Dokku Highway North Xinjiang 9 Days｜Khanas-Holmu-Serimu Lake-Xinjiang CITS Travel

Upon arrival in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, our driver will wait for you at the exit of the airport with a sign, and the car will be used exclusively for your transportation, so that you can be safely sent to the hotel at the first time. This city at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains has been a major town on the Silk Road since ancient times, and is also the farthest city in the world from the ocean.

Upon arrival, it is recommended to adjust to the time difference and slowly get used to the rhythm of Xinjiang. As night falls, you may choose to go to the street food stalls or tea houses on your own to feel the fireworks of the city.

➤ Urumqi

• The name means "beautiful pasture" and it is a modern city with a multiethnic culture.

• In the city, there are famous attractions such as Red Mountain Park, Xinjiang Museum, and the International Grand Bazaar.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• There is a big temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang, so bring a thin jacket with you.

• When you first arrive in Xinjiang, avoid overexertion and a greasy diet, and take plenty of rest and hydration.

Depart for Tianshan Tianchi, the lake is as clear as a mirror, reflecting snowy peaks and spruce, the scenery is like a fairyland. Stroll along the wooden trestle along the lakeshore to enjoy the lake and mountains from a close distance. Walk on the S21 Desert Highway, the "most lonely highway" that runs straight through the boundless Gobi. The yellow sand outside the car window is filled with sand. Occasionally, you can see camel herds and windmill arrays, which is bleak and magnificent.

Finally arrive at the [Devil City on the Sea], due to the low-lying terrain, perennial gales, wind erosion and rainwater carved out the strange Yardang landforms. From a distance, it looks like an isolated island in the sea, but from a closer look, it looks like a fortress or a palace, with different shapes and forms. Under the light of the setting sun, the whole landscape is dyed golden red, the wind whistles as if from the ancient whispers. Overnight stay in Beitun.

➤ Tianshan Tianchi, volcanic lake in XinJiang

• Legend has it that the Queen Mother of the West once hosted a banquet here. The lake is crystal clear and surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

➤ S21 Desert Highway

• China's loneliest highway leads straight to the sky.

• Suitable for shooting the stunning "Car and Road Stretch" scene.

➤ Devil's Town on the Sea

• It is named after the peculiar landform that resembles an island standing on the sea.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• Today is a long day, so it is recommended to bring snacks, water and sun protection.

• It is windy and dry in Devil's Town, so please bring sunglasses, a windproof jacket and a mask.

Go to [Wo Mu Village], passing through snowy mountains, forests and river valleys, the scenery is just like a picture scroll unfolding. Upon arrival, climb up to the "Wo Mu Observation Deck", overlooking the village of wooden houses, which looks like a fairy tale world when the morning mist is spreading. In the afternoon, you are free to stroll around the village, where green stone paths wind through the village, wooden bridges cross the streams, and smoke rises from the rooftops of the houses. The Tuva people here have lived with nature for generations, singing long-lasting pastoral songs, showing the purest and simplest alpine pastoral life. In the evening, the setting sun will fall on the wooden houses, and the warm light and shadow will make the whole village especially charming.

➤ Woosu village (Tibetan: Mtsho), capital of Gobi province of Tibet (Chinese: Wo mu)

• It is honored as "God's Own Land", one of the most beautiful mountain villages in China.

• The chalet is situated on the mountain and the water, and the scenery varies from season to season.

➤ Harima Observation Deck

• The best place to see the whole village, and the view is especially dreamy in the morning mist and at sunset.

➤ Tuvalu Culture

• It has a unique language and music and is considered to be a descendant of Genghis Khan.

• You can experience Tuvan horse riding or taste traditional milk tea.

📸 Shooting Suggestions

• The village's wooden bridges and streams are popular tourist spots.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• Wormwood is at a high altitude and there is a big difference in temperature between day and night, so please prepare warm clothes.

• The village is characterized by wooden trestles and rocky paths, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.

After breakfast, you will enter the Kanas Scenic Area and visit the Three Bays and the Fish Observatory along the way:

• Gulf of ImmortalityIn "Morning", the lake is foggy, the shadows of trees and reflections are intertwined like a dream, it's like a wonderland.

