Grassland, alpine lakes and snow ranges north of the Tianshan
Highlights
- From Urumqi through Fuyun and Burqin into the heart of Kanas, then south to Sayram Lake and the Ili valley. Altitudes stay moderate throughout — a comfortable choice for families travelling with older relatives.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1：Arrive in Urumqi
- Route：Urumqi Diwopu Airport pickup
- Stay：Urumqi
- Meals：None
- Altitude：800m
- Notes：Private transfer to hotel
Day 2：Tianshan Tianchi
- Route：Urumqi → Heavenly Lake → return
- Stay：Urumqi
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1900m
Day 3：North to Fuyun
- Route：Urumqi → Wucaiwan → Fuyun
- Stay：Fuyun
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：800m
- Notes：Longest drive, with rest stops
Day 4：Koktokay
- Route：Fuyun → Koktokay National Geopark
- Stay：Fuyun
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1200m
Day 5：On to Burqin
- Route：Fuyun → Burqin → Wucaitan sunset
- Stay：Burqin
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：500m
Day 6：Kanas
- Route：Burqin → Kanas scenic area
- Stay：Inside Kanas
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1400m
- Notes：In-park lodging must be locked in early
Day 7：Hemu village
- Route：Kanas → Hemu → viewing platform
- Stay：Hemu
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：1300m
- Notes：Morning mist from the platform
Day 8：South to Sayram
- Route：Hemu → Burqin → Karamay
- Stay：Karamay
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：400m
Day 9：Sayram Lake
- Route：Karamay → Sayram Lake circuit
- Stay：Sayram lakeside
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：2070m
Day 10：Departure
- Route：Sayram → Urumqi airport drop-off
- Stay：—
- Meals：Breakfast
- Altitude：—
Key info
- Max altitude：approx. 2,000 m
- Longest drive：approx. 450 km (day 3)
- Fitness：Easy. 2–4 km walking per day, mostly on level boardwalks inside scenic areas
- Hotels：Licensed accommodation throughout. In peak season we lock rooms 20 days ahead and phone-confirm remote properties individually.
- Vehicle：Licensed commercial vehicle — 7 / 9 / 15 seats matched to group size — with a driver who knows the roads.
- Guide：Certified guide throughout, able to communicate in both Chinese and English.
Included / Not included
Included
- Licensed vehicle and driver throughout
- Certified guide fees
- First-entry tickets to listed scenic areas
- Accommodation with breakfast
- Travel accident insurance
Not included
- International and domestic flights to Urumqi
- Meals not listed
- Personal expenses
- Document and permit fees
Cancellation policy
- Full refund for cancellations more than 30 days before departure; 15–30 days incurs costs already paid out; within 7 days handled case by case. Terms are confirmed in writing before travel.
Documents
- Valid passport and entry documents
- No border zones on this route — standard documents suffice