Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Tour

Arrive in Urumqi and transfer privately from the airport or railway station to the city-centre hotel. Check in and keep the first part of the day relaxed after the journey.

A route briefing follows in the evening, introducing daily driving times, road conditions, luggage, and the sequence of landscapes ahead. The overnight stay in Urumqi provides a calm start before the long overland journey on the S101 Scenic Highway.

After breakfast, leave Urumqi by private vehicle and begin the overland journey along the S101 Scenic Highway, which follows the northern edge of the Tianshan Mountains.

Originally constructed in the 1960s as a national defense road, the S101 winds for over 300 kilometers from Urumqi westward to the city of Wusu. Often called “Little Duku Highway,” this route is a haven for photographers, hikers, and nature lovers.

In the afternoon, continue west through this natural gallery, where vast silence meets sweeping grandeur. Whether you’re pausing for roadside photography or simply gazing out the window, it feels like flipping through a giant picture book authored by the earth itself. In the evening you’ll arrive in Dushanzi, where you’ll check into your local accommodation.

In the morning, set off by 4x4 vehicle toward Sayram Lake, one of China’s most breathtaking alpine lakes. Known poetically as “the last tear of the Atlantic,” Sayram is a place where legend meets landscape. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, its pristine waters reflect endless skies and snow-capped peaks, forming a panoramic sanctuary far from the rush of modern life.

In the afternoon, as you arrive at the lake’s edge, the vast stillness washes over you—endless grasslands meet sapphire waves, while distant mountain silhouettes stand silent in the horizon. This is a place for quiet awe and soul-deep reflection.

In the evening, you’ll settle into a traditional Mongolian-style ger at the Sayram Lake Camping Site. As dusk falls, stars emerge above the tranquil waters.

In the morning, journey toward Huocheng, where you’ll stroll through one of China’s largest lavender farms. In blooming season, endless violet fields stretch across the horizon, filling the air with a gentle floral aroma. On the way, you’ll pass the majestic Guozigou Bridge—a stunning cable-stayed marvel spanning lush canyons and hailed as the most beautiful bridge in Xinjiang.

In the afternoon, continue toward Yining and stop to explore the Kazanqi Folk Village—a living, breathing window into Uyghur culture. This is the only large-scale ecological cultural village in northern Xinjiang showcasing original Uyghur customs. Wander through cobalt-blue houses that echo the charm of Morocco’s Chefchaouen, savor locally made ice cream, and step into traditional Uyghur homes to experience heartfelt hospitality and centuries-old ways of life.

In the evening, arrive in Yining and check in at your hotel.

In the morning, depart Yining and travel deep into the heart of Kalajun Prairie, whose name means “vast black grassland” in Kazakh. This expansive alpine meadow has been hailed by China National Geographic as one of the most stunning “three-dimensional grasslands” in the country.

As you ride across the endless green waves, you’ll reach the rim of Kalajun Canyon, where sweeping vistas open beneath your feet. Take the cable car down to explore the incredible Kuksu Canyon, a dramatic natural chasm carved by wind and water—hidden deep within the folds of the prairie.

In the afternoon, continue your scenic drive to Tekes, a tranquil town steeped in Central Asian history, where you’ll settle in for the night.

In the morning, venture into the Xiata Scenic Park, a mystical alpine valley steeped in ancient lore. Once a perilous pass along the Silk Road, this rugged corridor linked the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.

In the afternoon, on your return journey, stop by the Zhaosu Wetland Park, where lush marshes and winding rivers create a haven for wildlife and wandering souls. As the light softens, walk through the wetland viewpoints and learn about the Ili horses that are raised across the Zhaosu grasslands.

Travel deep into the Ili River Valley to Qiongkushitai, a remote village at the historic entrance to the Wusun Ancient Road. Snow-covered peaks, open pasture, and hand-built wooden homes frame the approach to the settlement.

Walk through the village lanes and see one of the Ili region's best-preserved groups of traditional wooden buildings. The route introduces Kazakh pastoral life through the homes, grazing land, horses, and mountain setting rather than a staged performance.

Continue on foot into the surrounding valley in the afternoon, then return to the village for the evening amid the quieter landscapes of the upper Ili region.

Leave Qiongkushitai and travel through the Ili region toward Nalati. The road moves from village pasture into broader alpine grassland, with wooded slopes, rivers, and distant peaks changing throughout the drive.

In the afternoon, follow a guided walking route across the Nalati grasslands and pause for a picnic in the open meadow. The slower pace allows time to observe the landscape, pastoral life, wooded slopes, and river valleys that shape the Nalati grasslands.

In the morning, begin your day by exploring the famed Nalati Prairie, one of Xinjiang’s most celebrated alpine pastures. With its sweeping river valleys, jagged peaks, deep forested gorges, and vast open grasslands, Nalati has been a cherished summer pasture since ancient times.

Follow a guided walk through the meadow and pause at selected viewpoints to photograph the contrast between mountain, river valley, and open grassland.

In the afternoon, continue your drive along a segment of the legendary Duku Highway, one of China’s most scenic mountain roads. As you reach the boundless Bayinbuluk Grassland, prepare for a spectacular end to the day. This steppe, known for its cinematic beauty and tranquil expanse, is where golden sunlight spills across rolling hills and quiet rivers.

After breakfast, begin a full-day overland journey along the awe-inspiring Duku Highway, widely hailed as China’s most epic road trip route. Officially known as the Dushanzi–Kuqa Highway, this 561-kilometer engineering marvel links northern and southern Xinjiang.

Built as a national defence highway, the Duku route crosses multiple climate zones and geological layers, moving from snow-dusted peaks through forest and highland steppe. Viewpoints along the road reveal the scale of the Tianshan Mountains and the engineering required to cross them.

By late afternoon or early evening, arrive in Dushanzi and check in to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

In the morning, begin your day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Dushanzi Grand Canyon, a 4A-rated scenic site celebrated by China National Geographic as a “billion-year wonder in a unique realm.” With its deep ravines, eroded cliffs, and winding riverbeds, the canyon is not only a paradise for photographers but also a natural gateway to the iconic Duku Highway.

Around midday, return to Urumqi and enjoy a relaxing lunch. Then, immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of Xinjiang at the International Grand Bazaar—the largest bazaar in the world by scale. Combining Islamic architectural flair, ethnic commerce, folk art, and lively performances, this landmark offers the perfect final stop for souvenir shopping, local snacks, and cultural immersion.

After breakfast, check out from the Urumqi hotel and prepare for the onward journey. The final morning contains no scheduled sightseeing, leaving time to organise the luggage after the return from Dushanzi and the visit to the International Grand Bazaar.

Continue by private transfer to Urumqi airport or railway station. The twelve-day road journey concludes at the departure terminal after crossing the S101 Scenic Highway, Ili Valley, Nalati and Bayinbuluk grasslands, and the Duku Highway.