• Breakfast at Hotel: Most hotels in Xinjiang offer milk tea, naan, and eggs—eat more to store energy for the day.
• Departure to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan: Gather and drive to the scenic area (about 120km, 2-hour drive via Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway; Gobi scenery along the way).
• Scenic Area Access: Purchase combined tickets (admission + shuttle bus, approximately 155 RMB per person) and take the shuttle bus into the mountains (about 40 minutes via winding mountain roads; pine forests along the way).
• Sightseeing at Heavenly Lake:
  • First, take a panoramic photo of "Heavenly Lake + Bogda Peak" at the designated viewing platform.
  • Walk 1-2km along the lakeside plank road to enjoy the clear and icy lake water up close. Alternatively, take a cruise (80 RMB per person, about 30 minutes round trip) for a leisurely experience.
• Lunch: Dine at a restaurant in the scenic area. Recommended options: Heavenly Lake Fish Feast (80 RMB per person) or simple Stir-Fried Noodles (35 RMB per serving).
• Afternoon Activity: Climb 【Maya Mountain】 (additional cable car ticket required, approximately 120 RMB per person). After reaching the top by cable car, walk along the wooden plank road for a panoramic view of Heavenly Lake and get close to the snow-capped Bogda Peak (bring a light jacket as it’s windy on the top).
• Return to Ürümqi: Gather at the scenic area entrance and drive back (2-hour journey).
• Dinner: Recommended to dine at 【Consulate Lane】 for local home-style flavors, such as Spicy Pepper Chicken (half a chicken for 60 RMB) and homemade Yogurt (5 RMB per bowl).

• Breakfast at Hotel and departure. Drive along the S21 Desert Highway (about 300km, 4-hour drive), which crosses the Gurbantunggut Desert. There are 3-4 viewing stops along the way—get off to take panoramic photos of the desert (wear sunglasses and a hat as the ultraviolet rays are intense) and capture "highway extending into the desert" shots.
• Lunch: Dine at 【103 Regiment Service Area】 (Xinjiang Stir-Fried Noodles and Polo available, 40 RMB per person on average). Rest for 20 minutes before continuing.
• En Route View of Ulungur Lake: Drive past Ulungur Lake (about 180km, 2.5-hour drive) and stop at the free lakeside viewing platform (no need to enter the scenic area). Admire the "sea in the Gobi"—Ulungur Lake is a freshwater lake with reeds along the shore in summer, perfect for photos. Stay for 30 minutes.
• Arrival in Beitun/Burqin: Drive to Beitun/Burqin (about 100km, 1.5-hour drive) and check in at the hotel (recommend staying near Burqin River Embankment Night Market for convenience).
• Dinner: Dine at Burqin 【River Embankment Night Market】. Must-try dishes: Cold-Water Fish (Lenok, 120 RMB per kg, steamed or braised), Grilled Lenok Skewers (10 RMB per stick), paired with Kvass (5 RMB per bottle, a Russian-style malt drink).

• Breakfast at Hotel: Most hotels in Burqin offer porridge and buns, suitable for digestion.
• Departure to Kanas Scenic Area: Drive to Kanas (about 200km, 4-hour drive from Beitun; 150km, 3-hour drive from Burqin via G219 National Highway; grassland and wooden house scenery along the way).
• Scenic Area Access: Purchase combined tickets (admission + shuttle bus, approximately 160 RMB per person, valid for 2 days) and take the shuttle bus into the mountains (about 1 hour; pass Wolong Bay on the way and take a quick look from the bus).
• Lunch: Dine at a restaurant near the Kanas Transfer Center. Recommended options: Beef Stir-Fried Noodles (45 RMB per serving) or Large Plate Chicken (60 RMB per person on average, enough for 2-3 people).
• Sightseeing at the Three Bays:
  • 【Moon Bay】: Get off to take photos of the "crescent-shaped lake + forested banks". Walk 10 minutes along the plank road to the best shooting spot (the lake is turquoise and beautiful in summer).
  • 【Fairy Bay】: Enjoy the reflection of clouds in the lake. If lucky, light mist in the afternoon creates a "fairyland" atmosphere.
  • 【Wolong Bay】: Take photos of the "river bend shaped like a lying dragon". Go down to the lakeside to touch the icy water (do not soak hands for long).
• Return to Jiadengyu: Take the shuttle bus back to Jiadengyu (about 1 hour, a residential area outside Kanas with better accommodation conditions) and check in.
• Dinner: Dine at a restaurant in Jiadengyu. Recommended: Hand-Grabbed Meat (80 RMB per kg, served with shredded onions to relieve greasiness) and free-refill milk tea.

