Clouds & Grasslands 10 Days · Northern Xinjiang Scenic Journey

If you are looking for a journey filled with alpine lakes, rolling grasslands, mountain villages, desert highways, snow-capped peaks, and unforgettable scenic drives, this 10-day Northern Xinjiang tour brings many of the region’s most beautiful landscapes together in one carefully planned route.

The Clouds & Grasslands 10 Days journey begins in Urumqi and travels through Altay, Hemu, Kanas, Sayram Lake, Kuerdening, Nalati, and the legendary Duku Highway. Along the way, travelers experience traditional villages, dramatic mountain roads, scenic lakes, lavender fields, forest valleys, and some of the most famous grassland scenery in Xinjiang.

This route is ideal for first-time visitors who want to see the natural beauty of Northern Xinjiang without missing its most iconic destinations.

Why Choose the Clouds & Grasslands 10-Day Tour?

Northern Xinjiang is famous for variety.

Within one journey, the scenery can change from desert to forest, from alpine lake to grassland, and from broad valleys to snowy mountain passes.

That diversity makes the region perfect for travelers who enjoy nature, photography, road trips, and slower scenic travel.

This itinerary combines some of Northern Xinjiang’s best-known destinations with more immersive experiences such as staying in Hemu, visiting Kanas Lake, driving around Sayram Lake, exploring Kuerdening, spending time in Nalati Sky Meadow, and crossing the Duku Highway.

Day 1 – Arrival in Urumqi

Your journey begins in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.

After arrival, enjoy a private airport pickup and transfer to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free, allowing you to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

If time permits, you may visit the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar or enjoy a walk in Hongshan Park.

This is a gentle introduction before the journey heads into the wide landscapes of Northern Xinjiang.

Day 2 – S21 Desert Highway, Kelameili Desert & Altay

Leave Urumqi and begin the journey north along the S21 Desert Expressway.

The road cuts through the vast Gurbantünggüt Desert, offering wide-open views of sand, sky, and distant horizons.

Stop at Kelameili Desert Park, where soft dunes and wind-shaped sand create excellent opportunities for photography.

Later, continue toward Altay and take the cable car up General Mountain.

From above, enjoy panoramic views across the city, grasslands, and surrounding mountains.

In summer, the late sunset adds a cinematic quality to the landscape as warm light spreads across the valley.

Day 3 – Ahe Highway & Hemu Village

Today, the route turns toward the mountains.

Travel along the scenic Ahe Highway, surrounded by fresh air, green valleys, and constantly changing landscapes.

Continue to Hemu Village, one of Northern Xinjiang’s most famous mountain communities.

After entering the scenic area, transfer to the local shuttle and continue through the Hemu River valley.

Check into your wooden cabin before exploring the village.

Walk across Hemu Bridge, watch cattle and sheep graze nearby, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding forest.

For a wider view, head to the Haden Viewing Platform, where you can see wooden cabins scattered across the valley beneath forested mountains.

At sunset, the village becomes especially beautiful as the landscape is covered in warm golden light.

Day 4 – Kanas Lake & Kanas Three Bays

Leave Hemu and continue toward the famous Kanas Scenic Area.

The road passes through grasslands, streams, and mountain scenery before arriving at Kanas Lake.

Walk beside the water and admire the lake’s blue-green color, surrounded by forests and snow-capped peaks.

Travelers with enough energy can climb toward Guanyu Terrace for a panoramic view over Kanas Lake and the surrounding mountain landscape.

Later, explore the famous Kanas Three Bays, including Moon Bay, Wolong Bay, and other scenic river viewpoints.

The winding turquoise water and dense forest create some of the most recognizable landscapes in Northern Xinjiang.

Day 5 – From Kanas to Huyanghe

After breakfast, continue south from the Kanas region.

The drive passes open grasslands and pastoral scenery where cattle, sheep, yurts, and distant mountains create a traditional Northern Xinjiang landscape.

Along the way, enjoy views around Agongaiti Grassland before continuing across changing terrain toward Huyanghe.

After several active days, this section provides a more relaxed transition before the journey enters the Ili region.

Day 6 – Sayram Lake Scenic Loop

Today is dedicated to one of Xinjiang’s most beautiful natural attractions: Sayram Lake.

Known for its deep blue water and surrounding mountain scenery, Sayram Lake is one of the highlights of any Northern Xinjiang itinerary.

Drive around the lake and stop at different scenic viewpoints.

At the shoreline, the water can appear crystal clear, while from higher viewpoints the entire lake stretches toward distant snow mountains and open grasslands.

