Consultation hotline for shared car and chartered bus tours in Xinjiang: 0991-8585456 (same number)
[Yicheng Scenery] Four-day shared car tour of Sayram Lake, Lavender Fields, Karakjun Grassland, Tekes, Bayinbrok Grassland, and Duku Highway
Itinerary Highlights:
1. [Slow Travel Around Sayram Lake]: Exclusively arranged for a drive around Sayram Lake without extra charge, camping inside the scenic area to enjoy sunsets and sunrises;
2. [Grassland Atmosphere]: The grassland scenery in the Yili region is magnificent, with the selection of the two major grasslands of Karajun and Bayinbuluk, as well as the optional Nalati Grassland;
3. [Duku Highway]: The Tianshan Duku Highway, with four seasons in one day and magnificent scenery, is also a hero’s road; 4. [Carpooling Travel]: The popular trend of carpooling with like-minded friends to see beautiful scenery.
Estimated departure dates: June 1st – September 30th, subject to the opening or closing of the Duku Highway. Book and go; vehicle type will be arranged based on the number of registrations on the day, with five-seat vehicles for 1-4 people and seven-seat vehicles for 5-6 people.
——————————————Simplified Itinerary————————————————-
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake Accommodation: Camping at Sayram Lake
Day 2: Sayram Lake – Karajun Grassland – Bagua City Tekes Accommodation: Tekes County
Day 3: Tekes – Nalati – Bayinbuluk Grassland Accommodation: Bayinbuluk
Day 4: Bayinbuluk – Duku Highway – Urumqi
——————————————–Detailed Itinerary————————————————
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake – Lake Circuit Tour (about 620KM, driving for about 7 hours) Accommodation: Camping at Sayram Lake
After leaving Urumqi, we head west along G30 Expressway to explore the distant Yili. The car travels on the flat and wide highway, also along the economic belt of Northern Xinjiang. The highway passes through fertile farmland stretching thousands of miles and also crosses newly developed cities. You can also see the vast desert. After passing Bole City, we will climb over several huge hill-like steps. Suddenly, in the distance where the eye can reach, a faint blue color hangs in the air like a mirror. As we get closer, we realize it is a huge lake.
This is the beautiful Sayram Lake. Sayram Lake is beautifully lonely, with no forests or rivers around it, only towering mountains in the distance. It unreservedly displays its beauty before your eyes. After purchasing tickets at the ticket booth, you will begin today’s official tour. Other travel products for visiting Sayram Lake involve taking the scenic area shuttle bus or paying extra for the driver to drive around the lake, but we enter the scenic area in our own car so that we can stop and take photos whenever we encounter beautiful scenery and tour at will. Sayram Lake is famous for its blue waters. The clearer the weather, the bluer the color of the lake. The clear lake water has great visibility, and stones several meters deep by the lakeside are clearly visible. The Haixi Grassland is a beautiful area of Sayram Lake. In May and June, wildflowers bloom everywhere, and the grass is lush. Climbing up the Dianjiang Platform offers a panoramic view of the lake, and sometimes you can see swans gliding in the water.
In the evening, we helped each other pitch tonight’s camping tents. If the weather is clear, we can clearly see the stars in the sky. Hotel accommodation is not included for that night.
Reference Time:
08:00 Depart from Urumqi, passing through Changji, Shihezi, and Kuitun along the way
13:00 Arrive in Jinghe for lunch, taking about 1 hour
14:00 Depart and continue to Sailimu Lake, taking about 1.5 hours
15:30 Arrive at the scenic area and purchase tickets, taking about 20 minutes
15:50 Enter the scenic area for a lakeside tour, lasting about 2 hours
18:00 Pitch tents and set up the campsite, followed by free activities
Friendly Reminder
1. Today’s driving distance is relatively long, and there are many highway service areas. It is recommended to bring an appropriate amount of snacks and drinking water.
2. The lakeside tour of Sailimu Lake is a complimentary item and does not require additional fees. Please carefully distinguish it from other products on the market. In case of special circumstances that prevent a full lakeside tour, no refund will be given.
