Your photographic adventure begins at the stunning Jili Lake "Devil City", where wind-sculpted cliffs rise dramatically beside tranquil waters—a rare fusion of desert and lake landscapes.  Drive along the golden S21 Desert Highway, capturing endless sand dunes meeting the horizon.  At Ulungur Lake, witness graceful flocks of rare birds soaring over mirrored waters, offering perfect shots of nature’s harmony.

Step into a painter’s palette at Koktokay’s valleys, where rolling hills explode with wildflowers in golden yellows, soft purples, and fiery reds.  Next, the legendary Kanas Lake dazzles with its crystal-clear waters reflecting dense forests and snowy peaks.  Stroll along its shores to photograph delicate blooms dotting the meadows, while the iconic Moon Bay and Fairy Bay create dreamy, mirror-like compositions.

Discover Hemu Village, a postcard-perfect haven of wooden cottages nestled among golden birch forests.  Capture the morning mist rising over the village from the Haden Viewpoint—a scene straight from a storybook.  Nearby, the Colorful Beach amazes with its striped sandstone cliffs in vivid reds, oranges, and yellows, contrasted by spring’s wildflowers dancing in the breeze.

At Sayram Lake, the "Tears of the Atlantic," photograph sapphire waters framed by carpets of purple and yellow blossoms.  The Nalati Grassland and Karakun Prairie burst into life in May, with endless fields of wildflowers stretching toward distant snow-capped peaks.  These highland meadows, sprinkled with pops of pink, white, and blue, offer breathtaking wide-angle shots and intimate close-ups of petals glistening with morning dew.

Trip Highlights:

1. Jili Lake "Devil City": Where golden dunes meet turquoise waters!  Wind-sculpted cliffs rise like ancient castles, while spring wildflowers soften the rugged landscape—a photographer’s dream at sunset.

2. Koktokay’s Hidden Bloom Valley: Alpine meadows explode with golden and crimson flowers, cascading down valleys framed by snowy peaks.  Follow babbling streams to discover secret floral pockets.

3. Kanas Lake’s Mirror of Petals: Emerald waters double the magic: delicate white and purple flowers fringe the shores, while mist dances over bays where rare wild blossoms peek through pine forests.

4. Hemu’s Wildflower Tapestry: Wooden cottages nestle in valleys blanketed with fiery orange and buttery yellow blooms.  Climb to Haden Viewpoint for a patchwork of flower-strewn meadows and winding rivers.

5. Sayan Lake’s Golden Embrace: Ice-blue waters meet sunshine-yellow flower shores in May.  Watch how breezes send ripples through petals, creating living waves of gold against the lake’s deep blue.

6. Nalati’s Floating Flower Sea: Rolling grasslands transform into a pastel dream—soft pink, violet and golden flowers layer like watercolor strokes across hills where grazing horses complete the scene.

7. Karajun’s Floral Silhouettes: Nature’s sculpture garden!  Gentle slopes dotted with purple and white flowers mimic flowing fabric in the light.  At dusk, the entire landscape glows amber and lavender.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1: Arrival in Urumqi. Meals: D

Upon arrival in Urumqi, our guide will warmly greet you at the airport and provide a comfortable transfer to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have time to rest and adjust to Xinjiang's unique atmosphere. In the evening, we'll treat you to a special welcome dinner featuring authentic Xinjiang cuisine, where you can savor delicious lamb kebabs, fragrant pilaf, and freshly baked naan bread while experiencing traditional Uyghur hospitality.

Overnight: James Joyce Coffetel

D2: Urumqi → Jili Lake "Devil City" → Fuhai County. Meals: BLD

Today's journey begins with a scenic drive along the remarkable S21 Desert Highway, where you'll witness the dramatic transition from arid desert landscapes to the breathtaking Jili Lake "Devil City". This extraordinary geological wonder showcases magnificent Yardang formations dramatically juxtaposed against serene waterfront scenery, creating endless photo opportunities. As we explore, your guide will explain how millennia of wind and water erosion sculpted these unique landforms into their current spectacular shapes.

Overnight: Fuhai Kangmei Hotel

D3: Fuhai → Koktokay National Geopark → Fuyun County. Meals: BLD

Koktokay National Geopark awaits as a true botanical paradise, where you'll discover an incredible diversity of flora including the vibrant spring flowers Corydalis nobilis, Adonis chrysocyathus and Trollius altaicus creating colorful carpets across the landscape. The park also protects rare species like Salix metaglauca, Rhodiola quadrifida and Coptis chinensis, along with fascinating ferns and herbs including Asplenium altajense and Pyrola chouana. Your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the ecological significance of these endemic plants and their adaptations to this unique environment.