The changing light throughout the day makes Sayram Lake especially rewarding for photography.

In the evening, settle into your hotel near the lake and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Day 7 – Sayram Lake Sunrise, Guozigou Bridge, Lavender & Kuerdening

Begin the morning with another visit to Sayram Lake.

If the weather is clear, sunrise brings soft light across the water and surrounding mountains.

Continue toward the spectacular Guozigou Valley, where the famous Guozigou Bridge crosses the mountain landscape.

Snow-capped peaks, forested slopes, and the bridge combine to create one of Xinjiang’s most impressive road-trip views.

During the flowering season, stop at the Ili lavender fields.

Purple flowers stretching across the landscape make this one of the most beautiful seasonal experiences in the region.

Continue toward Kuerdening, known for its forests, valleys, mountain spruce, and fresh alpine scenery.

The drive through Kuerdening offers a quieter and more peaceful contrast to the open landscapes of Sayram Lake.

Day 8 – Nalati Sky Meadow

Travel toward the famous Nalati Scenic Area.

Nalati is known for its high grasslands, snow-capped mountains, forests, and wide-open summer scenery.

Take the cable car for a bird’s-eye view before continuing toward the Nalati Sky Meadow.

Spend the afternoon walking through the grasslands and enjoying the contrast between green meadows, tall spruce forests, and distant snowy peaks.

The open landscape, fresh air, and long mountain views make Nalati one of the most memorable destinations in Northern Xinjiang.

In the evening, enjoy a specially arranged sunset hotpot and bonfire experience on the grassland.

As the sun sets, warm light spreads across the meadow, creating an unforgettable end to the day.

Day 9 – Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery & Duku Highway

The final major scenic day is one of the most dramatic.

Drive through the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery, where rivers, grasslands, mountains, and forests create an almost continuous sequence of scenic viewpoints.

Then continue onto the legendary Duku Highway.

This mountain road is famous for its changing landscapes and high-altitude scenery.

At Hashilegen Snow Mountain Pass, snow may remain even during summer.

Within a single day, travelers can experience green valleys, alpine scenery, rocky mountains, snow-covered passes, and Gobi landscapes.

The Duku Highway is not simply transportation—it is one of the highlights of the entire tour.

Continue back to Urumqi for your final night.

Day 10 – Departure from Urumqi

Your 10-day Northern Xinjiang journey comes to an end.

Airport transfer is arranged according to your flight schedule.

By this point, you have experienced deserts, mountain villages, lakes, grasslands, forests, snow peaks, lavender fields, and some of the most famous scenic roads in China.

Northern Xinjiang leaves a strong impression because the landscapes never remain the same for long.

Every day brings something new.

What Makes This Northern Xinjiang Tour Special?

The Clouds & Grasslands 10 Days tour combines Northern Xinjiang’s most iconic scenery with a balanced travel pace.

It offers time to experience major destinations instead of simply passing through them.

You stay close to Hemu and Kanas, spend meaningful time around Sayram Lake, explore Nalati and Kuerdening, and experience two of the region’s greatest scenic highways.

The route is especially suitable for travelers who want both comfort and adventure.

Best Time to Take This Tour

Summer is one of the best seasons for this route.

From approximately June to August, Northern Xinjiang’s grasslands are green, mountain roads are generally accessible, and high-altitude landscapes are at their most vibrant.

The Ili region is especially beautiful in early to mid-summer, when seasonal flowers and lavender may be in bloom.

September is also popular, particularly for travelers interested in autumn colors around Hemu and Kanas.

Because mountain weather can change quickly, routes such as the Duku Highway remain subject to seasonal and weather conditions.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

This 10-day Northern Xinjiang tour is ideal for:

• First-time visitors to Xinjiang

• Nature lovers

• Landscape photographers

• Couples and families

• Scenic road-trip travelers

• Visitors who enjoy alpine lakes and grasslands

• Travelers interested in Xinjiang culture

• Those who prefer comfortable, well-paced itineraries

• Visitors looking for a more immersive China travel experience

Discover the Beauty of Clouds & Grasslands

Northern Xinjiang is a destination defined by movement.

Desert turns into forest.

Forest becomes mountain.

Mountains open onto grasslands.

Grasslands lead to lakes.

And eventually, the road climbs toward snow-covered peaks.

The Clouds & Grasslands 10 Days journey captures that diversity in one unforgettable route.

From Hemu and Kanas to Sayram Lake, Nalati, and the Duku Highway, every day reveals another side of Northern Xinjiang.

Ten days of clouds, grasslands, mountains, lakes, and open roads—this is Northern Xinjiang at its most unforgettable.