Urumqi full-day tour: Heavenly Lake and Grand Bazaar

One day connects Xinjiang's highest alpine lake to the world's largest bazaar.

A full-day guided tour of Urumqi pairs Tianshan Heavenly Lake (a 1,910-meter alpine lake ringed by snow-capped peaks and spruce forest) with the International Grand Bazaar, where you walk market stalls of traditional handicrafts, carpets and dried fruits. The tour includes hotel pickup, a live guide in English or Chinese, breakfast, and a complimentary cliffside photoshoot at Keziliya Grand Canyon. Hotel accommodation for one night is provided. All other meals are at your own expense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Heavenly Lake and Grand Bazaar

• Visit Tianshan Heavenly Lake
• Stroll lakeside paths and enjoy scenery
• Take a boat ride on the lake
• Return to Urumqi city
• Explore International Grand Bazaar
• Shop local handicrafts and specialties
• Climb sightseeing tower for city views

The experience

The day starts at Tianshan Heavenly Lake, set in the Tianshan Mountains at an elevation of approximately 1,910 meters. The lake's emerald-blue waters reflect Bogda Peak and are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush spruce forests and rolling meadows. You can stroll along the lakeside paths, take a boat ride across the water, or simply stand and photograph the mountain scenery. The lake sits within the UNESCO-listed Xinjiang Tianshan World Heritage area and draws nature photographers and travelers seeking high-altitude alpine landscape.

In the afternoon, you return to Urumqi and enter the International Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest bazaars. The market blends traditional Uyghur architecture with modern shopping and entertainment, filling colorful stalls with local handicrafts, carpets, jewelry, dried fruits and spices. You can watch traditional music and dance performances, eat authentic Xinjiang cuisine, and climb the sightseeing tower for panoramic views of the city. The bazaar reflects the heritage of the ancient Silk Road and the region's diverse ethnic cultures.

A live guide in English or Chinese accompanies the group throughout the day. Transportation is provided in a 7-seater business van, and hotel pickup is included. Breakfast is provided by the hotel. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense. The tour also includes a complimentary cliffside photoshoot in knight-errant style at Keziliya Grand Canyon, and one night of hotel accommodation in a standard double room.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and transportation in a 7-seater business van.
• one night of hotel accommodation in a standard double room.
• breakfast.
• a live guide in English or Chinese.
• and a complimentary cliffside photoshoot in knight-errant style at Keziliya Grand Canyon.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (1 to 17 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Meicheng Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want both the alpine lake and bazaar in one day with commentary in English or Chinese: otherwise you'd need to book them separately.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 17 years).

What is Tianshan Heavenly Lake like when you arrive?

Tianshan Heavenly Lake sits at 1,910 meters elevation surrounded by snow-capped peaks, lush spruce forests and rolling mountain meadows. The emerald-blue water reflects Bogda Peak, and you can walk lakeside paths, take a boat ride or photograph the alpine scenery.

What does the International Grand Bazaar include beyond shopping?

The bazaar offers traditional music and dance performances, authentic Xinjiang cuisine, and a sightseeing tower with panoramic city views. The market stalls sell local handicrafts, carpets, jewelry, dried fruits and spices reflecting the ancient Silk Road heritage.

What meals and accommodation are included?

Breakfast is provided by the hotel for one night of accommodation in a standard double room. Lunch, dinner and all other meals are at your own expense, as are personal hotel expenses like laundry, drinks and pay TV.

What is the cliffside photoshoot at Keziliya Grand Canyon?

A complimentary knight-errant style photoshoot at Keziliya Grand Canyon is included with the tour at no extra cost.