How much does a private customized tour in Xinjiang cost?
Customized tour consultation: 1813962-2229
Most people who come to Xinjiang for tourism are driven by a certain ‘feeling’. May you catch the ‘Xinjiang bug’ here, and your journey will surely be unforgettable. As a Xinjiang native, the purpose of writing this guide is to directly provide useful information and tell you what you need to know and consider before coming to Xinjiang.
▶ Understand the general situation and get a quick interpretation of Xinjiang;
▶ Determine the mode of travel and recreation? Join a tour group? Carpooling? Self-driving?
▶ Determine the travel time (including summer, autumn, and winter routes);
▶ Preparations before arrival.
1. Unlock northern and southern Xinjiang:
One-sentence analysis of northern and southern Xinjiang: ‘View scenery in northern Xinjiang, experience culture in southern Xinjiang’.
2. List of scenic area systems:
The northern Xinjiang scenic areas mainly include Altay and Ili Prefectures, while southern Xinjiang mainly includes Aksu, Kashgar, Hotan, and Bazhou, with Urumqi surrounding Turpan and Changji.
① Northern Xinjiang
Altay Prefecture: Kanas, Hemu Village, Baihaba Village, Colorful Beach, Koktokay, No.3 Mining Pit;
Ili Prefecture: Nalati Grassland, Kalajun Grassland, Bayin布鲁克 Grassland, Gongnais Grassland, Lavender Plantation Base, Khorgos Port, Tekes Eight Trigrams City;
Bortala Prefecture: Sayram Lake, Aibi Lake;
Karamay: World Ghost City;
△ Kanas Lake
② Southern Xinjiang
Bazhou: Bosten Lake, Taklamakan Desert, Lop Nur Village, Luntai Populus Euphratica Forest Park;
Hotan: Walnut King, Fig King, Yulongkashi River, Damagou Small Buddhist Temple;
Kashgar: Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Tomb,布伦口 Sand Lake, Karakul Lake, Mustag Atag;
Aksu: Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Dolan Tribe Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves;
△ Kashgar Old Town
③ Urumqi and surrounding areas
Urumqi: Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Nanshan Pasture;
Changji: Tianshan Tianchi, Jiangbulake, Qitai Devil’s City, Xinjiang Grand Theater;
Turpan: Daban City Wind Farm, Flaming Mountain, Grape Valley, Jiaohe Ancient City, Kaner Well.
3. Essential knowledge for traveling in Xinjiang:
① What is ‘TianTuKaYi’?
3. Essential knowledge for traveling in Xinjiang:
① What is ‘TianTuKaYi’?
3. Essential knowledge for traveling in Xinjiang:
① What is ‘TianTuKaYi’?
Tianshan Tianchi; Turpan; Kanas; Yili.
② What is the single room supplement?
For a single traveler staying in a standard room, an additional bed fee will be charged.
③ How to distinguish between ‘group tour, carpooling tour, chartered tour, and self-drive tour’? (Detailed explanation in Part 2)
Group tour – bus travel, check-in style travel, some include shopping stores; Carpooling tour – travel by car/commercial vehicle, with high comfort and freedom; Chartered flight tour – any model can be specified, and the itinerary time can also be adjusted flexibly.
4. Regarding the time difference:
There is a 2-hour time difference, and it gets dark between 10 and 11 pm in summer. The general work and rest schedule of Xinjiang people: 9:30-10:00 am for work, 2 pm for lunch, and 8 pm for dinner (all are Beijing time).
5. Recommended best scenery at different times in Xinjiang
This itinerary is for reference only, as I recommend visiting North Xinjiang for first-time visitors. After all, only those who have been to Xinjiang can truly experience the visual impact and enjoyment brought by the scenery of North Xinjiang!
