gateway to Northern Xinjiang's forested regions.
• After check-in, we will enjoy a hearty northern Xinjiang dinner at a local restaurant.
• The remainder of the evening is free for rest or light exploration of the city's riverside areas.
• Overnight in Altay.

Tuesday, September 16 – Altay to Hemu: Into the Ahe Scenic Corridor

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• We then depart Altay set off on the Ahe Scenic Highway, considered to be one of the most beautiful mountain routes in Northern Xinjiang. The road winds through snow-capped peaks, dense spruce forests, alpine meadows, and rushing streams like a
• Along the way, we make multiple stops for photography as the scenery unfolds in layers, with snow peaks in the distance, wooden villages in valleys, and grazing livestock scattered across open fields.
• Lunch will be a simple but satisfying meal at a roadside stop along the highway.

Afternoon

• By afternoon, we arrive in Hemu Village, a remote wooden settlement located deep within the Altai Mountains.
• Here, you will check into your log cabin and explore the village at your own pace as the sunset paints the village in soft, golden hues.
• Dinner tonight will once again consist of local delicacies.
• The remainder of the day is dedicated to slow immersion: walking along the Hemu River, exploring the wooden boardwalks, and observing the quiet rhythm of life in one of China's most picturesque rural landscapes.
• Overnight in Hemu.

Wednesday, September 17 – Hemu Sunrise & Kanas Lake

• We will rise early and walk to the Hemu sunrise viewpoint, where morning mist rises from the valley and wraps around the village, causing the houses to appear and vanish as the stream murmurs below. Dress warmly, because it will be cold!
• After viewing the epic sunrise, we return to our lodge for breakfast.
• Your modeling career begins today! A professional photographer will guide us through birch forests by the Hemu River. As we move through the quiet alpine landscapes, we'll capture a series of cinematic shots with layered light filtering through the trees, reflections along the river, and wide mountain backdrops that turn the entire valley into a natural studio.
• After our forest exploration and photo session, we return to the village for lunch before heading to our next destination: Kanas Lake.

Afternoon

• By midday we arrive at Kanas Lake, a glacier-fed alpine lake surrounded by dense forests and mountain valleys. Often referred to as China's "Garden of Eden," the lake's surface shifts in color throughout the day, influenced by wind, light, and sediment movement from the surrounding glaciers.
• We spend the afternoon exploring the lakeside area and nearby viewpoints, where forested slopes and water reflections create a layered alpine landscape unlike anywhere else in China.
• We will have dinner near Kanas lake.
• In the evening, we settle into our scenic accommodation near the Kanas region.
• Overnight in Kanas.

Thursday, September 18 – Kanas Three Bays & Burqin

Morning

• Breakfast
• We then head to the Three Bays of Kanas: Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Shenxian Bay. These river bends are known for their dramatic morning fog, where mist drifts slowly across the water and forests, revealing and concealing the landscape in shifting layers of light.
• We walk along wooden boardwalks through each bay area, observing how the river's geometry changes with elevation and light conditions.
• Lunch will be enjoyed in the Kanas scenic area.

Afternoon

• After lunch at the Three Bays, we depart Kanas and begin our descent toward Burqin. Along the way, the landscape gradually opens from dense forest into semi-desert terrain and river valleys.
• By late afternoon we arrive at Five-Colored Beach, one of the most distinctive geological formations in Northern Xinjiang. Here, layered cliffs of red, yellow, purple, and gray tones meet the flowing Irtysh River, creating a dramatic contrast that becomes especially vivid during sunset.
• We continue onward to Burqin.
• Tonight is yours to explore. Whether you're in the mood for fresh Burin pike perch, Dingding Chaomian, or Xinjiang-style minced meat pilaf, your guide will provide recommendations and help point you in the right direction.
• Overnight in Burqin.

Friday, September 19 – "Devil City" to Dushanzi

Morning

• Breakfast before departing Burqin and entering the desert.
• The landscape becomes increasingly arid as we approach "Devil City," a vast yardang formation shaped by millennia of wind erosion.
• At "Devil City," we explore the surreal rock formations either on foot or via the scenic train route, moving through canyon-like corridors formed entirely by natural wind sculpting.
• Lunch will be enjoyed near the scenic area.

Afternoon

• We continue southward across desert and steppe landscapes toward Dushanzi. The journey today is defined by long, open horizons and minimal human presence, emphasizing the scale of Northern Xinjiang's interior geography.
• Dinner is served.
• By evening we arrive in Dushanzi and check into our hotel.
• Overnight in Dushanzi.

Saturday, September 20 – Sayram Lake

Morning

• Breakfast before entering the Ili Valley region and arriving at Sayram Lake, one of the largest alpine lakes in Xinjiang. Known for its deep blue water and surrounding snow peaks, the lake sits at high altitude and offers some of the clearest water reflections in the region.
• As always, stay awake for the ride, because the scenery is part of the experience.
• Lunch will be served along the way.

Afternoon

• Time is spent along the lakeside for photography, walking, and optional leisure activities depending on conditions. The lake’s color shifts throughout the day, transitioning from icy blue to deep turquoise under changing light.
• As evening approaches, we settle into accommodation near the lake entrance area.
• Dinner will be served at Sayram Lake.
• Overnight at Sayram Lake.

