How to plan a trip to Northern Xinjiang?
Recommended carpooling option:
Certified professional drivers provide carpooling and guiding services, with 5~7-seat commercial vehicles/off-road vehicles throughout the journey. The package includes transportation for the entire trip, driver-guide services, with stops along the way as desired, offering flexibility and freedom. Orders can be placed by individuals, and the platform and fleet will handle carpooling arrangements, so there’s no need to worry. The focus is on long-distance outdoor activities, and expenses can be adjusted according to personal preferences.
Carpooling plan: 5-day tour of Kanas highlights
D1 Urumqi – Karamay – Burqin
Depart from Urumqi, pass by Karamay, and overnight stay in Burqin, a Russian-style town.
D2 Burqin – Hemu Village
Hemu, known as ‘God’s Private Reserve’, is a primitive Tuva village, perfect for hiking, photography, and leisurely exploration; overnight stay in Hemu Village.
D3 Hemu Village – Kanas – Jiadenyu
Get up early to appreciate the morning fog in Hemu Village, visit the fairyland-like Kanas Scenic Area, and overnight stay in Jiadenyu.
D4 Jiadenyu – Wuerhe – Karamay
Along the way, enjoy the scenery of Agangeti Grassland, Colorful Beach, and Wuerhe Ghost Town, shaped by millions of years of water erosion and wind and sand impact, resembling ancient city walls, forts, and palaces; overnight stay in Karamay.
D5 Karamay – Urumqi
Enjoy the endless scenery of the Karamay Oilfield along the way and return to Urumqi.
Carpooling option: Yili + Sayram Lake 6-Day Tour
D1 Urumqi – Sayram Lake
Sayram Lake with colorful wildflowers, stroll along the lakeside grassland, watch the fantastic sunset, overnight stay in a Mongolian yurt to experience the grasslands, view the dazzling starry sky, and watch swans and wait for the sunrise the next morning (Sayram Lake has scenic area shuttle buses).
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D2 Sayram Lake – Guozigou Valley -霍尔果斯 – Yining
Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by Guozigou Bridge, enjoy the dense forest canyon,霍尔果斯口岸 (Horgos Port), lavender fields, and appreciate the beautiful sunset in Yili Valley.
Accommodation: Yining
D3 Yining – Kalajun – Tekes
Kalajun offers panoramic views like a painting, with typical grasslands, forests, snow-capped mountains, canyons, and icy lakes; Kalajun Lake can be toured by boat; Tekes Eight Trigrams City is a magical city, like a mysterious maze.
Accommodation: Tekes
D4 Tekes – Kurdning – Nalati
Along the way, Kurdning is at the top of China’s ten most beautiful forests, with vast primitive forests and a natural ‘oxygen bar’; Turgen Apricot Flower Valley (in April), Nalati Grassland is hilly and very beautiful with a sea of green.
Accommodation: Nalati
D5 Nalati – Joerma – Tangbula
In the morning, continue exploring Nalati Scenic Area, and head to Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Tangbula
* During the opening period of the Duku Highway (approximately June-November each year), Nalati – Tangbula – Duku Highway – Dushanzi
D6 Tangbula – Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Urumqi
Cross the Tianshan Highway, admire the alpine gorge landform, and return to Urumqi
Carpooling option: Kanas + Koktokay 7-Day Tour
D1 Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Ancient Sea Hot Spring
Tianshan Tianchi is known as the Fairyland on Earth. In the afternoon, pass by the Karamay Natural Reserve and stay overnight at Ancient Sea Hot Spring. If you skip Tianshan Tianchi, continue forward and stay overnight in Fuyun County.
D2 Ancient Sea Hot Spring – Koktokay
Visit Koktokay National Geopark, Irtysh Grand Canyon, the source of Irtysh River, and Kesusuli Wetland.
Accommodation: Koktokay
D3 Koktokay – Wulungu Lake – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Pass by Beitun and Wulungu Lake, visit the Colorful Beach.
Overnight stay in Burqin, a Russian-style town.
D4 Burqin – Hemu Village
Hemu is praised as the ‘God’s private land’, the original village of the Tuwa people, enjoy hiking, photography, and sightseeing to your heart’s content.
