Northern Xinjiang
Alpine lakes, flower-filled grasslands and one of the world's great mountain roads.
Highlights of Northern Xinjiang
Xinjiang is China's largest region, about three times the size of France. The north is a land of snowy peaks, nomad pastures and lakes so blue they look unreal. Plan at least a week.
Sayram Lake
A vast, deep-blue alpine lake ringed by snow peaks. In June and July the shore is covered in wildflowers.
Kanas Lake and Hemu
A forest lake near the borders of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia, and Hemu, a village of Tuvan log cabins.
Nalati and Bayinbuluk
Rolling summer pastures with Kazakh yurts, and the famous winding river that glows at sunset.
Duku Highway
A 560 km road over the Tianshan mountains, open roughly June to October, passing glaciers, canyons and grassland in a single day.
Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)
A mountain lake below Bogda Peak, an easy day trip from Urumqi.
Kanas in autumn
From mid to late September the forests turn gold, the most photographed season of the year.
How to spend 7–10 days in Northern Xinjiang
A balanced first visit. Your advisor adjusts it to your pace and interests.
- Days 1–2
Arrive in Urumqi. Day trip to Tianchi, evening at the Grand Bazaar.
- Days 3–4
Fly or drive north to Kanas Lake and Hemu village.
- Days 5–6
Drive to Sayram Lake, overnight by the shore.
- Days 7–8
Nalati grassland and Bayinbuluk at sunset.
- Days 9–10
Cross the Tianshan on the Duku Highway, fly home from Urumqi or Kuqa.
Local food
- PoloRice pilaf cooked with lamb, carrots and raisins in a giant iron pot.
- LaghmanHand-pulled noodles topped with lamb, peppers and tomato.
- Lamb kebabsGrilled over charcoal with cumin and chilli, sold on every street.
- NangRound flatbread baked in a clay oven, in dozens of shapes and sizes.
Local favourites
- Urumqi Grand BazaarDried fruit, nuts, knives and carpets, and the best place to try local yoghurt.
- Kazakh yurt staySpend a night with a herding family in the summer pastures.
Connections
| To / from | By | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Flight to Urumqi | about 4 hours |
| Shanghai | Flight to Urumqi | about 5 hours |
| Kashgar | Flight from Urumqi | about 2 hours |
Times are typical and vary by service.
Tips from our guides
- Distances are huge. A private car and experienced driver is by far the best way to travel.
- Official time is Beijing time, but locals often use Xinjiang time, two hours behind. Always check which one a schedule uses.
- Carry your passport at all times. There are frequent security checkpoints on the roads.
- Even in summer, mountain nights are cold. Pack a warm jacket.
Nearby and nicely paired
2–3 daysXi'an
Capital of 13 dynasties, home of the Terracotta Army and one of China's great food cities.
2–3 daysKashgar
A Silk Road oasis city of bazaars, mosques and Uyghur culture, closer to Kabul than to Beijing.
2–3 daysDunhuang
Buddhist cave art from the Silk Road, and a crescent-shaped lake among towering dunes.
Add Northern Xinjiang to your China trip
Tell us when you'd like to travel and what you love. Your advisor sends a free day-by-day plan within 24 hours.