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Northern Xinjiang Express: A Private Journey Through Kanas & Ili by High-Speed Rail & Flight · 10 Days

10-Day Private Journey: Kanas, Ili & Northern Xinjiang by Rail & Flight

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High-speed train to Sayram Lake and a flight to Kanas & Hemu – see more in less time.

Why this route works

• 🚄✈️ Smart transport — high-speed rail + two flights + business van, every long leg is handled efficiently:​
• This route is the most time-efficient way to experience Tianchi Lake, Sayram Lake, the Ili grasslands, AND Kanas & Hemu in just 10 days — connected by one high-speed rail and two flights, with absolutely no long, exhausting drives.
• Urumqi → Bole (high-speed rail, D3):​ Depart Urumqi in the morning by high-speed rail — about 4.5 hours to Bole station. A business van picks you up right outside and drives you directly to Sayram Lake for your VIP lakeside tour. You arrive at the lake around midday, with the whole afternoon and evening to explore. Driving this route means 6 hours on a flat, empty Gobi highway — by the time you reach the lake, you're too tired to enjoy it.
• Yining → Altay (direct flight, D6):​ A morning direct flight from Yining to Altay — about 1.5 hours instead of 12 hours of winding mountain passes. A business van meets you at the airport, and you check into your hotel in Altay by the afternoon, ready for the Kanas and Hemu section of the trip. The flight saves you a full day of mountain driving and nearly 1,000km of highway.
• Altay → Urumqi (direct flight, D9):​ A morning flight from Altay back to Urumqi — about 1.5 hours instead of a full day of highway driving. A business van meets you at the airport, you check into your hotel, and you have the afternoon free to rest or explore the city before your departure. Without this flight, you'd spend an entire day on the road, exhausted before your flight home.
• What all three transport legs have in common:​ Depart in the morning, arrive around midday, afternoon free for sightseeing or rest. Your time is used at the destination — not wasted on a highway. The remaining days are all short business-van drives between scenic spots, the longest about 3-4 hours, and even those are broken up by scenic stops. No day is spent fully in a vehicle. No 8-hour bus rides.
• The result:​ 1 high-speed rail + 2 flights = roughly 2,500km of highway skipped. You experience Tianchi Lake, Sayram Lake, the Ili grasslands, Kanas, and Hemu — all in one 10-day trip, without a single exhausting drive. Every transfer leaves you fresh, not tired.
• ​🏨 Accommodation — 9 nights, a mix of 4-5 diamond hotels and wooden cabins, with consecutive-night stays:​
• Urumqi 4-5 diamond 3 nights (unpack once, D1, D2, D9), Sayram Lake east gate 4-5 diamond 1 night (D3), Yining 4-5 diamond 2 nights (unpack once, D4, D5), Altay 4-5 diamond 1 night (D6), Hemu wooden cabin 1 night (D7), Kanas wooden cabin 1 night (D8). Two comfortable accommodation types — 4-5 diamond hotels for proper rest in the cities, and wooden cabins for sleeping inside the Kanas and Hemu scenic areas. The wooden cabins are warm and comfortable, with the forest and river just outside your door. In Hemu, you wake up to the famous morning mist and sunrise over the village. In Kanas, you're steps away from the Three Bays and the lake. With Urumqi 3 consecutive nights and Yining 2 consecutive nights, you only repack 5 times in 10 days.
• ​🏜️ Scenic highlights — every stop earns its place:​
• Tianchi Lake (D2):​ Heavenly Lake of the Tianshan — alpine lake at 1,900m, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. A gentle warm-up for the journey ahead.
• Sayram Lake (D3-D4):​ Xinjiang's most beautiful alpine lake, full VIP loop — Swan Lake, Songshutou, Kelayongzhu. Stay at the east gate hotel, enjoy sunset and sunrise over the lake. Two full days to explore, no rushing.
• Kuerdunin or Nalati (D5):​ Choose between Kuerdunin's spruce forests or Nalati's rolling grasslands — both with VIP drive-in, no shuttle queues. The driver takes you to the best viewpoints. Return to Yining in the evening, same hotel, no repacking.
• Hemu (D7):​ The famous wooden-house village at the foot of the Altay Mountains. Walk through the village, climb the viewing platform for the panoramic view, and stay overnight in a warm wooden cabin. Wake up early for the morning mist and sunrise — one of the most iconic images of Northern Xinjiang.
• Kanas (D8):​ The Three Bays — Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay — turquoise water winding through the forest. Plus Kanas Lake itself, deep and mysterious. Sleep in a wooden cabin inside the scenic area, with the forest just outside your door.

Detailed itinerary

Pricing logic

The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, domestic flights, hotel level, vehicle type and route feasibility. The sales team will confirm all inclusions before payment.

Usually included

• Transportation
• 24-hour exclusive airport & railway station transfer service: airport pick-up & drop-off in Urumqi and Altay, airport drop-off in Yining; high-speed train pick-up at Bole Railway Station and drop-off at Urumqi Railway Station.High-speed train arrangement: Urumqi to Bole City.Flight tickets included: Yining to Altay, Altay to Urumqi.Vehicle: Dedicated business car for the entire itinerary.
• Accommodation
• 9 nights’ accommodation in total:3 nights at 4-diamond or 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi;1 night at 4-diamond or 5-diamond hotel near the East Gate of Sayram Lake;2 nights at 4-diamond or 5-diamond hotel in Yining;1 night at 4-diamond or 5-diamond hotel in Altay;1 night at wooden chalet in Hemu;1 night at wooden chalet in Kanas.
• Scenic Spots
• Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, Sayram Lake, Kuerdening, Narat, Hemu, Kanas, Three Bays of Kanas, Kanas Lake
• Tour Guide
• Professional driver-cum-tour guide provides exclusive private tour service.
• Meals
• Daily complimentary breakfast at hotels;
• Insurance
• Full-trip comprehensive travel accident insurance is covered.
• Note
• Wooden chalet: standard English for scenic area log cabin (Hemu & Kanas local cottages).

Usually excluded

• Transportation:
• Round-trip international/domestic airfare.
• Accommodation:
• Single room supplement; personal expenses (e.g., laundry, minibar).
• Attractions:
• Optional activities; attractions not included in the itinerary.
• Guide Tips:
• Gratuities for the guide (optional).
• Meals:
• Lunches and dinners during the tour.
• Insurance:
• Additional personal insurance (supplemental coverage).