2026 Shawan Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in March)

Real traveler experiences and travel guides for Shawan in March, 2026

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Most popular attractions in Shawan in March, 2026

Who gets it, sisters! Taking kids to Xinjiang in March-April is just amazing 🥳 Avoiding the huge crowds, kids can run around freely, and we don’t have to fight for photo spots. Best of all, accommodations and tickets are super affordable, giving you great value for money! This family trip was truly full of happiness, so I quickly put together this guide for everyone～ 🌟Must-visit family-friendly spots where kids won’t want to leave! Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley is absolutely stunning🌸 From late March to mid-April, tens of thousands of wild apricot trees bloom, creating a sea of pink flowers against the backdrop of snowy mountains. Kids chase petals around, and every photo looks like a family masterpiece! The crowds are so light you can practically have the whole flower sea to yourselves, no worries about bumping into the kids～ The blue ice of Sayram Lake is breathtaking💧 When the ice and snow start melting, the lake looks like a sapphire. Walking along the lakeside with kids, you get to enjoy the entire lake and mountain scenery alone. Kids can even pick up pretty little stones, which makes them super happy! The springtime at Nalati Grassland is so healing🌿 The grassland slowly wakes up with scattered wildflowers. Take the kids horseback riding, stay in yurts, experience the warmth of Kazakh culture, and at night, stargaze. The kids say it feels like living in a fairy tale～ Kumtag Desert is a must-visit🏜 In March-April, the wind and sand are mild and the temperature is just right. Take the kids camel riding and sand sliding, watch the sunset turn the desert golden. The kids play until they’re sweaty but don’t want to leave! Don’t miss Anjihai Grand Canyon, Guozigou Bridge, and Baisha Lake either. Each spot amazes kids with nature’s wonders, and hiking there also builds their perseverance～ 🚗Family-friendly routes, relaxed and unhurried! Route 1 (7 days): D1: Cozy home - Urumqi (stay in Urumqi, rest well and adapt to the climate) D2: Urumqi - Anjihai Grand Canyon - stay in Jinghe (the canyon views are spectacular, hold the kids’ hands tightly for photos) D3: Jinghe - Sayram Lake (around the lake) - Guozigou Bridge - Liuxing Street - Kazanqi - stay in Yining (take your time around the lake, Liuxing Street has special snacks for kids) D4: Yining - Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley - Nalati Sky Grassland - stay in Nalati guesthouse (linger longer at Apricot Blossom Valley so kids can enjoy the flowers and play) D5: Nalati - crossing Tianshan Snow Mountains - stay in Turpan (the snowy mountain views on the way are stunning, take lots of photos of the kids) D6: Turpan - Kumtag Desert - Urumqi (half a day in the desert is just right, no need to overdo it) D7: Urumqi - cozy home Route 2 (9 days): D1: Departure - Urumqi (stay in Urumqi, adjust and rest) D2: Urumqi - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Jinghe (stay in Jinghe, the canyon hike is moderate and suitable for kids) D3: Jinghe - Sayram Lake (around the lake) - Guozigou Bridge (passing the original apricot forest) - Kazanqi - Liuxing Street - Yining (stay in Yining, kids love the colorful houses in Kazanqi) D4: Yining - Qiongkushitai - Tekes (stay in Tekes, the grassland scenery at Qiongkushitai is very soothing) D5: Tekes - Kuerdening - Nalati (stay in Nalati, enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way) D6: Nalati Sky Grassland (viewing ice lilies) (afternoon tea) - (stay in Nalati, afternoon tea time is super relaxing) D7: Nalati - S218 crossing Tianshan Snow Mountains (passing the original spruce forest) - Turpan (stay in Turpan, tell the kids stories about Tianshan on the way) D8: Turpan - Kumtag Desert - Urumqi (stay in Urumqi, buy some local specialties to take home) D9: Urumqi - cozy home 💡Family travel tips: In March-April, Xinjiang has big temperature differences between morning and night, so be sure to bring thick jackets for the kids 🧥 Sweaters and windbreakers are also essential to avoid catching a cold～ The UV rays are very strong, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are a must for the kids to prevent sunburn 🌞 Traveling off-peak is really great, with better value accommodations and more comfortable stays for the kids. No need to queue for tickets, making the experience twice as enjoyable! 💰 Taking the kids to Xinjiang this trip was definitely worth it. They saw different scenery and gained knowledge, and we relaxed our minds too～ Xinjiang in March-April is truly worth rushing to. Save this guide and set off with your kids now! 📸

Last year’s divine Northern Xinjiang route personally tested with elders! Reverse itinerary to avoid crowds, playing in the order of Hemu → Baihaba → Kanas, with a comfortable private car throughout, perfect for family trips～ 🗓️ Travel Dates 9.27-10.7 (Take 2 days off to combine into an 11-day long holiday) 🚗 Transportation Private 7-seater car for 5 people (2888 RMB per person), strictly following Xinjiang’s daily ≤600km operation rule for vehicles, safe and worry-free 📍 Daily Highlights 𝐷𝑎𝑦 1: Hangzhou to Urumqi 𝐷𝑎𝑦 2: Urumqi to Koktokay (550km) ⚠️ Start early! We left at 9 AM which was too late and rushed the sightseeing 𝐷𝑎𝑦 3: Koktokay to Hemu (450km) ✅ Hemu homestay with autumn scenery right outside the window, breathtakingly beautiful 𝐷𝑎𝑦 4: Hemu to Baihaba (130km) ▪️ 6:30 AM at Harden Viewing Platform to catch the dawn (dress warmly!) ▪️ Apply for border permits in advance to reach the secret spot at the China-Kazakhstan border 𝐷𝑎𝑦 5: Baihaba to Kanas ▪️ Fish Viewing Platform + Kanas Lake + Old Village stroll, peak autumn colors 𝐷𝑎𝑦 6: Kanas to Burqin ▪️ Hiking the Three Bays + sunset at the Five-Color Beach, overnight in Burqin 𝐷𝑎𝑦 7: Burqin to Kuitun ▪️ Shoot epic photos at the Ghost City, overnight in Kuitun for convenient travel next day 𝐷𝑎𝑦 8: Kuitun to Sailimu Lake to Jinghe ▪️ Stunning lake circuit! But avoid staying at RV campsites (poor soundproofing, easy to get stiff neck) 𝐷𝑎𝑦 9: Jinghe to Anjihai Grand Canyon to Urumqi ▪️ The canyon is breathtaking but has no guardrails, be careful 💰 Cost Reference 15,000 RMB per person (including 4,891 RMB airfare) Tickets 971 + horse riding 300 + travel photography 399, accommodation about 4,800 RMB per person 💡 Hard-earned Tips 1️⃣ Northern Xinjiang has huge temperature differences in autumn! Bring down jackets and windbreakers 2️⃣ Book Hemu and Baihaba accommodations 3 months in advance, prices surge during National Day 3️⃣ Choose a reputable company for private car rental; driver’s familiarity with the route is more important than the vehicle model 4️⃣ It’s recommended to check in luggage inside Kanas Scenic Area for lighter hiking and more comfort

Kanas, meaning "beautiful, bountiful, and mysterious" in Mongolian, is nestled deep within the Altai Mountains' dense forests. Its vast snow-covered woodlands and pristine landscapes keep both natural and cultural sights in their original state, earning it the title "Pure Land on Earth." Itinerary: D1: Ürümqi → Colorful Beach → Burqin D2: Burqin County → Shiren Grassland → Hemu → Jiadengyu D3: Jiadengyu → Kanas → Burqin D4: Burqin → World Devil City → Anjihai Grand Canyon → Jinghe D5: Jinghe → Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yining D6: Yining → Lavender Fields → Yizhao Highway → Heavenly Horse Bathing River → Tekes D7: Tekes Bagua City → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes D8: Tekes Bagua City → Nalati Grassland in the Sky D9: Nalati → Northern Section of Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway → Qiaoerma → Dushanzi D10: Kuytun → International Grand Bazaar → Ürümqi

Departing from Urumqi, Xinjiang, this 10-day in-depth tour explores the ancient towns and villages of Northern Xinjiang, offering a unique blend of historical charm and natural beauty! 📅Itinerary: DAY1-DAY2：Arrive in Urumqi, transfer to hotel, and enjoy a City Walk. The next day, visit Heavenly Lake, drive through the S21 Desert Highway, and stay overnight in Burqin/Altay. DAY3-DAY4：Explore Hemu Village, experience wooden houses and bonfire parties. Then visit Kanas Lake's three bays and Birch Forest, and stay overnight in Burqin. DAY5-DAY6：Visit Populus Euphratica Forest and the World Devil City, marvel at the Yardang landforms. Explore the Hundred-Mile Danxia and Anjihai Grand Canyon, and finally arrive at Sayram Lake to admire the bubble-blue ice. Stay overnight near Sayram Lake. DAY7-DAY8：Visit Sayram Lake again for sunrise and explore Liuxing Street. Then head to Swan Spring and take the train back to Urumqi. DAY9：Free time in Urumqi. DAY10：Depart from Urumqi, concluding your pleasant journey through the Western Regions. Must-Visit Attractions: 🌟 Sayram Lake: The crystal-clear blue lake sparkles like a gemstone. The surrounding vast grasslands are dotted with colorful wildflowers, creating a breathtaking scene. 🌲 Kanas Scenic Area: Explore the mysterious Kanas Lake, where you might encounter the legendary lake monster! The lake's color changes with the seasons and weather, adding to its mystique. 🏔️ Heavenly Lake: The lake's surface mirrors the majestic Bogda Peak. Surrounded by spruce trees, it feels like a paradise on earth. 🏡 Hemu Scenic Area: Rustic wooden houses dot the valleys, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. 👹 World Devil City: Witness the magnificent Yardang landforms, with strangely shaped rock formations resembling a magical world. 👕 **Packing List**: Essentials for your Urumqi-Northern Xinjiang trip! 👖 **Clothing**: Jeans, long-sleeved T-shirts, and a windproof jacket are essential due to the significant temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang. Don't forget a hat and sunglasses for sun protection and style! 🎒 **Accessories**: Charger, power bank – a fully charged phone provides peace of mind. And of course, a camera to capture the stunning scenery of Northern Xinjiang! 💳 **Documents**: ID card, cash, bank cards – these are essential when traveling. Don't forget your student ID or military ID for potential discounts! 💊 **Other**: Sunscreen, lip balm – the Xinjiang sun is intense. Also, pack common medications like cold and antidiarrheal medicine, just in case. That's all! With these essentials, you're ready for your Northern Xinjiang adventure! ✈Friends, the Urumqi-Northern Xinjiang tour awaits you. Like and save this post for easy travel planning~

