Northern Xinjiang Route Guide: Kanas, Ili and the Tianshan
Golden Tropics Travel · Updated
Northern Xinjiang is a land of alpine lakes, grasslands and forested mountains, with long scenic drives between them. Most tours start in Urumqi and loop north to the Altay mountains, then west to the Ili Valley. This guide walks through the route so you know what each day brings.
Urumqi and Tianchi
Tours usually begin in Urumqi, the regional capital, with a visit to the Grand Bazaar for dried fruit and nuts. An easy first trip is Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), an alpine lake below the snowy peaks of Bogda.
The Altay: Kanas, Hemu and Wucaitan
In the far north, Kanas Lake changes colour with the light and the seasons, and Hemu is a village of wooden houses in a mountain valley, beautiful in the early-morning mist. On the way, Wucaitan (Five-Colour Beach) beside the Irtysh River glows at sunset.
The Altay is the best place for autumn colours, usually from mid-September to early October, when birch and larch forests turn gold.
Sayram Lake and the Ili Valley
- Sayram Lake: a large blue mountain lake, with wildflowers on its shores in early summer
- Guozigou Bridge: a high bridge across a deep valley on the road into Ili
- Ili lavender: fields in bloom from about mid-June to mid-July
- Nalati Grassland: rolling summer pastures with herders' yurts and horses
The Duku Highway
The Duku Highway crosses the Tianshan mountains from north to south through passes, canyons and snowy peaks, and is one of the most famous drives in China. It is only open for part of the year, usually from about June to October, and can close at short notice for snow or rockfalls, so itineraries keep an alternative route ready.
Tips for the road
- Expect long drives on several days, often four to six hours, with scenic stops along the way.
- Pack layers: summer days can be warm and mountain evenings cold.
- Keep your passport with you, as there are regular ID checks on Xinjiang roads.
- Halal food is everywhere: try lamb skewers, polo (pilaf) and fresh naan.