How to Travel Around the Junggar Basin with a Kanas Tour Group Loop Route and Group Tour Prices Recommended Itinerary Costs

Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.

Exploring Kanas:Comprehensive Guide to In-Depth Group Tour Around the Junggar Basin✨
I. Itinerary Highlights: A Symphony of Nature and Culture Across the Junggar Basin
As China’s second-largest inland basin, the Junggar Basin stretches between the Tianshan and Altai Mountains, featuring vast deserts, wetlands, and Yardang landforms that create a magnificent natural tapestry. This circular route centers around Kanas, connecting geological wonders such as the Gurbantunggut Desert, Ulungur Lake, and the Devil City, while integrating cultural experiences in ethnic villages, forming a dual exploration model of “nature + culture.”
Core Landscape Analysis:
Gurbantunggut Desert:A large fixed and semi-fixed desert in China, where summer oases intertwine with sand dunes and winter snow blankets the landscape. You may encounter wild horses, Mongolian gazelles, and other naturally occurring animals.
Ulungur Lake:Known as the “Devil City on the Sea,” the Yardang landforms along the lakeshore form castle-like rock formations due to wind erosion, creating a dramatic play of light and shadow at sunset.
World Devil City:A typical wind-eroded Yardang landscape, where riding a small train through the area allows you to experience the desolate beauty of the filming location for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Three Bays of Kanas:Fairy Bay’s morning mist, Moon Bay’s “S”-shaped river channel, and Wolong Bay’s meadow. Hiking the wooden boardwalk allows for close observation of the ecological symbiosis between larch trees, spruce forests, and the lake.
Tuwa Villages:Hemu Village and Baihaba Village retain their wooden houses and nomadic traditions. The morning smoke rising against the snow-capped mountains is a scene cherished by photographers, earning them the title of “backyard gardens.”
II. Classic 6-Day Itinerary for 2026 (Subject to Contract)

Exploring Kanas: Comprehensive Guide to In-Depth Group Tour Around the Junggar Basin✨Day 1:Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Colorful Beach → Burqin
Morning:Travel along the S21 A-Wu Expressway through the Gurbantunggut Desert, stopping at the Kelameili Service Area viewpoint to photograph the desert highway and Gobi scenery.
Afternoon:Arrive at Colorful Beach, where the lush river valley forest on the south bank contrasts with the wind-eroded colorful Danxia landforms on the north bank, with the Irtysh River flowing between them, creating the wonder of “one river separating two worlds.”
Overnight:Stay in a Russian-style guesthouse in Burqin, stroll along the Sino-Russian Old Pier风情 Street at night, and savor grilled dogfish and kvass.
Day 2:Burqin → Hemu Village
Morning:Take a 4-hour ride to the Hemu ticket station, then transfer to a shuttle bus to enter the village, passing by birch forests and grassland pastures along the way.
Afternoon:Ascend the Haden Viewing Platform for a panoramic view of the village, hike to the Hemu River to feel the rushing waters, and visit the Tuwa Wooden House Museum.
Overnight:Stay in a characteristic wooden house in Hemu, and participate in a bonfire party at night (seasonally available).
Day 3:Hemu → Kanas Lake → Jiadengyu
Early Morning:Ascend the viewing platform again to photograph the morning mist and sunrise, where the wooden houses and snow-capped mountains emerging through the mist create an ink-wash painting.
Morning:Head to the Kanas Scenic Area, transfer to a shuttle bus to visit Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay. Hiking from Moon Bay to Wolong Bay (about 3 km) is recommended.

I. Itinerary Highlights: A Symphony of Nature and Culture Across the Junggar BasinAfternoon:Climb the Guyu Tai for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake, where the water changes from blue to green with the light, and observe the ice bubble wonder in winter.
Overnight:Stay at the Jiadengyu Eco-Hotel and experience the yurt culture of various ethnic groups.
Day 4:Jiadengyu → Ulungur Lake → Devil City → Kuitun
Morning:Drive to the Golden Coast of Ulungur Lake and participate in desert entertainment such as sand sliding and beach motorcycling (at your own expense).
Afternoon:Travel through the heart of the Junggar Basin to reach the Devil City Scenic Area, ride a small train to tour the filming location of “Seven Swordsmen from Tianshan,” and capture stunning silhouette-style photographs.
Overnight:Stay at the Jinjiang Inn in Kuitun or a similar hotel, and savor Shawan大盘鸡 (a local chicken dish).
Day 5:Kuitun → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → S101 Danxia Highway → Urumqi
Morning:Visit the Dushanzi Grand Canyon, where a glass walkway hangs above the cliff, offering a bird’s-eye view of the canyon cracks and river erosion landforms.
Afternoon:Return along the S101 National Defense Highway, passing by the Lujiaowan Summer Pasture and Kensiwat Reservoir, and photograph the layered landscapes of百里丹霞 (Hundred-Li Danxia) and snow-capped mountains with grasslands.
Overnight:Stay at the Urumqi Yema International Hotel and visit the silicified wood and Ferghana horse base.