• Breakfast at Jiadengyu and drive to Hemu Village (about 60km, 1.5-hour drive; Hemu scenic area ticket + shuttle bus required, approximately 100 RMB per person).
• Free Activity in Hemu Village:
  • Climb 【Hemu Viewing Platform】 (20-minute walk from the village or 10 RMB per person by electric cart) to take panoramic photos of "Hemu Village + morning mist + snow-capped mountains". For sunrise photos, depart 1 hour in advance (sunrise at around 6:30).
  • Wander along the 【Hemu River】, admire the rushing water and wooden bridges, and capture "bridge + river + forest" scenes.
  • Explore the 【Tuvan Village】, visit wooden houses and fences, and enter local families (greet first) to taste homemade yogurt (10 RMB per bowl, sweeter with honey).
  • Horse Riding Experience (200 RMB per hour, led by herdsmen; ride to the river or hillside for better grassland views).
• Departure to Wucai Beach: Gather in Hemu Village and drive to Wucai Beach (Colorful Beach).
• Sightseeing at Wucai Beach: Visit the scenic area (admission about 50 RMB per person). The best photo time is 18:30-19:30—under slanting sunlight, the yardang landforms show red, yellow, green and other colors, contrasting with the poplar forests on the opposite bank (green in summer, yellow in autumn). Walk around the plank road for about 1 hour to shoot the sunset.
• Return to Burqin: Drive back to Burqin (about 50km, 1-hour drive) and check in. Dinner at River Embankment Night Market—try Grilled Squid (10 RMB for 3 sticks).

• Breakfast at Burqin and departure. Drive to World Devil's City via G217 National Highway (Gobi and oilfield pumpjacks along the way).
• Lunch in Urho Town: Dine in Urho Town (about 10km from Devil's City). Recommended: Urho Roasted Buns (8 RMB each, with plenty of meat filling). Rest for 30 minutes after lunch.
• Sightseeing at Devil's City: Take the scenic area train (about 1 hour round trip, stops at 4 stations every 10 minutes). Listen to the commentary on the train to learn about the formation of yardang landforms (wind and water erosion). Stay 20 minutes at each station to take photos of "castle-shaped yardangs" and "Peacock Spreading Its Tail" landforms, and feel the "roaring wind" (hence the name Devil's City). For a more in-depth experience, rent an electric car (200 RMB per vehicle, for 2 people, flexible time).
• Departure to Kuitun: Drive to Kuitun (about 250km, 3.5-hour drive via G30 Lianhuo Expressway; Gobi scenery along the way) and check in.
• Dinner: Dine at 【Kuitun Food Street】. Recommended: Large Plate Chicken (50 RMB per person on average, served with belt noodles) and Xinjiang Beer (Wusu Beer, 6 RMB per bottle).

• Breakfast at Kuitun and departure. Drive to Sayram Lake via G30 Lianhuo Expressway—pass Guozigou Bridge and stop at the viewing platform to take panoramic photos of the bridge.
• Sightseeing at Sayram Lake:
  • Stop 1: 【South Gate Tourist Center】: Take photos of "lake + snow-capped mountains" with white yurts nearby.
  • Stop 2: 【General's Platform】: Climb high for a wide view of Sayram Lake, which resembles a "blue gem".
  • Stop 3: 【Swan Water Playground】: In summer, swans may be seen swimming by the lake (do not feed them).
  • Stop at any time during the lake tour to walk along the shore (the water is icy—do not enter. Bring snacks as food in the scenic area is expensive).
• Lavender Manor (June-July only): Drive to the Lavender Manor (skip if off-season, visit Kazanqi Folk Village instead; admission about 40 RMB per person). Take photos of the purple flower sea and buy lavender essential oil (50 RMB per bottle as a souvenir).
• Visit Six-Point Street in Yining: Explore the characteristic street with blue residences and the Accordion Museum (free admission to see various accordions).
• Dinner: Dine in Six-Point Street. Recommended: Homemade Ice Cream (5 RMB per scoop, flavors like strawberry and chocolate), Kvass (6 RMB per bottle), and Ili Horse Sausage (80 RMB per kg, sliced and chewy). After dinner, wander the night market and watch locals dance ethnic dances. Check in at the hotel in Yining.

• Breakfast at Yining and departure. Drive to Nalati Heavenly Grassland via G218 National Highway (river valley grassland scenery along the way).
• Lunch in Nalati Town: Recommended: Kazakh Hand-Grabbed Meat (90 RMB per kg, served with naan). Rest for 30 minutes after lunch.
• Sightseeing at Nalati Heavenly Grassland: Take the shuttle bus to the core area. Wander along the grassland plank road (about 2km, with wildflowers in summer and snow-capped mountains in the distance). Horse Riding Experience (200 RMB for 2 hours, led by herdsmen; do not wear skirts while riding). Visit a herdsman's home (10 RMB per person, drink milk tea, eat cheese, and listen to grassland stories).
• Return to Nalati Town: Take the shuttle bus back and check in. Dinner in Nalati Town—recommend Whole Roast Lamb or Grilled Lamb Skewers (8 RMB per stick, fresh meat).