3. Since we will be camping that night, it is recommended to purchase food for dinner during lunch or dine in the Longling Village or the yurts of nearby herdsmen within the scenic area.
4. Camping tents are prepared in advance at a ratio of one tent per two people. Tourists do not need to prepare them. Free camping equipment includes tents, moisture-proof mats, sleeping bags, etc. There is no usage fee. Please take care of the equipment. In case of contamination or damage, compensation will be charged according to the price.
5. In case of rainy or windy weather, those who are afraid of the cold can choose to experience the Kazak yurt we provide for free. However, please understand that due to limited conditions, there are no showers or bathrooms in the yurts (one yurt per group, mixed gender accommodation). Due to environmental protection policies at Sailimu Lake, we arrange yurts about 5-8 kilometers away from the lakeside for the experience. We hope you can understand. Hotel expenses are not included for that night!
Lunch Recommendation: Have lunch in Jinghe or Wutai, try Xinjiang-style dishes such as noodles with vegetables, pilaf, or meatball soup, with an average cost of about 30 yuan per person.
Dinner Recommendation: Please purchase camping food as needed.
Today’s Keywords: Sailimu Lake, Lakeside Tour, Camping
Day 2: Sailimu Lake — Karajun — Tekes County (about 270KM, driving time about 5 hours)
Accommodation: Tekes (Reference Hotels: Crowne Plaza, Dayou Hotel)
The camping night passed quickly. Today, we had to get out of the tent before sunrise. The grass was still covered with dew, and the wildflowers hadn’t fully awakened. By the lake, we watched the eastern horizon first turn white and then gradually turn golden yellow. The sun smiled from the top of a distant mountain, and its golden light spread across the surface of Sailimu Lake, creating a magnificent sight. This beautiful moment is worth appreciating with our eyes and recording with our cameras.
Afterwards, we packed up the tents and tidied up the campsite, taking away the trash. Let’s cherish this beautiful scenery together. Leave nothing behind except for good memories, and take nothing away except for beautiful photos.
Leaving Sailimu Lake, we drove into the Guozigou Tunnel. The spectacular Guozigou Bridge winds like a huge dragon among the mountains. The car passed through tunnels and drove onto viaducts, moving through the valley of Guozigou with changing scenery. After driving out of Guozigou, we felt suddenly enlightened and arrived at the Yili River Valley Plain.
First, go to the breakfast hall to fill your stomach (complimentary breakfast), do a simple wash-up, and then head straight to Tekes County.
Along the way, pass through Yining City and cross several mountains to arrive at Bagua City—Tekes County. After lunch, enter the Karajun scenic area for a visit.
Karajun scenic area is a newly developed 5A-level grassland culture scenic area in recent years. It covers a vast area and is divided into two major parts: East Karajun, West Karajun, and Koksu Canyon. To fully explore it would take at least two days. Due to limited time, you can freely choose to visit one of the parts.
In the East Karajun area, you can see distant nomadic tribes and the Wusun Summer Capital. On the vast grassland, cattle and sheep resemble pearls scattered on a green carpet, presenting a magnificent view of the grassland beyond the Great Wall.
West Karajun is the top choice during early summer in June. Flower Terrace is a sea of flowers and a heaven for bees and butterflies. Tall or short, brightly colored wildflowers bloom freely here, as if competing for beauty, each displaying its best posture for tourists.
Koksu Canyon presents a different scene. The Koksu River winds through the grassland, cutting deep gullies into the flat terrain. Suddenly, at a bend in the river, you’ll see a huge crocodile lurking in the water—this is the picturesque Crocodile Bay. There is also Karajun’s representative scenery—the Human Body Grassland. The grassland follows the mountain’s contour, showing its gentle side, resembling a beauty’s back and serving as a favorite spot for photographers.
After the last shuttle bus leaves the scenic area, the county road at night is illuminated by streetlights, making the characteristics of Bagua City even more prominent. The roads radiate out in a pattern resembling a bagua diagram. It is said that it was designed and built by Qiu Chuji when he came to the Western Regions and is known as the place where Yijing Bagua culture and grassland culture converge. Return to Tekes County, have dinner, and check into the hotel.