March to April: Enjoy apricot blossoms in Turpan and Yili, and explore South Xinjiang (Turpan Toksun, Yili Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley, South Xinjiang)
April to May: Experience the desert in Turpan Kumtag and the culture of South Xinjiang (Turpan, South Xinjiang)
June: Enjoy grasslands, mountain flowers, and vast lavender fields in North Xinjiang (Nalati, Bayanbulak, Huocheng, Sayram Lake, Tangbula)
July to August: The best travel season in Xinjiang, with beautiful scenery everywhere (North and South Xinjiang, Duku Highway)
September to October: Enjoy the most beautiful autumn scenery in China (Kanas, Hemu) and appreciate the Populus euphratica (Luntai, Tarim, Mulei)
November to February: Ice and snow destination (Urumqi, Altay)
△ Sayram Lake
▍▍Determine the mode of travel and play
1. First, determine the mode of travel: Group tour? Carpooling? Chartered car? Self-drive?
Group tour: Even as a solo traveler, you can enjoy group prices, which are economical and convenient to book anytime. Disadvantage: Limited freedom, potential for poor service, and may even end up in a shopping tour with fancy tricks (therefore, it is recommended to compare different tour groups, choose a high-quality one, and directly inquire with the travel agency whether shopping is included);
Shared car tour: For 1-3 people, shared cars are recommended for their high cost-performance, ample time, and high degree of freedom. Disadvantage: Generally, a week’s notice is required to arrange for carpooling;
Chartered tour: It is recommended for groups of 4 or more to charter a car, which allows for flexible adjustment of the schedule and a comfortable, immersive gaming experience throughout the journey. Disadvantage: The cost is slightly higher than the first two options, but the more people, the more cost-effective it is;
Road trip: If you meet the conditions (financially abundant; at least two companions with driver’s licenses; not in a rush; preferably having local acquaintances in Xinjiang), it is recommended to drive, allowing for completely free travel at any time. Disadvantage: High costs, from route planning to accommodation and meals, every detail needs to be personally attended to, which can be energy-consuming.
Tips:
【About Car Rental】: It is best to have multiple people driving. Xinjiang is very far, and driving alone can be tiring. It is best to have three or four friends traveling together and taking turns driving. In Xinjiang, a 5-seater economy car costs about 600 yuan per day to rent; a 5-seater SUV costs about 800 yuan per day; and a 7-seater commercial vehicle costs about 900 yuan per day. The longer the rental period, the lower the average daily price. For example, renting a 5-seater SUV for 12 days costs about 600 yuan per day, and a 7-seater commercial vehicle for 12 days costs about 800 yuan per day. Renting a car for 12 days across Xinjiang costs about 9,000-12,000 yuan, with an average of 2,250-3,000 yuan per person. Therefore, from a price and fatigue perspective, I personally think that renting a car is not as good as carpooling.
2. Secondly, consider the transportation to and from Xinjiang: plane? Direct flight to scenic areas? Train?
If you are traveling with a group/carpooling/chartered car, fly to and from Urumqi or scenic cities; if you are driving, it is recommended to fly directly to Urumqi and rent a car for two reasons: first, round-trip tickets are cheaper than flying directly to scenic cities; second, considering the loop route, you don’t have to backtrack. It is recommended to fly directly to scenic cities, while trains and buses provide higher comfort for round trips to scenic areas.
▍▍Determine the length of stay and finalize the itinerary
Exploring northern and southern Xinjiang requires at least 20 days, and an in-depth exploration needs at least a month. Therefore, Xinjiang is so far away. If you want to stay for a few more days, plus the round trip of 7 days (including 2 days to and from Urumqi) is the minimum, otherwise, it will be a wasted trip. We will give the following suggestions based on the travel time:
1. 7-day reference itineraries (one Kanas route; one Ili route):
① 7-day in-depth Kanas tour
Day 1: Urumqi, travelers from all over the country
Day 2: Urumqi – Burqin
Day 3: Burqin – Hemu (Attraction: Hemu)
Day 4: Hemu – Kanas (Attraction: Kanas)
Day 5: Kanas – Colorful Beach – Burqin (Attractions: Kanas, Colorful Beach, Burqin Night Market)
Day 6: Burqin – Urumqi (Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar)
Day 7: Urumqi – Hometown
Note: You can also visit Tianchi Lake in the evening, but please pay attention to the time to avoid missing your flight.