Accommodation: Hemu Village
D5 Hemu Village – Kanas – Jiadenyu
Get up early to enjoy the morning fog in Hemo, head to the fairyland Kanas scenic area, Kanas Lake, and Fish Viewing Terrace.
Accommodation: Kanas/Jiadenyu
D6 Jiadenyu – Urho – Karamay
Along the way, enjoy the scenery of Agangaiti Grassland and Urho Devil’s City, which, after millions of years of water erosion and wind and sand impact, resembles ancient city walls, forts, and palaces.
Accommodation: Karamay
D7 Karamay – Urumqi
Enjoy the endless scenery of the Karamay Oilfield along the way and return to Urumqi.
Carpooling option: Yili Little Loop + Bayinbrook 7-Day Tour
D1 Urumqi – Sayram Lake
Behind Sayram Lake stands the majestic snowy mountains, and wildflowers dot the grassland by the lake. The lake water is clear and azure, with ripples forming in the breeze, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D2 Sayram Lake – Guozigou Valley -霍尔果斯 – Yining
Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by Guozigou Bridge, enjoy the dense forest canyons, lavender fields,霍尔果斯 Gate, and Yili River sunset.
Accommodation: Yining
D3 Yining – White Stone Peak – Xiate Ancient Road – Zhaosu
Yizhao Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in Xinjiang. Zhaosu Grassland boasts many cultural relics and ancient sites, including the ancient Silk Road ruins of the Wusun Kingdom, grassland stone statues, grave mounds, and rock paintings.
Overnight stay in Zhaosu.
D4 Zhaosu – Kalajun Grassland – Tekes
Kalajun offers a panoramic view like a painting; Bagua City is a magical city, like a maze.
Accommodation: Tekes
D5 Tekes – Nalati – Bayinbrook
Nalati Grassland is hilly and very beautiful in green; visit Xinghua Valley in mid-April; visit Bayin布鲁克 Swan Lake.
Accommodation: Bayin布鲁克
D6 Bayinbrook – Joerma – Tangbula
Admire the sunrise over the grassland and the Swan Lake Grassland. In the afternoon, travel through the Duku Highway and enjoy the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery. (During the period when the Duku Highway is open to traffic, head to Dushanzi today and return to Urumqi from Dushanzi the next day.)
Accommodation: Tangbula
D7 Tangbula/Dushanzi – Urumqi
Cross the Tianshan Highway, passing by Anjihai Grand Canyon, and return to Urumqi.
Carpooling Itinerary: 8-Day Tour of Ili + Bayanbulak + Qiongkushitai
D1 Urumqi – Sayram Lake
Behind Sayram Lake stands the majestic snowy mountains, and wildflowers dot the grassland by the lake. The lake water is clear and azure, with ripples forming in the breeze, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D2 Sayram Lake – Guozigou Valley -霍尔果斯 – Yining
Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by Guozigou Bridge, enjoy the dense forest canyons, lavender fields,霍尔果斯 Gate, and Yili River sunset.
Accommodation: Yining
D3 Yining – Yizhao Highway – Xiata Ancient Road – Zhaosu
Yizhao Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in Xinjiang. Zhaosu Grassland boasts many cultural relics and ancient sites, including the ancient Silk Road ruins of the Wusun Kingdom, grassland stone statues, grave mounds, and rock paintings.
Accommodation: Zhaosu
D4 Zhaosu – Qiongkushitai
Head to Qiongkushitai, the most primitive ancient village. Stay overnight in a wooden cabin or a herdsman’s tent.
Accommodation: Qiongkushitai
D5 Qiongkushitai – Karajun Grassland – Tekes
Alpine flower fields and Karajun Grand Canyon offer panoramic views like those in a painting. Along the way, you’ll see primitive herding scenes on alpine grasslands. Tekes Eight Diagrams City is a magical city, like a maze.
Accommodation: Tekes
D6 Tekes – Nalati – Bayinbrook
Pass through Nalati Town and Turgen Apricot Flower Village (April), enter Bayinbrook Grassland to admire the sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns.
Accommodation: Bayin布鲁克
D7 Bayanbulak – Qiaerma – Tangbula
Grassland sunrise, Swan Lake grassland. In the afternoon, return via the Duku Highway, enjoying the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery.