Reference Time:
06:30 Watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake and pack up the tent, about 1 hour
07:30 Leave Sayram Lake and view the Guozigou Bridge from the car
08:30 Have breakfast in Lucaogou Town (complimentary), about 0.5 hours
09:00 Head to Tekes County (about 200 kilometers, 4 hours)
13:00 Arrive in Tekes County for lunch, about 1 hour
14:00 Head to the Karajun scenic area, about 40 minutes for 30 kilometers
15:00 Enter the scenic area for a tour, approximately 5 hours
20:00 Return to Tekes County and check into the hotel
Friendly Reminder
1. To protect the environment of Sayram Lake, camping partners must take away all garbage produced.
2. The weather is very cold at sunrise. Please keep warm if you get up early to watch the sunrise.
3. Since dining is inconvenient when camping, breakfast is specially provided today. You can fill your stomach and also do a simple wash-up.
4. The Karajun scenic area is huge. Due to limited time, you can freely choose to visit either East Karajun or Koksu Canyon; ticket prices are the same.
5. Tekes County’s Bagua City is a wonder. During free time, you can experience the streets arranged like a bagua diagram.
Lunch recommendation: Free dining in Tekes County, with an average consumption of around 50 yuan per person
Dinner recommendation: Free dining in Tekes County, with an average consumption of around 50 yuan per person
Today’s Keywords: Sunrise, Karakjun, Eight Trigram City
Day 3: Tekes – Nalati – Bayinbuluke (about 350KM, driving time about 7 hours)
Accommodation: Bayinbuluke Town (Yindeng Hotel, Baisheng Hotel)
After breakfast, leave Tekes County and drive along the flat highway in the western Tianshan Mountains valley. Fertile farmland is on both sides of the road, and occasionally, there are small patches of grassland on the alluvial fan plains at the foot of the mountains. More often, you will see forests of Tianshan snow岭 spruce. After about 5 hours of driving, arrive at Nalati Town and have a simple lunch.
After arriving in Nalati, we will head to the Valley Grassland for a visit. Here, the mountains are adorned with flowers, cows and sheep graze leisurely, horses gallop, and streams flow gently through the valleys. As one of the four major grasslands in the world, the subalpine meadow plant area has been a pasture since ancient times. Here, you can bathe in the gentle and warm sunshine of the grassland, breathe in the fragrance of flowers弥漫 in the breeze, and enjoy the rich and authentic natural landscape of the grassland. (The visiting time should be controlled within 2 hours because we need to arrive at Bayinbuluke Grassland around 6 pm to see the beautiful sunset over the nine-bend-eighteen-turn riverbed. Of course, you can also choose to go directly to Bayinbuluke)
In the afternoon, leave Nalati Town and cross two Daban passes to arrive at Bayinbuluke Grassland, the second-largest grassland in China. Transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus for a tour. The shuttle bus takes about 1 hour to reach the stop. Occasionally, you can appreciate the graceful swans in Swan Lake. More importantly, at sunset, you can overlook the Kaidu River approaching slowly from the horizon. On sunny days, climb up to the best photography spot to see the miracle of eighteen suns reflected in the nine-bend-eighteen-turn riverbed. In the evening, return to Bayinbuluke Town to check into the hotel.
Reference Time:
08:30 After breakfast, leave Tekes County and head to Nalati Town (about 250 kilometers, 5 hours)
13:30 Arrive at Nalati Town for lunch, 30 minutes
14:00 Optionally enter Nalati Aerial Grassland or Valley Grassland for a 2-hour visit
16:00 Leave Nalati and head to Bayinbuluke, 90 kilometers, 1.5 hours
18:00 Enter Bayinbuluke Scenic Area to play and take photos (about 4 hours)
22:00 After enjoying the sunset, leave the scenic area and return to Bayinbuluke Town to check into the hotel.