Overnight: JI Hotel

D4: Fuyun → Ulungur Lake → Burqin County. Meals: BLD

Ulungur Lake, one of China's most important bird habitats, offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities where you might spot nationally protected species including the majestic Ciconia nigra, the rare Chlamydotis macqueeni, and the impressive Haliaeetus leucoryphus among the Class I protected birds, along with Tetrax tetrax, Cygnus cygnus and Aquila clanga from the Class II protected species. The lake's rich ecosystem supports these magnificent creatures, and your guide will help you understand their behaviors and conservation status while you observe them in their natural habitat.

Overnight: Shangdu Hotel

D5: Burqin → Kanas Scenic Area → Jiadengyu. Meals: BLD

Today we visit the breathtaking Kanas Lake, renowned as "China's Most Beautiful Lake" by National Geographic magazine. The crystal-clear waters surrounded by dense forests and snow-capped mountains create picture-perfect views at every turn. We'll explore the lake's most scenic spots including the enchanting Fairy Bay, the crescent-shaped Moon Bay, and the dragon-like contours of Wolong Bay. Along the way, keep an eye out for the delicate Erythronium sibiricum and Viola altaica flowers adding splashes of color to the landscape.

Overnight: Kanas Ice Peak Villa

D6: Jiadengyu → Hemu Village → Colorful Beach → Burqin. Meals: BLD

The picturesque Hemu Village, nestled among lush birch forests dominated by Betula platyphylla, offers a fascinating glimpse into traditional Tuvan culture. From the Haden Observation Deck, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the entire village surrounded by majestic mountains. Later, we visit the stunning Colorful Beach, where wind and water have sculpted vibrant sandstone formations into surreal shapes. The area comes alive with colorful wildflowers including Paeonia intermedia, Tulipa iliensis and Aquilegia sibirica, creating perfect photo opportunities against the dramatic geological backdrop.

Overnight: Shangdu Hotel

D7: Burqin → Jeminay County → Karamay. Meals: BLD

Today's adventure takes us into Xinjiang's rugged desert landscapes, where we'll search for hardy desert plants like the medicinal Cynomorium songaricum and the resilient Zygophyllum fabago, learning about their unique adaptations to this harsh environment. As the day winds down, we'll arrive at Ailik Lake near Karamay, where you can capture breathtaking sunset views over the tranquil waters.

Overnight: MGM Hotel

D8: Karamay → Anjihai Grand Canyon → Kuytun. Meals: BLD

The spectacular Anjihai Grand Canyon awaits with its vividly colored cliffs displaying nature's artistic palette of reds, yellows and blues in dramatic stratified formations. Standing at the canyon's edge, you'll marvel at the forces of erosion that created this breathtaking landscape over millions of years.

Overnight: Dushanzi Sigma International Hotel

D9: Kuytun → Sayram Lake → Yining. Meals: BLD

Known as "the Atlantic's Last Tear", the stunning Sayram Lake is Xinjiang's highest and largest alpine lake, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding snow-capped mountains. We'll drive around the lake, stopping to explore the lush Haixi Grassland and the historic Genghis Khan Point, where you can feel the echoes of ancient history.

Overnight: Sayram Lake Qichi Pure Camp

D10: Yining → Nalati Grassland. Meals: BLD

The vast Nalati Grassland transforms into a colorful tapestry each spring, with wildflowers including tulips and lilies blanketing the rolling hills in vibrant hues. You'll have plenty of time to wander through this floral paradise, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

Overnight: Nalati Maple Forest Homestay

D11: Yili Tianshan Flower Sea → Kalajun Grassland → Yining. Meals: BLD

The Yili Tianshan Flower Sea bursts into bloom in May, with peonies and carnations creating spectacular displays across the mountain slopes. We then visit the renowned Kalajun Grassland, a classic example of alpine meadow ecosystem where colorful wildflowers grow against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Overnight: Vienna Hotel

D12: Departure from Yining. Meals: BL

On your final morning, enjoy some leisure time to explore Yining's markets and pick up last-minute souvenirs before we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight, concluding this unforgettable journey through Xinjiang's most spectacular landscapes and cultural treasures.

We will arrange one of our WildFloraTour experts for this trip based on the focus of this trip. All our experts have rich experiences of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides for your references.

Cory Li      WildFloraTour plant expert

Cory Li,co-founder, and general manager of WildFloraTour is a super fan of nature, especially for flowers. His passion for nature grows from the beauty of greens in the little boys' eyes. As a native of Sichuan Chengdu, he has spent a lot of time exploring nature in the mountains nearby his hometown. During his study at Sichuan University, he began to take lots of outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing and started to study knowledge about flora by himself. After graduation, he even spent more time in the wild than office exploring wildflowers in Sichuan and nearby provinces with other nature lovers and photographed about two thousand wildflower species. He even found several new distributions of some endemic species and even some new species of plants along with some other nature lovers. He loves to share his findings and stories behind the photos with other nature lovers on the internet and became a “flora idol” in southwest China. He never expected becoming famous out of this, he just enjoys sharing the beauty of those lovely flowers with others.

