8-Day 7-Night Xinjiang Small Group Tour (2–6 pax) with Hotel Accommodation

[Five Diamond Hotel]

No matter if you arrive in Xinjiang by plane, train or any other means of transportation, we provide airport/station pick-up services to kick off your journey with comfort. Please inform us of the accurate arrival time in advance so that we can make precise arrangements and seamlessly connect.

[Three Diamond Hotel] with breakfast included

Day 2: Urumqi - Lakeside Stroll at Sayram Lake - Sunset at Sayram Lake - Sayram Town (Approx. 550 km, approximately 8 hours drive, excluding sightseeing, lunch breaks, self-service rest stops, traffic congestion, etc.) Itinerary time is for reference only and may vary depending on the actual group:

08:30-09:00 Enjoy a special breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, gather and depart for the day's journey.

09:00-17:00 Travel to "The Last Tear of the Atlantic" [Sayram Lake]. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of grasslands, deserts, and snow-capped mountains, a highlight of Northern Xinjiang. Lunch is at your own expense; you can choose to eat local delicacies along the way.

17:00-18:00 Stroll along Moon Bay, the waterfront beach, and the wooden boardwalk along the lake. Enjoy the azure lake and the continuous snow-capped mountains; every photo is wallpaper-worthy.

18:00-19:30 Sunset Highlight: Head to the best sunset spot on the West Lake Grassland/Ten-Mile Causeway, wait for the sunset to gild the lake with golden light, and witness the snow-capped mountains and lake reflecting each other in a picturesque scene. Capture the ultimate moment of "the sunset melting gold, the lake as smooth as a mirror." In winter, you can photograph the blue ice and amber-colored light and shadow.

20:00 Transfer to the hotel area at the East Gate of Sayram Lake. After checking in, dinner is at your own expense. You are free to explore the surrounding Xinjiang specialties before enjoying a good night's sleep.

[Three Diamond Hotel] Breakfast included

Day 3: Second self-driving trip to Sayram Lake - Lakeside Afternoon Tea - Sayram Lake Photo Shoot - Guozigou Bridge View - Yining (Approx. 120 km, approximately 2 hours drive, excluding sightseeing, meals, restroom breaks, traffic, etc.)

Itinerary times are for reference only and are subject to change based on the actual tour schedule:

08:00-09:00 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart!

09:00-12:00 Continue the tour of Sayram Lake, passing by Moon Bay, Keleyongzhu, and other scenic spots. Enjoy a leisurely drive, savoring every breathtaking view.

Choose a beautiful lakeside location for a lakeside tea break. Enjoy a pot of hot tea while listening to the lapping of the lake, gazing at the snow-capped mountains and lake, and admiring the scenery along the shore.

14:00-15:00 Take advantage of the bright midday sunlight for a Sayram Lake photo shoot. Against the backdrop of blue lakes, snow-capped mountains, and boardwalks, capture the vibrant moments of nature and create unique travel photos.

15:30-18:30 Afterwards, depart from Sayram Lake and encounter the breathtaking Guozigou Bridge. Stop at the viewing platform for panoramic views; the steel dragon spans the canyon, its S-shaped curve reflecting the spruce trees, snow-capped mountains, and river valley.

18:00 Arrive in Yining. After checking in, dinner is at your own expense. You are free to explore the surrounding Xinjiang specialties and unwind.

[Three Diamond Hotel] Breakfast included

Day 4: Yining - Yizhao Highway (if open) - Xiatu Grassland/Zhaosu Jade Lake (if Xiatu is closed, proceed to Jade Lake Scenic Area instead) - Distant view of Muzart Glacier - Tekes

(Approx. 320 km, approximately 8 hours drive, excluding meals, restroom breaks, traffic, etc.)

Suggested Hotel: Tekes Shangke Youyue/Tekes Kanshan Guesthouse/or similar (hotel not specified)

Itinerary times are for reference only and subject to change based on actual tour schedule:

07:30-08:30 After breakfast, pack luggage and depart;

08:30-12:30 Proceed to the [Yizhao Highway]. Along the way, the scenery gradually changes from the streets and alleys of Yining city to river valleys, grasslands, and high mountain canyons, with lush green mountains and winding streams, and the distant snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains faintly visible. After arriving near Xiatu Grassland/Zhaosu Jade Lake, take a short rest.

13:30-16:30 Lunch at your own expense. Visit [Xia'er Grassland] (if Xia'er is closed, we will proceed to Zhaosu Jade Lake by car): Xia'er Grassland, known as a "secret realm deep in the Tianshan Mountains," offers a chance to stroll through pristine spruce forests, gaze at the majestic and sacred Muzart Glacier in the distance, and observe the carpet-like grasslands, leisurely herds, and streams flowing through it. You are free to stop and take photos, capturing the natural beauty of glaciers, grasslands, and forests in one frame.

If Xia'er is closed, we will proceed to [Zhaosu Jade Lake]. The scenic area features a lakeside road; in spring, Jade Lake is as clear as a gemstone, its waters changing with the light. We will also have a distant view of the source of the Muzart Glacier's meltwater and stroll along the lakeside path.

17:00-19:00 Travel to [Tekes]. Upon arrival in Tekes, check into your hotel. Dinner is at your own expense after check-in.