• Moon BayThe lake is curved like a crescent moon, and the colors change with the light; it is brightest in the afternoon.

• Wolong BayThe sandbar in the lake looks like a giant dragon crouching, the lake is green and clear, and the atmosphere is quiet and remote.

• ObservatoryClimbing up the wooden trestle to the high point, you can see the snowy peaks, forests and lakes as far as the eye can see, and it is also the best spot to see the legendary "Lake Monster".

In the evening, we will arrive in Burzum and visit the Riverbank Night Market, where we will taste the local delicacies such as grilled fish and hand-held meat in the brightly lit atmosphere.

➤ KanasThe lake is known as the "Switzerland of the East", and the legend of the lake monster adds to the mystery.
➤ Gulf of ImmortalityThe morning mist is a must-see for photographers.
➤ Moon Bay: The crescent-shaped bend of the lake, with its blue and green coloring, is extremely iconic.
➤ Wolong Bay: The sandbar in the lake is shaped like a giant dragon, and the scenery is quiet.
➤ Observatory: The best panoramic viewpoint, with a panoramic view of the lake and mountains.
➤ Riverbank Night Market: The center of the nightlife in Brussels, with great food and great atmosphere.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• Climbing up to the Fish Observation Deck requires a certain amount of physical strength, so you may choose to go up at your own expense. Please bring water with you and wear comfortable shoes.

• The night market is crowded, so please take good care of your belongings.

To Altay Airport, take the Inland Flight: Altay → BoleThe journey will take you across the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains, avoiding the fatigue of long-distance traveling. If the weather is clear, it is recommended to choose a window seat to see the snowy peaks and grasslands from the sky, experiencing the unique "Silk Road in the Sky".

After arriving in Boluo, drive to the Sailimu Lake, where the water is as clear as a jewel, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and the blue and white colors are intertwined into a dreamy picture scroll. In the summer, the grassland is full of flowers, cattle and sheep, the scenery is like an oil painting. At dusk, the lake reflects the golden light of the setting sun, which is the best time for photography. Arrive at Yining in the evening.

➤ Inland flights

• Save time on traveling and easily cross the northern border to Ili.

• Aerial views of the snowy ridges and rolling valleys of the Tianshan Mountains.

➤ Lake Salimu in northwest Iran, a tributary of the Tibetan Plateau of Dalai Lamas

• Known as the "last tear of the Atlantic Ocean", the scenery varies throughout the four seasons, with wildflowers filling the lakeside meadows in summer, resembling a highland garden.

➤ Irene.

• In the city of flowers, European-style neighborhoods and multi-ethnic cultures merge.

• Food Recommendation: Ining yogurt, baked buns, hand-held meat.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• It is windy and cool around the lake, so please prepare a windproof jacket.

• The trip involves airplanes and long-distance travel, so please keep fit and hydrated.

Visit Six Star Street, where the streets radiate out in a radial pattern and European-style buildings stand in abundance, making you feel like you are in a foreign country as you stroll through the streets. Cafes, dessert stores and small specialty stores are hidden in the street, which is a good place to feel the flavor of Ining.

In summer (mid-June - early July and mid-August - early September), you can walk into the Lavender Garden, where the sea of purple flowers sway in the wind, and the distant mountains and fields of flowers reflect each other, just like a replica of Provence.

In the afternoon, you will go to "Nalati Grassland", known as "Grassland in the Sky", with open terrain and meandering river valleys. The meadows are filled with sheep and cows, and the pastoral songs are heard loudly, showing the typical pastoral scene of the Tianshan Mountains.

➤ Sixth Star Street

• The European-style small town atmosphere and radial neighborhoods are the landmarks of Yining.

• Ideal for photographing street architecture and exotic locales.

➤ Lavender Garden(Seasonal)

• China's largest lavender planting area, full of purple romantic mountains.

➤ Nalat grasslands

• One of the world's four major alpine grasslands, it is famous for its high terrain and misty clouds, and is known as the "Grassland in the Sky". In summer, the meadows are as green as a carpet, with snow-capped mountains, blue sky, cows and sheep, and wildflowers forming a beautiful picture. Since ancient times, this area has been a place of migration for Silk Road herders, and today you can still hear the melodious pastoral songs and see the felt houses of nomadic families.