“Nothing can stop you from yearning for freedom.” Every time I hear this song, I think of the wonderful moments of my self-drive tour in Yili. 🕐️DAY 1: Urumqi—Anjihai Grand Canyon—Jinghe 13:00 Arrive in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Pick up the car at the airport, an orange Tank 300. Have a meal at Loulan BBQ (Yingbin Road Branch), then head to Anjihai Grand Canyon. This is a great first stop for a self-drive tour. The scenery on the way to Anjihai is already stunning. The sky is high and the clouds are light, the view is vast and desolate, and there are snow-capped mountains in the distance. In the evening, arrive in Jinghe County and check in to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow's trip to Sayram Lake, Bole. 🕐️DAY 2: Sayram Lake—Guozigou Bridge—Yining City Morning: Head to Sayram Lake, Bole. When we first arrived, the weather was not good, it was overcast and gloomy. Keep going, and after passing the south gate, the weather cleared up. The sun shone down, and the color of the lake and the surrounding grassland scenery became as beautiful and stunning as the legends say. As we drove forward, the scenery was overwhelming. On the left, there was a multi-layered green grassland and cedar forest, and on the right, the blue of Sayram Lake was clearly visible in the sunlight. The road ahead stretched straight to the snow-capped mountains in the distance. The vast, magnificent, and multi-layered scenery made us excited and thrilled. Evening: Leave Sayram Lake Scenic Area at 7:30 pm and head to Guozigou Bridge. The stunning scenery began after driving down from the Guozigou Bridge viewing platform. After descending to the bottom of the valley and moving forward, we experienced the first shock and excitement of this trip. We drove through the mountains, with towering and steep mountains on both sides, changing vegetation, and occasional white yurts and cattle and sheep. It felt unreal, as if we were driving through a painting. Arrive at the hotel at 11 pm and have a big plate of chicken. 🕐️DAY 3: Yining—Yizhao Highway—Xiata Morning: First, we went to Liuxing Street in Yining City for breakfast. Then, the highlight of the day was the Yizhao Highway, known as the "Little Duku Highway." We drove for 8.5 hours, stopping and going, and arrived at the homestay near Xiata Ancient Road National Forest Park at around 8 or 9 pm. Today's trip on the Yizhao Highway left a deep impression on us. We started driving along the mountain, and every turn revealed different scenery, both dangerous and vast. There were winding roads, cliffs, and towering mountains in front of us, as well as deep mountains and vast skies, grasslands, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. The near, middle, and distant views were all natural. Every time we stopped, we stood by the cliff and seemed to automatically ignore the sound of passing cars. As we slowly looked into the distance, a feeling of emptiness, grandeur, insignificance, and silence naturally emerged, and we enjoyed it. In addition, there were changes. The magical thing was that after a turn, the deep brown three-dimensional mountain scenery suddenly turned into a vast grassland like a green carpet. Looking up, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and eagles were soaring. Looking down, a horse stood alone on a distant mountain, eating grass like a still life painting. Looking down again, the grassland canyon had undulating terrain, stretching to the depths of the distant mountains, with flocks of white sheep and dark cattle and horses in the mountain valleys. We continued forward, left the Yizhao Highway, turned onto County Road 758, passed several small towns, and approached Xiata. As we drove forward, there was a fairy-tale-like tranquility on the right, with a vast grassland, and on the left, a vast grassland in the foreground and silent mountains in the distance. The sky was extremely blue, the clouds were extremely white, and they were low. In the evening, we checked in to a homestay near Xiata. DAY 4: Xiata—Qiongkushitai Morning: Go to Xiata, where people wear all kinds of clothes, from short sleeves to jackets and down jackets. First, take a bus for 40 minutes, then take a sightseeing bus to the transfer bridge. Transfer Bridge—General Bridge—Kara House No. 1—Kara House No. 2. We should have reached between No. 2 and No. 3. The highlight of Xiata's scenery is the view of Muzart Glacier from the corridor-like canyon. Along the way, the mountains surround us, the grassland extends from the foot of the mountain through the tall cedar forest, and the river formed by glacial meltwater accompanies us. We rested in a shady mountain forest and saw the first squirrel. Later, we saw several more squirrels and a marmot, eating naan and looking cute. We calculated the time to Qiongkushitai and started to return. At around 6 pm, we left the scenic area and headed to Qiongkushitai. The road to Qiongkushitai was particularly challenging, with three mountains and two valleys, various hairpin turns, folding turns, and continuous 360-degree turns. It felt like we made 1,800 turns along the way... It was an unprecedented driving experience, with adrenaline pumping, excitement, and thrill. We continued forward, entered the dense forest in the mountains, and finally reached Qiongkushitai Village. DAY 5: Qiongkushitai—Wusun Ancient Road—Back Mountain—Xinyuan, Yili After breakfast at the homestay, we went to Wusun Ancient Road in the morning. We walked along a rushing river into the dense forest. We were on the left bank of the river, walking through the mountains and forests, occasionally encountering a few wooden house homestays and many silent horses grazing and resting. On the right bank of the river, there were grasslands, forests, and homestays nearby, and mountains in the distance. The mountain road was difficult to walk, with tree roots, strange rocks, and muddy horse trails. More people chose to ride horses back and forth. We went back to pack our luggage, left the homestay, and went to the back mountain. We didn't spend much time in the back mountain. If we have the chance to come again, I even feel like we should spend more time there than on Wusun Ancient Road. Then we went down the mountain and planned to reach Nalati Tourist Scenic Area, Xinyuan, from Qiongkushitai, to prepare for tomorrow's trip on the Duku Highway. We left a bit late, and calculated that it would take until 11 or 12 pm to reach Nalati, which would affect our meals and rest. So we got off the highway in Xinyuan, Yili, and stayed overnight. We arrived at the hotel in Xinyuan at around 11 pm. DAY 6: Duku Highway—Dushanzi District, Karamay, Dushanzi City Today's plan was to drive on the Duku Highway, from Xinyuan to Nalati, and then from Nalati to Dushanzi, which is equivalent to half of the Duku Highway. After getting on the Duku Highway from Nalati, the first half was relatively flat. We turned at Qiaerma and went to Tangbula Hundred Mile Gallery for a look. After passing Qiaerma, the scenery began to change. When we set off from Nalati in the morning, there was vegetation on both sides of the mountains, and everything was green. But here, the mountains began to turn gray-brown or even gray-black, and they became steeper and more dangerous. The change started at Hashilegen, at an altitude of 3,400 meters. In one photo, the sky was clear and the scenery was clear. In the next photo, the gray-white fog had already enveloped the background. The weather on the mountain changed suddenly, with fog and sporadic rain. We continued forward and reached a parking lot, where it had already turned into thick fog. We played in the snow for a while. When we set off again, the visibility was very low, and we drove slowly along the winding mountain road with the hazard lights on. After descending to a lower altitude, the fog began to dissipate, and the air was clear as if it had been washed, but it started to rain. At 10:30, we arrived in Dushanzi and left the Duku Highway. On the way into Dushanzi City, we suddenly saw the distant city lights in the darkness, and we felt a slight sense of returning to the world. DAY 7: Return trip, Urumqi—Xinzheng Airport.

✨Big Mouth Ring🤭✨ The old pier with a great feel🌸 is a must-visit photo spot! I've heard of Western Swimming Shed a lot. Have you ever heard of Sha Wan? It is located in a small bay on the west side of Hong Kong Island Looking at the tasteful old pier plus an endless sea view It's a super good place for photography😆 There is also a promenade next door leading to a small grove (Unfortunately, I just had a typhoon when I went there 😢 the road was closed in the forest) However, you can walk around the promenade and enjoy the scenery of the seaside Feel the casual atmosphere🏜 🚙🚙🚙❓❓ Bus—get off at Victoria Road Minibus—get off at or near the MacLeod Rehabilitation Center closer to the bay🤪 #kol photo hotspots #nature wonders #romantic things

