[High-End Edition] 0-Day Altay Leisure Journey: Urumqi, Altay, Baihaba, Kanas, and Hemu

[High-End Version] Altay Lejing 7 Days: Urumqi, Altay, Baihaba, Kanas, and Hemu. Depart from Urumqi via the S1 Desert Highway to Altay, connecting Baihaba, Kanas, and Hemu. Ideal for travelers seeking snow-capped mountains, snow villages, and Yardang landforms in one trip. Itinerary covers Urumqi, Altay, Baihaba, Kanas, and Hemu over 7 days and 6 nights.

Highlights

• Influencer HighwayDrive along the S21 Desert Highway through the Gurbantunggut Desert to experience the open vistas and scenic desert landscapes of Northern Xinjiang's desert road.
• Desert ParkVisit Kelameili Desert Park to view sand dunes and desert vegetation, and learn about the landforms of the Gurbantunggut Desert.
• Fairy Tale Border Town: Head to Burqin to visit the viral bridge and the Irtysh River embankment, experiencing the night view and local atmosphere of this northern Xinjiang town.
• The First Village in Northwest ChinaBaihaba preserves its original ecology and ancient traditional culture. In winter, the village is quiet, perfect for a leisurely stroll to experience the border atmosphere.
• Lonely TreeVisit the Lonely Tree near Baihaba for photos. The frost and snowfields create a serene scene perfect for photography.
• Snow meets KahoKanas and Hemu offer ample time to explore misty forests, smoking wooden cabins, rime ice, and snow mushrooms.
• Accommodation at the Scenic AreaBook accommodations at Baihaba with large windows overlooking snowy scenery and in Hemu Scenic Area for easy access to snow views while minimizing travel time.
• Sunset Cable CarTake the cable car up General Mountain at sunset for panoramic views of Altay City. Enjoy the golden hour from the summit and join the Sunset Party.
• Skiing ExperienceHemu Jimuqin Ski Resort: 4-hour beginner slope experience with ski boards and boots included, ideal for first-time skiers.
• Yardang landformExplore the Maritime Devil City, view the maritime Yardan landforms and the eastern shore of Jili Lake, and experience the winter scenery along Fuhai Lake's shoreline.

Trip Overview

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 · Departure: Urumqi

Accommodation: Urumqi Ctrip 5-Diamond Hotel

Upon arrival in Urumqi, we will meet you at the station or airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free time; private vehicle service is not included.

If time permits, you may visit the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar Night Market, Hongshan Park, or the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum.

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum requires reservations 1 to 3 days in advance. The museum is closed on Mondays; please verify opening hours before your visit.

The departure time for the next day will be communicated by the driver and tour manager via message or phone call. Please keep your phone on and accessible.

Daily ReminderWinter in Xinjiang is cold with significant temperature differences between day and night. Please dress accordingly. There are many checkpoints; carry your ID and phone at all times and cooperate with inspections. Xinjiang is two hours behind mainland China, so daily schedules are adjusted accordingly.

Day 2 · Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – Kelameili Sand Dune Park – General Hill – Altay

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

Accommodation: Altay Ctrip 4-Star Hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will arrive on schedule to pick you up and begin the small-group tour.

Travel north along the S21 Desert Highway across the Gurbantunggut Desert, visiting Kelameili Desert Park en route.

Lunch at Kelameili Service Area. Xinjiang service areas offer limited dining options.

Take the afternoon bus to Altay. After arrival, check into your hotel for a brief rest, then head to General Mountain.

Take the sunset cable car to the summit, wait for the sunset from the top. Optional night skiing at General Mountain is available at your own expense; snow pass not included.

Return to Altay in the evening, check into your hotel, and rest. Conclude today's Desert Highway and General Mountain tour.

Daily Reminder- The drive today is long; please bring snacks, water, and entertainment for the car. - Guests prone to motion sickness should take medication in advance. - After night skiing, you will need to arrange your own return to the hotel. - In early winter, ice is thin; do not play on the surface.

Day 3: Altay – G219 Highway – China-Kazakhstan Grand Canyon – Baihaba

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

AccommodationBaihaba Scenic Area: Large-window Accommodation (Standard Room, Private Bathroom)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel at your leisure, then drive along National Highway G219 to Baihaba Village (approximately 300 km).

After crossing into the border zone, you'll see snow-capped peaks and vast snow-covered forests along the way. On a lucky day, you might even encounter wild deer herds.

Pass through the Zhongha Grand Canyon. From the viewing platform, overlook the canyon landscape with mountains on the Kazakhstan side visible in the distance.

Head to the Lonely Tree for photos, then check into your homestay in Baihaba. Enjoy free time in the evening and stargazing.

Daily Reminder- Breakfast is not included at accommodations in Baihaba, Kanas, and Hemu. - The route from Altay to Baihaba involves rugged mountain roads. Passengers prone to motion sickness are advised to take medication in advance. - Deep snow, landslides, and steep slopes are present in the scenic area. Do not venture into forests, river valleys, or across ice without authorization. - Accommodation facilities are limited, and nighttime temperatures drop significantly. Please dress warmly promptly.

Day 4 · Baihaba – Kanas Lake – Three Bends of Kanas – Hemu

DiningBreakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

AccommodationAccommodation in Hemu Scenic Area (Standard Room with Private Bathroom)

Morning: Enjoy free time in the village. Stroll along quiet paths to see snow-capped mountains, wooden cabins, streams, and grazing cattle and sheep.

After breakfast, head to the Kanas Scenic Area to explore Kanas Lake. Snow-covered formations line the shore, while the lake displays a striking alpine blue hue.

Experience snowmobiling through icy forests (tours arriving in 11 month, 20 date).

Take a bus to Hemu Scenic Area in the afternoon. Stop at Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, and Moon Bay along the way for photos.

Upon arrival in Hemu, we'll arrange a light photography session. You'll receive 6 professionally retouched photos (excluding styling and makeup).

Head to Hemu Bonfire Party in the evening. Schedule subject to scenic area availability; no make-up activities if not open.

Daily Reminder- Heimu does not include breakfast; please prepare your own. - The ground in the Heimu scenic area can be slippery; wear non-slip shoes. - Bonfire parties are held based on weather conditions; no refunds if cancelled. - Homestays in the scenic area are small; guests in the same tour group cannot guarantee the same room type or courtyard.

Day 5 · Hemu – Jikeqinglin Ski Resort – Burqin

DiningBreakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

Accommodation: Bojina Ctrip 4-Star Hotel

Optional early morning hike to the viewpoint. Taxis are available at your own expense. Enjoy sunrise and panoramic views of Hemu Village from above.

Visit Gikoulin Ski Resort with a 4-hour beginner slope ticket, including ski board, snowboard, and boots. Enjoy tea brewed around a fire pit overlooking the snowy landscape before the resort opens.

Afternoon: Drive to Burqin (approx. 200 km). Enjoy the scenic snow-covered landscapes of northern Xinjiang along the way.

After arriving in Burqin, visit the famous bridge, then explore the Irtysh River embankment, Old Wharf, and Sino-Soviet Memorial Hall at your own pace.

Daily ReminderBreakfast is not included for accommodations in Hemu and Kanas. Please ski within your limits and purchase snow resort insurance in advance. Winter resorts can get crowded; start early to avoid peak times. After returning from the mountains to the plains, the air will be dry—stay hydrated.

Day 6 · Burqin - Sea Devil's City - Urumqi

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

Accommodation: Urumqi Ctrip 4-Diamond Hotel

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out, then drive to the Sea Devil City (about 560 km).

Tour the Sea Devil's City, view marine Yardang landforms, the eastern shore scenery of Jili Lake, and winter lakeside views.

After your own lunch, return to Urumqi along the S21 Desert Highway, crossing the Gurbantunggut Desert.

Arrive in Urumqi in the evening, check into your hotel to rest. Dinner is on your own; you may explore the city at your leisure.

