Small Group (Max 6) · No Shopping — 8-Day, 7-Night Xinjiang Tour: Sayram Lake & Nalati Grassland

8-Day, 7-Night Xinjiang Tour: Ili, Sayram Lake & Nalati

Tour Highlights

• Diverse Northern Xinjiang Landscapes Traverse the stunning wilderness of northern Xinjiang, from the Gurbantünggüt Desert and vibrant yardang landforms to alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, and the vast Nalati grasslands, experiencing dramatic scenery changes every day.
• Legendary Routes & Natural Wonders Journey along iconic routes including the S21 Desert Highway and the northern section of the Duku Highway. Explore the famed "Three Bays of Kanas", the crystal-clear Sayram Lake, and the breathtaking Nalati Sky Grassland.
• Authentic Ethnic & Village Culture Visit traditional Tuva log cabin villages in Hemu, encounter nomadic herder life on the grasslands, and discover the timeless human charm of ancient settlements along the way.
• Hassle-Free Premium Travel Enjoy hand-selected hotel accommodations at every stop, dedicated airport and station transfers, and one-on-one customer service available before, during and after your trip.

Pre-Trip Information

• Itinerary Confirmation: After booking, our customer service team will reconfirm your flight/train details and travel dates, and send you an official departure notice. You will need to make your own way to the airport or station to depart for Ürümqi.
• Pre-Departure Contact: A member of our staff will contact you one day before your departure date. Please keep your phone available and reachable.
• Airport & Station Pickup: 24-hour pickup service is available at Ürümqi airport and railway stations. A greeter will be waiting for you on arrival and escort you directly to your hotel.
• Customer Support: You may contact your dedicated service representative at any time before, during, or after the trip with any questions or requests.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Ürümqi

• Hotels: Rezen Hotel Ürümqi High-Speed Railway Station · Holiday Inn Express Ürümqi Station · Country Inn & Suites (Ürümqi High-Speed Railway Station / Jingkai Wanda Plaza)
• Meals: Breakfast on your own · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your own
• 9:00 AM: Arrive in Ürümqi. Meet your greeter at the airport or railway station, then transfer via private vehicle to your hotel for check-in.
• 10:00 AM onwards: Free time at leisure. Rest and adjust to the time zone at your own pace for the rest of the day.

Day 2 | Ürümqi → Colorful Beach → Burqin

• Hotels: Shangshi International Hotel (Viral Bridge) · Burqin Lanfeng Holiday Hotel · Burqin Huanjiang Grand Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast included · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your ownNote: Long driving day through the desert.
• 9:00 AM: Set off along the S21 Desert Highway, enjoying the sweeping vistas of the Gurbantünggüt Desert along the way.
• 10:00 AM: Visit Kelameili Desert Park, Xinjiang’s first integrated "service area + scenic area" transport-tourism project. Located deep in the Gurbantünggüt Desert in Fuhai County, it sits east of the Kelameili service area on the S21 Awu Expressway.
• 2:00 PM: Arrive at Colorful Beach (Wucaitan). Admire the strikingly different landscapes on the two banks of the Irtysh River: colorful yardang hills on the north bank, and lush Euphrates poplar forest on the south. The most spectacular highlight is the shifting warm hues of the landscape at sunset.
• Overnight in Burqin (Altay Prefecture).

Day 3 | Burqin → Hemu

• Hotels: Kanas Youran Villa · Kanas Lingxiao Wuge Villa · Kanas Luming Shanju Guesthouse
• Meals: Breakfast included · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your own
• 9:00 AM: Enter Hemu Scenic Area. Recommended stops (for reference only):
  • Hemu Bridge: Spanning the Hemu River, framed by birch forests and wooden cabins — perfect for photos of morning mist and flowing streams.
  • Hemu Village Viewing Platform: Climb up for a panoramic view of the entire village, a classic photography spot.
  • Century-Old Houses: Visit traditional Tuva log cabins and experience the timeless human charm of this ancient village.
• Overnight in Hemu / Kanas area.