Scenes from a Studio Ghibli animation come to life! When taking kids to Sayram Lake, you must climb Songshutou—an irreplaceably beautiful viewpoint that you really can’t resist! Just walk up the small hill to overlook the entire Sayram Lake. The hillside is covered with wildflowers, and from the top, you can see the full view of Guozigou Bridge. Unlock the top scenery of Sayram Lake with your kids, and the family trip vibe will be off the charts. 📍Sayram Lake 🎫Tickets: 70 RMB/person, self-driving ticket 145 RMB/person Highly recommend self-driving! You can stop anytime to capture the lake and mountain views, stay as long as you want at photo spots, and it’s super flexible for traveling with kids. There’s no accommodation inside the scenic area, so it’s best to stay at nearby guesthouses at the entrance. Get up early the next day to enter the park off-peak for photos—the misty lake view in the morning light is breathtaking! Three key tips for visiting Sayram Lake with kids: ⚠️Tip 1—You must climb Songshutou: Songshutou offers the best angle to admire Sayram Lake. Although the boardwalk climb is a bit strenuous, when you look back and see the panoramic lake view peeking through the trees, it’s all worth it. Kids will be amazed by the scenery. ⚠️Tip 2—No need to force reaching the top: If your kids don’t have enough energy, stopping at the middle meadow is fine. The view of Sayram Lake from there is already stunning. No need to push for the upper path—easy and relaxed for parents with kids. ⚠️Tip 3—Recommended to go clockwise around the lake: Going clockwise means you’ll pass Songshutou first, when kids still have more energy and are better suited for climbing the boardwalk. The weather in Yili is more likely to be clear in the morning and rainy in the afternoon, so passing Songshutou first ensures you see the most beautiful Sayram Lake. The clockwise route has less traffic and fewer jams, staying close to the lakeside road, making it easier to stop for photos. ✨Sayram Lake Family Trip Tips 1️⃣Clothing trap: The perceived temperature by the lake is 10℃ lower than the forecast! Plus, it’s very windy. Make sure your kids wear thick jackets, preferably windproof shells, to avoid catching a cold. 2️⃣Ticket pitfall: Single-day tickets expire after 24 hours! For family trips, it’s better to buy a two-day ticket (145 RMB/person) so you can enter again the next day to watch the sunrise and have a more relaxed schedule. 3️⃣Accommodation advice: No lodging inside the scenic area. To save money, stay in Bole or Wenquan County, about an hour’s drive away. Prices there are half of what you’d pay near the park entrance, offering great value for family trips. 4️⃣Food warning: The highland white salmon restaurants are expensive and fishy! For kids, it’s better to bring your own self-heating meals, naan bread, and fruit. Instant noodles inside the park cost 10 RMB per cup, so prepare in advance for better value. 5️⃣Drone registration: You can register at the East Gate security checkpoint; otherwise, flying drones is not allowed. If you want to shoot aerial footage of your kids, be sure to register in advance. 6️⃣Shuttle buses run in a loop during peak season, stopping at fixed points and leaving when full. For family trips, self-driving or joining a tour is recommended for more flexibility to stop whenever you want. 🚗Recommended 7-day family itinerary in Yili D1: Urumqi - S101 Danxia Highway - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Jinghe D2: Jinghe - Sayram Lake - Guozigou Bridge - Lavender Sea - Yining Six Star Street Night Market D3: Yining - Yizhao Highway - Xiata Ancient Trail - Zhaosu Jade Lake - Zhaosu D4: Zhaosu - Qiongkushitai Ancient Village - Qiongku Grassland - Tekes Bagua City D5: Tekes - Nalati Sky Grassland - Nalati Town D6: Nalati - Northern Duku Highway - Tangbula Grassland Fairy Lake - Hundred Mile Gallery - Kuitun D7: Kuitun - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Urumqi Accommodation 🏨Lake Muyun Camp A wild luxury camp next to Sayram Lake Scenic Area, facing the full lake view. Private standalone wooden cabins with excellent family facilities. Open the window to see the lake and mountains. 🏨Sayram Lake Yunshang Hotel A high-end lakeside hotel in Bole City, just an hour’s drive to Sayram Lake. Spacious family rooms with complete facilities and great value. 🏨Tianyuan International Hotel A high-end hotel in the core area of Yining City, close to Six Star Street, with excellent family facilities. A perfect transfer point for family trips around Yili. 🏨Yunding Wild Luxury Homestay A wild luxury homestay near Tekes Bagua City, surrounded by grassland flower seas. Rich family activities and immersive Yili scenery experience.

【Xinjiang Ili】: Without visiting Ili, one cannot truly appreciate the beauty of Xinjiang. From April to August, Ili is a symphony of snow-capped mountains and flower seas, a gentle embrace of grasslands and river valleys. ⛺【April-May Itinerary Recommendation】: Day 1: Arrive in Yining (arrive today and receive a local guide: Kazanqi Six-Star Street, Ili River Sunset Ethnic Music Bar) - Stay in Yining Day 2: Self-drive around Sailimu Lake - Songshutou - Guozigou Bridge - Stay in Yining Day 3: Yining - Qiaxi - Qiaxi Flower Sea - Kuerdening - Stay in Kuerdening Town Day 4: Full day in Kuerdening - Travel to Tekes (2.5-hour drive with beautiful scenery) - Stay in Tekes Day 5: Tekes - Qionku (option for wild horseback riding: back mountain and alpine lake routes; if not riding, light hiking available) - Stay in Qionku Scenic Wooden House Day 6: Qionku Wusun Ancient Road - Yining - Stay in Yining Day 7: Return from Yining 🛬【May-August Itinerary Recommendation】: Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi - Free activities - International Grand Bazaar - Stay in Urumqi Day 2: Urumqi - S101 National Defense Road [Little Duku] - Baili Danxia - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Stay in Kuitun Anjihai Grand Canyon Day 3: Kuitun - Self-drive around Sailimu Lake - Songshutou - Guozigou Bridge - Lavender fields - Stay in Yining Sailimu Lake Day 4: Yining - Yizhao Highway - Baishifeng - Tianma Bathing River - Stay in Zhaosu Yizhao Highway Day 5: Zhaosu - Xiata Ancient Road - Yuhu - Stay in Zhaosu Xiata Ancient Road National Forest Park Day 6: Zhaosu - Qionkushitai (option for wild horseback riding: back mountain and alpine lake routes; if not riding, light hiking available) - Stay in Qionku Scenic Wooden House Qionkushitai Day 7: Qionkushitai - Kalajun - Bagua City - Stay in Tekes Kalajun Scenic Area Day 8: Tekes - Nalati Grassland - Stay in Nalati Nalati Tourist Scenic Area · Xinyuan Day 9: Nalati - Duku Highway - Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery - Stay in Tangbula Duku Highway Day 10: Tangbula - Mengket Ancient Road - Hashilergen Daban - Stay in Urumqi Day 11: Urumqi airport transfer 🧡【Tips】: From April to August in Ili, the wind is sweet, the clouds are soft, and even the sunlight carries a gentle warmth, waiting for you to ride in and attend a splendid appointment with the mountains and rivers. 🧡 The beautiful grasslands of Xinjiang Ili often leave visitors unsure of what to choose. Professional custom planners offer you reasonable advice. For more group tours, car rentals, carpooling, and custom tours, 【Xinjiang Custom Routes: Ili, Southern Xinjiang, Northern Xinjiang, Altay】【Welcome to consult guide Liu Guoliang with one click below.】

For friends who haven’t been to Xinjiang yet, listen to my advice: stop squeezing into big buses and staying in standard rooms! This time, on our second trip to Xinjiang with kids, we tried a new way—direct RV access + luxury wild camping. No need to move luggage every day, no waiting in line for shuttle buses, truly achieving “open the door to beautiful scenery.”✨ This 9-day, 8-night Northern Xinjiang RV family trip guide is highly recommended to save and dive right in! 🌈【Trip Highlights: Why choose this route?】 ✅ RV Privileges: Sayram Lake, Kalajun, Nalati—drive the RV directly into the core scenic spots! Say goodbye to the nightmare of queuing for shuttle buses. ✅ Hardcore Geography Lessons: S101 Danxia geological class, Sayram Lake water quality monitoring, Duku Highway hero spirit—complete study tours while having fun. ✅ Luxury Wild Experience: French-style forest picnic at Nalati, starry sky RV camping by Sayram Lake, horseback crossing snowy mountain pastures. ✅ Deep Cultural Experience: Kazanqi horse carriage parade, handmade naan bread, DIY lavender essential oil distillation. ✅ Family Friendly: Hotel restaurants are kid-friendly, with light meals and essentials prepared for babies, a relaxed itinerary with no rush, kids happy and adults relaxed. ~ 🗺️【Nanny-level Itinerary】 ▫️ Day 1: Gather in Urumqi from all over the country Start the Western Region journey with a visit to the Grand Bazaar to feel the strong exotic atmosphere! ▫️ Day 2: Urumqi → S101 → Anjihai → Kuitun The colors here are richer than a palette! Take the kids to a [Danxia geology class], observe geological evolution on-site. Stand at the cliff edge to see the “earth’s cracks” and feel nature’s abstract painting. ▫️ Day 3: Kuitun → Sayram Lake Starry sky RV camping, open the door at night to a dazzling Milky Way, pull the curtain in the morning to see the lakeside sunrise. Fly kites on Xihai Grassland, stroll along the S-shaped road, hike in the forest collecting plants. ▫️ Day 4: Sayram Lake → Lavender Sea → Yining Distill your own essential oil and take the summer of Ili with you. ▫️ Day 5: Yining → Kalajun → Tekes 2-hour deep horseback riding, enjoy snowy mountain views, exclusive snowy mountain pasture afternoon tea. Visit this city without traffic lights and wander through the outrageously delicious night market. ▫️ Day 6: Tekes → Nalati Avoid the crowds, RV directly reaches private pastures where 99% of tourists can’t go. Have a French-style picnic in the forest—this is the right way to travel Xinjiang! Play frisbee and tug-of-war at the grassland carnival, change into ethnic costumes for a life-changing photo shoot. ▫️ Day 7: Nalati → Qiaolma → Dushanzi Cross Hashilergendaban Pass, have a snowball fight at 3,300 meters altitude! ▫️ Day 8: Dushanzi → Urumqi Check in at the same spot as the movie “Pegasus,” spend time at a cliffside café, challenge your nerves step by step! ▫️ Day 9: Urumqi: Free dismissal ~ 💡【Pitfall Avoidance Tips】 Worried about Xinjiang trips with kids being tiring, full of pitfalls, or meaningless? This itinerary avoids all that: no need for complicated planning, no rushing, worry-free RV travel, combining study tours + secret scenic spots. Although the price is a bit higher, the details are fully covered, offering much better value than independent travel or regular tours!

