Day 1 Across the country → Urumqi
All day
Today is the gathering day for the event. You will travel to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, on your own. Local staff will arrange a pick-up service at the airport or train station, based on your flight or train arrival time, and take you to your hotel for check-in. A pre-departure meeting will then take place. If you arrive early, you can explore Urumqi on your own. A welcome dinner will be prepared for you in the evening.
Pearl of the Silk Road, Central Hub of the Western Regions: This area was once the seat of the Beiting Protectorate during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, and is also the site of the royal court of the "Cheshi Rear Region," as recorded in the Book of Han. Stepping into Jiefang South Road, a "living museum," you'll find century-old shops and ancient mosques mingling, immersing you in the rich atmosphere of multi-ethnic life. Early arrivals can explore the Shaanxi Grand Mosque, a model of Central Asian architectural aesthetics, climb Red Hill to overlook the city from the Zhenlong Pagoda, and visit the world's largest Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Witness the creation of giant, two-meter-diameter naan in the fragrant Abra Naan Alley. Don't forget to capture the curling smoke rising from the naan pit with a nine-square griddle!
Day 2 Urumqi → Jiaohe Ancient City → Turpan
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for the Jiaohe Ancient City scenic area. Located on the terrace of the Yarnaiz Valley, approximately 10 kilometers west of Turpan's Gaochang District, Jiaohe Ancient City is one of the world's largest, best-preserved, and longest-lasting ancient earthen structures. Visitors can hike around Jiaohe Ancient City to experience its unique defense system and architectural ingenuity. Inside the scenic area, explore the ancient streets and houses, each carved into the ground like a well or trench, creating a unique atmosphere. Jiaohe Ancient City also showcases the life and customs of the Jiaohe people, as well as relics of their Buddhist past, including temples, pagodas, and clay Buddha statues. After visiting Jiaohe Ancient City, we'll proceed to the Karez Scenic Area, one of the three great engineering structures of ancient China. Here, we'll gain a deeper understanding of this unique underground water conservancy project and personally view a real Karez. After the tour, we'll return to Turpan for our overnight stay.
Day 3 Turpan City → Flaming Mountain → Tuyugou Grand Canyon → Tuyugou Scenic Area → Shanshan County
All day
After breakfast, we'll depart for the Huoyan Mountain Scenic Area. Located 32 kilometers east of Turpan City, Huoyan Mountain stretches east-west, approximately 98 kilometers long and 6-10 kilometers wide. From here, you can admire the fiery red peaks from afar and experience the magnificent natural scenery. We'll then hike about 10 kilometers along the Huoyan Mountain trail to the picturesque Tuyugou Grand Canyon. Located within the Tuyugou Scenic Area in Tuyugou Township, Shanshan County, Turpan City, Xinjiang, the Tuyugou Grand Canyon is a scenic area steeped in natural beauty and rich in historical heritage. The canyon's breathtaking natural scenery is truly breathtaking and inspiring. We'll then continue to the Tuyugou Scenic Area, where not only stunning natural scenery but also historic maza (cemeteries) offer a profound immersion in the historical and cultural heritage of this region. Finally, we'll drive to Shanshan County for overnight stay.
Day 4 Shanshan County → Kumtag Desert → Mirage → Loulan Winery → Shanshan County
All day
After breakfast, we'll travel to the Kumtag Desert, located in Shanshan County, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Its golden sands and magnificent scenery captivate countless visitors. In the Kumtag Desert, we'll enjoy sandboarding and sand bucketing. Afterward, we'll hike along an O-shaped loop to experience the Kumtag Desert in all its glory. After our visit, we'll head to the Mirage, where you might witness wondrous displays of light refracted, adding a touch of mystery to your journey. In the afternoon, we'll continue to the Loulan Winery. Located at the foot of the Huoyan Mountains on the eastern side of the Turpan Basin, in Turpan-Shanshan, a key trading port on the Ancient and New Silk Road, this winery is not only a modern, integrated winery integrating winemaking, wine culture promotion, and tourist experiences, but also offers opportunities to learn about Western winemaking culture, sample Loulan Winery's specialty wines, and enjoy a relaxing time.
Day 5 Shanshan → Secret Great Wall → Eye of Lop Nur → Dahongliu Beach
All day
After breakfast, we'll head to the Secret Great Wall within the Hami Yadan Dahaidao Scenic Area. Due to difficult road conditions, we'll switch to an off-road vehicle today to accommodate the rest of our itinerary. The Secret Great Wall is a breathtaking natural wonder. The Yadan landforms resemble a masterpiece of nature's uncanny craftsmanship, their undulating forms resembling a winding Great Wall guarding the land. The spectacular scenery will leave you marveling at the magical power of nature. We'll then drive to the Eye of Lop Nur, a unique landscape located 50 kilometers southwest of Dahaidao in Hami, Xinjiang, nestled in the Gobi Desert north of Lop Nur. Covered in agate and perhaps even containing meteorite particles, its distinctive appearance resembles a giant alien eye, making it a truly unearthly place on Earth.
In the afternoon, we'll continue our journey to Dahongliu Beach, nestled in the Kunlun Mountains. Dahongliu Beach boasts the world's largest lithium reserves and is situated in a high-altitude, cold, arid climate zone known as the "Forbidden Zone for Life." Despite the harsh climate, the scenery is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Upon arrival at Dahongliu Beach, we'll check into a boutique hotel nestled in the Gobi Desert. Despite its remote location, the hotel offers well-equipped standard rooms and select mineral water, ensuring every moment of our journey is filled with comfort and relaxation. Furthermore, en route to Dahongliu Beach, we'll pass the renowned Agate Beach Road, a haven for agate lovers, a haven for those seeking unique stone discoveries. The entire itinerary will encompass a diverse array of natural landscapes and geological wonders, ensuring an unforgettable adventure.
Day 6: Dahongliu Beach Hotel → Yilong Canyon → Dahaidao (core area) → Shanshan County
All day
After breakfast, we'll drive to the enigmatic Pterosaur Canyon. Renowned for its unique Danxia landforms and rich fossil remains, Pterosaur Canyon resembles a vivid prehistoric landscape, telling legendary stories from ancient times. Here, we'll get up close and personal with a variety of pterosaur fossils, appreciating the wonders of nature and the miracle of life. We'll then continue our journey to the Dahaidao Core Area, where we'll begin an exciting hiking trip. This area is renowned for its vast Yadan landforms and rich natural landscapes. During our hike, we'll visit attractions such as Tongtian Cave, the Galaxy Battleship, the Buddhist Pagoda, and the Alien Cave—each imbued with wonder and mystery, leaving you feeling transported to another planet. Across this vast Gobi Desert, we'll hike 10 kilometers, fully appreciating the grandeur and vastness of nature and experiencing the challenges and joys of hiking. Finally, we'll arrive in Shanshan County for our overnight stay.
Day 7 Shanshan disbanded
All day
Your wonderful journey is almost over, and it's time to pack your bags and return home. If you have time, you can explore the city. Xinjiang's famous dried fruits are worth buying back as gifts for friends and family.
Please take all your belongings with you when you leave and check out on your own!
When the roar of the off-road vehicle fades away, when the sandstorms of the Yadan have settled
, pack your bags and return to the world with the wildness and tenderness of the Western Regions -
but please remember, the starry sky and sandstorms will always exist in your heart!
