Day 1 Various locations - Urumqi (★All-day gathering day)
All day
Today is the all-day gathering day in Urumqi. Tourists from all over the world are heading to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, known worldwide as "the land of song and dance, the land of melons and fruits, and the land of gold and jade." Everyone will proceed to the meeting hotel on their own, and check in at the front desk with "China - Travel Note + Name." If you have more time, you can also arrange your own sightseeing activities in Urumqi city. Please exercise due caution during your free time.
If you're interested in learning about Xinjiang's culture, geography, and history, visit the Xinjiang Museum. For a taste of the region's culture and treasures, head to the Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar. While in Urumqi, you can't miss the local cuisine. Don't miss Xinjiang's big plate chicken, spicy chicken, and the crispy, tender grilled lamb chops. You can also stock up on Xinjiang fruits (like apples and pears) and local food (baked naan is highly recommended, but don't overdo it).
Kind tips:
Urumqi Diwopu Airport is close to the hotel in the city. A taxi from the airport to the hotel costs about 30-45 yuan.
Border Pass Description: (Updated on July 23)
China-TravelNote will handle border passes on D3, one per person (bring your ID card and handle it yourself).
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by their parents (bring the original or copy of their household registration booklet); non-guardians must bring a letter of authorization.
Day 2 Urumqi → Wuerhe Populus euphratica Forest → Wuerhe Ghost City → Wuerhe
·morning
After breakfast, we set off westward along the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, passing through the sprawling oasis farmlands of the Junggar Basin, irrigated by the snowfall of the Tianshan Mountains. Our long journey was about to begin, and fellow travelers from all corners of the country introduced themselves to each other, quickly becoming familiar with each other. We passed through Karamay, the "Oil City," and along the way, we observed the Baili Oilfield, where countless oil extraction rigs towered over the Gobi Desert.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we will go to the [Wurhe Populus euphratica Forest] for a private exploration by the China-TravelNote team. We will discover the large wild Populus euphratica forest in the Wuerhe area, so you don’t have to worry about the scenic area being overcrowded.
Afterwards, we'll visit the Wuerhe Ghost City, hailed as "The Greatest Ghost City" by China National Geographic. Millions of years of wind erosion have shaped this bizarre, almost magical landscape, with occasional gusts of sand threatening to swallow you. We'll await the breathtaking sunset over the Ghost City. Afterward, return to your hotel for the rest of the day.
Day 3 Urho → Habahe → Hujirt Transit Road → China-Kazakhstan Border Highway → Baihaba
·morning
After breakfast, we'll depart for the heart of the Altai Mountains, a vibrant fairytale. After obtaining border passes along the way, we'll head to Baihaba, the "First Village of Northwest China." The deeper we go, the more vibrant the autumn colors become. China-TravelNote has specially arranged to enter from the west and exit from the east, avoiding backtracking and avoiding the large tourist crowds.
On the way, we'll pass the Hujierte Migration Road, a large herdsman route in the Kanas region. Every autumn, herders migrate their cattle and sheep from high-altitude pastures to lower ones. With luck, you might see large herds of herders passing through along the way, and China-TravelNote will allow time for you to admire and photograph them. (Note: The migration schedule varies from year to year, lasting about 2-3 weeks. Weather and other factors may affect this, so not every group can be photographed. Please understand.)
·afternoon
Arrive at the scenic area ticket office and transfer to a scenic shuttle bus to Baihaba Village. Driving along the China-Kazakhstan border highway, you'll enjoy the autumn colors and the grand canyon scenery along the way. This is a quiet and beautiful village on China's northwestern border, facing Kazakhstan across the river. The villagers are a mix of Tuvans and Kazakhs. All the buildings in the village are made of wood. The log cabins blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment, nestled amidst the vibrant autumn colors, creating a sense of paradise.
After arriving at Baihaba Village and arranging accommodations, we'll go for a light hike on the Baihaba Sky Grassland and photograph the lonely tree from the film "My Altay." As the sun sets, we'll climb the hillside next to the village to admire the sunset. At night, the Baihaba sky is filled with stars, like a silvery Milky Way.
