2026 Urumqi Qinghe Fuhai 9 Day Group Tour Itinerary to Sandaohaizi, Ulungur Lake, Grassland Wetlands Long Route Small Group Pricing and Online Booking Recommended Route Cost
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
Star Travel Recommendation✨:2026 Urumqi, Qinghe, Fuhai 9-Day In-Depth Tour: Exploring the Grassland Poetry of Sandaohaizi and Ulungur Lake
[Route Highlights:An Ecological and Cultural Symphony in Northern Xinjiang’s Hidden Realms]
This 9-day loop starts in Urumqi, connecting the two core landscapes of Sandaohaizi in Qinghe County and Ulungur Lake in Fuhai County, extending to iconic destinations in northern Xinjiang such as Kanas Hemu Village and Koktokay Geopark. The itinerary avoids crowded routes of conventional tour groups, delving deep into the hinterland of the Altai Mountains with daily driving limited to under 4 hours, allowing ample time to immerse in the pristine landscapes of grassland wetlands, canyon forests, and villages of various ethnic groups.
Core Landscapes at a Glance:
▶ Sandaohaizi:A group of alpine lakes consisting of Huahaizi, Zhonghaizi, and Bianhaizi, situated at an altitude of 2,600 meters. In summer, wildflowers blanket the meadows, while autumn transforms the area with layers of vibrant foliage. The lakeside features remnants of megalithic structures from over 2,000 years ago, combining archaeological value with natural beauty.
▶ Ulungur Lake:Xinjiang’s second-largest lake, divided into two main areas: Golden Coast and the Sea Devil’s City. The former offers a “Gobi Seaside” spectacle with golden sands and turquoise waters, while the latter features striking Yadan landforms meeting the lake, creating breathtaking sunset light effects.
▶ Kanas + Hemu:An in-depth exploration of classic attractions, avoiding crowded photo spots. Focus on birch forest hiking, visits to Tuwa households, stargazing, and upgraded accommodation in characteristic wooden cabins within the scenic area.
▶ Koktokay:Nestled in the Irtysh River Grand Canyon, where granite peaks intertwine with birch forests. In autumn, colorful foliage reflects on the river, satisfying both geological wonder and autumn photography enthusiasts.
[Simple Itinerary:9 Days, 8 Nights with Balanced Relaxation]
Day 1:Gather in Urumqi
Arrive in Urumqi in the afternoon, where a dedicated staff member will pick you up and check you into a 4-star hotel in the city.
In the evening, freely explore the International Bazaar. Recommended snacks include roasted stuffed buns, hand-pulled rice, and pomegranate juice.
Star Travel Recommendation✨: 2026 Urumqi, Qinghe, Fuhai 9-Day In-Depth Tour: Exploring the Grassland Poetry of Sandaohaizi and Ulungur LakeDay 2:Urumqi → Koktokay (5-hour drive)
Cross the Gurbantunggut Desert, enjoying views of the Junggar Basin’s desert landscapes along the way.
In the afternoon, visit Koktokay Geopark, hike the Irtysh River Grand Canyon, and photograph iconic landmarks like Zhongshan.
Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Fuyun County.
Day 3:Koktokay → Sandaohaizi, Qinghe (4-hour drive)
Depart early in the morning, traveling along the eastern section of the Altai Mountains with a stop at a local transhumance viewing platform.
Arrive at Sandaohaizi in the afternoon, take a scenic area off-road vehicle deep into the lake area, and hike the boardwalk from Huahaizi to Bianhaizi (approximately 3 km).
Enjoy a Tuwa-style dinner at a lakeside campsite in the evening, experiencing ethnic songs and dances.
Overnight in a scenic area wooden cabin (with floor heating).
Day 4:Sandaohaizi → Ulungur Lake, Fuhai (3-hour drive)
Return to Sandaohaizi in the morning for a second visit, ascending an observation deck for a panoramic view of the three connected lakes.
In the afternoon, head to Ulungur Lake, prioritizing a visit to the Sea Devil’s City area to witness the Yadan sunset.
[Route Highlights: An Ecological and Cultural Symphony in Northern Xinjiang’s Hidden Realms] Overnight at a lake-view hotel in Fuhai County. Dinner recommends a cold-water fish feast (huchen, five-banded barb).
Day 5:In-Depth Tour of Ulungur Lake
Enjoy water activities at Golden Coast in the morning, with optional desert motorbiking or camel riding.
In the afternoon, take a boat tour of the lake and visit Wild Duck Island to observe migratory bird habitats.
Return to Fuhai County in the evening for free time to purchase local specialties like Kazakh cheese and blackcurrant jam.
Day 6:Fuhai → Kanas (6-hour drive)
Cross the transitional zone between the Gobi Desert and grasslands, with a stop at Burqin’s Colorful Beach to photograph Danxia landforms.
