10 Days in Karamay

The first well blew in on 29 October 1955; the exhibition hall needs about 90 minutes, free with ID and closed Mondays.

1. karamay no 1 well
2. karamay oil museum

The 8.51-km river park threads the town; the Irtysh diversion, finished in 2000, enters at Jiulongtan's nine dragon heads. Summer evenings bring riverside lights and the fountain.

1. karamay riverfront
2. karamay jiulongtan
3. karamay century park

Morning at the 13-metre seeping mound, then the Baijiantan flats where nodding pumpjacks still work the old "hundred-li" oil zone.

1. karamay black oil hill
2. karamay baijiantan oilfield

Drive the 100 km north (about 1.5 hours) and walk the red-walled gorge below Urho town; overnight in Urho.

1. karamay baiyanghe canyon

The 45-60 minute shuttle loop among the yardangs, then reeds and waterfowl at Ailik Lake; second night in Urho puts sunset and morning light both within reach. Entry with shuttle around CNY 60.

1. karamay devil city
2. karamay ailik lake

Models of the Cretaceous creatures whose fossils came out of these hills, then the drive back to Karamay.

1. karamay dinosaur park

150 km down the highway to where the Kuitun River cut walls about 200 m deep beside the zero-kilometre marker of the 561-km Duku Highway; overnight in Dushanzi.

1. karamay dushanzi grand canyon

An hour on, the Anjihai river has sliced a gorge several hundred metres deep through neighbouring Shawan county — stand back from the unfenced rim. Loop back past Kuytun for lunch and on to Karamay.

1. karamay anjihai canyon

A long haul west on the G30 — about 400 km, 5 hours — to the alpine lake at 2,070 m on the old Ili caravan route; walk the shore and overnight in Bole or a lakeside yurt camp.

1. karamay sayram lake

Early light on the water, then the 5-hour drive back; break the trip in Kuytun and reach Karamay by evening, or overnight there for a next-morning flight.

1. karamay sayram lake