• Breakfast in Nalati Town and departure. Drive along the northern section of Duku Highway (Nalati to Dushanzi direction).
• Sightseeing Along Duku Highway:
  • Stop 1: 【Nalati Grassland Entrance】: Take photos of "highway + grassland".
  • Stop 2: 【Qiaerma Martyrs Cemetery】: Free admission to learn about the construction history of Duku Highway (168 soldiers sacrificed) and pay tribute to martyrs.
  • Stop 3: 【Hasilgen Daban】: Snow-capped mountain viewing platform (altitude about 3400m, with snow even in summer). Take photos of "highway + snow-capped mountains" and stay for 30 minutes (bring a thick jacket as it’s cold).
• Lunch: Dine at Qiaerma Service Area. Recommended: Lamb Soup Rice (40 RMB per serving, warm and suitable after descending the mountain).
• Continue Driving: The latter section features Gobi landforms—watch the scenery change from grassland to Gobi. Stop at multiple points to take photos of "Duku Highway bends" (drive slowly as there are many curves).
• Arrival in Kuitun/Dushanzi: Duku Highway ends in Dushanzi (about 30km, 1-hour drive from Kuitun). Check in.
• Dinner in Dushanzi: Recommended: Cold Noodles (8 RMB per serving, unique flavor with gluten and shredded cucumber) and Grilled Lamb Skewers (7 RMB per stick).

• Breakfast in Kuitun/Dushanzi and departure. Drive to Dushanzi Grand Canyon.
• Sightseeing at Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Take the shuttle bus to the canyon bottom and hike along the plank road (about 1.5 hours) to admire the "earth crack" wonder (canyon depth about 200m, brown rock layers). Optional activities: Glass Bridge (about 120 RMB per person, spanning the canyon—for non-acrophobics), High-Altitude Swing (150 RMB per person, swinging outside the canyon), or Canyon Roller Coaster (80 RMB per person, sliding along the track).
• Lunch: Dine at a restaurant at the scenic area entrance. Drive to Turpan (about 400km, 5-hour drive via G30 Lianhuo Expressway; Gobi and wind turbines along the way) and check in (recommend staying in downtown Turpan near the food street).
• Dinner: Dine at 【Old Town Food Street】 in Turpan. Recommended: Grilled Lamb Skewers (6 RMB per stick, tender meat), Large Plate Chicken (55 RMB per person on average, with potatoes and green peppers), and Yogurt Rice Dumplings (10 RMB per serving, dumplings dipped in yogurt and sprinkled with sugar).

After breakfast in Turpan, depart for the Karez Wells (about 10km, 20-minute drive).Visit 【Karez Wells】 (admission fee: approximately 40 RMB per person). Follow the guide to learn about this ancient water conservancy project in Xinjiang—composed of vertical shafts, underground canals, and open canals, it is known as an "underground canal". Walk through the underground canal corridor (the temperature inside is about 18℃, cool and an ideal summer resort) and observe the clear, icy water of the Karez Wells (you can wash your hands, but the water is very cold).

Next, drive to 【Flaming Mountain】 (about 30km, 40-minute drive; admission fee: approximately 40 RMB per person):

• Check in at the "Golden Cudgel" thermometer to see the real-time temperature (which can exceed 50℃ in summer) and take photos with the thermometer and the mountain.
• Visit the Flaming Mountain Geology Museum (free of charge) to view geological specimens showing the formation of Flaming Mountain and learn about its connection with the classic novel Journey to the West.
• Take the small train tour (about 40 RMB per person, 30 minutes round trip) to admire the "red mountain" landforms of Flaming Mountain and experience the heat of "China's hottest place".

Have lunch at a farm stay near Flaming Mountain. Recommended dishes: Whole Roast Lamb Leg (150 RMB per leg, served with naan) and Watermelon (5 RMB per kg—Turpan watermelons are sweet and refreshing, perfect for relieving greasiness).

After lunch, drive to 【Grape Valley】 (about 20km, 30-minute drive; admission fee: approximately 75 RMB per person):

• Wander along the Grape Corridor (about 2km). In summer, the corridor is covered with hanging grapes of various varieties such as Milk Grape and Seedless White—you can taste them for free, as they are sweet but not cloying.
• Visit the grape drying houses to watch the raisin production process. These adobe houses have ventilation holes, and raisins are dried naturally by wind.
• Enjoy free Uyghur song and dance performances (about 30 minutes long, including tambourine dances and singing—you can join in the dancing).

After the experience, drive back to Ürümqi (about 200km, 2.5-hour drive) and check in at the hotel. In the evening, visit 【Grand Bazaar Night Market】 in Ürümqi to buy local specialties such as raisins (20 RMB per kg, recommend the Seedless White variety) and badam nuts (30 RMB per kg). Then have dinner and try Xinjiang Stir-Fried Rice Noodles (25 RMB per serving—mild spicy is recommended as it can be very spicy).

After breakfast at the hotel, the guide will arrange a private car to send you to Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport 2-3 hours in advance according to your flight schedule:

• Distance from downtown to the airport: about 25km, 40-50-minute drive.
• Distance from airport nearby hotels to the airport: about 5-10km, 15-20-minute drive.

Complete the handover at the airport. The guide will deliver a farewell speech, assist you in verifying your boarding information, and remind you to take all personal belongings (especially the Xinjiang specialties you purchased). Conclude your wonderful Xinjiang journey!