Accommodation: Tangbula
D8 Tangbula – Urumqi
Cross Tianshan Highway, enjoy the alpine valley landform, and return to Urumqi.
Carpooling Itinerary: 8-Day Tour of Kanas + Koktokay + Sayram Lake
D1 Urumqi – Tianshan Tianchi – Ancient Sea Hot Spring
Tianshan Tianchi is known as the Fairyland on Earth. In the afternoon, pass by the Karamay Natural Reserve and stay overnight at Ancient Sea Hot Spring. If you skip Tianshan Tianchi, continue forward and stay overnight in Fuyun County.
D2 Ancient Sea Hot Spring – Koktokay
Head to Koktokay National Geological Park, Irtysh Grand Canyon, the source of the Irtysh River, and Kokesuli Wetland.
Accommodation: Koktokay
D3 Koktokay – Colorful Beach – Burqin
Passing by Beitun/Wulungu Lake, visit the beautiful Colorful Beach, and arrive at Burqin, a Russian-style town.
Accommodation: Burqin
D4 Burqin – Hemu Village
Hemu is praised as the ‘God’s private land’, the original village of the Tuwa people, enjoy hiking, photography, and sightseeing to your heart’s content.
Accommodation: Hemu Village
D5 Hemu Village – Kanas
Get up early to enjoy the morning fog in Hemo, head to the fairyland Kanas scenic area, Kanas Lake, and Fish Viewing Terrace.
Accommodation: Kanas/Jiadenyu
D6 Jiadenyu – Urho – Karamay
Along the way, enjoy the scenery of Agangaiti Grassland and Urho Devil’s City, which, after millions of years of water erosion and wind and sand impact, resembles ancient city walls, forts, and palaces.
Accommodation: Karamay
D7 Karamay – Sayram Lake
Cross the vast Gobi desert, view the hundred-mile oilfield along the way, arrive at Sayram Lake in the afternoon, take photos by the lake, with blue sky, white clouds, grasslands, flower fields, pine trees, cows, and sheep. It is recommended to taste the highland mutton in the evening, which tastes exquisite.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D8 Sayram Lake – Urumqi
Get up early to watch the sunrise and take the scenic area shuttle bus around the lake. Depart for Urumqi at noon to end this pleasant trip.
Carpooling Itinerary: 9-Day Tour of Ili + Kuqa + Turpan
Urumqi round trip
D1 Urumqi – Sayram Lake
Behind Sayram Lake stands the majestic snowy mountains, and wildflowers dot the grassland by the lake. The lake water is clear and azure, with ripples forming in the breeze, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D2 Sayram Lake – Guozigou Valley -霍尔果斯 – Yining
Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by Guozigou Bridge, enjoy the dense forest canyons, lavender fields,霍尔果斯 Gate, and Yili River sunset.
Accommodation: Yining
D3 Yining – Yizhao Highway – Xiata Ancient Road – Zhaosu
Yizhao Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in Xinjiang. Zhaosu Grassland has many cultural relics, ancient ruins of the Wusun ancient road, grassland stone statues, grassland mound tombs, and rock paintings.
Accommodation: Zhaosu
D4 Zhaosu – Karajun – Tekes
The Karajun pristine hilly and gullied grassland showcases the human-like curves of the grassland. Tekes Eight Diagrams City is a magical city.
Accommodation: Tekes
D5 Tekes – Nalati – Gongnais Valley – Bayanbulak
The Nalati Grassland along the way is hilly and very beautiful in green; Turgen Apricot Flower Valley (April); Arrive in Bayinbrook in the evening to admire the sunset at the Ninety-Eight Bends.
Accommodation: Bayin布鲁克
D6 Bayanbulak – Big and Small Dragon Ponds – Kuqa Grand Canyon
Grassland sunrise, Swan Lake, traverse the Duku Highway, visit the Big and Small Dragon Ponds, the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, and the ancient kingdom of Qiuci.
Accommodation: Kuqa
D7 Kuqa – Desert Highway – Lop Nur Village – Korla
Cross the Taklamakan Desert Highway, visit the mysterious Lop Nur Village, and explore the desert poplar forest.
Accommodation: Korla
D8 Korla – Turpan – Shanshan
Passing by Bosten Lake, Turpan Karez Wells, Jiaohe Ancient City, and Flaming Mountain.