Ke Huang      WildFloraTour plant expert

Huang Ke, who graduated with a master's degree from Sichuan University, joined a local NGO after graduation, dedicating himself to environmental protection and biological resource surveys. Through years of study and fieldwork, he has gained a profound understanding of the diverse animals and plants in Southwest China. His work has taken him to remote forests, high-altitude meadows, and pristine river valleys, where he has documented rare species and contributed valuable ecological data.In addition to his field research, Huang Ke actively participated in the editing of several nature-related books, including the "Wild Bird Cartoon Guide" series, Between the Forest and the Sea, Picture of Giant Pandas, and Chengdu Nature Notes, which aim to enhance public awareness of biodiversity and conservation. His botanical research has also led to the discovery and publication of new plant species, such as Primula xilingensis and Primula meishanensis, enriching scientific knowledge of China’s flora. His passion for nature continues to drive his efforts in research, conservation, and education.

Ray      WildFloraTour plant expert

Ray graduated from Leshan Normal University, majoring in plant science. As an expert at WildFlora, Ray is responsible for the daily operations of WildFloraTour. He possesses a profound passion for nature, which prompted him to resign from his job in his hometown of Deyang and relocate to Chengdu to pursue his dreams and join WildFloraTour. Having specialized in botanical studies during his university years, Ray has acquired a distinct advantage in his work, affording him opportunities to discover endemic species and make thrilling new findings. Additionally, Ray is an avid photographer who captures the ephemeral beauty of nature, preserving invaluable moments that inspire others to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. At WildFloraTour, he collaborates with a team of plant specialists to design customized tours that cater to the individual interests of each traveler who has keen interests in plants. Whether it involves botanical exploration, cultural immersion, or wildlife safaris, Ray and his team strive to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience that fosters a deeper connection with nature.

Bella      WildFloraTour bird and mammal expert

Bella, the director of AlpineBirding, was graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University with a Bachelor's Degree. She joined AlpineBirding in early 2016 and became the director of AlpineBirding in 2018. She was born and grown up in a Bai ethnic family in Yunnan Province which boasts of the largest number of bird species in China. Her interests toward birds started with her observation of a Long-tailed Minivet in her mom’s garden at a very young age. As she grows up, the interests and love toward birds become stronger and stronger. Because of that, she found AlpineBirding before graduation and joined the company for further learning of birds. Bella has guided a number of birding trips in cooperation with AlpineBirding guide in the past years, her passion, readiness to help and detail-oriented attitude have won her lots of praise from our clients. She takes great pride in the work she is doing, now she is ready to help you plan your best birding trip in China in cooperation with her colleagues.

Karen       WildFloraTour logistic expert

Karen Lin is a native of Chengdu, Sichuan province. She loves and knows the culture of her hometown well, such as ancient Shu civilization, folk customs and ancient Chinese poetry.She has over 14 years' experience in foreign affairs service and tourism. She is familiar with the whole process of group operation. She is always good at thinking and full of ideas, and always gives the guests a warm experience with the special attention and consideration.Karen loves birds and enjoys go out for birding with the team, sometimes, she works as assistant for the group. She likes nature and is good at parent-child natural activities and education. In addition, she has long devoted herself to public welfare, especially caring for the elderly and disabled people, environmental protection, and reading promotion. She organizes and participates in a number of related volunteer work. She is a passionate and intelligent member of our team.

Philip      WildFloraTour culture and bird expert

As a half Kangba Tibetan, Philip is the founder of WildfloraTour and is native of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He has a deep love for his Kangba Tibetan heritage and the land where he was born and raised. Philip's career has gone from mining technician to teacher, to translator, and finally to a guide and tour operator. Along the way, Philip discovered his passion and love for helping tourists understand the beauty and history of his people and homeland. Philip is known for his ability to plan and execute unique and exciting adventure trips exploring the sights off the usual tourist routes. He is active, open-minded, and adventurous and always ready to share interesting and useful information with his clients. As a travel professional working in this field for more than 15 years, Philip believes travel is an art and a process of learning and discovery. Each trip is a unique artistic work created with knowledge and expertise based on the resources available and the interests and tastes of travelers. To help more people to understand the unique resources in panda habitats and neighboring areas, he established Wildflora to bring his educational fun-filled tours to more people eager to explore and learn about China. Besides, Philip is an active and knowledgeable birder and a dedicated photographer.

Besides, one of WildFloraTour's local guides in Southeast China will participate in this trip to ensure a high-end traveling experience.