A gem discovered near Shawan Ancient Town! Xiyuan Restaurant brings the essence of a Lingnan courtyard to life, with its flowing streams, koi carp, and quintessential springtime atmosphere. Must-try signature dishes include the Panyu Climbing Golden Mountain, a mountain of handmade dace fish balls cooked in a creamy white broth—juicy, bouncy, and bursting with freshness! The traditional Shawan braised goose is rich and flavorful, with tender meat and a perfect sauce for rice! The steamed egg with shrimp and chili paste is smooth, fragrant, and incredibly delicious—perfect for springtime. Also, try the kapok flower and pork bone stew to dispel dampness and reduce internal heat, and the ginger milk, freshly made and served, with its rich ginger aroma and comforting flavor. The courtyard seating is perfect for photos. After exploring the ancient town, enjoy authentic Panyu cuisine here—a perfect spot for a spring date or gathering!

【Introduction】: 🗺️ Highlights and Features of the Itinerary This itinerary is highly valuable, covering the essence of Xinjiang's classic "Grand Loop": Northern Xinjiang: Tianshan Backbone and Grassland Scenery Duku Highway (Full Route): The itinerary includes both the northern and southern sections of the Duku Highway, the pinnacle of road trips in Xinjiang. You can experience all four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—in one day, crossing snow-capped mountains and traversing canyons. Tianshan Secret Realm: From Nalati's aerial grasslands to Bayinbuluke's winding rivers, and the azure lakes of Big and Small Dragon Pools, showcasing the grandeur of the Tianshan Mountains. Southern Xinjiang: Silk Road Culture and the Pamir Plateau Kashgar Old City: The itinerary offers an in-depth tour of Kashgar, including the city opening ceremony, century-old teahouses, and the Tomb of Fragrant Concubine, allowing immersive experiences of rich Uyghur culture. Pamir Plateau: The highlight of the trip, covering top attractions such as the Panlong Ancient Trail, Waqia Ancient Trail, Hongqilafu Border Port, Baisha Lake, and Mustagh Glacier, delivering a strong visual impact. Deserts and Populus Euphratica Forests: From the Taklamakan Desert to the Populus euphratica forests in Luntai, showcasing Xinjiang's diverse landscapes. 🛬【Itinerary】: D1: Urumqi → S101 Baili Danxia Anjihai Grand Canyon → Kuitun/Dushanzi D2: Kuitun → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Northern Duku Highway → Nalati Town D3: Nalati Town → Nalati Aerial Grassland → Bayinbuluke Grassland → Bayin Town D4: Bayin Town → Southern Duku Highway → Big and Small Dragon Pools Viewing → Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon → Kuqa County D5: Kuqa County → Wensu Grand Canyon → Aksu D6: Aksu → Bachu Red Sea Bay → Kashgar D7: Kashgar City → China-Pakistan Friendship Road → North Shore of Baisha Lake → Muji Mountain Volcano Crater → Taxkorgan D8: Taxkorgan → Hongqilafu Border Gate → Wakhan Corridor → Panlong Ancient Trail → Eye of Pamir → Bandier Blue Lake → Taxkorgan D9: Taxkorgan → Jincao Beach Stone City → Mustagh Glacier Park → Kashgar D10: Kashgar → Tianshan-Kunlun Mountain Junction → Shell Mountain → Simuhana Village → China's Westernmost Point → Yierkesitan Border → Kashgar D11: Kashgar → Kashgar Old City Opening Ceremony → Id Kah Mosque → Century-old Teahouse → Shache D12: Shache → Shache Palace → Yulong Kashgar River → Hotan D13: Hotan → Yutagan Ancient City → Taklamakan Desert Highway → Tazhong D14: Tazhong → Desert Highway → Primitive Populus Euphratica Forest Park → Luntai D15: Luntai → Lop Nur Village or Tata Secret Realm Lop Lake → Korla D16: Korla → Heshuo Golden Beach → Turpan D17: Turpan → Flaming Mountains → Karez Irrigation System → Grape Valley → Urumqi D18: Urumqi Departure Transfer → Nationwide 🧡【Tips】: For details, please click below to consult guide Hou Binbin with one click

The Summer of Ili｜11 Days and 10 Nights Freely Exploring the God's Backyard Visiting Ili from May to August is truly a steal! Every snap is wallpaper-worthy, and everyone who’s been says the afterglow is even stronger than a breakup~ 📸Must-visit divine spots TOP 4: 1️⃣ Sayram Lake (Recommended to spend at least 5 hours) This place is amazing! The lake water is as clear as sapphire, and the wildflowers on the grassland almost cover the snow-capped mountains. Remember to wear a white dress for stunning photos! 2️⃣ Nalati Grassland (A must-do activity) The soft grass looks like matcha cake, with small flowers everywhere for casual shots. You can hug super cute sheep and enjoy horseback riding through the forest—it’s an incredible experience! Renting ethnic costumes is recommended; your social media will be flooded with questions! 3️⃣ Duku Highway (A must for special forces) This is where you can see all four seasons in one day! Seamlessly switch from short sleeves to down jackets. Most of Xinjiang’s beautiful scenery is along this road, so remember to clear your phone’s memory! 4️⃣ Shata Ancient Trail (A hiker’s paradise) Suddenly, snow mountains and glaciers appear at the end of the forest—what a striking contrast! It feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli animation. Remember to bring some snacks and take your time strolling~ 🚗11-Day Travel Guide (Lazy travelers can just copy): D1 Urumqi airport pickup and hotel check-in D2 Urumqi - S101 National Defense Highway - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Kuitun D3 Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Lavender - Yining D4 Yining - Shata Ancient Trail National Forest Park - Shata D5 Shata - Kalajun Grassland - Tekes D6 Tekes - Chapuqihai - Chaxi Grassland Scenic Area - Gongliu D7 Gongliu - Nalati Grassland - Nalati D8 Nalati - Bayinbuluke Scenic Area - Bayinbuluke D9 Bayinbuluke - Tamola Grassland - Tamola D10 Tamola - Duku Highway - Urumqi D11 Urumqi airport drop-off 👗Outfit Guide (From experienced travelers): ☀️ Hot enough for tank tops during the day, 🌙 cold enough to need jackets at night! Short sleeves and shorts as base layers, keep a jacket handy! Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must! Shoes must be waterproof because the grassland dew is heavy! 🎒Essential packing list: ✅ ID card + driver’s license (many checkpoints) ✅ Sunscreen trio (arm sleeves + hat + sunscreen) ✅ Windbreaker (it rains on the mountain whenever it wants) ✅ U-shaped neck pillow (car rides can last 5 hours) ✅ Digestive tablets (lamb is delicious but heavy on the stomach) ⚠️Important reminder: The Duku Highway fully opens in June! The grassland flower season lasts until the end of August! If you don’t come this year, you’ll have to wait another year! Hurry and tag your travel buddy, don’t miss out!

【Introduction】: The ultimate panoramic route of Northern Xinjiang you must travel in your lifetime, featuring lakes, snowy mountains, villages, yardangs, and deserts—all checked off, a guaranteed unforgettable experience! ⛺【Activities】: 🌿 Must-Visit Attractions Detailed 1. Sailimu Lake Highlights: The last drop of the Atlantic, wildflowers bloom by the lake in summer, the water is as blue as a gem How to enjoy: Drive around the lake (enter from East Gate, exit from South Gate), recommended hiking at Pine Head for a panoramic view, take photos at the S-bend road On the way out from the South Gate, visit Guozigou Bridge and the free viewing platform for cliff views Tips: Accommodation inside the scenic area is expensive; it’s better to stay in Yining or Qingshuihe Town, enter early and leave late 2. Nalati Grassland Highlights: Sky grassland + valley grassland, the popular bridge is at the *Nomadic Family* station How to enjoy: Self-drive 300 RMB/person (limited tickets, must book early), or take the shuttle bus Focus on the Sky Grassland (snow on mountains in June), Panlong Valley trail with fewer people and beautiful scenery Tips: Photos look better in the soft afternoon light 3. Qiongkushitai Highlights: Primitive village, free entry! Alpine grassland + forest streams, like scenes from "Heidi and Grandpa" How to enjoy: Horseback riding in the back mountain (2 hours to the mountain top swing overlooking the grassland) Light hiking on the Wusun Ancient Trail (3 km along the stream) Tips: Narrow and winding roads, beginners should be cautious driving; book wooden houses in the village in advance 4. Kanas & Hemu Summer highlights: Green wonderland mode, fresher than autumn scenery How to enjoy: Kanas: Three bays (Fairy Bay morning mist), Fish Viewing Platform panoramic view Hemu: Watch morning mist, stroll in the birch forest, star photography at night Tips: Summer self-driving into the scenic area requires advance reservation; choose old village wooden houses in Hemu for convenience 5. Kuerdening Highlights: Hidden gem! Snow ridge spruce + grassland, 30 RMB ticket with great value How to enjoy: Self-drive entering from Middle Valley and exiting East Valley, focus on *Qimengde Viewing Platform* (2-hour hike) Compared to Kalajun: Kuerdening is more primitive, Kalajun grassland is more open (human-shaped grassland) 👉【Itinerary】: D1: Urumqi -- Tianchi -- S21 -- Beitun D2: Beitun -- Birch Forest -- Aidong Bridge -- Hemu D3: Hemu -- Kanas Lake -- Fish Viewing Platform -- Kanas D4: Kanas -- Three Bays -- Five-Color Beach -- Burqin D5: Burqin -- Devil City -- Kuitun D6: Kuitun -- Sailimu Lake -- Liuxing Street -- Yining D7: Yining -- Kalajun -- Tekes D8: Tekes -- Qiaxi -- Xinyuan D9: Xinyuan -- Nalati Sky Grassland -- Nalati D10: Nalati -- Northern Duku Highway -- Tangbula -- Dushanzi D11: Dushanzi -- S101 -- Anjihai Grand Canyon -- Urumqi 🧡【Preparation】: ✅Documents: ID card is a must; apply for border pass in advance for Baihaba ✅Clothing: Large temperature difference between day and night, summer clothes + windbreaker/thin down jacket ✅Transportation: Attractions are far apart, car rental or self-driving SUV recommended ✅Food: Big plate chicken, kebabs, hand-pulled rice, cold-water fish, handmade yogurt are must-tries ✅Time difference: 2 hours later than mainland China, adjust your schedule accordingly ✅Sun protection: High altitude UV is strong, bring hat/sunglasses/sunscreen 【Custom Northern Xinjiang Altay, Ili, Southern Xinjiang Routes】 【Custom tours, car rentals, carpool details available below for one-click consultation】