Accommodation: Turpan/Shanshan
D9 Shanshan – Turpan – Urumqi
Visit the Kumtag Desert, Turpan Grape Valley, Tuyugou Historical City, and cross Daban City to return to Urumqi.
End: Urumqi.
Carpooling Itinerary: 9-Day Tour of Ili + Kuqa + Korla
Urumqi round trip
D1 Urumqi – Sayram Lake
Behind Sayram Lake stands the majestic snowy mountains, and wildflowers dot the grassland by the lake. The lake water is clear and azure, with ripples forming in the breeze, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D2 Sayram Lake – Guozigou Valley -霍尔果斯 – Yining
Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by Guozigou Bridge, enjoy the dense forest canyons, lavender fields,霍尔果斯 Gate, and Yili River sunset.
Accommodation: Yining
D3 Yining – Yizhao Highway – Xiata Ancient Road – Zhaosu
Yizhao Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in Xinjiang. Zhaosu Grassland boasts many cultural relics and ancient sites, including the ancient Silk Road ruins of the Wusun Kingdom, grassland stone statues, grave mounds, and rock paintings.
Accommodation: Zhaosu
D4 Zhaosu – Kalajun Grassland – Qiongkushitai
Alpine flower sea, Kalajun Grand Canyon, offering a panoramic view of picturesque scenery like out of a painting. Head to Qiongkushitai and stay in a wooden cabin or a herdsman’s tent at night.
Accommodation: Qiongkushitai
D5 Qiongkushitai – Tekes
Along the way, witness the scenery of primitive grazing on the alpine grassland. Tekes Bagua City is a magical city, like a mysterious maze. You can stay in Tekes at night or head to Qiaxi.
Accommodation: Tekes/Qiaxi
D6 Tekes – Nalati – Bayinbrook
Pass through Nalati Town and Turgen Apricot Flower Village (April), enter Bayinbrook Grassland to admire the sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns.
Accommodation: Bayin布鲁克
D7 Bayinbrook – Big and Small Dragon Ponds – Kuqa Grand Canyon
Grassland sunrise, Swan Lake, traverse the Duku Highway, visit the Big and Small Dragon Ponds, the mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon, and the ancient kingdom of Qiuci.
Accommodation: Kuqa
D8 Kuqa – Desert Highway – Lop Nur Village – Korla
Cross the Taklamakan Desert Highway, visit the mysterious Lop Nur Village, and explore the desert poplar forest.
Accommodation: Korla
D9 Korla – Bosten Lake – Urumqi
Visit Bosten Lake, the largest inland freshwater lake, and take a detour to view the Yadan landform in Toksun and the Dabancheng viewing platform.
End: Urumqi
Carpooling itinerary: 10-day tour of Kanas + Yili + Bayinbrook
Urumqi round trip
D1 Urumqi – Karamay – Burqin
Depart from Urumqi, pass through Karamay, and arrive in Burqin, a Russian-style town.
Accommodation: Burqin
D2 Burqin – Hemu Village
Hemu is praised as the ‘God’s private land’, the original village of the Tuwa people, enjoy hiking, photography, and sightseeing to your heart’s content.
Accommodation: Hemu Village
D3 Hemu Village – Kanas
Get up early to admire the morning fog at Hemu Village, take a hike through the village, and head to Jiadenyu to visit the fairyland-like Kanas scenic area and Kanas Lake.
Accommodation: Jiadenyu
D4 Jiadenyu – Wucai Beach – Urho – Karamay
Along the way, enjoy the scenery of Agangaiti Grassland, the World’s First Beach – Wucai Beach, and Urho Devil’s City, which, after millions of years of water erosion and wind and sand impact, resembles ancient city walls, forts, and palaces.
Accommodation: Karamay
D5 Karamay – Sayram Lake
Cross the vast Gobi desert, view the hundred-mile oilfield along the way, arrive at Sayram Lake in the afternoon, take photos by the lake, with blue sky, white clouds, grasslands, flower fields, pine trees, cows, and sheep. It is recommended to taste the highland mutton in the evening, which tastes exquisite.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D6 Sayram Lake – Guozigou – Horgos – Yining
Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by Guozigou Bridge, enjoy the dense forest canyons, lavender fields,霍尔果斯 Gate, and Yili River sunset.
