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Karamay — China travel

14 Days in Karamay

Two weeks for the oil-city story and a second look at the Devil City, plus both Dushanzi and Anjihai canyons and an overnight at Sayram Lake on the old Ili route.

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Best time: May-June or September-OctoberBudget: mid-range

Quick Answer

Is 14 days enough for Karamay?

14 days lets you go beyond Karamay's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.

Source: NihaoVisit Karamay guide

14-day Karamay itinerary at a glance

Use our full Karamay travel guide as the base and adapt it to 14 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.

World Devil City yardangsBaiyanghe Grand CanyonDushanzi & Anjihai canyonsSayram LakeKaramay River at night
1
Day 1

Arrival & the oil story

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

Scenes from Karamay, China
  1. karamay no 1 well
  2. karamay oil museum
2
Day 2

River, Jiulongtan & parks

The 8.51-km river park threads the town; the Irtysh diversion, finished in 2000, enters at Jiulongtan's nine dragon heads.

Scenes from Karamay, China
  1. karamay riverfront
  2. karamay jiulongtan
  3. karamay century park
3
Day 3

Black Oil Hill & the pumpjacks

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

Scenes from Karamay, China
  1. karamay black oil hill
  2. karamay baijiantan oilfield
4
Day 4

To Urho — Baiyanghe canyon

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

Scenes from Karamay, China
  1. karamay baiyanghe canyon
5
Day 5

World Devil City & Ailik Lake

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

  1. karamay devil city
  2. karamay ailik lake
6
Day 6

Dinosaur park & return

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

  1. karamay dinosaur park
7
Day 7

South to Dushanzi

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

  1. karamay dushanzi grand canyon
8
Day 8

Dushanzi town & back north

A slow morning in Dushanzi's petrochemical town — the refinery dates to 1936 — and the Duku Highway's zero-kilometre plaza, then the drive back to Karamay.

  1. karamay duku zero km
9
Day 9

Anjihai canyon (Shawan)

About 170 km from Karamay in neighbouring Shawan county, the Anjihai river has sliced a gorge several hundred metres deep; the rim is unfenced, so keep back. Return by evening.

  1. karamay anjihai canyon
10
Day 10

Sayram Lake (Bortala)

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
11
Day 11

Morning lake & the long return

Early light on the water, then the 5-hour drive back with a lunch stop in Kuytun; Karamay by evening.

  1. karamay sayram lake
12
Day 12

Second look at the Devil City

Photographers come back for morning side-light on the yardangs, when the ridgelines stand out without the haze; a day trip with a mid-afternoon return.

  1. karamay devil city
13
Day 13

City wrap-up

Any galleries skipped on day 1, then the bazaar streets for flatbread, roast lamb and dried fruit — Karamay's food runs heavy on Xinjiang staples.

  1. karamay oil museum
  2. karamay city markets
14
Day 14

Departure

A last walk along the river park, then the airport 20 minutes from downtown; flights to Urumqi take about an hour.

  1. karamay riverfront

Budget for 14 days in Karamay

TierPer day14 days total
BackpackerUSD $50–$80USD $700–$1,120
Mid-rangeUSD $100–$200USD $1,400–$2,800
LuxuryUSD $300+USD $4,200+

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Frequently asked questions

What is the daily budget for Karamay?
Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.
Do I need a visa to visit Karamay?
It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Karamay?
Karamay's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Karamay guide.
Can I use 14 days for both Karamay and a side trip?
Yes — with 14 days you can pair Karamay with one nearby city (e.g. a short rail or bus side trip) and still have buffer days.
Is Karamay safe for tourists?
Yes. Karamay has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.

See also: Karamay travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.