Day 4: Baihaba → Kanas → Guanyutai → Jiadengyu (approximately 20 km, 6-7 hours)
·morning
Photography enthusiasts can head to the village entrance early in the morning to capture the sunrise over Baihaba. Alternatively, wander around the village and experience the real life of the Tuva people. The village is dotted with wooden houses, smoke rising from cooking fires, and towering snow-capped mountains all around. Nestled among these mountains, the village exudes a tranquil beauty.
·morning
After breakfast, we set off on a timely hike to Kanas, the "Backyard of the Gods," led by our tour leader and guide. Avoiding the crowds, we journeyed through primeval forests and grasslands ablaze with autumn colors. The scenery along the way was breathtaking. We chatted, laughed, played, posed, and took selfies, immersing ourselves in the boundless autumn scenery. Some scenery belongs only to those who explore the land with their feet!
·afternoon
We entered Kanas in the afternoon, passing through forests and grasslands ablaze with autumn colors. We first ascended to the Fish-Watching Terrace, a central attraction in the Kanas Lake Scenic Area, at an altitude of approximately 2,030 meters. Standing atop Camel Peak on the lakeshore, it offers a vertical drop of over 600 meters to the surface. It's the only viewing platform offering a panoramic view of Kanas Lake and its Three Bays, offering breathtaking views. On a clear day, tourists can also capture the snow-capped Friendship Peak, which straddles the Sino-Russian border. Today, we'll briefly explore Kanas before taking a scenic shuttle bus to the Jiadengyu Town Hotel, the gateway to the scenic area.
Day 5: Kanas in-depth tour (lakeside + Sanwan light hike, total distance about 6km) → Hemu
·morning
After breakfast, we took the scenic shuttle bus back to Kanas Scenic Area and had an in-depth tour of Kanas today.
If you are lucky, you will be able to enjoy the dreamy morning mist of Shenxian Bay. After the end of the tour, we will take the scenic bus to the [Lakeside Observation Deck] to experience the beauty of Kanas Lake up close. After that, we will hike along the Kanas River back to the [Transfer Center] and have lunch at our own leisure in the scenic area.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, you can hike to the Three Bays of Kanas. You can hike along the leisure wooden boardwalk along the lakeside from Moon Bay to Wolong Bay and appreciate the beautiful scenery of Kanas in autumn.
After the tour, we will leave the scenic area according to the shuttle bus schedule and take a bus to the Hemu Village Hotel to rest and recharge our batteries for tomorrow's hike.
Day 6: Tianhemu → Meilifeng Village → Ahe Highway → Altay
All day
After breakfast, do some warm-up exercises and pack your bags. We will depart from Hemu Village.
We walked through an autumn jungle, stopping and walking along the way, taking pictures. The blue sky and white clouds, the quiet forest, the brilliant autumn birch trees, everything was so beautiful, and I took pictures like crazy along the way.
The hike is approximately 12 kilometers (5-6 hours), with stops along the way, allowing for fun and photography. We'll pass through woods and streams before arriving at the fairytale-like Feng Village. Sunlight streams down the wooden roofs of Tuva houses nestled among a birch forest. The Hemu River flows quietly beside the village, its ripples gently creating tiny specks of light.
At the end of the hike, we headed to Altay, passing through the Ahe Highway, a brand new highway connecting Hemu and Altay. We would also make appropriate stops at check-in points along the way, and we expected to arrive in Altay city around 22:00.
Hiking tips:
1. After breakfast, start hiking under the guidance of the team leader. Some herdsmen’s homes may provide you with simple supplies, but you should also bring some dry food and drinking water with you.
2. During the hike, please pay attention to safety, follow the leader's instructions, and arrange rest time appropriately. It is recommended to bring two trekking poles to save a lot of energy.
Day 7 Altay → → All over the country (★ All day disbandment day)
All day
Everyone dispersed freely at the hotel, successfully completing this hiking trip to Northern Xinjiang.
The nomadic life in Altay will surely make you forget the troubles of the city. We look forward to seeing you again during the autumn migration.