Arrive at Kanas Scenic Area in the evening, take a shuttle bus to visit the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Crouching Dragon Bay), and ascend Guanyu Platform for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake.
Overnight at Jadengyu Ecological Hotel.
Day 7:Kanas → Hemu Village (2-hour drive)
Re-enter Kanas early in the morning for a hike along the Fairy Bay morning mist boardwalk.
In the afternoon, head to Hemu Village, enjoying views of birch forests and grasslands along the way.
Ascend Hadeng Platform in the evening for a panoramic village view and participate in a bonfire party at night.
This 9-day loop starts in Urumqi, connecting the two core landscapes of Sandaohaizi in Qinghe County and Ulungur Lake in Fuhai County, extending to iconic destinations in northern Xinjiang such as Kanas Hemu Village and Koktokay Geopark. The itinerary avoids crowded routes of conventional tour groups, delving deep into the hinterland of the Altai Mountains with daily driving limited to under 4 hours, allowing ample time to immerse in the pristine landscapes of grassland wetlands, canyon forests, and villages of various ethnic groups. Overnight in a Hemu wooden cabin (with private bathroom).
Day 8:Hemu → Urumqi (8-hour drive, including breaks)
Photograph Hemu’s morning mist in the early hours, experience horse-drawn sleigh rides (winter only) or horseback riding through birch forests.
Return to Urumqi in the afternoon with a stop at Karamay’s百里油田 (Hundred-Mile Oilfield) viewing platform.
Overnight at a hotel in Urumqi city, with a complimentary gift of Xinjiang dried fruits.
Day 9:Departure from Urumqi
Arrange airport transfer based on flight time to conclude the itinerary.
[Price Information:Transparent Pricing with No Hidden Costs]
2026 Reference Quotation:Adult: 5,980-7,580 RMB/person (price varies by season and accommodation standard)
Inclusions:
▶ Transportation:Full-trip 19-seat commercial vehicle or equivalent, including fuel, tolls, and driver’s accommodation and meals
▶ Accommodation:8 nights (including scenic area wooden cabins and 4-star hotels)
Core Landscapes at a Glance:▶ Admission Tickets:First entrance tickets and shuttle buses for Sandaohaizi, Ulungur Lake, Kanas, Hemu, etc.
▶ Meals:8 breakfasts + 6 main meals (including Tuwa-style and cold-water fish feasts)
▶ Services:Licensed guide, bottled water, emergency medicine, photography props (ethnic costumes, photo signs)
Exclusions:
▶ Round-trip transportation to/from Urumqi
▶ Optional activities within scenic areas (e.g., boat tours, desert motorbiking)
▶ :Single travelers will be matched for shared rooms; a 1,200 RMB/person supplement applies for private accommodation.
Note:Prices and availability are subject to contract confirmation or same-day verification and may fluctuate by departure date. The signed contract shall prevail.
[Registration Method:Customized Services by Professional Team]
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, offering the following service guarantees:
Verifiable Credentials:Holds a formal travel agency business license issued by cultural and tourism authorities
Standardized Contracts:Uses standard tourism contracts from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, clearly outlining费用明细 (cost breakdown) and liability terms
▶ Sandaohaizi: A group of alpine lakes consisting of Huahaizi, Zhonghaizi, and Bianhaizi, situated at an altitude of 2,600 meters. In summer, wildflowers blanket the meadows, while autumn transforms the area with layers of vibrant foliage. The lakeside features remnants of megalithic structures from over 2,000 years ago, combining archaeological value with natural beauty.Flexible Itinerary:In case of extreme weather or scenic area capacity limits, both parties may agree to reorder or substitute equivalent attractions
Emergency Response:24-hour customer service hotline, equipped with first aid kits and onboard oxygen generators throughout the trip
[Fee and Service Descriptions]
Guide Services:Guides with over 8 years of experience leading northern Xinjiang tours, skilled in geological history explanations and photography composition guidance
Vehicle Guarantees:New vehicles under 5 years old, with 1 million RMB travel liability insurance per seat and daily disinfection and ventilation
Accommodation Standards:Kanas/Hemu accommodations are high-quality wooden cabins within the scenic area; Urumqi features 4-star hotels, while other regions offer comfortable hotels
Meal Management:Team meal standard of no less than 40 RMB/person/meal, with priority arrangement at restaurants
Specifics subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
[Pre-Trip Tips]
Document Preparation:Valid ID (required for verification along the route), senior/student discount certificates
Clothing Recommendations:3-in-1 windbreaker, quick-dry clothing, sun hat, sunglasses, comfortable hiking shoes
Medication List:Cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness patches, insect repellent (recommended for summer)
Photography Gear:Wide-angle lens (for lakes), telephoto lens (for wildlife), power bank (fast battery drain in low temperatures)
Consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing at Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency for the latest 2026 departure dates and discounts. Let our professional team unlock northern Xinjiang’s hidden realms for an immersive “painting-like” travel experience!
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.

