12-Day Northern Xinjiang Road Trip Guide: Experience the Best of Xinjiang's Beauty

🚗 Route Overview:
Urumqi → S21 Highway → Ulungur Lake → Altay → Hemu → Kanas → Burqin → Devil City → Kuytun → Sayram Lake → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes → Nalati → Hejing → Urumqi

🌟 Daily Highlights:
❶ Urumqi Arrival Day
Head straight to the Grand Bazaar after landing! The colorful glass domes and dazzling handicrafts will transport you to the world of One Thousand and One Nights. For dinner, don't miss the baked buns and hand-pulled rice paired with kvass – absolutely divine! The Xinjiang Museum is a must-visit, though the mummy exhibit might be intense for some (not for the faint-hearted, lol).

❷ First Taste of the Desert Highway
The S21 Highway is breathtaking! Driving through the Gurbantunggut Desert, you'll see endless rolling sand dunes outside your window – every shot is a road trip masterpiece. The sunset at Ulungur Lake is stunning, with golden waters sparkling like scattered diamonds. Bring a jacket as the lakeside winds are strong!

❸ Surprises Along the Ahe Highway
This hidden gem offers the wildest landscapes in Northern Xinjiang! Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forest streams, and leisurely herds of cattle and sheep crossing the road will make you stop constantly for photos. Arrive in Hemu in the evening and stay in a cozy wooden cabin with views of starry skies and snow-capped peaks right outside your window.

❹ Hemu → Kanas
Every kilometer of this 40km route is scenic! Don't miss the morning frost-covered trees in Hemu (or golden birch forests in autumn). Ride a horse to the viewpoint for a bird's-eye view of the village, which looks like a cluster of fairytale cottages. Kanas Lake's color-changing waters, shifting between blue and green, are truly magical.

❺ Kanas → Burqin
From the morning mist at Fairy Bay to the S-curves of Moon Bay, there are countless photo stops. In the evening, enjoy a cold-water fish feast in Burqin – the grilled pike at the night market is a must-try!

❻ Devil City → Kuytun
Experience a "post-apocalyptic movie" in the Yardang landform – the wind howling through the rocks sounds like ghosts screaming, incredibly dramatic! The golden "castle" at sunset is breathtaking.

❼ Sayram Lake Day Trip
The "Last Tear of the Atlantic" lives up to its name! Stay at an RV camp to see snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake at dawn, then cycle around the lake in the afternoon – every photo looks like a magazine cover.

❽ Vast Kalajun Grassland
This lesser-known "sky grassland" rivals Hulunbuir with its rolling green carpets dotted with wildflowers. Galloping on horseback here feels incredibly freeing!

❾ Tekes → Nalati
You won't get lost in the Bagua City even without GPS. Nalati's "sky grassland" is unmissable – a green ocean at the foot of snow-capped mountains that looks like a Windows desktop wallpaper!

💡 Tips:
- Pack jackets even in summer due to large temperature swings; rain is possible on grasslands
- Bring extra snacks and water for long drives with few service areas
- Download shows in advance for long shuttle rides between scenic spots
- Respect local customs; avoid stepping on grassland vegetation

From deserts to lakes, grasslands to forests, Xinjiang's beauty must be experienced firsthand. Ready to hit the road?