【Introduction】: A must-do panoramic route in Northern Xinjiang, featuring lakes, snow mountains, villages, yardangs, and deserts—an unforgettable journey! 🛬【Itinerary】: Daily schedule｜Driving time｜Highlights｜Food｜Tips D1 Urumqi → Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) → Fuyun 🚗 Driving time: approx. 5.5h ✨Highlights: Jade-like lake, Bogda Peak, forest meadows 🍜Food: Tianchi wild mushroom soup rice, Fuyun hand-pulled mutton ⚠️Tips: Take the shuttle bus at Tianchi; big temperature difference between morning and night, bring a light jacket D2 Fuyun → Koktokay Scenic Area → Altay 🚗 Driving time: approx. 4h ✨Highlights: Irtysh River, Shenzhong Mountain, No. 3 Mine Pit 🍜Food: Koktokay mixed noodles, Kazakh milk tea ⚠️Tips: Speed limits in the scenic area, buy tickets in advance; prepare sunscreen and water D3 Altay → Ahe Highway → Hemu Scenic Area 🚗 Driving time: approx. 3.5h ✨Highlights: Popular scenic highway, snowy mountains and forests, Hemu morning mist 🍜Food: Hemu local hotpot, grilled lamb skewers ⚠️Tips: Drive slowly on the winding Ahe Highway; book wooden cabin accommodation in advance D4 Hemu → Kanas Scenic Area → Baihaba Scenic Area 🚗 Driving time: approx. 3h ✨Highlights: Kanas Lake, Tuva villages, the first village in Northwest China 🍜Food: Kanas cold-water fish, hand-pulled rice ⚠️Tips: Baihaba requires a border pass; use shuttle buses within the scenic area D5 Baihaba → Kanas Scenic Area → Burqin 🚗 Driving time: approx. 4h ✨Highlights: Fairy Bay/Moon Bay/Wolong Bay, colorful beach sunset 🍜Food: Burqin riverside night market grilled dogfish, cold-water fish feast ⚠️Tips: Morning photos at the three bays are more beautiful; remember to bargain at the night market D6 Burqin → World Devil City → Kuitun 🚗 Driving time: approx. 6h ✨Highlights: Wuerhe Yardang, Gobi desert wilderness 🍜Food: Kuitun big plate chicken, spicy pepper chicken ⚠️Tips: Take the small train in Devil City; wear sunglasses and a hat due to strong wind D7 Kuitun → Sailimu Lake → Jinghe 🚗 Driving time: approx. 5h ✨Highlights: The last drop of the Atlantic, lake ring road, Guozigou Bridge 🍜Food: Sailimu high-white salmon, Jinghe goji berries ⚠️Tips: Self-driving around the lake is stunning; bring a thick jacket, it’s windy by the lake D8 Jinghe → Anjihai Grand Canyon → Urumqi 🚗 Driving time: approx. 5h ✨Highlights: Red layered earth textures, great for aerial photography 🍜Food: Shawan big plate chicken, Xinjiang mixed noodles ⚠️Tips: No guardrails in the canyon, stay away from edges; drones are prohibited D9 Urumqi → Flaming Mountains Scenic Area → Kumtag Desert → Shanshan 🚗 Driving time: approx. 4h ✨Highlights: Surface high temperatures, urban desert, camel caravan silhouettes 🍜Food: Shanshan roasted buns, desert yogurt ⚠️Tips: Protect against sun and sand in the desert; wear comfortable shoes D10 Shanshan → Tuyugou → Grape Valley → Karez Folk Culture Park → Urumqi 🚗 Driving time: approx. 4.5h ✨Highlights: Ancient villages, grape trellises, underground irrigation marvels 🍜Food: Grapes, Hami melons, hand-pulled rice ⚠️Tips: Turpan is hot, drink plenty of water; respect local customs and avoid random photography 🏨【Accommodation Tips】: Choose 3-4 star hotels in the city; stay in guesthouses near scenic spots for a closer-to-nature experience. To avoid pitfalls, consider booking through travel agencies for convenience and better deals. 🚌【Transportation Tips】: Xinjiang is vast; it’s recommended to hire a car with a driver through a travel agency for safety and peace of mind, with cost-effectiveness comparable to self-driving. 🧡【Tips】: ✅Documents: ID card is a must; apply for a border pass in advance for Baihaba ✅Clothing: Large temperature differences day and night; summer clothes plus a windbreaker or light down jacket ✅Transport: Long distances between attractions; car hire or SUV self-drive recommended ✅Food: Big plate chicken, grilled skewers, hand-pulled rice, cold-water fish, handmade yogurt are must-tries ✅Time difference: 2 hours behind mainland China, adjust your schedule accordingly ✅Sun protection: High altitude means strong UV; bring hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen

2026 Latest 13-Day Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop Tour🔥 Pack Romance in Your Luggage Dear travelers, how to plan your first trip to Xinjiang? Listen to me! Choose the Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop – it’s the right choice~ · ❓Why choose the Northern Xinjiang Loop? ✅ Check in all the must-see Northern Xinjiang highlights in one trip: Kanas, Sailimu Lake, Duku Highway, Nalati… all the beautiful Xinjiang scenery you can imagine is here! ✅ Unlock new landscapes every day: gallop across grasslands, chase reflections on lakes, watch sunsets over deserts, and have snow-capped mountains as your backdrop. Brave souls enjoy life first. As a long-time tourism worker in Xinjiang, I have experienced the warmth and friendliness of the Xinjiang people. I want to recommend the magnificent Xinjiang in my heart to you! In summer, the Duku Highway, Ahe Highway, and Yizhao Highway open. S101 Baili Danxia, S21 Desert Highway, and Tiejia Highway are the essence of self-driving routes. ✅ For niche hiking lovers | Shata Scenic Area - Muzart Glacier. Must-visit spots with full experience value: Hemu in Altay, Kanas | Sailimu Lake | Anjihai Grand Canyon | Nalati and Qiaxi in Ili. 🏔 Landscape features: | Alpine grasslands, lakes | Wetlands | Glaciers | Deserts | Gobi | Danxia | Waterfront Yardang landforms ⭐ Mid-June is perfect for Ili grasslands and lakes. From mid-September to October, Altay’s stunning autumn scenery is perfect for photos! ❌ Navigation for the four highways Duku, Ahe, Yizhao, and S101 Baili Danxia needs to be set in segments to avoid detours. D1 Urumqi gathering and free activities D2 Urumqi - S21 Desert Highway - Karamay Desert Park - General Mountain International Ski Resort - Altay D3 Altay - Ahe Highway - Hemu Scenic Area D4 Hemu - Kanas Scenic Area - Burqin D5 Burqin - World Devil City - Kuitun D6 Kuitun - Sailimu Lake - Lavender - Yining D7 Yining - Yizhao Highway - Shata Ancient Trail National Forest Park - Shata D8 Shata - Kalajun Grassland - Tekesi Old Street - Tekesi D9 Tekesi - Kuerdening Scenic Area - Xinyuan D10 Xinyuan - Nalati Grassland - Nalati D11 Nalati - Bayinbuluke Scenic Area - Bayinbuluke D12 Bayinbuluke - Duku Highway - Urumqi D13 Urumqi end of trip

