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Xinjiang Road Trip: Exploring Northern Xinjiang's Hidden Desert Oasis

What Lies Beyond Xinjiang's REMOTE Desert?

Destination:ChinaProvince:XinjiangCity:Urumqi
What Lies Beyond Xinjiang's REMOTE Desert?
Expat Natt10 min

What Lies Beyond Xinjiang's REMOTE Desert?. This was filmed by Expat Natt. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Welcome to the MOST REMOTE land in the world, hidden in the vast desert of Northern Xinjiang. Join us on this epic roadtrip through Xinjiang's desert as we search for the secret oasis off the beaten path. In this China Travel Vlog we share with you the MUST EAT cuisines of Xinjiang, delicious handpulled noodles, and street food essentials. This video is the first in an incredible 2600+km drive around the province that most tourists never get to see. I felt like I had stepped into a Nat Geo documentary in the unique canyon near the town of Kuitun, found in the snow capped Tianshan mountains bordering Kazakhstan. S21 Desert Highway, Northern Xinjiang Beitun 北屯 Ulungur Hu Lake 乌伦古湖 Burqin 布尔津 Mo Gui Cheng 魔鬼城 Kuitun 奎屯

--- Expat Natt
October 26, 2024, Autumn in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Expat Natt's road trip runs over 2,600 km from Urumqi through the northern Xinjiang desert on the S21 highway. The trip includes camels, sweet melons, hand-pulled noodles, a small desert lake, Wulonggu Lake near Burqin, the wind-eroded Devil's City, and a mountain canyon near Kuitun. The video also notes tourism's effect on Devil's City. The long route also passes a small lake in the desert, a relatively new highway, and remote stretches with few tourists. Natt describes the camel ride with animal welfare in mind and ends the journey near Kuitun among snowy peaks, cattle, and wild horses, while pointing to a later episode about nomadic mountain communities.

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What Lies Beyond Xinjiang's REMOTE Desert?

Across the desert from Urumqi

Expat Natt travels over 2,600 km from Urumqi through the remote northern Xinjiang desert. The route follows the relatively new S21 desert highway through a vast, sparsely populated landscape. Along the way, Natt sees camels and tries melons, which are especially sweet. A small lake discovered in the desert becomes an unexpected stop.

Food is part of the journey as well. Natt tries Xinjiang hand-pulled noodles topped with minced meat, a regional dish highlighted during the road trip. Near Burqin, the route reaches Wulonggu Lake, a freshwater lake where Natt watches the setting sun. The lake provides a place to pause and take in the scenery after the long drive.

Wind-shaped landscapes and a canyon

The trip also includes Devil's City, or Mo Gui Cheng, a landscape shaped by wind erosion. Some formations resemble a miniature Grand Canyon. Natt observes that tourism has affected the area and that it can feel somewhat artificial, though the landforms remain notable. The video includes a camel ride, with attention to the animal's well-being.

Near Kuitun, Natt visits a mountain canyon surrounded by snowy peaks and grazing animals. The landscape includes cattle and wild horses. The account emphasizes the distance between stops and the limited tourist presence along the route. The video closes by pointing toward a future episode about nomadic mountain communities, rather than showing that later journey here. Travelers can look for local melons and noodles, plan for the long distance, and treat camel rides responsibly.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How long is the Xinjiang road trip?
A: The video describes a journey of over 2,600 km from Urumqi through the northern Xinjiang desert.
Q: What can visitors see near Burqin?
A: Wulonggu Lake is a large freshwater lake near Burqin. Natt visits at sunset and takes in the surrounding scenery.
Q: What is Devil’s City?
A: Devil's City, also called Mo Gui Cheng, is a wind-eroded landscape with formations compared to a miniature Grand Canyon. Natt notes that tourism has affected the area.

Previous travel video:

Xinjiang Road Trip: Exploring Northern Xinjiang's Hidden Desert Oasis

Explore Xinjiang's remote desert, discovering hidden oases and delicious street food. An unforgettable journey through breathtaking landscapes!

Xinjiang Road Trip: Exploring China's Remote Desert

Embark on an extraordinary road trip through Xinjiang's remote desert, a journey into the heart of China's hidden wonders. This epic adventure unveils stunning landscapes, from the unique canyons near Kuitun, nestled in the snow-capped Tianshan mountains, to a secret desert oasis. Savor the authentic flavors of Xinjiang's cuisine, indulging in hand-pulled noodles and street food delights. This is the first chapter of a 2600+km exploration of a region rarely seen by tourists, offering a glimpse into the captivating culture and breathtaking scenery of Northern Xinjiang.

Attractions in this video: Wulonggu Lake, Devil's City, Tianshan Mountains