Sunday, September 21 – Sayram to Yining: Through the Ili Valley

Morning

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• After breakfast, we continue exploring Sayram Lake before sailing on the lake (weather permitting). As our boat cuts through the emerald water, snow mountains rise in the distance, and the cool breeze carries the pure scent of the lake.
• Lunch will be served at a restaurant near the lake.

Afternoon

• We leave Sayram and stop by the spectacular Guozigou Bridge. Framed by snow peaks, forests, and grasslands, the sight is a picture perfect marriage of engineering and nature.
• We then continue on to Yining, the capital of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture.
• After checking into our hotel, we explore Liuxing Street, a charming neighborhood known for its slow pace, colorful walls, and Kazakh music drifting from cafes.
• With countless restaurants, cafes, and bakeries, Liuxing Street is one of the best places in Northern Xinjiang to wander and discover a meal on your own. Your guide will provide recommendations based on your interests and appetite. Whatever you choose to enjoy, be sure to wash it all down with a glass of kvass!
• Overnight in Yining.

Monday, September 22 – Kurdening Forest and Xinyuan

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Today's adventure begins with a drive to Kuerdening Forest, China's most beautiful Schrenk's spruce reserve. As we enter directly into the forest, you'll feel like you've entered a green wonderland with towering spruces piercing the sky and sunlight filtering through branches onto a soft carpet of pine needles. A small stream gurgles alongside the road as birds sing, and the air is so fresh and fragrant you'll want to bottle it!
• During our drive, we'll exit our vehicle to walk the forest boardwalks and stop at viewpoints where we can soak in the snow peaks in the distance overlooking the spruce forest below.
• We then break for lunch at a restaurant near the scenic area.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we continue on towards Xinyuan County. Along the way, we'll see grasslands turning greener, yurts sending up cooking smoke, and herds grazing peacefully.
• We check into our hotel then explore the area.
• Your guide will be happy to share recommendations for local restaurants and regional specialties, giving you the chance to enjoy a relaxed evening and experience the town as local residents do.
• Overnight in Xinyuan.

Tuesday, September 23 – Yining to Nalati: Into the Heavenly Grasslands

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel.
• We begin our day with a short drive to the Nalati Grasslands, one of Xinjiang's most famous pastoral scenes. Specifically, we will explore the Sky Grassland (high-altitude meadow) and the River Valley Grassland. In September, the grasslands are still green, with wildflowers, yurts, yaks, and sheep dotting the landscape.
• Lunch will be served near this scenic area. Grassland mutton and wild mushroom noodles are must-try local delicacies!

Afternoon

• After lunch, we visit a Kazakh family, where we step into the rhythm of daily herder life on the northern Xinjiang grasslands. Here, we'll learn how to make naan, pick up a few basic Kazakh phrases, and try our hand at traditional leather craftsmanship. Our hosts will welcome us with milk tea and seasonal fruits, and share songs and dances passed down through generations.
• We then continue onwards to Nalati Town.
• After checking into our hotel, we head to dinner as a group.
• Overnight in Nalati Town.

Wednesday, September 24 – Nalati to Urumqi: The Northern Duku Highway Crossing

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel.
• As we part ways with Nalati, we go on the legendary Duku Highway (G217). This highway is considered to be China's most beautiful, with a route that famously offers "four seasons in one day:" grasslands, forests, snow mountains, and deserts all in just a few hours.
• We pass through Gongnais Forest Farm, where lush meadows meet dense spruce, then climb over the Chahan Nur Pass with snow all around us as if we've suddenly entered winter. After descending, we enter the desert. Our driver will stop at the best spots for photos along the way. (Note: If the Duku Highway is closed due to weather or seasonal restrictions, we will take the Tianshan Victory Tunnel route back to Urumqi and won't stop at the Dushanzi Grand Canyon).
• Lunch will be at a local restaurant along the highway where we refuel with some hot noodles or rice.

Afternoon

• We make a brief stop at the Dushanzi Grand Canyon, where we take in the striking layers of multicolored rock revealed by the deep fissures, an exposed cross section of the region’s dramatic geological history.
• We arrive back to Urumqi by late evening and check into our hotel.
• The evening is free for independent exploration in Urumqi. By now, the group will have formed natural connections, making this a great opportunity to head out in smaller groups, explore local eateries, and enjoy Urumqi's nightlife together. Your guide will be happy to share recommendations.
• For those with energy, tonight is an opportunity to gather with your Tianxia tour leader over drinks and celebrate the end of an unforgettable journey and the friendships formed along the way. At the same time, it's a chance to step into Urumqi's nightlife scene and see how the city's younger generation spends its evenings!
• Overnight in Urumqi.

Thursday, September 25 – Departure from Urumqi

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Your northern Xinjiang journey comes to an end. You'll have free time until your departure – perhaps a last-minute souvenir hunt or one final taste of street food. When ready, your driver will transfer you to Urumqi Tianshan International Airport or the train station based on your flight/train schedule.
• It's often said that no visit to Xinjiang is complete without a stop in Kashgar. With daily trains and flights connecting Urumqi and Kashgar, we highly recommend stopping by this historic Silk Road city before heading home. For those looking for a deeper exploration of Xinjiang, with landscapes and cultural rhythms that differ significantly from the north, consider joining our Southern Xinjiang Expedition, which begins the very next day.
  • Guests booking both our Northern and Southern Xinjiang tours may choose one complimentary benefit:
    • An overnight sleeper train ticket from Urumqi to Kashgar, or
    • One night's hotel accommodation in Kashgar.