【Introduction】: Say goodbye to cubicle competition, travel through snowy mountains, grasslands, canyons, deserts, and ancient Western cities, and leave your soul in Xinjiang! 🛬【Itinerary】: 📅 Daily schedule｜Driving time｜Food｜Tips Day 1 Urumqi → Anjihai Grand Canyon → Kenswat Reservoir → Kuitun🏨 Driving time: about 4.5h ✅ Highlights: Red Canyon🌋 + Blue Reservoir💧 🍜 Food: Fried pork noodles, Big Plate Chicken 💡 Tips: Be cautious in the canyon, avoid dangerous areas Day 2 Kuitun → Sailimu Lake → Yining🏨 Driving time: about 5.5h ✅ Highlights: The last tear of the Atlantic Ocean💙, Guozigou Bridge🌉 🍜 Food: Sailimu high-white salmon, Kavas, handmade ice cream 💡 Tips: Windy and big temperature difference by the lake, bring a jacket Day 3 Yining → Yizhao Highway → Xiata Tourist Area → Zhaosu🏨 Driving time: about 4h ✅ Highlights: Little Duku Yizhao Highway🏔️, snowy mountains and grasslands 🍜 Food: Hand-grabbed meat, Nang pit meat 💡 Tips: Yizhao Highway is limited to vehicles under 7 seats, seasonally open Day 4 Zhaosu → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes🏨 Driving time: about 2h ✅ Highlights: Three-dimensional aerial grassland🌿, Flower Terrace 🍜 Food: Kazakh milk tea, Baursak 💡 Tips: Many mosquitoes on the grassland, remember to spray mosquito repellent Day 5 Tekes → Kuerdening Scenic Area → Nalati Town🏨 Driving time: about 3h ✅ Highlights: Forest valley secret realm🌲, stream grassland 🍜 Food: Wild mushroom soup rice, roasted buns 💡 Tips: Take your time, the scenery is all along the way Day 6 Full day tour of Nalati Tourist Scenic Area → Stay in Nalati🏨 Driving time: within the scenic area by shuttle ✅ Highlights: Aerial grassland, valley grassland, popular bridge📸 🍜 Food: Jar meat, big lamb skewers 💡 Tips: Go early for fewer people and better photos Day 7 Nalati → Bayinbuluke Scenic Area → Stay in Bayin🏨 Driving time: about 2.5h ✅ Highlights: Nine bends and eighteen turns sunset🌇, Swan Lake 🍜 Food: Grassland hot pot, butter tea 💡 Tips: High altitude, move slowly, keep warm Day 8 Bayin → South section of Duku Highway → Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon → Kuqa🏨 Driving time: about 4h ✅ Highlights: Duku Highway scenery🏞️, red canyon wonder 🍜 Food: Kuqa big Nang, pepper chicken 💡 Tips: Weather on Duku Highway changes frequently, always carry a light jacket Day 9 Kuqa → Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves → Aksu🏨 Driving time: about 3h ✅ Highlights: Silk Road grotto art🪨 🍜 Food: Roasted eggs, local specialty mixed noodles 💡 Tips: Flash photography is prohibited inside the caves Day 10 Aksu → Bachu County Red Sea Scenic Area - Golden Poplar Island · Dawazi → Kashgar Old City🏨 Driving time: about 6h ✅ Highlights: Wetland scenery🌾, Kashgar night view🌃 🍜 Food: Roasted pigeon, hand-grabbed rice, pomegranate juice 💡 Tips: Ask locals for permission before taking photos in the old city Day 11 Kashgar → Hotan Yutegan Ancient City → Hotan🏨 Driving time: about 5h ✅ Highlights: Immersive Western Region ancient city🏯 🍜 Food: Hotan roasted buns, yogurt zongzi 💡 Tips: Respect local customs, dress appropriately Day 12 Hotan → Pigeon Alley → Desert Highway → Aral🏨 Driving time: about 6h ✅ Highlights: Taklamakan Desert🏜️, desert highway 🍜 Food: Desert barbecue, special yogurt 💡 Tips: Fill up gas in advance for desert sections Day 13 Aral → Kuqa Wangfu → Kuqa Nang City → Kuqa🏨 Driving time: about 4h ✅ Highlights: Cultural relics🏛️, giant Nang pit 🍜 Food: Kuqa white apricot, roasted whole lamb 💡 Tips: Freshly baked Nang in Nang City is very fragrant, good as souvenirs Day 14 Kuqa → Lop Nur Village → Korla🏨 Driving time: about 5h ✅ Highlights: Desert poplar🌳, Lop Nur culture 🍜 Food: Lop Nur grilled fish, Korla fragrant pear 💡 Tips: Many mosquitoes in the village, take protective measures Day 15 Korla → Bosten Lake Dahekou Scenic Area → Urumqi🏨 Driving time: about 7h ✅ Highlights: West Sea scenery💦, Tianshan Victory Tunnel 🍜 Food: Bosten fish feast, Xinjiang dried fruits 💡 Tips: Long return trip, rest well and drive safely 🏨【Accommodation Guide】: Choosing 3~4 star hotels in the city is good, booking homestays near scenic spots lets you experience the freshness of nature and a different lodging experience. If worried about pitfalls, you can also have a travel agency book accommodations for you, saving time and worry, usually at prices better than market rates. 🚌【Transportation Guide】: Xinjiang is vast with limited transportation options, mostly driving. For better and more energetic travel and personal safety, it is recommended to hire a travel agency for car tours. Overall, the cost is similar to renting a car for self-driving, offering great value. 🧡【Tips】: 🌟Must-see general tips for Northern Xinjiang 1. Huge temperature difference between day and night｜Thin down jacket + windbreaker are must-bring🧥 2. Strong UV rays｜SPF50+ sunscreen essentials☀️ 3. Carry cash｜Poor signal in remote scenic spots💴 4. Respect local customs｜Do not take photos of locals without permission🙏 5. Long driving times｜Motion sickness medicine and U-shaped pillow are essential💺

✨A Must-Stay New Landmark in Kuitun｜Hotel at the Starting Point of the Duku Highway✨ This is Kuitun's first five-star standard hotel—Jinling International Hotel! From the hard furnishings to the soft furnishings, it boasts Jinling standard amenities, making you feel right at home~🥰 【Absolutely Amazing Prime Location】📍 The hotel enjoys a "golden location"! What is Kuitun? It's a super hub on the Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop! The shopping district is just downstairs, the high-speed rail station is a 5-minute walk🚄, and foodies can walk directly to the food street—it's incredibly convenient! 【The Perfect Starting Point of the Duku Highway】🚗 Pay attention!!! The northern starting point of China's most beautiful highway, the Duku Highway, is here!!! For those visiting between June and October, starting from here allows you to experience the scenery of all four seasons in one trip—snow-capped mountains, canyons, and grasslands! 🏔️ 【Full Facility Experience】✨ - Address: No. 41, Aksu East Road - Super comfortable beds: Five-star standard, so cozy! - Fully equipped gym - The rooftop observation deck offers a romantic view of Kuitun's nightscape. - The lobby's cultural wall is perfect for photos. 【Nearby Recommendations】🌸 ✔ Dushanzi Grand Canyon ✔ Aibi Lake ✔ Anjihai Grand Canyon If you're driving, the mornings along the Duku Highway are absolutely stunning! 💡Tips: Plan your route in advance when the Duku Highway is open in summer! Don't forget to take photos at the rooftop observation deck!

Ili and Southern Xinjiang 14-Day In-Depth Tour Route People often say that you don’t realize the vastness of China until you visit Xinjiang, and you don’t appreciate the beauty of Xinjiang until you visit Ili. The Tianshan Mountains have left their gentlest side to this valley, where grasslands, lakes, flower seas, and snow-capped mountains embrace each other, creating the truly deserved title of the "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall." In spring, the apricot blossom valley of Turgen is filled with pink and white petals drifting in the wind, covering the hillsides with gentle poetry; in summer, the lavender fields of Huocheng roll like purple waves, their fragrance filling the sky—you don’t need to travel to Provence to embrace romance here; the aerial grasslands of Nalati stretch endlessly green, dotted with yurts and herds of cattle and sheep, as the wind brushes the grass tips carrying a breath of freedom; the three-dimensional grasslands of Kalajun undulate like waves, with shifting light and shadow, every frame a wallpaper; Sayram Lake is as clear as a mirror, snow mountains reflected on its surface, pure blue and peaceful, known as "the last tear of the Atlantic." The Guozigou Bridge winds through the mountains, the Shata Ancient Road hides glaciers and forests, and the village of Qiongkushitai is simple and tranquil, where time seems to slow down. There’s no need to rush the itinerary—just stroll the grasslands, stand quietly by the lakeside, gaze at the snow mountains, let the wind carry away your worries, and let the light heal your fatigue. The beauty of Ili is gentle, healing, and vibrant. It is neither ostentatious nor noisy, but with the purest natural beauty, it tells you: life is worth living, and the mountains and rivers are romantic. This westward journey will not disappoint the flower seas, the snow mountains, or the poetry and dreams in your heart. If Northern Xinjiang is God’s spilled palette, then Southern Xinjiang is a living epic of the Western Regions. Here you find the desolation of desert smoke, the majesty of snow-capped plateaus, the bustling life of ancient cities, and the echoes of the ancient Silk Road civilization. Entering Kashgar Old Town, the earth-toned adobe buildings are arranged in an orderly fashion, the streets and alleys form a maze, copper shops clink with sound, the aroma of baked buns fills the air, children laugh and run, elders sit and chat leisurely. Every carved brick, every door and window, every greeting hides rich Western Region charm, instantly transporting you back a thousand years. The Id Kah Mosque is solemn and majestic, the century-old teahouse emits fragrant tea smoke, and amidst the lively atmosphere, you find the truest Southern Xinjiang. Traveling along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, you reach the Pamir Plateau and gaze up at Muztagh Ata, the "Father of Ice Mountains," with its towering, sacred peaks; Karakul Lake ripples with clear waves reflecting the snow mountains, breathtakingly beautiful. The Tajik people's warmth and simplicity and the vastness of the plateau inspire awe. Crossing the Taklamakan Desert, you see endless yellow sand and a round setting sun; encounter the resilient Populus euphratica in Luntai, which lives for thousands of years without dying, standing firm through millennia; stroll through Kuqa and Hotan, touching the profound heritage of the Kucha culture and jade civilization. The beauty of Southern Xinjiang is rugged, profound, and full of stories. It is not as gentle as Northern Xinjiang, but with the most stunning nature and richest culture, it lets you truly understand the Western Regions. This journey to Southern Xinjiang is a rendezvous with mountains and rivers, a search for the roots of civilization, and a fulfillment of the Western dream. D1 Urumqi airport pickup and hotel check-in D2 Urumqi - S101 National Defense Highway - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Kuitun D3 Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Lavender - Yining D4 Yining - Yizhao Highway - Shata Ancient Road National Forest Park - Zhaosu D5 Zhaosu - Kalajun Grassland - Tekes D6 Tekes - Nalati Grassland - Nalati D7 Nalati - Bayinbuluke Scenic Area - Bayinbuluke D8 Bayinbuluke - Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves - Kuqa D9 Kuqa - Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon - Aral D10 Aral - Desert Highway - Yutagan Ancient City in Hotan - Hotan D11 Hotan - Kashgar Old Town - Kashgar D12 Kashgar - Karakul Lake Scenic Area - Baisha Lake Scenic Area - Stone City - Jincao Beach - Taxkorgan D13 Taxkorgan - Panlong Valley Road - Bandier Blue Lake - Muztagh Glacier Park - Kashgar D14 Kashgar airport drop-off and end of trip