② 7-day in-depth tour of Ili
Day 1: Urumqi, travelers from all over the country
Day 2: Urumqi – Tianchi Lake – Yining (two overnight train rides)
Day 3: Yining – Nalati (Attraction: Nalati)
Day 4: Nalati – Bayinbuluke – Yining (Scenic Area: Bayinbuluke)
Day 5: Yining – Khorgos – Sayram Lake – Yining (Scenic Areas: Khorgos Port, Sayram Lake Scenic Area)
Day 6: Yining – Urumqi (two overnight train rides); International Bazaar, Autonomous Region Museum
Day 7: Urumqi – Hometown
Note: You can also visit Tianchi Lake in the evening, but please pay attention to the time to avoid missing your flight.
2. Reference Itinerary for 10 days (Duku-Ili Route):
10-day tour of Altay, Duku Highway, and Ili
Day 1: Urumqi, travelers from all over the country
Day 2: Urumqi – Koktokay (Scenic Areas: Kokesu Lake, No.3 Mine)
Day 3: Koktokay – Burqin (Attraction: Koktokay)
Day 4: Burqin – Hemu (Attraction: Hemu)
Day 5: Hemu – Kanas (Attraction: Kanas)
Day 6: Beitun – Kuitun (Attraction: Ghost City)
Day 7: Kuitun – Duku Highway – Bayanbulak – Nalati (Attractions: Duku Highway, Bayanbulak)
Day 8: Nalati – Horgos – Lavender Base – Sayram Lake (Attractions: Nalati, Horgos Port, Lavender Manor)
Day 9: Sayram Lake – Urumqi (Attraction: Sayram Lake)
Day 10: Urumqi – Hometown (Suggested Attractions: Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar)
3. Recommended 12-Day Routes (one circuit in northern Xinjiang and one in southern Xinjiang):
① 12-Day Northern Xinjiang Circuit (Tianshan Tianchi, Altay, Ili, Turpan)
Day 1: Urumqi, travelers from all over the country
Day 2: Tianchi – Koktokay (Attraction: Tianshan Tianchi)
Day 3: Koktokay – Burqin (Attraction: Koktokay)
Day 4: Burqin – Hemu (Attraction: Hemu)
Day 5: Hemu – Kanas – Burqin (Attractions: Kanas, Colorful Beach)
Day 6: Burqin – Kuitun (Attraction: Ghost City)
Day 7: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Yining (Attractions: Sayram Lake, Horgos Port, Lavender Field)
Day 8: Yining – Nalati (Attraction: Nalati)
Day 9: Nalati – Bayanbulak – Hejing (Attraction: Bayanbulak)
Day 10: Hejing – Shanshan (Attractions: Flaming Mountains, Kumtag Desert)
Day 11: Shanshan – Turpan – Urumqi (Attractions: Uyghur Ancient Village, Sutep Tower, Kanarez Well, Grape Valley)
Day 12: Urumqi – Hometown (Suggested Attractions: Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar)
△ Colorful Beach
② 12-Day Southern Xinjiang Circuit (Turpan, Korla, Aksu, Kashgar, Hotan)
Day 1: Urumqi, travelers from all over the country
Day 2: Urumqi – Turpan (Attractions: Flaming Mountains, Uyghur Ancient Village, Sutep Tower, Kanarez Well, Grape Valley)
Day 3: Turpan – Korla
Day 4: Korla – Lop Nur Village – Kuqa (Attractions: Lop Nur Village, Tiemen Pass, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves)
Day 5: Kuqa – Aksu (Attraction: Tianshan Magic Wood Park)
Day 6: Aksu – Kashgar (Attractions: Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Tomb)
Day 7: Kashgar – Karakul Lake – Kashgar (Attraction: Karakul Lake)
Day 8: Kashgar – Hotan (Attractions: Amanisha Tomb, Walnut Tree King)
Day 9: Hotan – Minfeng – Tazhong (Attraction: Taklamakan Desert)
Day 10: Tazhong – Populus Euphratica Forest Park – Korla (Attraction: Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest Park)
Day 11: Korla – Urumqi
Day 12: Urumqi – Hometown (Suggested Attractions: Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar)
4. Recommended 20-Day Route (a panoramic circuit of both northern and southern Xinjiang):
20-Day Panoramic Northern and Southern Xinjiang Circuit Tour (covering all major attractions in Xinjiang)
Day 1: Urumqi, travelers from all over the country
