Altay 3 Day Group Tour Geological Sightseeing, Exploring Surrounding Yardang Landforms and Appreciating Unique Wind Eroded Geological Landscapes, Affordable Tour Fees with Open Registration Recommended Route Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
Star Exploration✨:3-Day In-Depth Geological Wonder Tour in Altay – Traverse the Yardang Secret Realm, Unlock the Secrets of Wind Erosion
I. Core Highlights of the Itinerary: Three Must-Visit Reasons for Geology Enthusiasts
(1) Premier Yardang Museum: The Altay region boasts the densest Yardang landform cluster in Xinjiang, with three distinctive areas: Colorful Beach, Devil City, and the east bank of Ulungur Lake. According to 2026 geological exploration data, this region features 17 types of Yardang formations, including rare types such as ridge-trough, columnar, and castle-like forms. It has been rated as one of the “Top Ten Most Beautiful Yardang Landforms in China” by Chinese National Geography.
(2) A Living Geology Textbook: The itinerary includes a professional geology lecturer who travels with the group, carrying rock specimen comparison charts, 3D landform models, and other teaching aids. At Devil City, they will explain the honeycomb-shaped rock walls formed by wind erosion, and at Colorful Beach, they will demonstrate the combined effects of river erosion and wind sculpture, allowing tourists to intuitively understand the geological evolution rule that “30% is determined by nature, 70% by wind erosion.”
(3) Exclusive Photography Route:Optimized shooting plan based on summer 2026 sunlight data:
▶ Colorful Beach:Golden hour from 19:30-20:45, utilizing the reflection on the Irtysh River to capture “Red Cliffs Reflecting in Blue Waters”
▶ Devil City:Capture “Yardang Silhouettes” one hour before sunrise or after sunset, with professional tripod rental services available
▶ Ulungur Lake:Photograph wind-eroded pillar clusters under the starry sky after 22:00, with astronomical telescope experience provided
II. 3-Day精华 Itinerary (Optimized Summer 2026 Version)
[Day 1:Initial Geological Exploration in Burqin]
08:30 Pick-up at Altay Airport (free upgrade to business car available with advance flight notification)
09:30 Pass through the Irtysh River Valley, observing the transition zone of the Gobi oasis
11:00 In-depth tour of Colorful Beach (including 2-hour on-site geology lecture)
13:30 Special lunch at Burqin Riverbank Night Market (recommended: cold-water fish feast + kvass beverage)
Star Exploration✨: 3-Day In-Depth Geological Wonder Tour in Altay – Traverse the Yardang Secret Realm, Unlock the Secrets of Wind Erosion15:00 Visit the Sino-Russian Old Wharf Cultural Street to learn about Silk Road trade history
17:30 Check into a scenic hotel near the attraction (newly renovated in 2026, 80% of rooms offer river views)
[Day 2:Geological Wonders of Devil City]
07:00 After breakfast, depart for Urho Devil City (2.5-hour drive)
09:30 Take a mini-train through the core Yardang area (including 4 designated stops)
11:30 Special arrangement: “Wind Erosion Experience”:Feel the erosive effects of 8-level gusts on rocks in the area
13:00 Light meal inside the attraction (self-heating rice + mineral water provided)
14:30 Visit the Devil City Geology Museum (new VR landform evolution experience zone added in 2026)
17:00 Return to Burqin, with a stop at a Gobi photography spot along the way
20:00 Dinner featuring hand-grabbed meat from various ethnic groups (served with onions to cut the grease)
[Day 3:Exploration of Ulungur Lake Secret Realm]
08:00 Depart for the east bank of Ulungur Lake (3-hour drive)
11:00 Hike the Yardang boardwalk (total distance approximately 5 km, with trekking pole rentals available)
13:00 Lakeside picnic (featuring baursak and salted milk tea from various ethnic groups)
I. Core Highlights of the Itinerary: Three Must-Visit Reasons for Geology Enthusiasts14:30 Take a boat tour of the lake island (observe differences between wind-eroded pillars and water erosion)
16:00 Return to downtown Altay (with a stop at a Fukai County specialty store for optional shopping)
18:00 Airport/train station drop-off (recommended flight after 20:00)
III. Fee Explanation (Reference Prices for Summer 2026)
Basic Tour Fee:Starting from 1680 RMB per person (inclusive)
Transportation:Air-conditioned tour bus for the entire journey starting and ending in Altay (upgrade to business car for groups under 15 people)
Accommodation:2 nights at a four-diamond hotel (including breakfast, with an option to upgrade to a scenic room for +200 RMB per person)
Admission Tickets:First admission tickets and shuttle buses for Colorful Beach, Devil City, and Ulungur Lake
Meals:3 main meals (50 RMB per person standard, including special meals)
Services:Accompanying geology lecturer + professional photography guidance
Special Notes:
▶ Early bird price of 1480 RMB per person available for bookings made before June 20
▶ Complimentary Xinjiang specialty gift pack (1 jin each of raisins and almonds) for groups of 2 traveling together
▶ Fees may fluctuate due to factors such as hotel room type and transportation schedule; specifics are subject to actual consultation and contract signing
(1) Premier Yardang Museum: The Altay region boasts the densest Yardang landform cluster in Xinjiang, with three distinctive areas: Colorful Beach, Devil City, and the east bank of Ulungur Lake. According to 2026 geological exploration data, this region features 17 types of Yardang formations, including rare types such as ridge-trough, columnar, and castle-like forms. It has been rated as one of the “Top Ten Most Beautiful Yardang Landforms in China” by Chinese National Geography.IV. Registration Instructions
(1) Qualification Verification:Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency holds official cultural and tourism qualifications, has paid the full tourism quality guarantee deposit, and was selected for the Altay Region Travel Agency Association’s recommended list in 2026.