As China’s second-largest inland basin, the Junggar Basin stretches between the Tianshan and Altai Mountains, featuring vast deserts, wetlands, and Yardang landforms that create a magnificent natural tapestry. This circular route centers around Kanas, connecting geological wonders such as the Gurbantunggut Desert, Ulungur Lake, and the Devil City, while integrating cultural experiences in ethnic villages, forming a dual exploration model of “nature + culture.”Day 6:Free Activities in Urumqi → Departure
Morning:Recommend visiting the Xinjiang Museum, focusing on the “unique folk customs” mummies and artifacts from the Niya Site.
Afternoon:Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule and conclude your journey.
III. Pricing Information and Schedule Arrangements (Reference for 2026)
Budget Tour:Starting at 4,580 RMB per person
Includes:Domestic tourist bus, three-star hotel accommodation, first entrance tickets to scenic areas, 5 breakfasts and 8 main meals, guide services.
Schedule:Departures every Wednesday and Saturday in June, forming a group with a minimum of 20 people.
Quality Tour:Starting at 6,880 RMB per person
Upgrades:Business car/SUV, four-star hotel or Tuwa wooden house, professional photographer for follow-up shots, horseback riding through birch forests experience.
Schedule:Daily departures in June, forming a group with a minimum of 10 people.
High-End Customized Tour:Starting at 9,880 RMB per person

Core Landscape Analysis:Features:Accommodation in small wooden houses within the scenic area, helicopter tours, snowmobile crossings, private guide services.
Schedule:Requires a 15-day advance reservation with flexible date arrangements.
Special Note:
Prices may fluctuate based on peak and off-peak seasons. The actual price is subject to signing a contract after consulting with Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency.
June is the peak tourist season in Xinjiang. It is advisable to register 30 days in advance to secure your spot.
IV. Registration Method and Service Guarantees
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency, and Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing will provide one-on-one itinerary consultations.
Service Commitments:
Transparent Consumption:The contract clearly states that there are no arranged shopping stops or pressure for self-funded projects throughout the journey.
Emergency Support:24-hour emergency contact person equipped with common medications and supplies for altitude sickness.

Gurbantunggut Desert: A large fixed and semi-fixed desert in China, where summer oases intertwine with sand dunes and winter snow blankets the landscape. You may encounter wild horses, Mongolian gazelles, and other naturally occurring animals.Flexible Changes:In case of extreme weather or policy changes, both parties can agree to replace scenic spots of the same level.
V. Pre-Trip Preparation Checklist
Documents:Valid identification, border pass (if traveling to Baihaba, apply in advance).
Clothing:Windbreaker, sun-protective clothing, quick-dry pants, hiking shoes. The temperature difference between day and night can reach 20°C in June.
Electronic Devices:Power bank, spare camera battery (low temperatures drain batteries quickly), sand-proof phone case.
Others:High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, moisturizing skincare products, insulated cup.
VI. Precautions
Transportation:The total circular route is approximately 1,800 kilometers, with daily driving times of 4-6 hours. It is advisable to bring neck pillows and snacks.
Dining:The team meals mainly consist of [local cuisine]. In Hemu Village, you can experience local hot pots and baersake (fried pasta).
Culture:Shoes must be removed and long pants worn when visiting [certain places]. Permission must be obtained in advance before taking photos with local residents.
Conclusion
From the vastness of the desert highway to the tranquility of Kanas Lake, from the desolation of the Devil City to the splendor of the Danxia Highway, this circular route narrates the geological evolution of the Junggar Basin and the living scenes of various ethnic groups. Choose Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency to let our professional team help you avoid itinerary pitfalls and focus on feeling the vastness and delicacy of Northern Xinjiang.

Contact Manager Wang Fei at 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.