Northern Xinjiang 8-Day Private Tour: Lakes & Nature

Alpine lakes, desert highways and mountain villages across eight days with your own driver.

An 8-day private tour of Xinjiang starting in Urumqi, covering Heavenly Lake, Kanas, Hemu Village, Sayram Lake and Nalati Grassland with 4-star hotel stays, private transport throughout, and a driver who stays with you the entire journey. The tour includes airport pickup and drop-off, entrance fees and travel insurance. Meals beyond breakfast are on your own. A guide speaks Chinese. Tips for the driver and guide are optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and free time in Urumqi

• Arrive at Urumqi International Airport
• Meet private driver and transfer to hotel
• Explore Urumqi on your own

Day 2: Heavenly Lake and desert highway drive

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Heavenly Lake (Tianshan Tianchi)
• Walk along the lake
• Optional boat ride on the lake
• Drive along S21 Desert Highway
• Arrive in Altay in the evening

Day 3: Explore Hemu Village

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Hemu Village
• Explore village on foot
• Visit local homes
• Enjoy sunset over village

Day 4: Kanas Lake exploration

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Kanas Lake
• Walk along the lake
• Visit Fish Pavilion viewpoint
• Admire forests and turquoise water

Day 5: Urho Devil City visit

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive along Duku Highway
• Explore Urho Devil City by shuttle
• Photo stops at viewpoints

Day 6: Sayram Lake scenic drive

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Sayram Lake
• Scenic drive around the lake
• Stop at viewpoints

Day 7: Urumqi Grand Bazaar visit

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Urumqi Grand Bazaar
• Shop local handicrafts
• Enjoy street food
• Watch Uyghur music and dance
• View city from sightseeing tower

Day 8: Departure from Urumqi

• Breakfast at hotel
• Free time in Urumqi
• Transfer to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport

The experience

You arrive at Urumqi International Airport and your private driver meets you at baggage claim, then transfers you to a 4-star hotel in the city center. The rest of day one is yours: the Xinjiang Regional Museum and the Grand Bazaar are both worth the walk if you have the energy after travel. From there, the route unfolds over seven days of driving and staying put: each night lands in a different town or village, each day builds on the last one geographically, so the journey has a shape instead of jumping around.

Day two takes you south to Heavenly Lake (Tianshan Tianchi), a sacred alpine lake ringed by snow-capped peaks where you walk the shoreline and can take a boat ride if you want it. Then the route crosses the S21 Desert Highway through the Gurbantünggüt Desert, sand dunes stretch for hours, before you reach Altay for the night. Day three heads to Hemu Village, a Tuvan settlement of wooden cabins in a valley surrounded by birch forests and mountains. You explore on foot and watch the sunset over the rooftops. Day four is Kanas Lake, one of Xinjiang's most famous natural wonders: a full day of walking the shoreline, visiting the Fish Pavilion for the panoramic view, and standing in front of the turquoise water and lush forest. Day five includes Urho Devil City, a yardang landscape of wind-carved rock formations that look like ancient castles and pagodas. You travel by sightseeing shuttle with multiple photo stops, and the site is famous as a filming location for Chinese blockbuster movies.

Day six circles Sayram Lake, Xinjiang's largest high-altitude lake and known as the Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains. The full-circle drive stops at the best viewpoints where the water changes color with the light, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and green meadows. Day seven brings you back to Urumqi and the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop for handmade carpets and silk scarves, eat Xinjiang street food like lamb skewers and fresh naan, and watch live Uyghur music and dance performances. The 80-meter sightseeing tower gives a panoramic view of the city. On day eight, after breakfast and free time, your driver takes you to the airport according to your flight schedule.

What’s included

• Private transport with a driver for all eight days.
• airport pickup and drop-off.
• seven nights in 4-star hotels (with one night in a traditional wooden cabin in Hemu Village).
• entrance fees to Heavenly Lake, Kanas, Urho Devil City, Sayram Lake and the Grand Bazaar.
• travel insurance.
• a guide who speaks Chinese (tips for the guide and driver are optional).

Options for this experience

2 options

Single SupplementGuide in Chinese · 08:00Single supplement, pickup is included

Private 8-day tour of Northern Xinjiang, hotels includedGuide in Chinese · 08:00Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideChinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lazy Donkey International Travel Agency

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private driver for eight days covering Xinjiang's major lakes and grasslands in one logical route, rather than piecing together separate day trips or hiring transport town-to-town.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 72 h before the start.

What is Heavenly Lake like when you get there?

Heavenly Lake (Tianshan Tianchi) is a sacred alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks at high altitude. You walk along the shoreline and have the option to take a boat ride across the water.

Do I need to arrange my own meals during the tour?

Breakfast is included at your hotel each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included, so you'll arrange and pay for those meals on your own throughout the eight days.

What kind of accommodation will I stay in?

You stay in 4-star hotels in Urumqi, Altay, Burqin, Kuitun and Jinghe. Hemu Village has traditional wooden cabin accommodation instead. All seven nights are included in the tour price.

Is the driver with me the entire time?

Yes, the same private driver stays with you for all eight days, providing transport between towns and to each attraction. The driver speaks Chinese.

What is Kanas Lake known for?

Kanas Lake is one of Xinjiang's most famous natural wonders, known for its crystal-clear turquoise water, lush surrounding forests, and dramatic mountain backdrop. You spend a full day walking the shoreline and visiting the Fish Pavilion for panoramic views.

Are entrance fees to the attractions included?

Yes, entrance fees to all attractions are included in the tour price, along with travel insurance and airport transfers.