The recommended route for a seven-day free-and-easy trip to Xinjiang is as follows:?
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi?
Morning: Arrive in Urumqi, check in, and rest and adjust.?
Afternoon: Free activities. It is recommended to visit the Autonomous Region Museum or the International Bazaar to feel the Uyghur folk customs and taste local specialties such as mutton kebabs and hand-grabbed rice.?
Evening: Check in to a hotel in Urumqi city.?
Day 2: Urumqi to Sayram Lake?
Morning: Departing from Urumqi, enjoy the natural scenery along the way.?
Afternoon: Arrive at Sayram Lake, known as the "Last Tear of the Atlantic", and take a self-driving or hiking tour around the lake to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery.?
Evening: Check in to a hotel or homestay near Sayram Lake and enjoy the night by the lake.?
Day 3: Sayram Lake to Guozigou Bridge to Qiongkushitai?
Morning: Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake, and then head to the Guozigou Bridge to admire the steepness and beauty of the gorge.?
Afternoon: Cross the Guozigou Bridge and head to Qiongkushitai Village to feel the pristine natural scenery and Kazak culture.?
Evening: Stay at a homestay in Qiongkushitai Village and experience the rural atmosphere.?
Day 4: Qiongkushitai to Qiaxi Grassland?
Morning: Explore the surroundings of Qiongkushitai Village.?
Afternoon: Head to the Qiaxi Grassland to appreciate the vastness of the grassland and the scene of cattle and sheep herding.?
Evening: Check in to a hotel in Gongliu or Xinyuan county town.?
Day 5: Qiaxi Grassland to Nalati Grassland?
Morning: Departing from Gongliu or Xinyuan, heading to the Nalati Grassland.?
Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely stroll on the Nalati Grassland, feel the charm of the grassland and the unique flavor of Kazakh folk culture. You can participate in activities such as horseback riding on the grassland and ethnic dance performances.?
Evening: Check in to a hotel or yurt near the Nalati Grassland and experience the night on the grassland.?
Day 6: Nalati to Duku Highway to Urumqi?
Morning: Departing from Nalati, cross the Duku Highway, and experience the scenery of one of the "Most Beautiful Highways in China".?
Afternoon: Drive along the Duku Highway to experience the amazing changes of the four seasons in one day, and then return to Urumqi.?
Evening: Check in to a hotel in Urumqi city and review the beautiful memories of the trip.?
Day 7: Urumqi city tour or return trip?
Free activities in Urumqi city. You can choose to visit famous attractions such as Tianshan Tianchi and Turpan, or buy some local specialties as souvenirs, and then end your pleasant trip to Xinjiang and return.?
This itinerary covers many famous attractions and unique cultures of Xinjiang, but the specific itinerary may need to be adjusted according to the actual situation (such as weather, traffic, etc.). I hope this itinerary can provide some references for your seven-day free-and-easy trip to Xinjiang.?