Northern Xinjiang Photo Workshop 2025
Discover the hidden beauty of northern Xinjiang in this photography workshop. Escape the tourist crowds as you capture natural wonders like diverse terrains, serene lakes, lush canyons, green grasslands, and vast deserts.
The trip will focus on the western part of Xinjiang, we are going to the known tourist destinations such as Kanas lake and Hemu ancient villages.
Workshop Highlights
- Labrang Monastery - the largest Tibeten monastery outside of Tibet
- Meet tibetan and experience their culture and life
- Zhagana - the hidden Shangri-la
- River bends at sunset on Zoige Grassland
- Vast grassland with sheeps annd yaks
- Stunning landscape shoot on mountains, rivers, canyons
Cities Covered: Urumqi - Dushanzi - Sayram - Yining - Zhaosu - Tekes - Narat - Kuche - Urumqi
Date - June 2-12, 2025 | June 14-24, 2025
11 days / 10 nights
Price - US $4,900
Deposit of $1,000 upon booking. Price includes single occupancy room. Discount of $1,000 for couples or friend sharing subject to availability.
Available - Available
Maximum of 4 participants
Fitness level - Medium
No steps climbing. Walk up to two kilometers per day at the altitude of 2000-3000 meters.
Drone friendly - Partial
Our guide will provide the latest drone restrictions in each location.
What's included
- Photography guide + local professional
- Private van transportation
- 10-night accommodation (best in local)
- Inclusive entrance fees to photography locations
- Personalized processing instructions
- Urumqi airport pick-up & drop-off
Not included
- Arrival and departure flight/train
- Travel insurance
- Meals (lunch & dinner)
- Gratuity for local guide and driver
A taste of what to expect…
DAY 1-2: Urumqi Arrival and Dushanzi
- Urumqi arrival
- One hundred mile Danxia landform along S101 highway
- Undeveloped and most colorful Danxia
- Anjihai Grand Canyon
Upon arrival in Urumqi, be welcomed for a delightful dinner with your guide. Then, take a scenic drive on the picturesque S101 highway, featuring beautiful views, like the stunning Danxia formations and impressive canyons. Don't miss capturing the beauty of the 30-kilometer-long Anjihai Grand Canyon formed by three merging canyons.
DAY 3: Dushanzi - Sayram Lake
- Dushanzi Grand Canyon
- Sunset over Sayram Lake
- Milky way and star trail over lake
Begin your day with a 3.5-hour drive to Dushanzi Grand Canyon, a beautiful site with varying widths and heights.
Then, travel for 4 hours to reach Sayram Lake, the highest and largest lake in the area, surrounded by stunning mountains. It's known as "the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean" due to its role as the final stop for warm, moist air from the Atlantic.
DAY 4: Sayram Lake - Yining
- Sunrise over Sayram Lake
- Panoramic shots of Guozigou Bridge
- Kazanqi Folk-custom Village - people, culture and architectures
Wake up early for a lakeside sunrise capture. Post-breakfast, stroll along the lake for more photo opportunities.
Drive to Guozigou Bridge. Capture the panoramic view of the bridge.
In the afternoon, visit Kazanqi folk-custom village with its mix of European and Chinese architecture. Known as the "Residence Museum," it's admired for its well-preserved traditional style.
DAY 5: Yining - Zhaosu
- Yizhao highway scenery
- Hundreds of horses galloping in the river
- Sunset session in a wetland park
Start at 9 am capturing the landscape along Yizhao Highway by driving 6 hours.
At 5:30 pm, drive to Zhaosu Wetland Park to photograph hundreds of horses galloping in the river. This daily event is quite a spectacle with herdsmen, whips, and the Tekes River creating a stunning scene.
End your day with a sunset session at the Wetland Park.
DAY 6: Zhaosu - Tekes
- Kalajun Grassland
- Crocodile Bay
- Human body grassland and horses running
- Sunset and nightlife photography in Tekes
Take it easy until noon, enjoying a leisurely morning.
In the afternoon, head to Kalajun Grassland to capture the vast grassland, crocodile bay, and people riding horses.
Arrive at the hotel by 8:30 pm to photograph the sunset in Tekes county and the enchanting night scenes of the town.
DAY 7: Tekes - Tangbula
- Sunrise over snow mountains in Tangbula
- Tangbula Scenic Area photography: grassland, snow mountains, rivers and hot springs
- Sunset session on Tangbula Grassland
Start your day with a sunrise session over snow mountains at 6 am.
Leave the hotel at 9:30 am for an 8-9 hour drive to Tangbula Baili Gallery.
Tangbula Baili Scenic Area offers a stunning mix of grasslands, hot springs, snow peaks, and rivers. The Tangbula Prairie is like a poetic fairyland.
Capture the sunset at Tangbula grassland at 10 pm.
DAY 8: Tangbula - Narat
- Sunrise over Tangbula Grassland
- Grassland of the Sky in Narat
- Sunset session over Narat Grassland
Begin your day with a sunrise session at Tangbula at 6 am.
By 10 am, take a 2.5-hour drive to Narat county, check in, and enjoy a short break.
At 2:30 pm, board the shutter bus to the Grassland of the Sky. Capture the breathtaking scenery with snow-capped mountains and photograph the stunning sunset over the grassland.
DAY 9: Narat - Duku Highway - Kuqa
- Duku highway scenery photography
- Big Dragon and Small Dragon Lake
- Kuqa Grand Canyon
- Sunset over Tianshan Grand Canyon
Start your day with a 3-4 hour drive to Big Dragon and Small Dragon Lake along Duku Highway. Enjoy the clear waters, reflections of snow-capped peaks, and beautiful trees.
Explore Kuqa Grand Canyon with its stunning natural features.
Capture the sunset at Tianshan Grand Canyon, where rocks shaped by wind and rain resemble burning flames.
DAY 10-11: Kuqa - Korla - Urumqi
Today will be a long day with a 760 KM, 10-hour drive back to Urumqi.
During the journey, make a few stops to capture the beauty of the Tianshan Mountains and the scenery along the way.
Take a night walk in the Big Bazaar, indulging in the diverse food offerings and exploring the possibility of purchasing something unique. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and the array of flavors in this bustling marketplace.
Bring fantastic photos and departure for home.
Camera gears for this trip
- Two cameras: one for wide angle lens and one for zoom lens
- Wide angle 24-70; zoom lens 70-200
- Tripod and head light
- Polarizer filter (optional)
Top Gao has been working as an English-speaking tour guide for almost a decade, and since 2016, he has been specializing in photography tours.
Over the past few years, Top has led over 100 photographers from various parts of the world, and has supported dozens of workshops for photo tour organizations and clubs from the United States and Europe.
With his in-depth knowledge of camera equipment and a unique perspective on composition, Top can help you capture stunning portfolio shots in Xinjiang.
Is Xinjiang right for you?
Before joining our workshop, it's necessary to consider certain factors to ensure that Xinjiang is the right fit for your travel preferences.
- Accommodations and food are simple out of Urumqi - When venturing outside Urumqi, be prepared for simpler hotel accommodations and dining options. While Urumqi boasts a variety of hotels and restaurants catering to diverse tastes, the same may not be true in more remote areas.
- Long distance drive every day - Xinjiang is larger than many travelers might imagine, plan for 3-5 hours of driving between spots. The long distances contribute to its varied landscapes, from deserts to mountains.
- Some places get busy, both with people and traffic - Popular tourist destinations in Xinjiang can get crowded, may potentially lead to extended travel times on the road.
If you're seeking an adventure that combines cultural exploration with breathtaking landscapes, Xinjiang may indeed be the right destination for you.