Daily Reminder: The Sea Devil City area is windy and cold; wear a windproof jacket, hat, and gloves. Parts of the lake are frozen—do not walk near the ice edges. S21 winter roads may be icy; bring a thermos and high-calorie snacks. Visitors prone to motion sickness should take medication in advance.

Day 7 · Urumqi - A Warm Home

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

AccommodationHome

Depart for the airport after checkout based on your flight schedule, concluding your winter trip to Altay.

Daily Reminder: Please ensure all items are packed and nothing is left behind. Check-out must be completed by 14:00 Beijing time. Any late check-out fees will be your responsibility.

Included Fees

• Transportation: 7-seater vehicle (1 + 1 first-class class), guaranteed one seat per person, includes airport pickup and drop-off. Vehicle model not specified.
• Accommodation: 1 nights at a Ctrip 5-star hotel, 3 nights at a Ctrip 4-star hotel, 1 nights in Bakhaba Scenic Area, and 1 nights in Hemu Scenic Area.
• Tickets: General Mountain Cable Car Ticket, Sea Devil City Entrance Ticket, Hemu Ticket with Shuttle Bus, Baihaba Ticket with Shuttle Bus, Kanas Ticket with Shuttle Bus.
• Driver: Full-time driver service. No tour guide included. Driver's meals and accommodation are covered.
• Meals: Breakfast included at the hotel. Breakfast is not included in Baihaba, Kanas, or Hemu; lunch and dinner are on your own.
• Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance; the travel agency separately purchases domestic travel accident insurance.
• Children: Child rate covers bike rental only; excludes admission tickets, shuttle bus, and accommodation.

Not included in the price

• Meals not included; drivers' accommodation and meals are covered by the operator, not shared by guests.
• Entertainment activities within the scenic area.
• Additional costs incurred due to force majeure events such as traffic delays, strikes, weather conditions, aircraft malfunctions, flight cancellations, or schedule changes.
• Laundry, barber, telephone, fax, pay TV, beverages, tobacco, and alcohol charges.
• Other fees not mentioned in the cost breakdown.

Gift Items

• General Mountain Cable Car, Sunset Disco & Electronic Music Party (Schedule TBA).
• Hemu Light Photography Tour: Includes 15 raw images and 6 retouched photos; attire and styling not included.
• Kanas Snowmobile Tour (Group schedules for landings in 11 month, 20 day).
• Jikepulin 4-hour Ski Pass, Beginner Slopes (Skiing scheduled for arrivals on or after 11/20; before that date, arrange for stove-side tea).

Booking Terms

• We do not accept pregnant women, children under 3 years old, or guests aged 75 and above.
• Guests aged 70 to 74 must provide a health certificate and be accompanied by at least 1 immediate family members under the age of 60.
• Children aged 3 to 18 must be accompanied by a guardian throughout the tour.
• Children under 18 years old traveling alone must have a guardian's consent form and be accompanied by at least 1 adult relative(s).
• Each passenger may carry one 28-inch suitcase and 1 bag(s).
• This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants and has a maximum capacity of 6. Seats will rotate daily during shared rides.
• Single registration: shared room eliminates single supplement; requesting a private room requires payment of the supplement.
• Groups of six or more may be assigned to two separate vehicles; coordination between vehicles cannot be guaranteed.
• Accurate and complete identification and contact information are required at the time of booking.
• You will receive your tour confirmation by 22:00 the day before departure. Please keep your phone accessible.
• We recommend not booking return flights or train tickets for the day of your group departure.
• Non-refundable for complimentary items if participation is missed due to force majeure or personal reasons.
• Itinerary order may be adjusted or substituted with an alternative plan in case of mountain closures or traffic restrictions during winter.
• Failure to complete the tour due to early departure is considered a voluntary abandonment. Only unincurred fees will be refunded; bus fares are non-refundable.

The itinerary is subject to change; the final confirmation sent before departure will prevail. For adjustments to duration, group size, or pace, please contact your consultant to customize a tailored plan.