2026 North and South Xinjiang Group Tour 14 Day Special Journey to Experience Snowy Landscapes and Desert Charms in Winter Latest Group Fare Price Inquiry Recommended Itinerary Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
Starred Journey✨:14-Day In-Depth Winter Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang in 2026 | A Visual Feast Through Snowy Realms and Desert Landscapes
I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: A Winter Tapestry of Fire and Ice
[Natural Wonders] Northern Xinjiang centers around Altay, the “Snow Capital of China,” featuring three major冰雪IP (ice and snow attractions): the frozen spectacle of Kanas Lake, the snowy morning mists of Hemu Village, and the blue ice fissures of Sayram Lake. Southern Xinjiang focuses on the Pamir Plateau, linking geological landscapes such as the ice-covered reflections of Baisha Lake, the snow-capped peak of Muztagh Ata, and the poplar forests on the edge of the Taklimakan Desert, creating a striking contrast of “snow-capped mountains, lakes, and deserts.”
[Cultural Experiences] In-depth visits to ethnic minority settlements:Experience traditional milk wine-making in a Tuva wooden house in Kanas, participate in pottery-firing with artisans of various ethnic groups in the Old City of Kashgar, observe eagle dance performances by people of various ethnic groups in Taxkorgan County, and feel the winter vitality of intangible cultural heritage.
[Transportation Upgrade] The entire journey uses four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles equipped with snow chains to traverse icy sections of roads such as the northern section of the Dukou Highway and the Ahe Highway. In southern Xinjiang, a helicopter sightseeing option from Taxkorgan County to Kashgar is available (advance reservation required), offering an aerial view of the snow line of the Kunlun Mountains.
II. Detailed 14-Day Itinerary (Winter 2026 Edition)
▍Northern Xinjiang Section (Days 1-7):A Fairy Tale World of Ice and Snow
Day 1:Gather in Urumqi
Visit the “Snow Culture Exhibition” at the Xinjiang Museum in the afternoon to learn about the winter survival wisdom of various ethnic groups
Dinner:Taste warm stomach-friendly delicacies such as baked buns and pot-cooked meat at the International Bazaar
Day 2:Urumqi → Heavenly Lake on Tianshan Mountain → Fuyun
Drive through the Gobi Desert of the Junggar Basin in the morning to observe winter flora and fauna
Hike on the frozen surface of Heavenly Lake in the afternoon and experience folk sports such as ice top and snow tubing
Stay overnight at a hot spring hotel in Fuyun and experience snow hot springs
Day 3:Fuyun → Koktokay → Burqin
Explore the Koktokay National Geopark all day:
Visit the No. 3 Mine to learn about the history of the meritorious mine
Hike to the Zhongshan Icefall and learn about glacier knowledge
Arrive in Burqin in the evening and taste a special cold-water fish banquet
Day 4:Burqin → Kanas → Hemu
Starred Journey✨: 14-Day In-Depth Winter Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang in 2026 | A Visual Feast Through Snowy Realms and Desert LandscapesDrive deep into the Kanas Lake area by off-road vehicle in the morning:
Hike along the Xianwan Rime Corridor
Climb Guanyu Terrace for an overview of the frozen lake surface
Head to Hemu Village in the afternoon and check into a scenic wooden house with floor heating
Participate in a Tuva bonfire party after dinner
Day 5:In-Depth Tour of Hemu
Photograph the morning mists at the Haden Platform in the early morning
Experience horse-drawn sleigh rides through the birch forest in the morning
Learn to make traditional fur skis in the afternoon
Attend a starry sky photography lecture in the evening
Day 6:Hemu → Urho Ghost City → Kuitun
Drive through the Gurbantunggut Desert in the morning to observe winter dune formations
Photograph the sunset at the Ghost City in the afternoon and learn about the formation of yardang landforms
Stay overnight in Kuitun and taste a Hui banquet of “nine bowls in three rows”
Day 7:Kuitun → Sayram Lake → Yining
Tour around Sayram Lake all day:
Hike on the ice to explore ice bubble wonders
Visit the site of the General’s Platform to learn about the history of Genghis Khan’s western expedition
Drive across the Guozigou Bridge in the evening and photograph snow-capped spruce forests
▍Southern Xinjiang Section (Days 8-14):A Cultural Journey Along the Silk Road
I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: A Winter Tapestry of Fire and IceDay 8:Yining → Kuqa
Take a high-speed train through the Tianshan Mountains in the morning and admire the snow-capped tunnel clusters
Visit the Secret Grand Canyon of Tianshan in the afternoon:
Learn about red bed landform knowledge
Photograph winter Danxia light and shadows
Stay overnight in Kuqa and taste baked buns and thin-skinned buns
Day 9:Kuqa → Aksu → Kashgar
Visit the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves in the morning to learn about winter fresco preservation techniques
Drive along the edge of the Taklimakan Desert in the afternoon to observe the winter state of the poplar forests
Arrive in Kashgar in the evening and take a night tour of the Old City light show
Day 10:In-Depth Tour of Kashgar
Visit the Kashgar Museum in the morning to systematically learn about the history of the Western Regions
Learn traditional architectural construction techniques of various ethnic groups in the afternoon
Experience the medicinal tea culture of a century-old teahouse during dinner