Day 2: Tianchi – Koktokay (Attraction: Tianshan Tianchi)
Day 3: Koktokay – Burqin (Attraction: Koktokay)
Day 4: Burqin – Hemu (Attraction: Hemu)
Day 5: Hemu – Kanas – Burqin (Attraction: Kanas)
Day 6: Burqin – Kuitun (Attraction: Ghost City)
Day 7: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Yining (Attractions: Sayram Lake, Horgos Port, Lavender Field)
Day 8: Yining – Nalati (Attraction: Nalati)
Day 9: Nalati – Bayanbulak – Hejing (Attraction: Bayanbulak)
Day 10: Hejing – Lop Nur Village – Korla (Attraction: Lop Nur Village)
Day 11: Korla – Populus Euphratica Forest Park – Tazhong (Attraction: Populus Euphratica Forest Park)
Day 12: Tazhong – Minfeng – Hotan (Attraction: Taklamakan Desert)
Day 13: Hotan-Kashgar (Attractions: King of Juglans, Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Tomb)
Day 14: Kashgar-Karakul Lake-Kashgar (Attraction: Karakul Lake)
Day 15: Kashgar One-Day Tour (Attractions: Kashgar Old Town, Xiangfei Tomb)
Day 16: Kashgar-Daolang Tribe-Aksu (Attraction: Daolang Tribe)
Day 17: Aksu-Kuqa (Attraction: Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves)
Day 18: Kuqa-Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan-Turpan (Attraction: Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan)
Day 19: Turpan-Urumqi (Attractions: Flaming Mountain, Uyghur Ancient Village, Sutong Tower, Karez Well, Grape Valley)
Day 20: Urumqi-Hometown (Suggested Attractions: Autonomous Region Museum, International Bazaar)
5. Winter Recommended Itineraries (3 Days for Time-saving, 5 Days for Budget, 6 Days for Skiing, 8 Days for Ultimate Experience)
Unlike summer and autumn, it is not recommended to visit grassland scenic areas in Xinjiang during winter. Main winter tourist attractions recommended: Altay Kanas (stunning rime ice), Hemu (fairy-tale snowscapes, even more beautiful than Xuexiang), General Mountain Ski Resort (origin of human skiing); Ili direction, Swan Lake (otherworldly fairyland), Sayram Lake (ice bubble wonders). Recommended itineraries are as follows:
① Time-saving: Kanas D1, Double Flight to Hemu, 3 Days, Urumqi-Altay Airport-Kanas
D2 Kanas-Hemu
D3 Urumqi, Altay Airport
Tips:
The one-way ticket price from Urumqi Airport to Altay Airport is about 300-5000 yuan;
You can also fly directly to Kanas Airport, but tickets are limited;
Kanas is about 260 kilometers from Altay Airport, with a driving time of about 4.5 hours;
Kanas Airport-Kanas is 60 kilometers, with a driving time of about 1.5 hours.
② Budget: Kanas and Hemu, 5 Days with Round-Trip Train Travel
D1 Urumqi-Beitun (Train)
D2 Beitun—Hemu
D3 Hemu-Kanas
D4 Kanas-Beitun-Urumqi (Train)
D5 Urumqi Free Activities/Return Home
Tips:
You can add a day to visit Baihaba, which is a 6-day trip to Kanas, Baihaba, and Hemu;
If you want to enjoy a slow-paced trip, you can stay an extra day in Kanas/Hemu.
③ Skiing Experience: Kanas, Hemu, General Mountain Ski Resort, 6 Days
D1 Urumqi-Beitun (Train)
D2 Beitun—Hemu
D3 Hemu-Kanas
D4 Kanas-Altay
D5 Urumqi (Train) Letai General Mountain Ski Resort
D6 Urumqi Free Activities/Return Home
④ Ultimate Experience: Devil’s City, Kanas, Baihaba, Hemu, Ancient Sea Hot Spring, 8 Days
D1 Various places in Urumqi
D2 Urumqi-Devil’s City-Burqin
D3 Burqin-Baihaba-Kanas–
D4 Kanas-Hemu
D5 Hemu—Beitun
D6 Beitun-Ancient Sea Hot Spring
D7 Ancient Sea Hot Spring-Tianshan Heavenly Lake-Urumqi
D8 Urumqi Free Activities/Return Home
Tips:
Extreme experience: "Ice and Fire in Two Days" (Extremely Cold Northern Regions, Warming Hot Springs);
Check in at the Ancient Sea Hot Spring Hotel, and each room comes with two free hot spring tickets~
The standard room at Ancient Sea Hot Spring Hotel costs 280-380 yuan per night.
