9-Day Altay Winter Tour: Hemu, Kanas & Sayram

Home China Tours

Duration 9 Days

Route Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Ulungur Lake → Burqin → Kanas → Hemu → Burqin → Kuitun → Sayram Lake → Urumqi

Entry City Urumqi

Exit City Urumqi

Overview

This 9-day private Altay winter tour travels from Urumqi across the snow-dusted desert to Burqin, Kanas and Hemu before continuing through the yardang landscapes near Kuitun to the blue ice of Sayram Lake. Village stays, winter activities and long scenic drives reveal the variety of northern Xinjiang in its quietest season.

Route at a glance

Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Ulungur Lake → Burqin → Kanas → Hemu → Burqin → Kuitun → Sayram Lake → Urumqi

Who this tour suits

Winter photographers, families and adventurous travellers seeking snowy wooden villages, frozen rivers, skiing and Xinjiang’s blue-ice landscapes.

Daily Itinerary

Snow-covered Urumqi park and modern skyline at arrival.

Arrive in Urumqi and meet your private driver for the hotel transfer. Use the rest of the day to acclimatise and prepare for the winter journey north.

S21 Desert Highway crossing snow-dusted dunes in Xinjiang.

Follow the S21 Desert Highway across snow-dusted dunes and open steppe. Stop near the wind-shaped shoreline formations of Ulungur Lake before continuing to Burqin.

Frozen Kanas river bend, spruce forest and wooden footbridge.

Drive into the Altay Mountains and explore the frozen river bends of Kanas, including Moon Bay and Wolong Bay when road access permits. Continue to the wooden village of Hemu for the night.

Golden sunrise and morning mist over Hemu village.

Watch sunrise and morning mist over Hemu, then enjoy up to four hours of beginner-friendly skiing at Jikepulin, with equipment arranged in the confirmed package.

Birch-bark and wool craft materials inside a warm Hemu cabin.

Spend a relaxed morning in Hemu and visit a local Tuva family. Choose a hands-on cultural activity such as birch-bark craft, wool felting or tea around the stove before returning to Burqin.

Self-drive vehicle crossing snowy yardang formations from Burqin to Kuitun.

Travel south from Burqin through the dramatic yardang formations of the World Devil City area. Continue across the winter Gobi to Kuitun for the night.

Snow tubes beside a groomed winter activity lane at Sayram Lake.

Drive from Kuitun to frozen Sayram Lake and follow the winter lakeshore road. Enjoy blue-ice photography and an optional snow-tubing activity in a safe designated area.

Winter highway returning from Sayram Lake to Urumqi.

Leave Sayram Lake after a final winter sunrise and return to Urumqi across northern Xinjiang, with scenic and refreshment stops along the way.

Passenger airplane on a snowy Urumqi runway at blue hour.

Transfer to Urumqi Airport or railway station for your onward journey according to the confirmed schedule.

What's Included & Excluded

What is included in this tour

Private or group transport

Air-conditioned vehicle and transfers listed in the confirmed itinerary.

English-speaking service

Professional English-speaking guide service as specified in the quotation.

Accommodation

Selected hotels with breakfast when included in the confirmed proposal.

Sightseeing

Entrance tickets and activities specifically marked as included.

What is Not Included in this tour

International transport

International flights and transport to the tour starting point unless stated otherwise.

Personal expenses

Laundry, minibar, optional activities and other personal purchases.

Insurance and visas

Travel insurance, China visa fees and permit costs unless explicitly included.

Unlisted meals

Meals, drinks and gratuities not shown in the confirmed inclusion list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Private transport and guided sightseeing are arranged throughout, subject to winter road and weather conditions.

Private tours can usually be adjusted for pace, hotel level and special interests. Transport and attraction availability are reconfirmed before booking.

Bring a valid passport, comfortable walking shoes and season-appropriate clothing. We will advise on any permits or weather-specific equipment.

Final hotel and meal inclusions depend on the confirmed quotation. Your written proposal will list every included service before payment.

Expect a mix of walking, steps and vehicle access at the places included in this route. The exact level depends on the day-by-day sequence, so share any concerns about mobility, children, older travellers or rest breaks before the itinerary is confirmed.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

S

T

U

W

X

Y

Z

9-Day Altay Winter Tour: Hemu, Kanas and Sayram Lake