Weekend one-day parent-child tours in Urumqi feature 4 treasure routes, covering everything from Danxia Snow Mountain to grassland lakes, meeting different needs and making it easy to explore the surrounding beautiful scenery with kids! 🌟 Route 1: S101 National Defense Highway + Lu Jiao Bay The famous Little Duku Highway lives up to its reputation, with a hundred miles of Danxia, Kenswater Reservoir, and Lu Jiao Bay’s snowy grasslands offering rich and layered scenery; drive back while watching the sunset, accessible by car, allowing 10 hours for a more relaxed trip. 🌟 Route 2: West Poplar Valley + Ulastai + Chrysanthemum Terrace A short and easy route, only 200 kilometers round trip, half-day tour with no pressure; one ticket covers three attractions, smooth road conditions, perfect lighting for afternoon outings, ideal for both photography and playing with kids. 🌟 Route 3: Suolbas Tao + Jiangbulati An original ecological secret spot with stunning scenery, suitable for off-road families; complex road conditions require an SUV, watch the weather changes, camping is possible to get close to nature. 🌟 Route 4: Jiangbulake Scenic Area Grassland and wheat field landscapes, spacious scenic area, start early to enjoy fully; stop by Qitai to taste local specialties, a double harvest of delicious food and beautiful views. 💡 Parent-Child Tips: Choose routes as needed, prepare sunscreen and warm clothes, bring motion sickness medicine and camping gear as required. Accommodation 🏨Nanshan Wild Luxury Homestay Mountain forest homestay, quiet and serene, the top choice for parent-child summer retreats and outings 🏨Lu Jiao Bay Resort Hotel Hotel near the scenic area, spacious family rooms, very convenient for viewing the snow mountains 🏨Jiangbulake Homestay Grassland homestay, open the window to see the grassland, super healing for parent-child camping 🏨City Hilton Hotel High-end hotel with children’s facilities, comfortable for family stays

Turn your trip into a cinematic masterpiece No awkward posing, just freedom and spontaneity Wind, light, clouds, and grass all set the scene for you Day 1: From all over the country to Urumqi Day 2: Urumqi — S101 National Defense Highway Hundred Li Danxia — Anjihai Grand Canyon — Kuitun Day 3: Kuitun — Sailimu Lake Loop — Jinghe Day 4: Jinghe — Dushanzi Grand Canyon — Duku Highway Hundred Li Gallery — Tangbula — Nalati Day 5: Nalati Sky Grassland — Midsection of Duku Highway — Bayinbuluke Day 6: Bayinbuluke — Duku Highway — Big and Small Dragon Pools — Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon — Kuqa Day 7: Kuqa — Tahe Outer Beach — Tarim River Bridge — Shaya Devil Forest — Aral Day 8: Aral — Desert Highway — Yotkan Ancient City — Hotan Day 9: Hotan — Shache Prefecture — Yarkand Khan’s Mausoleum — Kashgar Day 10: Kashgar — White Sand Mountain — White Sand Lake — Tahaman Wetland Park — Karakul Lake — Taxkorgan Day 11: Taxkorgan — Hongqilapu Port — Panlong Ancient Road — Bandier Lake — Jincao Beach Stone City — Taxkorgan Day 12: Tashkurgan — Mustagh Glacier Park — Kashgar Day 13: Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains Convergence — Shell Mountain — Simuhana Village — Westernmost Point — Yilkstan Port Day 14: Kashgar Old Town — Id Kah Mosque — Century-old Teahouse — Xiangfei Garden Day 15: Kashgar — Return to all parts of the country 🎒 【Practical Tips】 ✅ Best time: June to September, when the grass is green and flowers bloom, stunning beyond belief! ✅ Dressing advice: Wear a casual dress during the day 👗, but be sure to add a jacket at night 🧥 (the temperature difference between morning and evening is no joke, “wear cotton in the morning, silk at noon” is true) “Is it because of the beautiful Nalati that you brew the sweetness you want?” 🍯 Anyway, I was sweetened, moved to tears by the beauty, and healed

Hidden one-day tour routes around Urumqi, explore Danxia landforms, snowy mountains, and grasslands with your kids. Choose from 4 routes, perfect for family outings! 1. S101 + Deer Horn Bay (5-star recommendation) Known as the "Little Duku," this route offers stunning views of Danxia landforms, grasslands, and lakes. At Deer Horn Bay, you can get up close to snowy mountains and grasslands; check in at Kenswater Reservoir and the Hundred-Mile Danxia; the whole trip takes about 10 hours, covering 700 km round trip. Suitable for sedans, bring motion sickness medicine if needed; return via S101 to enjoy the Danxia sunset. 2. West Baiyanggou + Ulastai + Chrysanthemum Terrace (5-star recommendation) A summer resort in the southern mountains, about 200 km round trip, can be done in half a day; one ticket grants access to all three attractions, reachable by sedan; head there in the afternoon for great lighting and photo opportunities, then return to the city for dinner. 3. Suolbas Tao + Jiangbulati (4-star recommendation) Breathtaking scenery but poor road conditions, suitable for SUVs/off-road vehicles; mountain weather is changeable, so be cautious; Jiangbulati offers camping, bring all necessary gear. 4. Jiangbulak Scenic Area About 6 hours round trip, the area is large so start early; stop by Qitai to try local specialties, very satisfying for family trips. Accommodation 🏨Nanshan Wild Luxury Homestay Forest homestay, quiet and serene, the top choice for family summer retreats and kids’ activities 🏨Deer Horn Bay Resort Hotel Hotel near the scenic area, spacious family rooms, very convenient for viewing snowy mountains 🏨Jiangbulak Homestay Grassland homestay, open the window to see the grasslands, very healing for family camping 🏨City Hilton Hotel High-end hotel with children’s facilities, comfortable for family stays

In-Depth 9-Day Altay Travel Guide in Xinjiang｜Explore Altay All at Once When the city is wrapped in a heatwave, summer in Altay quietly unfolds a "Wizard of Oz" scene 🍃 The breeze, averaging 15-25°C, carries the scent of pine needles, wildflowers roll across the meadows, snow-capped mountains cast emerald reflections on the lake, and even the air tastes fresh and sweet… -🚗 Transportation Guide: ✈️ Flight: Altay Airport is about 10 km from the city center, with options for direct flights or transfers via Urumqi 🚄 Train: Altay Station has multiple trains to surrounding areas 🚌 Long-distance Bus: Well-developed road network, convenient for traveling to nearby places 🚕 Local Transport: Includes buses and taxis; renting a car for self-driving offers more freedom -🔱 "My Altay" 9-Day Itinerary: D1: Urumqi airport pickup - hotel D2: Urumqi - Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) - Fuyun D3: Fuyun - Koktokay Scenic Area - Altay D4: Altay - Ahe Highway - Hemu Scenic Area D5: Hemu - Kanas Scenic Area - Baihaba Scenic Area D6: Baihaba - Kanas Three Bays - Colorful Beach - Burqin D7: Burqin - World Devil City - Kuitun D8: Kuitun - Anjihai Grand Canyon - S101 National Defense Highway - Urumqi D9: Urumqi airport drop-off -📷 Recommended Attractions: ✅ Colorful Beach: A palette of colorful clouds, as if the sunset has solidified on the earth ✅ Burqin: A fairy tale town where Russian architecture blends with ethnic customs, like a city where princesses and princes live happily ✅ Bataishu Tree & Zhang Fengxia’s Small Shop: Featured in the show! The location is hard to find; it’s recommended to ask locals after arriving in the county town, as navigation apps currently cannot pinpoint it accurately ✅ Hemu: Feels like arriving at Heidi and Grandpa’s home, a village with cooking smoke and morning mist, waking up feels like being in a fairyland! ✅ Kanas Lake & Kanas Three Bays: After visiting Kanas, you realize there are countless shades of "green," a unique eye-soothing green exclusive to Xinjiang ✅ Karamay World Devil City: Strongly recommend driving into the Devil City yourself; it feels like piloting a spacecraft landing on an alien planet. Drone footage is great here, best visited at sunset -⚠️ Travel Tips: 1⃣️ UV rays in Xinjiang are very strong; be sure to use sun protection. The weather is changeable, so bring a jacket 2⃣️ Xinjiang’s attractions are scattered and far apart; it can be inconvenient without a car. Plan your itinerary well 3⃣️ Allow extra time for Kanas, as it is quite large overall 4⃣️ Drones can be flown in Kanas and Hemu but require registration. Drones are not allowed in Baihaba Scenic Area 5⃣️ Recommended travel period: Late May to October