[Three Diamond Hotel] with breakfast included

Day 5: Tekes - Self-driving tour of Kuldning Scenic Area - Qapqi Lake - X765 Secret Highway - Nalati Town

(Approx. 320 km, approximately 4 hours drive, excluding meals, restroom breaks, traffic jams, etc.)

Suggested Hotels: Nalati Baina/Nalati Lirunfeng/Nalati Primitive Forest or similar (hotel not specified)

Itinerary times are for reference only and subject to change:

08:00-09:00 Depart after breakfast at the hotel!

09:00-13:30 Visit the [Kuldning Scenic Area], stroll through the primeval spruce forest, gaze at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, admire the carpet-like grasslands, breathe in the fresh air, and immerse yourself in the tranquility and grandeur of "Tianshan's most beautiful green valley." You are free to stop and take photos, unlocking the stunning scenery of key locations such as the Qimengde Viewpoint.

14:00–16:00 Pass through Qapqi Lake, making a short stop for sightseeing. The surface of this small Three Gorges lake in the Western Regions shimmers, reflecting the blue sky and clear water, surrounded by distant mountains. After a short rest, we continue our journey.

16:00–17:00 Enter the X765 Secret Highway. This highway connects the edge scenery of grasslands and river valleys. There are no crowds along the way, only the highway winding into the distance, with grasslands and wetlands interspersed on both sides, and herds of cattle and sheep grazing.

17:00–19:00 Travel to [Nalati Town]. Upon arrival in Nalati Town, check into the hotel. Dinner is at your own expense after check-in.

[Three Diamond Hotel] with breakfast included

Day 6: Nalati Town - Nalati Sky Grassland - Tianyuntai - Tianjietai - Tianmutai - Nalati Town (Approx. 50 km, approximately 1 hour drive, excluding meals, restroom breaks, traffic, etc.)

Suggested Hotels: Nalati Baina/Nalati Lirunfeng/Nalati Primitive Forest or similar (hotel not specified)

Itinerary times are for reference only and subject to change:

08:00-09:00 After breakfast, pack luggage and depart;

09:00-09:40 The driver will drive to the Nalati Sky Grassland Visitor Center, enjoying the spring scenery of the grassland along the way. Upon arrival, complete the park entry procedures and take the park shuttle bus (mandatory) into the park.

09:40-13:00 Take the shuttle bus to visit the three core scenic spots: Tianyuntai, Tianjietai, and Tianmutai.

13:00-14:00 Lunch at your own expense. Have a light meal near the scenic area or visitor center to replenish your energy and rest.

14:00-18:30 Continue exploring the scenic area, or take a walk on the grassland to experience the nomadic atmosphere.

19:00 [Nalati Town] Arrive and check into your hotel. Dinner at your own expense after check-in. End of day's itinerary.

[Four Diamond Hotel] with breakfast included

Day 7: Nalati - Duku Highway - Urumqi (Approx. 550 km, approximately 8 hours driving time, excluding meals, restroom breaks, traffic jams, etc.)

Suggested Hotels: Urumqi Convention and Exhibition Center Lirui Hotel/Bestway Hotel/Yinchuan Atour Hotel or similar (hotel not specified)

Itinerary times are for reference only and are subject to change based on the actual tour schedule:

08:30–09:00 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Nalati Town, pack your luggage, check out, and depart on time.

09:00–11:30 Travel through the starting section of the Duku Highway, turning onto the northern section of the G218 National Highway, and speeding through the Gongnaisi River Valley grassland. Immerse yourself in the ethereal beauty of the Ili grasslands and encounter the pristine pastoral scenery of the Tianshan Mountains.

11:30–12:00 Arrive in Qiaerma for rest and check-in. Visit Qiaerma, a key node of the Duku Highway, and check in at the Duku Highway landmarks. Take a short break to refresh yourself. Lunch is at your own expense; you can have a light meal and rest at a service area to replenish your energy.

13:00–17:30 Drive along the Lianyungang-Horgos Expressway towards Urumqi. The entire journey is on expressways, with scenery gradually changing from alpine grasslands to Gobi oases as you head north towards Urumqi.

17:30–18:00 Arrive in Urumqi, end of the trip. You are free to arrange your own activities afterwards, concluding this Yili Tianshan tour.

If the Duku Highway is not open: Narat - via Gongnaisi Forest Farm - Chahannuerdaban - through the Tianshan Victory Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in China - Urumqi (approximately 560 km, driving time approximately 8 hours, excluding meals, restroom breaks, traffic jams, etc.)

08:00-09:00 After breakfast, pack luggage and depart.

09:00-10:30 The driver will drive to Gongnaisi Forest Farm, where the scenery gradually changes from grassland to primeval forest; cross the Chahannuerdaban Pass, enjoying panoramic views of the Tianshan Mountains and their majestic grandeur. After a short stop, continue the journey.

12:30-13:30 Lunch at a small town or service area along the way (own expense), a light meal and rest before continuing.

13:30-15:30 The driver will take you to the G0711 Urumqi-Wuwei Expressway, passing through the Tianshan Victory Tunnel, experiencing the awe-inspiring sight of this exceptionally long expressway tunnel in China. The scenery along the way will gradually change from mountainous terrain to a Gobi oasis.

Around 20:30, arrive in Urumqi, check into your hotel, and have dinner at your own expense after check-in. This concludes the day's itinerary.

[excluding hotel]with breakfast included

Day 8: Urumqi - Home at Your Doorstep
08:30-09:30 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Return home according to your flight schedule!