Day 1 | Arrival in Urumqi
Arrive in Urumqi and enjoy airport pickup service before transferring to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free for rest and adjustment. Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang and the starting point of this desert off-road journey.
Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy free time in the city before the adventure begins.
Highlights
- Airport pickup in Urumqi
- Stay at a premium 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi
- Free time to rest and prepare for the journey
Accommodation: Premium 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi
Day 2 | Urumqi → Flaming Mountain → Tuyugou Mazar Village → Shanshan
After breakfast, depart from Urumqi and travel toward Turpan, one of the most iconic desert regions along the ancient Silk Road.
Visit the famous Flaming Mountain, known for its striking red hills, dry desert climate, and legendary connection with Chinese classical stories.
Continue to Tuyugou Mazar Village, an ancient village hidden in a dramatic canyon landscape. With traditional homes, historic atmosphere, and Silk Road cultural traces, it is one of the most photogenic villages in the Turpan region.
After the visit, continue to Shanshan and check in to your hotel.
Highlights
- Flaming Mountain
- Tuyugou Mazar Village
- Turpan desert landscapes
- Ancient village and desert photography
- Stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Shanshan
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Shanshan
Day 3 | Shanshan → Red Willow Beach Canyon → Mars Base → Water Source Area → Shenxian Cave → Alien Willow Spring / Hami
After breakfast, begin one of the most visually striking days of the journey.
Travel through Red Willow Beach Canyon, where rugged desert colors and canyon textures create an otherworldly atmosphere. Continue to Mars Base, a landscape known for its Mars-like scenery and powerful visual impact.
Visit the Water Source Area and Shenxian Cave, then continue toward the Alien Willow Spring area near Hami. The scenery along this route feels remote, surreal, and highly suitable for drone footage, off-road photography, and short-video content.
Arrive in Hami and check in to your hotel.
Highlights
- Red Willow Beach Canyon
- Mars Base
- Water Source Area
- Shenxian Cave
- Alien-style desert landscapes
- Drone and off-road photography opportunities
- Stay in Hami
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Hami
Day 4 | Hami → Boyidun Historic Cultural Village → Lapuqiake Ancient City → Hami Ghost City → Shanshan
After breakfast, explore the cultural and desert heritage around Hami.
Visit Boyidun Historic Cultural Village, where local architecture and traditional village atmosphere reflect the cultural depth of the region.
Continue to Lapuqiake Ancient City, an important historical site connected with Silk Road routes and desert civilization.
Later, visit Hami Ghost City, famous for its wind-eroded desert landforms. The strange rock formations, wide-open scenery, and wild desert atmosphere make this one of the most cinematic locations in the region.
After the visit, continue back to Shanshan.
Highlights
- Boyidun Historic Cultural Village
- Lapuqiake Ancient City
- Hami Ghost City
- Desert landform photography
- Silk Road culture and wilderness scenery
- Stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Shanshan
Accommodation: 4-diamond hotel in Shanshan
Day 5 | Shanshan → Kumtag Desert Off-Road Adventure → Desert Market → Urumqi
After breakfast, enjoy the highlight off-road experience of the trip: Kumtag Desert.
Ride into the desert by off-road vehicle and experience rolling sand dunes, desert roads, and dramatic dune scenery. This is one of the best locations on the route for desert photography, drone video, and cinematic travel shots.
You may also visit a local desert market or desert-themed area, depending on the day’s arrangement.
After the desert experience, return to Urumqi and check in to your hotel.
Highlights
- Kumtag Desert
- Desert off-road experience
- Sand dune photography
- Drone and cinematic travel video opportunities
- Desert market / local experience, subject to daily arrangement
- Stay at a premium 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi
Accommodation: Premium 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi
Day 6 | Departure from Urumqi
After breakfast, enjoy airport transfer service according to your flight schedule.
If time allows, you may enjoy free time in Urumqi before departure.
Highlights
- Airport transfer in Urumqi
- End of the Xinjiang desert off-road journey