Northern Xinjiang Winter Panoramic Grand Loop

Winter in Northern Xinjiang is a "snow and ice fairy tale"｜The ultimate romance at minus 30°C, with smoke rising from snowy fields, fish leaping in frozen lakes, and an unextinguished starry river deep into the night Have you ever seen such a scene? At 6 a.m., Hemu Village is covered by three meters of snow, a ray of sunlight slants onto the wooden roof, steaming up faint mist; in the distance comes the crisp sound of bells—that’s the Tuva people driving horse sleds through the snow, leaving a long trail behind, like a love letter written to winter. Meanwhile, Kanas Lake has long frozen into a mirror, with dark currents flowing beneath the ice, as if hiding a kingdom asleep for a thousand years; above Fuhai, Kazakh fishermen are holding an ancient winter fishing ceremony, giant nets break through the ice, silver scales splash, cheers shake the frost on pine branches... This is not a movie or a National Geographic cover, this is Northern Xinjiang from December to February—the last icy secret realm of China. This time, we don’t chase spring flowers or autumn leaves, but bravely venture into the heart of winter, to complete a route specially designed for "ice and snow lovers + photography enthusiasts + culture fans": The "Winter Panoramic Grand Loop" Starting from Urumqi, diving deep into the Altay snowy region core, in 8 days, crossing 5 stunning snowy landscapes, witnessing a magnificent epic about cold, purity, and vitality. 📍 Route Overview Urumqi → Koktokay (Glacier Canyon) → Burqin → Hemu (Snow Village Morning Mist) → Kanas (Frozen Lake and Rime) → Fuhai Winter Fishing Festival → Return to Urumqi 🗓 Recommended Duration: 7-8 days｜❄️ Ice and Snow Adventure · Folk Experience · Photography Heaven｜💰 Budget: 7000–9000 RMB/person 🌨 Best Season: Mid-December – Early February (maximum snow, stable temperatures, concentrated folk activities) 🌊【Day 1】Urumqi → Koktokay｜Enter the Frozen Irtysh River Canyon ✅ Arrive at Koktokay Town, known as "China’s Snow Capital" (winter average temperature -20°C to -30°C) Enter the Irtysh River Grand Canyon, the entire river is sealed by thick ice, with cliffs on both sides covered in sparkling rime. 📷 Must-shoot scenes: Ice surface reflects like a mirror, showing colorful mountains and blue sky Frost-covered dead trees, like a jade-carved forest Golden light before sunset hits ice cracks, stunning details 🔥 Bonus activities: Follow a guide to hike into non-tourist areas to find natural ice caves Capture original scenes of herders driving cattle across the ice river (advance contact required) 🏨 Stay in high-end homestays or hot spring hotels in Koktokay Town (some with floor heating + oxygen supply)｜about 500 RMB/night 💡 Reminder: It’s extremely cold here, be sure to wear windproof masks, thick down jackets, and snow boots! 🌫️【Day 2】Koktokay → Burqin → Five-Color Beach Snow Scene → Hemu Village ✅ Morning passes by Five-Color Beach (closed in winter), but you can view the snow-covered Yadan wonders from the bridge The contrast between white snow and reddish-brown hills is striking, aerial shots are visually impactful ✅ Afternoon drives deep into the mountains, arriving at Hemu Snow Village (all snowy roads, 4WD required) The whole village is wrapped in silver, wooden houses half-buried in snow, chimneys emitting smoke At night, all is silent, look up to see the brilliant Milky Way 📸 Core shots: Climb Harden Viewing Platform at dawn: morning mist swirling, village faintly visible Use telephoto to capture Tuva families lighting fires and cooking Set up tripod at night to shoot starry arch + warm light from wooden houses in one frame 🎁 Special experience: Ride traditional horse sleds through the forest, the bell sounds crisp and pleasant Learn to make milk curds and hand-grabbed meat, drink a bowl of steaming brick tea 🏨 Stay in high-end Tuva wooden houses in Hemu (upgraded rooms, private bathroom + electric blankets)｜about 800–1000 RMB/night (seasonal fluctuation) ⚠️ Note: Winter accommodations are tight, booking 1.5 months in advance is recommended! ❄️【Day 3-4】Hemu → Kanas → Frozen Lake and Rime Wonderland ✅ Charter a car to cross the snowy highway to Kanas Scenic Area (winter access limited to tourist buses and special vehicles) Enjoy snow-covered pine forests and a fairy tale world of rime all the way 🔹 In-depth activities: Walk or take shuttle to the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) Fairy Bay morning mist + winding ice river, known as "Winter’s First Wonderland" Climb Fish Viewing Platform to overlook the entire frozen Kanas Lake, the blue ice layer embedded like a gem in the valley 🔥 Photo hotspots: Shoot rime’s crystal-clear texture with backlight Aerial shots of the S-shaped frozen lake + snowy mountain background, perfect composition Capture wild animals like squirrels and woodpeckers foraging in the snow 🏨 Stay in boutique snow lodges in Kanas Village｜with floor heating and scenic windows｜about 700 RMB/night 📌 Fun fact: In winter, Kanas Lake ice can be up to 1.5 meters thick, but water still flows underneath, nurturing cold-water fish. 