(2) Registration Process:
▶ Phone Consultation:Contact customer service manager Zhang Jing to inquire about available tour dates
▶ Contract Signing:Use the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s standard electronic contract, clearly stating included fees and precautions
▶ Payment Methods:Support payment via corporate account transfer or third-party guaranteed payment
(3) Group Formation Instructions:
▶ Minimum group size of 10, maximum of 25
▶ Single travelers will be coordinated for room sharing as much as possible; a single room supplement of 400 RMB for 2 nights is required in special cases
▶ If the minimum group size is not reached, both parties will negotiate to change the tour date or issue a refund according to the contract
V. Service Guarantee System
(1) Protection Measures:
▶ Daily vehicle disinfection, equipped with first aid kits + temperature detectors
▶ Windproof face mask rentals provided in windy areas such as Devil City
(2) A Living Geology Textbook: The itinerary includes a professional geology lecturer who travels with the group, carrying rock specimen comparison charts, 3D landform models, and other teaching aids. At Devil City, they will explain the honeycomb-shaped rock walls formed by wind erosion, and at Colorful Beach, they will demonstrate the combined effects of river erosion and wind sculpture, allowing tourists to intuitively understand the geological evolution rule that “30% is determined by nature, 70% by wind erosion.” ▶ Onboard guides hold Red Cross first aid certificates
(2) Emergency Response Plan:
▶ Sudden weather in mountainous areas:Activate alternate routes (such as S101 National Defense Highway)
▶ Vehicle breakdown:Dispatch rescue vehicle within 30 minutes
▶ Tourist altitude sickness:Transport to Burqin County People’s Hospital (45 km from the attraction)
(3) Complaint Handling:
▶ Establish a 24-hour quality supervision hotline
▶ Complaint response time:On-site resolution ≤ 2 hours, follow-up ≤ 24 hours
▶ 2026 service satisfaction rate reached 98.7%, with a repurchase rate of 62%
VI. Pre-Trip Recommended Checklist
Documents:Original valid identification (children require household registration book)
Clothing:Windbreaker + sun protection clothing + comfortable hiking shoes (day-night temperature difference can reach 20°C)
Protection:SPF50+ sunscreen + sunglasses + windproof face mask
Equipment:Power bank + camera cleaning kit (heavy wind and sand in the Gobi)
(3) Exclusive Photography Route: Optimized shooting plan based on summer 2026 sunlight data:Medications:Motion sickness medication + gastrointestinal medication + personal regular medication
VII. Special Reminders
(1) Attraction Policies:
▶ Colorful Beach has a daily visitor limit of 12,000; reservations must be made 3 days in advance
▶ Drone flights in Devil City require registration (the travel agency can assist with the process)
▶ Ulungur Lake boat tours are suspended in恶劣 weather; follow attraction announcements
(2) Photography Suggestions:
▶ Optimal shooting times at Devil City:1 hour after sunrise / 2 hours before sunset
▶ Recommended lenses:Wide-angle (16-35mm) for landforms, telephoto (70-200mm) for details
▶ Recommended accessories:Polarizing filter (reduces water surface glare), graduated neutral density filter (balances light ratio)
(3) Cultural Respect:
▶ Obtain prior consent before photographing local residents
▶ Do not step on thresholds when visiting local yurts
▶ Accept food from various ethnic groups with your right hand
This summer, let’s temporarily bid farewell to the city’s hustle and follow in the footsteps of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency to measure Altay’s profound changes through the eyes of geologists. When you stand before thousand-year-old wind-eroded Yardang pillars and touch the rock walls carved by time, those geological terms from textbooks will transform into breathtaking real-life scenes, becoming unforgettable memories that will never fade.
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation

