[Dahezhinan Train] June–September Duku Highway Edition North and South Xinjiang Panorama 17-Day Tour

Various Departure Points - Zhengzhou

Board the Dahezhinan Train along the way and set off for the beautiful Xinjiang to begin a pleasant journey! Main stops: Zhengzhou, Luoyang

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Special Train Sightseeing

Along the way, board the Dahezhinan Train and enjoy free time to rest or entertain yourself on board! Main stops: Xi'an, Lanzhou

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Arrive in Turpan

Arrive in Turpan in the evening and check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Turpan

Karez Wells-Flaming Mountains-Grape Valley-Special Train to Kashgar

After breakfast, visit one of the three great ancient water conservancy projects of China, [Karez Wells] (sightseeing time approx. 30 minutes), a special irrigation system in desert areas, found widely in the Turpan region of Xinjiang, China. Visit [Flaming Mountains] (sightseeing approx. 40 minutes), the Flaming Mountains are the hottest place in the country. Every midsummer, under the scorching sun, billowing hot air rises from the mountain, and the ochre-red mountain looks as if fierce flames are burning. Visit [Grape Valley] (sightseeing approx. 1 hour), named for its abundant grapes, is a tourist resort in Turpan. In the evening, take the special train from Turpan to Kashgar.

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Kashgar–Pamir Plateau–Karakul Lake–Stone City–Golden Grassland–Tashkurgan

The special train arrives in Kashgar in the morning. Travel along the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway (National Highway 314) to the Pamir Plateau, the Roof of the World, enjoying famous sights along the way such as the Gez Canyon, Gez Post Station, Liusha River, and Red Mountain. Visit [Karakul Lake] (approximately 3.5 hours by road, with about 1 hour for sightseeing)Karakul Lake means "Black Sea" and is one of the rare plateau lakes in the world. Afterward, head to Tashkurgan (approximately 2 hours by road) and visit [Stone City] (about 40 minutes for sightseeing). Stone City is located on the north side of Tashkurgan County and is a famous ancient city site on the ancient Silk Road. Proceed to [Golden Grassland] (about 40 minutes for sightseeing). Alar Golden Grassland lies just beside Tashkurgan County, below Stone City. The Tashkurgan River flows through here; the area has lush water and grass and herds of cattle and sheep, blending beautifully with the distant snow-capped mountains, white clouds, and blue sky. Check in at the hotel!

Accommodation: Tashkurgan

Tashkurgan County - Tajik Family Visit - White Sand Lake - Kashgar

After breakfast, head to the [Tajik Family Visit] (at least 1 hour). The Tajiks are an ethnic minority in China. They belong to the Indo-Mediterranean type of the Europoid race. "Tajik" is the self-designation of the ethnic group, meaning "crown." The Tajik people have their own language, which belongs to the Pamir branch of the Iranian language group of the Indo-European language family. Due to frequent ethnic interactions, many Tajiks in Xinjiang also speak Uyghur and Kyrgyz, and Uyghur script is widely used. Head to [White Sand Lake] (about 2.5 hours by car, with a visit of at least 1 hour). On both sides of White Sand Lake stand the distant peaks of Kongur Tiube. This beautiful scenery makes the snow-capped mountains and lake, which have slumbered for ten thousand years, appear even more pure and tranquil. Return to Kashgar (about 3 hours by car) and check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Kashgar

Kashgar Old Town - Mosque - Xiangfei Garden - Special Train to Kuqa

Tour Kashgar city[Old Town] (visit time approx. 40 minutes), then visit the [Mosque] (visit time approx. 40 minutes) located on the west side of Id Kah Square in Kashgarit is the largest Islamic place of worship in Xinjiang and in China. Visit[Xiangfei Garden] (visit time approx. 40 minutes)it is a typical Islamic architectural complex and also the tomb of Islamic holy descendants. Take the special train from Kashgar to Kuqa.

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Kuqa - Southern Section of the Duku Highway - Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Bayanbulak

Arrive in Kuqa in the morning, then head to [Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon] (approx. 1.5-hour drive, approx. 1.5-hour visit) , passing through the southern section of the Duku Highway, and stop for photos at [the Duku Highway End Memorial Stele]. Nestled among the mountains at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon combines the finest of the world's canyons with the extraordinary scenery of the Tianshan Mountains; it embodies the spirit of the ages and blends the mysterious, wondrous, precipitous, majestic, ancient, and secluded into one. Its landscapes are varied and its wonders remarkable, inspiring longing. It is a brilliant pearl on the golden tourist route of the ancient Silk Road. Drive to Bayanbulak (approx. 3.5-hour drive) and check in at the hotel

Accommodation: Bayanbulak

Bayanbulak Grassland - Middle Section of the Duku Highway - Nalati

After breakfast, visit [Bayanbulak Grassland] (allow 3 hours for sightseeing) , China's second-largest grassland, second only to the Ordos Grassland in Inner Mongolia. Bayanbulak means "rich springs" in Mongolian. The grassland is flat with abundant water and lush grass; it is a typical grass meadow grassland and one of Xinjiang's most important livestock bases. Afterwards, travel via the middle section of the Duku Highway to Nalati (about 1.5-2 hours' drive), [Duku Highway] refers to the section of National Highway 217 from Dushanzi to Kuqa in Xinjiang. It is an important trunk line connecting northern and southern Xinjiang, cutting the original distance between them by nearly half, and can be called a monument in the history of Chinese highway construction. Arrive in Nalati and check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Nalati