  Our tour group chose the grasslands of Nalati.

  • The highlight of Nalati is the high altitude viewing platform overlooking the Ili River Valley.

  • In summer, wildflowers bloom with colorful colors, and it is known as "the most beautiful air garden in Ili".

  • Ideal for taking a scenic drive or hiking up to the top for panoramic shots.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• Lavender blooms are limited, and you will be staying on Sixth Star Street more often out of season.

• The grassland has strong sunshine, so please prepare sunscreen and sunglasses.

• There is a big difference in temperature between day and night in the grassland, so pay attention to layering.

After breakfast, we will depart from Nalati, bid farewell to the Yili grassland scenery along the way, and formally embark on China's most scenic highway, the Dukou Highway. This 500-kilometer-long legendary road links grasslands, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, canyons, and deserts, and has been called a "breathing geography museum". Along the way, the scenery changes constantly, with the four seasons taking turns in just one day.

Arrive in the afternoon [Dushanzi Grand Canyon], the canyon stretches for dozens of kilometers, reddish-brown rock walls overlapping layers, wind erosion and rain shaped like a knife and axe lines. Climbed the observation deck overlooking, the canyon is like a crack in the earth, imposing. Under the setting sun, the rock wall is glowing with golden-red light, which is magnificent. In the evening, check in to your hotel in Dushanzi.

➤ Dokku Highway

• A paradise for self-drivers, it is known as a "breathing geography museum".

• The journey crosses grasslands, snow-capped mountains, glaciers and deserts, and the scenery is ever-changing.

➤ Dushanzi Grand Canyon

• The canyon is tens of kilometers long and the red rock faults are magnificent.

• Sunset is the best time to take photos with the most colorful layers.

📸 Shooting Suggestions

• Highway: Straight avenues and distant snow-capped peaks make for a great photo opportunity for people and cars.

• Canyon: Wide-angle framing in the evening captures the atmosphere, while telephoto lenses highlight the details of the rock face.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• The Dokuro Highway is open only in summer (June-October).

• Today's drive will be long, so it is advisable to prepare snacks and water.

• The terrain along the edge of the canyon is complex, so please be careful when taking photos.

Drive back to Urumqi and visit the International Grand Bazaar in the afternoon, which is the largest bazaar in Xinjiang, integrating silk, jade, dried fruits, spices and handicrafts. In the bustling atmosphere, you can feel the strong flavor of Xinjiang.

In addition to the Grand Bazaar, you can also choose from the following attractions on your own:

• Red Hill ParkThe city's landmark, Urumqi, offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Tianshan Mountains.

• Xinjiang MuseumThe collection of Loulan cadavers and Silk Road artifacts is not to be missed by history buffs.

• Erdaoqiao MosqueThe building is typical of Islamic architecture, and shows the religious culture of the region.

• Friendship Road Shopping District: Modern shopping area with restaurants and malls.

➤ International Bazaar: The hottest bazaar in Xinjiang, where you can enjoy both ethnic flavors and shopping experience.
➤ Red Hill Park: A green lung of the city with a panoramic view of Urumqi.
➤ Xinjiang Museum: A miniature of the Silk Road culture, with precious cultural relics.

★ Thoughtful Reminders

• The Grand Bazaar is crowded, so please take care of your belongings.

• Online reservation is required for the Xinjiang Museum.

We will transfer you to the airport according to your flights and end this unforgettable trip to the northern part of Xinjiang. From the snowy peaks of the Tianshan Mountains to the pastoral songs of the grasslands, from Lake Salimu to the Kanas, to the city of Urumqi, the magnificent and delicate scenery of Xinjiang will become unforgettable memories for a lifetime.

➤ Urumqi AirportThe most important aviation hub in western China, with routes to both domestic and international destinations.
➤ Xinjiang MemoryThe tourists may leave behind different moments in their minds - the morning mist of Wo Mu, the blue of Lake Salimu, or the crowds at the Grand Bazaar.