Day 4 | Kanas → Karamay (Urho)

• Hotels: Rezen Ruixuan Hotel Karamay Urho · Karamay Xinxing Hotel (University Town / Convention Center) · Karamay Jinghui Grand Hotel (Juranzhijia / University Town)
• Meals: Breakfast on your own · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your ownNote: Long driving day after the Kanas visit.
• 9:00 AM: Explore Kanas Scenic Area. Centered on Kanas Lake, the area combines glaciers, snowfields, forests, grasslands and rivers with Tuva cultural landscapes, widely praised as a "pure land on earth" and "God's back garden".
• 10:00 AM: Visit Shenxian Bay (Fairy Bay). In sunlight, the water glitters with scattered flecks of light like countless pearls, giving it the alternate name "Pearl Shoal". It is one of Kanas’s core sights, located around 3 km north of Moon Bay.
• 11:00 AM: Reach Moon Bay. A bend in the Kanas River shaped like a reverse "S" that resembles a crescent moon. The two grassy patches on the mid-river shoal are known as the "immortal's footprints".
• 12:00 PM: Arrive at Wolong Bay (Crouching Dragon Bay). Named for a river sandbar shaped like a dragon lying in the deep blue water. Its calm, broad surface of deep azure is surrounded by dense forest, marking the end of the Kanas "Three Bays" hiking route.
• Afterward, drive to Karamay (Urho) for overnight stay.

Day 5 | Karamay → Sayram Lake

• Hotels: Blue Lake International Hotel Block A (Sayram Lake) · Xinmin Muyun Shanju Resort Hotel (Sayram Lake)
• Meals: Breakfast included · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your own
• 9:00 AM: Arrive at Sayram Lake. The soft afterglow of sunset drapes over the deep-blue lake like a dreamy veil, turning the water warm orange-red. Sparkling ripples shimmer like scattered gems, while distant mountains stand majestic in the twilight.
• 10:00 AM: Follow the lakeside loop road. Recommended stops (for reference only):
  • Fengfan Stream: Photo stop at the iconic Sayram Lake stone marker.
  • Dianjiang Platform: Elevated viewpoint for sweeping panoramic views of the lake.
  • Kele Yongzhu: Spot and feed swans, a popular photo location.
  • Jinhua Zihui: Photo stop at the lakeside lighthouse.
• Overnight near Sayram Lake (Bortala Prefecture).

Day 6 | Sayram Lake → Nalati Sky Grassland (Ili)

• Hotels: Nalati Junle Grand Hotel (Nalati Scenic Area) · Nalati Shengyi Hotel · Nalati Yuejing Holiday Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast included · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your own
• 9:00 AM: Arrive at Nalati Sky Grassland. Vast rolling grasslands, serene alpine lakes, nomadic herders' yurts, and grazing cattle and sheep let you fully experience the charm of nature and the unique culture of the grasslands.Note: If the Sky Grassland is closed due to weather conditions, the visit will be replaced with the River-Valley Grassland.
• Overnight in Nalati (Ili Prefecture).

Day 7 | Nalati → Duku Highway (North Section) → Dushanzi → Ürümqi

• Hotels: Rezen Hotel Ürümqi High-Speed Railway Station · Holiday Inn Express Ürümqi Station · Country Inn & Suites (Ürümqi High-Speed Railway Station / Jingkai Wanda Plaza)
• Meals: Breakfast included · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your ownNote: Long but extremely scenic driving day.
• 9:00 AM: Journey along the northern section of the Duku Highway. Head north from Nalati onto the Duku Highway, crossing grasslands and forests, climbing the Laerdun Pass and continuing toward the Hashilgen Pass. Experience the famous "four seasons in a single day" effect, with stops at the snow wall road and pass viewing platforms, taking in the striking sight of winding mountain roads framed by snow peaks. Continue via Dushanzi toward Ürümqi.
• 2:00 PM: Visit Qiao'erma Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery. Pay tribute to the heroes who built this historic highway, and enjoy views of the alpine grassland scenery.
• Overnight in Ürümqi.

Day 8 | Departure from Ürümqi

• Meals: Breakfast included · Lunch on your own · Dinner on your own
• 9:00 AM: Free time at leisure. Sleep in, enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and relax at your own pace.
• 12:00 PM: Departure transfer. A dedicated private transfer to the airport or railway station will be arranged according to your flight or train schedule, bringing your Xinjiang journey to a pleasant close.