Friendly Reminder
1. There are many speed limits on roads in the Ili area, so today’s driving time will be relatively long;
2. To provide tourists with diverse and free choices, Nalati Grassland is optional for visits. However, to catch the last shuttle bus to Bayinbuluke Scenic Area, the playing time should be controlled within 2 hours;
3. There are many mosquitoes in Bayinbuluke Scenic Area. Please take measures to prevent mosquito bites. The temperature drops sharply after sunset. Please be sure to bring a jacket before entering the scenic area,
4. Bayinbuluke Town is located in a remote area with poor accommodation conditions. The tourist season is distinct with high accommodation prices during peak seasons, and it is difficult to find a room. Please be mentally prepared for the accommodation on the same day;
5. Due to the complete freedom of wildlife in the Swan Lake scenic spot within the scenic area, swans may not be visible every time. For the Nine-Bend-Eighteen-Turn scenic spot, it is subject to weather conditions. In case of cloudy, rainy, or other weather conditions, it may not be possible to appreciate the miracle of eighteen suns. Please be aware of this;
Lunch Recommendation: Xinjiang-style cuisine in Nalati Town, average consumption of about 30 yuan per person
Dinner Recommendation: Xinjiang-style cuisine in Bayanbulak Town, average consumption of about 50 yuan per person
Today’s Keywords: Nalati Grassland, Bayanbulak Grassland, Sunset at Nine-Bend and Eighteen-Turn River
Day 4: Bayanbulak – Duku Highway – Urumqi (about 550 kilometers, 10 hours of driving)
Duku Highway, these four words are not unfamiliar to you if you love traveling. Today, you will travel along the northern section of the Duku Highway, crossing the Tianshan Mountains, and experience the charm and scenery of one of China’s most beautiful highways, the Duku Highway. Due to its opening, the distance between the northern and southern Xinjiang has been shortened by nearly half from the original more than 1,000 kilometers, which can be called a monument in the history of China’s highway construction. To build this highway, tens of thousands of soldiers fought for 10 years, among which 168 road-building soldiers sacrificed their lives, so it is also known as the ‘Road of Heroes’.
Experience four seasons in one day. Along the way, there are vast grasslands with beautiful scenery, towering mountains covered with clouds and snow, and the world’s hundred-meter snow-prevention corridor. There are endless beautiful views along the way. Today, drive across this highway and experience the magic of ice and fire. There are several viewpoints where you can stop and take photos, such as the Tianpu scenic spot and Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery.
After driving out of the mountain road and passing through Kuitun City, return to the G30 highway, and return smoothly to Urumqi for disbandment, ending the pleasant four-day Yili Grassland tour.
Reference Time:
09:00 Departure after breakfast in Bayanbulak Town
12:00 Arrival at Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery, visit and pay tribute, take a short break
15:00 Arrival at Dushanzi for lunch, approximately 30 minutes
15:30 Return to Urumqi along the highway, approximately 3 hours
18:30 Arrival and disbandment in Urumqi
Today’s Keywords: Duku Highway, Qiaoerma,
Expenses Included
1. Carpooling + Room Sharing Package: Vehicle usage fee, fuel fee, driver service fee, toll fee, parking fee, and driver’s board and lodging. Accommodation for individual tourists is arranged based on double occupancy of one standard room. Camping at Sayram Lake is arranged with two people per tent. For details, please consult customer service)
2. Transportation + Accommodation + Entrance Fees + Shuttle Bus Package: Vehicle usage fee, fuel fee, driver service fee, toll fee, parking fee, and driver’s board and lodging. Accommodation for individual tourists is arranged based on double occupancy of one standard room. Camping at Sayram Lake is arranged with two people per tent. Entrance fees for the first attraction listed in the itinerary and shuttle buses are included. The full-trip attraction ticket prices are as follows: First Attraction Entrance Fee + Shuttle Bus Details: Sayram Lake 70 yuan/person, Kelajun Grassland ticket and shuttle bus 170 yuan/person, Nalati Grassland ticket and shuttle bus 155 yuan/person, Bayanbulak ticket and shuttle bus 155 yuan/person.
3. Free Gift: Tourist accident insurance (insurance coverage of 200,000 yuan per person).
To book this product, please contact customer service (same phone number for communication), and you need to provide your ID card number and name, which we will use to purchase insurance;