Accommodation: Yining
D7 Yining – Kalajun – Tekes
Yizhao Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in Xinjiang. Kalajun offers a panoramic view of picturesque scenery like out of a painting; Bagua City is a magical city, like a mysterious maze.
Accommodation: Tekes
D8 Tekes – Nalati – Bayinbrook
The Nalati Grassland along the way is hilly and very beautiful in green; Turgen Apricot Flower Valley (April); Arrive in Bayinbrook in the evening to admire the sunset at the Ninety-Eight Bends.
Accommodation: Bayin布鲁克
D9 Bayinbrook -乔尔玛 – Tangbula
Admire the sunrise over the grassland and the Swan Lake Grassland. In the afternoon, travel through the Duku Highway and enjoy the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery. (During the period when the Duku Highway is open to traffic, head to Dushanzi today and return to Urumqi from Dushanzi the next day.)
Accommodation: Tangbula
D10 Tangbula – Urumqi
Cross Tianshan Highway, enjoy the alpine valley landform, and return to Urumqi.
Carpooling option: 12-day tour of the Northern Xinjiang Grand Circle
Urumqi round trip
D1 Urumqi – Colorful Bay – Koktokay
Colorful Bay, the continuous hills are mainly ochre, interspersed with yellow, white, black, green, and other colors.
Accommodation: Fuyun/Koktokay
D2 Koktokay – Burqin
Visit Koktokay National Geological Park, Irtysh Grand Canyon, and Koksuri Wetland.
Accommodation: Russian-style Town Burqin
D3 Burqin – Hemu Village
Hemu is praised as the ‘God’s private land’, the original village of the Tuwa people, enjoy hiking, photography, and sightseeing to your heart’s content.
Accommodation: Hemu Village
D4 Hemu Village – Kanas
Get up early to enjoy the morning fog in Hemo, head to the fairyland Kanas scenic area, Kanas Lake, and Fish Viewing Terrace.
Accommodation: Kanas/Jiadenyu
D5 Jiadenyu – Urho – Karamay
Along the way, enjoy the scenery of Agangaiti Grassland and Urho Devil’s City, which, after millions of years of water erosion and wind and sand impact, resembles ancient city walls, forts, and palaces.
Accommodation: Karamay
D6 Karamay – Sayram Lake
Cross the vast Gobi desert, view the hundred-mile oilfield along the way, arrive at Sayram Lake in the afternoon, take photos by the lake, with blue sky, white clouds, grasslands, flower fields, pine trees, cows, and sheep. It is recommended to taste the highland mutton in the evening, which tastes exquisite.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake
D7 Sayram Lake – Guozigou – Huoerguos – Yining
Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by Guozigou Bridge, enjoy the dense forest canyons, lavender fields,霍尔果斯 Gate, and Yili River sunset.
Accommodation: Yining
D8 Yining – Baishi Peak – Xiate Ancient Road – Zhaosu
Yizhao Highway is one of the most beautiful highways in Xinjiang. Zhaosu Grassland has many cultural relics, ancient ruins of the Wusun ancient road, grassland stone statues, grassland mound tombs, and rock paintings.
Accommodation: Zhaosu
D9 Zhaosu – Kalajun Grassland – Tekes
Kalajun offers a panoramic view like a painting; Bagua City is a magical city, like a maze.
Accommodation: Tekes
D10 Tekes – Nalati – Bayin布鲁克
Nalati Grassland is hilly and very beautiful in green; visit Xinghua Valley in mid-April; visit Bayin布鲁克 Swan Lake.
Accommodation: Bayin布鲁克
D11 Bayin布鲁克 – Duku Highway – Dushanzi/Kuitun
Watch the sunrise over the grassland, visit Bayin布鲁克 Grassland and its Nine-Bend River, enjoy the beautiful grassland scenery beyond the Great Wall; return in the afternoon, passing through the steep and beautiful Duku Highway.
Accommodation: Dushanzi/Kuitun
D12 Dushanzi/Kuitun – Anjihai Grand Canyon – Urumqi
Enjoy the alpine valley landform, pass by Anjihai Grand Canyon, return to Urumqi, and end the pleasant trip.
Best travel route:
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