Northern Xinjiang Photography Expedition
What to Expect
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Northern Xinjiang, one of China’s most spectacular and least-explored photography destinations. This journey takes you through dramatic alpine landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, rolling grasslands, and towering snow-capped peaks, offering endless opportunities to create extraordinary images.
This is photography trip, relaxing journey focused on capturing landscapes and people, and waiting for the right morning or evening light. Designed for photographers of all levels, this tour combines carefully timed sunrise and sunset sessions with immersive travel, allowing you to capture Northern Xinjiang at its most beautiful and inspiring.
General Information
Destination: Xinjiang, China
Tour start: Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC)
Ending place: Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC)
Dates:
Trip A, July 24 July – 31 July (8-day): Bogeda mountain, Urumqi
Trip B, July 31 – August 3 (4-day): Xinjiang grassland, Ili
Duration: 8 Days
Accommodation: Hotel, Camping
Physicality: Moderate
Group Size: 7
Price: Contact for more information
Itinerary
Your adventure begins. Check in at least three hours before departure for your international flight to China. Most routes include a connection in Hongkong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, or Chongqing before continuing to Urumqi. Upon landing at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC), complete immigration procedures and collect your luggage. Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel in downtown Urumqi, approximately 30 minutes away.
We will take a short walk to Urumqi Grand Bazaar, experience the city’s unique blend of Uyghur and Han Chinese cultures, sample local cuisine, or explore nearby markets. Enjoy a relaxed evening to recover from the journey.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Dinner
Transportation: Car
Altitude: 800m
Depart from Urumqi and head to Aksu Valley. You will trek for approximately 5 hours, covering 17 kilometers, and finally arrive at the Aksu Glacier at an elevation of 3,000 meters. Along the way, you will gradually enter the northern slope landscape zone of the Tianshan Mountains, experiencing the transition from urban to natural scenery. Aksu Valley is the starting point of the Bogda basecamp, where the alpine meadows and pristine forests offer you a rich visual feast. The perennial glaciers and surrounding snow-capped mountains create a stunning contrast, making it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Car, Horse
Altitude: 3100m
A day of encountering a holy Lake in high mountains. Depart from the campsite and arrive at Emerald Lake at 3,500 meters. Along the way, the alpine meadows and glacial landscapes are captivating. The glacial scenery at the lake is particularly spectacular. Emerald Lake is a serene alpine lake with crystal-clear water, forming a striking contrast with the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Sunset at the Emerald Lake is truly special, with the snow-capped mountain reflecting the brilliant glow of the sunset light.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Horse
Altitude: 3500m
Begin the day with sunrise into the breathtaking Bogeda Mountain region, where the rugged peaks of the eastern Tian Shan create one of Xinjiang’s most spectacular alpine landscapes. During the short summer season, the elusive snow lotus (Saussurea involucrata) emerges among rocky slopes and glacial terrain. The Tian Shan Snow Lotus takes six to eight years to bloom just once in its lifetime; it stands as a symbol of extraordinary, enduring vitality, flourishing amidst one of Earth’s harshest environments. This flower species is strictly protected in China due to the risk of extinction caused by over-harvesting.
Accommodation: Camping
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Horse
Altitude: 3500m
The final day of our expedition is still exciting. Depart from the campsite and pass through Heigou Elephant Trunk Ridge and Heigou East Pass, eventually returning to Aksu Valley to conclude the trekking adventure and head back to Urumqi. Along the way, the alpine meadows and glacial landscapes provide a final visual feast for you. The scenery at Heigou Elephant Trunk Ridge is unique, with a mountain ridge resembling an elephant’s trunk leaving a lasting impression. The glacial scenery at Heigou East Pass is equally magnificent, especially the combination of the glacier and the surrounding mountains. Finally, you will return to Aksu Valley and then back to Urumqi, perfectly completing the Bogeda Photography Expedition.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Horse, Car
Altitude: 800m
Head to the airport for your flight home. You can choose any flight departing that day, or you can extend your trip to visit Ili, Xinjiang grasslands with us.
Learn more Xinjiang Grassland extended trip.
Tuition
There will be plenty of 1-to-1 time both on the hill and back at our accommodation. I’m equally comfortable teaching beginner or advanced photographers.
On this trip, you will get accustomed to outdoor camping at a moderate altitude of 3,500 meters. This elevation may cause a mild sensation of altitude sickness.
You will also familiarize yourself with techniques essential for wilderness landscape photography, such as panorama, focus stacking, and night sky photography.
Fitness and Experience
The journey in the Tianshan Mountains typically involves ascents with an elevation gain of approximately 900 meters to reach the campsite – situated at 3,500 meters above sea level – and may require spending the entire day in the mountains; Therefore, you need the appropriate level of physical fitness for these activities. Even if horses are arranged to transport you to the camp, good physical condition remains essential for acclimatizing to the altitude and moving around the campsite for photography. We will schedule at least one rest day between climbing days; furthermore, weather conditions often permit only one or two days of high-altitude climbing.
Equipment
A kit list will be sent out in advance of the trip, but you should dress expecting wet and cold weather (see below from late-October 2024!). It could be near zero and windy on the summits, so full waterproofs, hat, gloves and plenty of warm layers are necessary. You will need a headtorch in case we need to walk back in the dark (as will be the plan if we get a good mountain day). You must have walking boots or other suitable footwear if you are more experienced and know you can get away with trail shoes etc! Wellies and an umbrella may also be helpful.