Bayingolin

China's largest prefecture-level administrative region, with diverse scenery including Bosten Lake, Bayanbulak and poplar forests.

Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture lies in southeastern Xinjiang and is the largest prefecture-level administrative region in China, with terrain spanning the Tianshan Mountains, the Tarim Basin and the Altun Mountains. Its capital, Korla, is known for fragrant pears, and nearby Bosten Lake is one of China's largest inland freshwater lakes. Bayanbulak Grassland in Hejing County has a swan lake and the Nine Bends of its river, the Tarim poplar forest in Luntai turns brilliant gold in autumn, and Ruoqiang is the gateway for exploring Loulan and the Lop Nur area. Summer and autumn are the best seasons, with October the time to see the poplars. The gateway is Korla Airport.

Destinations

• Korla
• Ruoqiang
• Bayanbulak
• Luntai & Tarim Populus Forest
• Ürümqi

Itineraries

• South Xinjiang, Pamir & Desert Highway Grand Loop – Ascend the Pamirs from Kashgar, travel through Yarkand and Hotan, cross the Desert Highway, and return to Urumqi via Ku…
• Duku Highway: North-to-South Tianshan Crossing – Drive the entire Duku Highway from Dushanzi to Kuqa, experiencing grasslands, mountain passes, the Nine Curves and Eigh…
• Tarim Golden Autumn: Korla to Kuqa – Witness the spectacular autumn colors of the Lop Nur People Village and Luntai Populus Forest, then drive the northern…
• North Xinjiang Grand Loop: Kanas, Ili & Duku Highway – Depart from Urumqi to loop through Altay, Sayram Lake, and Ili, returning via the northern section of the Duku Highway
• Golden Autumn in Altay: Kanas & Hemu – A spectacular autumn journey through Koktokay, Ulungur Lake, Hemu, Kanas, and Baihaba, ending with the Ahe Highway
• Classic Silk Road: Urumqi, Turpan & Kashgar – Visit Heavenly Lake, the ancient ruins of Turpan, Kashgar Old Town, and Tashkurgan, using a domestic flight to connect…
• Eastern Tianshan Loop: Qitai, Barkol, Hami & Turpan – A loop from Urumqi around the Eastern Tianshan, connecting wheat fields, grasslands, the Hami King's Palace, and the an…
• Short Trip: Urumqi, Heavenly Lake & Turpan – Four days to explore museums, the Grand Bazaar, Heavenly Lake, and the ancient city of Turpan, traveling by high-speed…
• Silk Road Rail Journey: Urumqi to Lanzhou – Travel from west to east along the Lanxin Railway, visiting Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, and Lanzhou