▍▍Must-Read Before Arrival
Clothing: "Wear a cotton-padded jacket in the morning, wear gauze in the afternoon, and eat watermelon around the fireplace".
▍▍Must-Read Before Arrival
Clothing: "Wear a cotton-padded jacket in the morning, wear gauze in the afternoon, and eat watermelon around the fireplace".
▍▍Must-Read Before Arrival
Clothing: "Wear a cotton-padded jacket in the morning, wear gauze in the afternoon, and eat watermelon around the fireplace". Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night, so pay attention to what clothes to bring. You must bring jackets, sweaters, and other clothing to places like Tianchi, Kanas, and Bayinbrook.
Transportation: Traveling in Xinjiang takes a long time. Please be mentally prepared, but reassuringly, the saying "the most beautiful scenery is on the way" is truly deserved in Xinjiang; Additionally, when herdsmen are transferring livestock on pastoral roads, there will be cattle and sheep. Remember to be patient and wait. Don’t worry. This is also a rare scenery; The journey is long. Friends who suffer from motion sickness should remember to prepare motion sickness pills/patches to better enjoy the journey.
Except for a few cities such as Urumqi and Karamay, accommodation facilities in Xinjiang are comprehensive. In many other places, especially scenic areas, accommodation is relatively simple and expensive, without air conditioning, and some even lack independent bathrooms. So everyone should be mentally prepared. You can also stay in folk houses or log cabins with ethnic characteristics (such as Kanas and Hemu) to deeply experience local customs. If you are on an in-depth adventure tour, you can also bring your own tent.
Prices: Feel like prices are doubled? Don’t be surprised! Xinjiang sells items by the kilogram.
Cash: Some scenic spots and highway toll stations only accept cash payments, so you must remember to bring some cash. Don’t worry. Street stalls in southern Xinjiang towns accept digital payments.
Unaccustomed to Local Conditions: The water in Xinjiang is alkaline and hard. People who are not accustomed to it may suffer from constipation. Those with stomach issues should pay attention to their diet, prepare medication in advance, and try to avoid discomfort to greatly reduce any negative impact on the travel experience.
Glasses: Xinjiang is relatively dry, so it is not recommended to wear contact lenses. Additionally, some places may not be convenient for washing, so it is advisable to wear daily disposable lenses.
Horseback Riding: If you have the chance, try horseback riding. Ili horses are the best in Xinjiang, with most scenic spots charging 80 yuan per hour, and you may negotiate to 60 yuan per hour in the off-season).
Insurance: Accidents and illnesses can occur at any time during the trip, especially in special areas such as mountain climbing, desert trekking, and ancient trail hiking. It is best to purchase travel insurance before the trip.
▍▍Necessary Equipment and Items
◆ Bring a suitcase and consider small bags for carrying essentials when leaving luggage at hotels or elsewhere during the trip;
◆ Large temperature difference between morning and night: bring a thick jacket, and pay attention to keeping warm at night or within scenic areas;
◆ Strong UV rays: sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, hats, and neck scarves;
◆ Dry climate: sunscreen, moisturizing lotion, hand cream, lip balm, and facial masks;
◆ Wear travel shoes, hiking shoes, or mountaineering shoes (preferably waterproof);
◆ Common medications: cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, band-aids, essential balm, and for those with hypoglycemia, remember to prepare some glucose oral solution;
◆ Various digital products (DSLR camera, charger, power bank, headphones);
◆ Insulated water bottle, some bottled water, dry food, fruits, and snacks;
◆ Toiletries and extra clothes;
◆ Trash bags for easy garbage disposal in the car.
Xinjiang Customized Travel Consultation: 1813962-2229