7 Days in Korla

The river parkland, the Iron Gate gorge 8 km out — one of China's 26 famous ancient passes — and the prefecture museum's Loulan halls (free, closed Mondays).

1. korla peacock river
2. korla iron gate pass
3. korla bayingol museum

Mute swans winter here November to March; otherwise Longshan hill park hands you the sunset over the oasis.

1. korla swan river
2. korla longshan park

About 60 km and an hour to China's largest inland freshwater lake at roughly 1,000 square kilometres; reed boardwalks and lakeside fish.

1. korla bosten lake

85 km southwest in Yuli county — Tarim backwaters, dunes and old poplars; camel rides along the sand line.

1. korla lop village

A 380-km, 5-6 hour drive north through Hejing and the Balungtai valley to the grassland town at about 2,500 m; go out to the Nine Bends of the Kaidu for sunset, when the river catches the last light.

1. korla bayanbulak

The swan-lake reserve fills with migratory birds through summer; boardwalks keep you off the marsh grass. From June to October the road home can run over the Duku Highway's northern section.

1. korla bayanbulak

September orchards load the city with fragrant pears — pick and box your own — then a riverside walk and the hour-long flight to Urumqi.

1. korla pear orchards
2. korla peacock river