Day 11:Kashgar → Pamir Plateau
Full-day highland exploration:
Photograph the ice-covered reflections of Baisha Lake
Climb the Muztagh Ata Glacier Park
Visit the ruins of the Stone City to learn about the history of Silk Road trade
Stay overnight at an oxygen-supplied hotel in Taxkorgan County
[Natural Wonders] Northern Xinjiang centers around Altay, the “Snow Capital of China,” featuring three major冰雪IP (ice and snow attractions): the frozen spectacle of Kanas Lake, the snowy morning mists of Hemu Village, and the blue ice fissures of Sayram Lake. Southern Xinjiang focuses on the Pamir Plateau, linking geological landscapes such as the ice-covered reflections of Baisha Lake, the snow-capped peak of Muztagh Ata, and the poplar forests on the edge of the Taklimakan Desert, creating a striking contrast of “snow-capped mountains, lakes, and deserts.”Day 12:Pamir → Taxkorgan → Kashgar
Visit villages of various ethnic groups in the morning:
Experience eagle flute-making
Watch eagle dance performances
Return to Kashgar in the afternoon and purchase specialties such as Atlas silk
Day 13:Kashgar → Turpan
Visit the Xiangfei Garden in the morning to learn about the noble life of various ethnic groups during the Qing Dynasty
Take a high-speed train through the Gobi Desert in the afternoon and admire winter karez
Stay overnight in Turpan and taste grape dry rice
Day 14:Turpan → Urumqi
Visit the Jiaohe Ancient City in the morning to learn about winter site preservation techniques
Return to Urumqi in the afternoon and end the itinerary
III. 2026 Winter Tour Fare Announcement (Unit: RMB/person)
[Economy] 12,800-14,800
Accommodation:Three-star hotels + characteristic homestays
Transportation:7-seat business vehicles + second-class seats on high-speed trains
Dining:Team meals + 3 special meals
Included:First admission tickets to scenic spots, professional guides, basic insurance
[Comfort] 16,800-18,800
Accommodation:Four-star hotels + scenic wooden houses
[Cultural Experiences] In-depth visits to ethnic minority settlements: Experience traditional milk wine-making in a Tuva wooden house in Kanas, participate in pottery-firing with artisans of various ethnic groups in the Old City of Kashgar, observe eagle dance performances by people of various ethnic groups in Taxkorgan County, and feel the winter vitality of intangible cultural heritage.Transportation:Four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles + first-class seats on high-speed trains
Dining:Team meals + 6 special meals
Included:Helicopter sightseeing, hot spring experience, upgraded insurance
[Customized] Starting from 22,800
Accommodation:Five-star hotels + oxygen-supplied rooms
Transportation:Exclusive off-road vehicle fleet + business class
Dining:Michelin-recommended restaurants
Included:Intangible cultural heritage handicraft experience, private photography follow-up
Note:
December 15th to February 15th is the peak season, with prices increasing by 10%-15%
Child price (ages 6-12) is 70% of the adult price
Single travelers will do their best to coordinate room sharing; a supplement is required in special cases
The specific price is subject to consulting Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and signing a contract
IV. Registration Instructions
Registration Requirements:Healthy individuals aged 6-70 (those over 65 need to provide a health certificate)
Group Formation Instructions:10 people form a group, with a maximum of 20 people
Equipment Recommendations:
Clothing:Windproof down jackets, fleece pants, high-top snow boots
Accessories:Snow-blindness prevention sunglasses, touchscreen gloves, warm baby patches
Equipment:Spare camera batteries, waterproof bags, tripods
[Transportation Upgrade] The entire journey uses four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles equipped with snow chains to traverse icy sections of roads such as the northern section of the Dukou Highway and the Ahe Highway. In southern Xinjiang, a helicopter sightseeing option from Taxkorgan County to Kashgar is available (advance reservation required), offering an aerial view of the snow line of the Kunlun Mountains.Policy Tips:
A permit is required in advance to visit the Pamir Plateau
Scenic spot openings may change due to weather; both parties can reasonably modify the itinerary by mutual agreement
V. Service Guarantee System
[Escort]
Each vehicle is equipped with a first aid kit and satellite phone
Emergency channels are established with 8 scenic spot hospitals
Daily reminder text messages are sent
[Cultural Value-Added]
A folk culture expert is assigned to the group for explanations
Multilingual translation devices are provided
A “Xinjiang Winter Travel Manual” is gifted
[Quality Commitment]
No shopping arrangements are made throughout the entire journey
24-hour customer service response
Satisfaction follow-up is conducted after the trip
VI. Special Tips
Winter days are short and nights are long in Xinjiang; it is recommended to bring headlamps and other lighting equipment
Some mountain road sections may be temporarily closed; reserve 1-2 days of flexible time
Consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency for real-time availability information
This winter, let Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency take you through the icy world at -30°C and the warm sunlit ancient city at 15°C, feeling China’s most vast winter poem between the blue ice of Kanas and the pottery of Kashgar.
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation

