Urumqi

Think of Urumqi as your essential and comfortable basecamp for exploring the giants of Central Asia. The city itself offers a vibrant introduction to the region’s diversity, especially at the Xinjiang Museum, where you can see astoundingly preserved mummies that connect you to the ancient soul of this land. But Urumqi’s true purpose in your journey is as the gateway to the Tianshan range. From the city, we’ll take a stunning drive up to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), a turquoise jewel set amongst snow-capped peaks and pine forests. It’s the perfect first adventure: a dramatic taste of the wild, epic landscapes that await you.