🐟【Day 5】Kanas → Fuhai → Bohu Winter Fishing Cultural Festival｜Witness the Awakening of a Millennia-old Fishing and Hunting Civilization ✅ Drive south to Fuhai County (formerly "Burqin Duolekun") The Ulungu Lake Winter Fishing Festival (known as "Fuhai Winter Fishing") is held every late January 🎯 Main event: Winter Fishing Ceremony Kazakh and Han fishermen jointly hold lake worship and net awakening rituals Cut open nearly 100 meters of ice, pull out a kilometer-long giant net Tens of thousands of white-spotted pikes and perch burst through the ice, silver light flashing, the scene is boiling! 📷 Shooting tips: Wide-angle to record the enthusiastic crowd of thousands and flying snowflakes Close-ups of fishermen’s red faces from the cold and jumping fish Capture the "first fish auction" moment, with prices reaching tens of thousands of RMB 🍽️ Must-eat: On-site cooked "Snowfield Iron Pot Stewed Fresh Fish," best with naan bread! 🏨 Stay in a four-star hotel in Fuhai County｜with floor heating｜about 400 RMB 📌 Cultural trivia: Ulungu Lake winter fishing has a history of over a thousand years and was once a source of tribute to the Qing royal family. 🚘【Day 6-7】Fuhai → Urumqi｜Complete the Loop ✅ Return to Urumqi via G3014 Expressway (about 6 hours) Stop by Karamay Hundred-Mile Oilfield night view: countless "nodding donkeys" sway on the snowfield, very sci-fi ✅ After arrival, recommended to reward yourself at Consulate Lane or Erdaoqiao Market: Must-eats: baked buns, handmade yogurt, rose jam, almond sugar cakes ✅ Budget breakdown (per person｜winter light luxury standard): Item Cost ------ ------ Round-trip transport (prefer early flights, including luggage) ¥1800–2500 Car charter (Toyota Land Cruiser/4WD off-road, with professional driver-guide) ¥3000 Accommodation (7 nights average ¥650+, selected well-heated homestays) ¥4550 Tickets + shuttle + winter fishing participation fee ¥600 Meals + warm gear rental + insurance + photography supplies ¥1000 Total ¥7000–9000 💬 Note: "Light luxury" means: full 4WD guarantee, high-quality heated accommodation, deep folk experience, ample photography time. 🌟 Why is this route called the "Winter Loop Ceiling"? Because it meets four ultimate conditions simultaneously: ✅ Unique scenery Ice lakes, rime, snow villages, ice rivers, winter fishing... gathering China’s top northern winter landscapes Wilder than Northeast China, more pristine than Switzerland ✅ Authentic and moving culture Tuva snow-dwelling life, Kazakh fishing and hunting traditions are not performances You can touch a disappearing "extreme cold survival wisdom" ✅ Outstanding photography success rate Hemu morning blue hour smoke Golden light on ice cracks at dusk Milky Way spanning snowy peaks at night Every frame can be a wallpaper ✅ Off-peak travel advantage Though cold, very few tourists, the scenic spots are so quiet you can hear snow falling. 📌 Action advice: 🎯 If you are: A photography enthusiast pursuing ultimate light and cultural themes → this route is your winter ultimate goal A family or couple wanting to experience a true "ice and snow kingdom" → horse sled, snow hotpot, warm wooden house lights = full romance An urbanite interested in ethnic minority culture → Tuva and Kazakh winter life is worth deep documentation 🔥 Best travel time recommendation: Late December–mid January: Christmas and New Year holidays, snow scenes just forming Late January–early February: winter fishing festival peak, atmosphere richest ⚠️ Extreme cold tips: Wear three-layer clothing (moisture-wicking + insulation + windproof) Keep phones and cameras warm, low temperatures may cause automatic shutdown Not recommended for elderly or children alone, emergency medical preparation needed This winter, don’t just hide in a heated room scrolling through others’ social media. Put on your thickest clothes, go to Northern Xinjiang. Stand in the center of Kanas Ice Lake, watch the sun rise, illuminating the entire rime forest; in a small wooden house in Hemu, hold a cup of hot milk tea, listen to the snow falling on the roof. At that moment you will understand: some cold is meant to warm a lifetime.