This summer I joined our companys amazing and unforgettable tour of northern Xinjiang with 7 other colleagues and families from 18 Aug to 25 Aug. Here I would like to share some of the beautiful and breathtaking moments of our trip with my limited words and photos.

18Aug 2018 Zhengzhou-Urumqi-Fuyun County

We flew 4 hours from Zhengzhou to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang and the farthest city from the sea in the world. During the 10-hour drive to our destination, Fuyun County, the amazing view caught our full attention, the endless Gobi Desert, wild horses, camels, cows and nomad yurts, etc.

19Aug 2018 Fuyun County-Keketuohai -The WucaiBeach-Buerjin County

We got up early in the morning to start our first tour spot, Keketuohai National Park, which is located on the southern slope of the Altay Mountains, offering you the beautiful scenery of mountains, forests, rivers and meadows.

After Keketuohai, we visited Wucai Beach, which is very popular with shutterbugs. The rocks change colour at sunset, mainly red, green, purple, yellow, white and black, hence the name Wucai (which means five colours in English).

20Aug 2018 Buerjin County-Kanas Nature Reserve-HemuVillage

On the way to Kanas, your eyes will be drawn to the high mountains, the nomads home, the local children on horseback greeting you in not-so-fluent Mandarin. It is wonderful to get to know another way of life, so different from your own.

Then we came across the incredible Kanas Lake, a well-preserved and colourful lake that offers different amazing views from near and far.

We stayed in the wooden guesthouse in the village of Hemu, one of the three residences of the Tuwa Mongols in China.

21Aug 2018 Hemu Village-Devil City-Kuitun

Dont miss the beauty of Hemu village. The view from the mountain is spectacular. Breathe in the fresh morning air and lose yourself in the sunrise, the morning mist, the Hemu River, the local wooden houses and the distant mountains.

Unfortunately, the tour of Devil City (the Yadan landform) was cancelled due to the announcement of 8 or even 9-10 degree winds. Instead we went to the vast melon land of a local farmer.

22Aug 2018 Kuitun-Sayram Lake- GuozigouApproach Bridge -Yining County

Todays highlight is the 2-hour excursion around Sayram Lake, the largest and highest alpine lake in Xinjiang. The shining lake, the Tianshan Mountain, the alpine meadows, the clouds and the groups of swans all together form a vivid and magnificent picture.

Next is the impressive Guozigou Bridge, one of the highest cable-stayed bridges in the world. You will be amazed by the wonder of this man-made wonder.

Overnight in Yining County, a town of lavender, the Provence of China. June is the best month to visit, when the lavender is in full bloom.

23Aug 2018Yining County-Nalati Grassland

This year from 21 to 23 August was the Gerbang Festival in Xinjiang, and we were warmly welcomed to visit a Hui minority family and were treated to their festive food.

Nalati Grassland has long been a famous pasture in Xinjiang, and the magnificent grassland has also been nicknamed "Grassland on the Clouds" due to its altitude. You would experience herds of sheep and horses, the fresh air, some quiet streams and local Kazakh herders and other fresh scenery. You could stay overnight in Nalati Grassland or at a nearby Kazakh family home to enjoy their traditional dinner and campfire party.

24Aug 2018Nalati Grassland-Bayanbulak Grassland-HejingCounty

Bayanbulak Grassland is the second largest grassland in China, but it was a shame that we skipped it due to the tight schedule. On the way to Hejing, it is a different scene with less green grass and trees and more desert, but countless herds of sheep.

25Aug 2018Hejing county- Urumqi- Zhengzhou

We went straight from Hejing to Urumqi for the flight back to Zhengzhou, passing deserts and bare mountains along the way.

The Northern Xinjiang Circuit:

My limited vocabulary can barely convey the beauty of northern Xinjiang, and I strongly recommend that you visit for yourself. If you havent been to Xinjiang, you are missing much of the beauty of China.

By Emily Zhu – Charmission Travel