Hidden Loop Route in Xinjiang | East Tianshan Ecological Panorama Loop

99% of people only know about Heavenly Lake but miss this "hidden loop" in East Tianshan! Depart in May and see snow-capped mountains, wheat fields, and desert fireworks all in one day. Have you noticed— The beauty of Xinjiang never relies on filters. While everyone crowds at Heavenly Lake to photograph the lake’s reflection, Some are already driving through the golden rolling wheat waves of Jiangbulak; While tourists eat raisins in Turpan, Others lie at the edge of the Kumtag Desert, watching the sunset dye the dunes molten gold... This time, we won’t follow the usual tourist spots, But draw a complete circle: From the mirror of snowy peaks to secret grasslands, From millennia-old oases to solitary desert smoke— Circumnavigate the East Tianshan ecological loop and unlock the overlooked "Xinjiang puzzle." 📍 Route Overview Urumqi → Tianshan Heavenly Lake → Jiangbulak → Barkol Grassland → Hami → Kumtag Desert → Turpan → Return to Urumqi 🗓 Recommended Duration: 7-8 days｜🚗 Mainly self-driving/carpooling｜💰 Budget: 3500–5000 RMB per person 🌤 Best Season: May–October (pleasant climate, most complete scenery) 🏔️【Day 1】Urumqi → Tianshan Heavenly Lake | Start the "Eye of the Snow Mountain" ✅ Depart in the morning, 2 hours direct to Tianshan Heavenly Lake The azure lake reflects Bogda Peak, like an emerald embedded among snowy ridges Take the Mayashan cable car for a panoramic view or hike along the West Small Heavenly Lake trail 🔥 Photography Tips: Enter the park before 7 AM, the lake surface is windless and reflections are mirror-like 🏨 Stay in Fukang city or return to Urumqi (flexible arrangements) 🌾【Day 2-3】Heavenly Lake → Jiangbulak → Barkol Grassland | Enter "God’s Wheat Field" ✅ Arrive at Jiangbulak Scenic Area (Kazakh for "Source of Holy Water") Thousands of acres of dryland wheat waves ripple with the wind, snow mountains in the distance form a painting-like backdrop Experience the "Magic Slope" optical illusion, ride horses deep into the grassland interior ✅ In the afternoon, drive into Barkol Grassland (the largest alpine grassland in East Tianshan) Herds of cattle and sheep, wildflowers blooming, Qing Dynasty ancient city ruins lying quietly nearby Overnight in a grassland yurt, listen to herders play the dombra, drink freshly brewed milk tea 🏨 Stay in a boutique guesthouse in Barkol County｜About 280 RMB/night 📌 Fun Fact: This was once a key town on the Northern Silk Road; Zuo Zongtang stationed troops here when reclaiming Xinjiang! 🏜️【Day 4】Barkol → Hami → Kumtag Desert | From Grassland to Sea of Sand ✅ Arrive at "City of Melons and Fruits" Hami at noon Must-eats: freshly picked Hami melon, roasted camel meat, cold noodles with yogurt ✅ Enter Kumtag Desert at dusk (the world’s only desert connected to a city) Endless sand dunes roll, sunset light and shadow change unpredictably Try sand sliding, camel riding, or even stay at a desert starry sky camp 🏨 Stay in Shanshan County or desert hotel｜About 300 RMB 📸 Photo Spot: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the "sand ridge line cutting the sky and earth," incredibly stunning! 🍇【Day 5-6】Desert → Turpan → Flaming Land Vibes | Cross the oasis civilization beneath Flaming Mountain ✅ Visit Turpan’s classic three treasures: Karez: underground water miracle, ancient wisdom crystallized Jiaohe Ancient City: thousand-year-old rammed earth ruins, history echoes with the wind Flaming Mountain: red mountain body burns like fire, surface temperature can reach 70°C+ ✅ Must-experience: Eat chilled melons and fruits under grape arbors, feel the "ice and fire duality" At night, visit Gaochang Night Market, enjoy lamb skewers with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice 🏨 Stay in a star-rated hotel in Turpan｜About 260 RMB 💡 Reminder: Summer heat, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat! 🚘【Day 7-8】Turpan → Urumqi | Complete the loop ✅ Return via Lianhuo Expressway, smooth highway all the way ✅ Stop by Dabancheng Wind Farm, giant turbines spin in the wind, blending modern industry with nature ✅ Budget Breakdown (per person): Item Cost ------ ------ Transport in/out of Urumqi (train/flight) ¥800–1500 Car rental/carpool (including fuel and tolls) ¥1800 Accommodation (7 nights average ¥280) ¥1960 Tickets + shuttle (Heavenly Lake, Jiangbulak, desert, etc.) ¥450 Food + snacks + fruit purchases ¥600 Total ¥3500–5000 🌟 Why is this route worth a special trip? Because it’s not just a single scenery, But a continuous ecological miracle drama: In the morning, watch snowmelt nourish forests, At noon, pass through golden wheat fields, In the afternoon, gallop across grasslands, At dusk, sink into the desert, At night, nibble chilled melons in the oasis while counting stars... In just one week, You experience five landforms, four cultures, three climates. This is the true charm of Xinjiang: A world at every step, a different sky every ten miles. 📌 Action Tips: Check your holidays now! May-June for spring greenery, September-October for clear autumn colors, avoid the scorching heat of July-August for more comfort. Stop just checking in at Heavenly Lake, After completing this loop, you’ll say: "Xinjiang is so vast, I want to go ten more times."