Nalati River Valley Grassland - Six-Star Street - Yining

After breakfast, visit [Nalati Grand Grassland - River Valley Grassland] (about 3 hours by car, with a tour of no less than 3 hours). Also known as "Kunes" grassland, which means "white sunny slope" in Turkic, it has been an important pasture since ancient times. Beneath the majestic snow-capped mountains, wild lilies, tulips, red poppies, and purple salvia bloom all the way from the foot of the mountain to the summit... Return to Yining and head to the popular photo spot [Six-Star Street]. Stepping into Six-Star Street, you can encounter different scenes everywhere: bright swaths of "Ili blue," melodious accordion music, cheerful singing, the sweet aroma of bread, the rich scent of coffee, and the cumin fragrance of grilled meat... End the tour and check in at the hotel

Accommodation: Yining

Yining–Khorgos Port–Sayram Lake–Yining–Special Train to Beitun

After breakfast, head to China's longest-standing first-class national land road port in the west, with the largest comprehensive traffic volume, the best natural environment, and the most complete facilities[Khorgos Port] (about 1.5 hours by car, about 40 minutes of sightseeing). As early as the Sui and Tang dynasties, this was an important post station on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road; the Sino-Russian Treaty of Ili made it a trading port between China and Russia. See the boundary markers of the two countries and the trade center. Then head to the pearl inlaid in the Western Tianshan Mountains--[Sayram Lake] (about 2 hours by car, about 2.5 hours of sightseeing). Here, mountains surround the lake, and water and sky reflect each other. In spring, wildflowers cover the ground; in summer, green grass is like a carpet, horses gallop, cattle and sheep are like clouds, and yurts dot the landscape; the lake water is embraced by green hills, with towering pines and cypresses at the foot of the mountains, mist and clouds shrouding the mountainsides, and sky and water merging in one color, like a poetic scroll full of grandeur and clarity. Return to Yining (about 2.5 hours by car), and take the special train to Beitun.

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Beitun–Kanas–Jiadengyu/Burqin

Arrive in Beitun in the morning. After breakfast, head to the [Kanas Scenic Area] (about 4 hours by car, about 5 hours of sightseeing), known as a “fairyland on earth.” This is Asia’s only Swiss-style scenery and China’s only nature reserve bordering four countries. Visitors transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus and enter the lake area to enjoy the expansive blue waters, reflections of the peaks, snowy ridges, primeval forests, and green mountains and waters blending into one seamless lake scenery. Along the way, view the Burqin River Valley scenery and the colorful riverbanks, and visit the primeval birch forest, Kanas forest scenery, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Fairy Bay, Duck Lake, and many other beautiful sights. In the evening, check in at Jiadengyu or Burqin.

Accommodation: Jiadengyu/Burqin

Jiadengyu/Burqin-Hemu-Wucaitan-Beitun Special Train to Urumqi

Head to【Hemu Scenic Area】(about 1.5-2 hours sightseeing), Hemu is an ancient Tuva village known as the "Little Switzerland of the East". Hemu has preserved the original Tuva way of living and lifestyle, with a unique architectural style. The houses are all built of logs, giving a very pristine feel. The scenery around the village is very beautiful, with various natural landscapes such as the Hemu River, grasslands, and birch forests, making it a paradise for sightseeing and photography enthusiasts. Visit【Wucaitan (Five-Colored Beach)】(about 2 hours by car, about 40 minutes sightseeing), to see its unique Yardang landform: undulating gullies and a dressing-table-like slope beach in colorful, brilliant hues. Drive to Beitun (about 2 hours by car) and take the special train to Urumqi.

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Urumqi–Tianshan Tianchi–Grand Bazaar

Arrive in Urumqi and take a bus to the 5A-level scenic area—Tianshan Tianchi (about 2 hours' drive), enjoying desert gobi and pastoral scenery along the way. Upon arrival, transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to the legendary Jade Terrace fairyland where the Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou are said to have met【Tianshan Tianchi】(about 2.5 hours' visit), observe the vertical vegetation zones of the Tianshan Mountains, and gaze at the highest peak of the eastern Tianshan—Bogda Peak. Experience in all directions how one day can span four seasons; the lake water is formed by the convergence of high-mountain snowmelt, nearly 100 meters deep, clear and refreshing. Afterwards, proceed to【Grand Bazaar】(about 2 hours' drive, about 1 hour's visit), with cultural creative tourism and intangible cultural heritage product areas, an "International Fashion" block, and a food street area.

Accommodation: Urumqi

Urumqi - Return Journey

In the morning, take the special train from Urumqi for the return journey.

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Scenic Sightseeing by Special Train

Enjoy the scenery of the Northwest and disembark from the special train along the way Main stations along the route: Lanzhou, Xi'an

Accommodation: Dahezhinan Train

Arrival in Zhengzhou

Disembark the special train at the stops along the way and conclude the pleasant journey through Xinjiang! Luoyang, Zhengzhou