【Yili】: This is a comprehensive tourism route map of Yili and its surrounding areas in Xinjiang, clearly marking the core attractions and roads for May to August 2026, making it very suitable for itinerary planning reference. ⛺【Itinerary Arrangement: 🚗 Classic Route Recommendation (Centered on Yili) Day 1: Urumqi — S101 National Defense Highway — Kenswat Reservoir — Anjihai Grand Canyon — Accommodation: Kuitun Day 2: Kuitun — Sayram Lake — Guozigou Bridge — Lavender — Accommodation: Yining Sayram Lake Day 3: Yining — Yizhao Highway — Xiata Ancient Trail — Accommodation: Zhaosu Xiata Ancient Trail National Forest Park Day 4: Zhaosu — Kalajun — Bagua City — Accommodation: Tekes Kalajun Scenic Area Day 5: Tekes — Nalati Grassland — Accommodation: Nalati Nalati Tourist Scenic Area Day 6: Nalati — Middle section of Duku Highway — Bayinbuluke Bayinbuluke Scenic Area Day 7: Bayinbuluke — Duku Highway — Hundred Mile Gallery — Fairy Lake — Accommodation: Tangbula Duku Highway Day 8: Tangbula — Duku Highway — Accommodation: Urumqi 🛬【🌿 Seasonal Highlights for May-August】: - May (Spring Wild Secret Realm): ✅ Recommended: Xiata Hiking, Sayram Lake with melting ice + wildflowers, Kurdening wild fruit forest search ✅ Advantages: Fewer people and quiet scenery, early green grasslands, suitable for photography and light hiking ⚠️ Note: Yizhao/Duku Highway may be temporarily closed due to snow accumulation, check road conditions in advance - August (Midsummer Peak): ✅ Recommended: Huocheng Lavender (in full bloom from June to August), Nalati Horse Riding, Zhaosu Rapeseed Flowers, Sayram Lake Circuit ✅ Advantages: Grasslands at their peak, comfortable temperature (around 22℃ for summer cooling), ripe melons and fruits ⚠️ Note: Accommodation is tight during peak season, book 1-2 months in advance; Duku Highway is open but weather is variable 🧡【Tips】: The beautiful grasslands of Xinjiang Yili always make it hard to choose. Professional custom planners provide you with reasonable advice. For more group tours, car rentals, carpooling, and custom tours 【Xinjiang Custom Routes, Yili, South Xinjiang, North Xinjiang, Altay】【Welcome to consult guide Liu Guoliang with one click below.】

Xinjiang’s beauty can only be truly understood by visiting! Traveling by RV with kids is so worry-free—enjoy the greenery of Ili 🌿, the grandeur of Duku Highway 🗻, the warmth of Turpan 🏜️, plus tons of family-friendly experiences. Every step is full of surprises! Falling asleep surrounded by stunning scenery every night—this kind of trip is just too cool!️ · 🚍 Itinerary D1: Nationwide — Urumqi ✔︎ Arrive in Urumqi, check into the hotel, free time, gear distribution, itinerary briefing · D2: Urumqi — Anjihai Grand Canyon — Sayram Lake ✔︎ Check in at the breathtaking Anjihai Grand Canyon ✔︎ Drive the RV straight to Sayram Lake, enjoy a 360° lake tour, water quality class, forest hiking, kite flying by the lake, and searching for little elves ✔︎ Watch the Sayram Lake sunset, lighthouse, West Sea Grassland, S-shaped road, and stargaze at night · D3: Sayram Lake — Huocheng Lavender — Kazanqi — Yining ✔︎ Early morning sunrise at Sayram Lake, pass by the spectacular Guozigou Bridge ✔︎ Immerse yourself in the lavender sea of Huocheng (the purple Provence) ✔︎ Afternoon Kazanqi folk experience, take stunning photos in the blue town, and visit Six Star Street at night · D4: Yining — Nalati Grassland ✔︎ Drive the RV directly into Nalati’s private route, avoiding crowds ✔︎ Exclusive experiences: forest picnic table, tug-of-war, board games, kite flying 🪁, Kazakh family visit, deeply experiencing grassland culture · D5: Nalati — Qiaolma — Duku Highway (North Section) — Kuitun ✔︎ Pass by Qiaolma Martyrs’ Cemetery to pay tribute to heroes ✔︎ Cross the northern section of Duku Highway and experience the wonder of “four seasons in one day,” plus play in the summer snow ❄️ · D6: Kuitun — Dushanzi Grand Canyon — Urumqi ✔︎ Morning visit to Dushanzi Grand Canyon to see spectacular geological wonders ✔︎ Afternoon return to Urumqi for rest · D7: Urumqi — Jiaheyi — Flaming Mountains — Tuyugou — Shanshan ✔︎ Explore the ancient underground canal Karez system ✔︎ Drive by Flaming Mountains, visit Xinjiang’s oldest village Tuyugou, and explore the grotto temples ✔︎ Family experience making intangible cultural heritage flower felts, and shoot exotic-style photos! · D8: Shanshan — Kumtag Desert — Grape Valley — Turpan ✔︎ Visit Kumtag Desert, see sand sculptures, optional desert surfing and camel riding 🐫 ✔︎ Afternoon at Grape Valley, enjoy picking grapes, learn about drying rooms, and stroll through Frog Alley featured on “Where Are We Going, Dad?” · D9: Turpan — Urumqi Departure ✔︎ Return to Urumqi and conclude the wonderful RV trip · 📌 Xinjiang Travel Tips 🔹 Xinjiang’s saying “wear cotton in the morning, silk in the afternoon” means pack clothes for all seasons, especially windproof jackets 🔹 Strong UV and dry weather—don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, and face masks! 🔹 RVs should be booked in advance, especially in peak season. Type C RVs are spacious and perfect for families or friends traveling together 🔹 Camping at Sayram Lake, secret routes in Nalati, and crossing Duku Highway are exclusive experiences only possible with RV travel · ❓ Why recommend RV travel? ✅ Freedom! No rushing, stop whenever the scenery is beautiful, sleep when tired ✅ Convenience! No waiting in line for restrooms, no worries about traffic jams ✅ Changing scenery, but home stays the same! From starry skies at Sayram Lake to grasslands at Nalati, every day brings a new view - 👉 Available for [Charter Tours] [Custom Tours] [Private Groups]~ Want to get this itinerary? ↓↓↓ Click “Chat with TA” at the bottom left to get your plan! -

Shawan can be reached directly by high-speed rail from Urumqi. Although Shawan doesn’t have any famous tourist attractions, I quite like the pace of life here. Shawan has many public squares where lots of elderly people walk or exercise, but I didn’t see any square dancing. It’s a great place to relax after work, and public buses are the main mode of transportation within the city. Tips to Note: 1. The high-speed rail from Urumqi to Shawan is super convenient 2. It’s recommended to bring some snacks and a water bottle 3. Be sure to protect yourself from the sun (You know how strong the UV rays are in Xinjiang ☀️)

【Introduction】: Who understands😭 This time I finally figured out the Ili trip clearly❗❗ Brothers and sisters! Ili is really fun to the max🥰, but not doing research beforehand made me so frustrated I was about to blow up😡! Because I didn’t prepare well before departure, I fell into many traps🕳. Tonight I organized this super detailed Xinjiang travel guide👍. Sisters planning to visit Ili in 2026, quickly save this👇! ⛺【Travel Tips】: Transportation Guide ✈️ Airport Choices: ✅ Urumqi Diwopu Airport🛫: The aviation hub of Xinjiang! Lots of flight options, 💰 perfect for first-timers to Xinjiang~ ✅ Yining Airport✈️: Focused on the Ili area! Direct flights save time but tickets are a bit pricey💸, suitable for those with tight schedules! ✅ Xinyuan Nalati Airport / Zhaosu Tianma Airport🛬: Very convenient direct flights within Xinjiang! Land and head straight to the grasslands🐎 (but flights are fewer, so watch for special deals in advance) 🌈 Must-Visit Attractions in Ili ✨ Sayram Lake: The last drop of the Atlantic, plus a super popular RV campsite to check in, perfect for photos📸 ✨ KuerdeningThe same little house as Heidi and her grandpa, a fairy-tale scene, like stepping into a Studio Ghibli anime world. ✨ HighwayA summer-only scenic road, showcasing four seasons in one route ✨ GrasslandComparable to Swiss scenery, with babbling springs and herds of cattle and sheep, cozy and beautiful ✨ Ancient RoadA paradise for hiking lovers, close-up views of majestic snow mountains, tracing historical footprints. ✨ GrasslandA hidden treasure deep in the forest, like nature’s private masterpiece🖼️ ✨ GrasslandA blooming 3D three-dimensional grassland, every step a new view, every frame stunningly beautiful. 🛬【Itinerary】: DAY1: Urumqi - Tianshan Tianchi - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Kuitun DAY2: Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Guozigou - Lavender - Yining DAY3: Yining - Yizhao Highway - Tianma Bathing River - Zhaosu DAY4: Zhaosu - Kalajun Grassland - Bagua City - Tekes DAY5: Tekes - Qiaxi Grassland / Kuerdening - Gongliu DAY6: Gongliu - Nalati Grassland - Nalati Town DAY7: Nalati - Hundred-Mile Gallery - Northern Section of Duku Highway - Kuitun DAY8: Kuitun - S101 Danxia Landform - Urumqi 🧡【Tips】: Custom Planner 1v1: From communication of needs to finalizing the itinerary, full follow-up to create your exclusive Ili memories 24h Travel Butler: Always ready to respond to questions and solve travel issues, so you just enjoy your trip Company Fixed Tour Leader: A reliable driver, professional guide + photography expert, capable of cultural explanations, photo-taking, and child care, accompanying you like a friend to explore Ili thoroughly Suitable for: ◆ First-time visitors to Xinjiang: Avoid pitfalls, enjoy natural scenery, and deeply experience Western cultural heritage ◆ Couples / Best friends trips: Private customization + wild luxury accommodations, unlocking a romantic and classy travel experience ◆ Family trips with kids: Bring your children to Ili during summer vacation, no need to plan, just follow along to enjoy beautiful scenery and growth Private■【Number of people + travel dates】, customize your Northern Xinjiang Ili loop trip We are a local Xinjiang travel agency + self-operated fleet, no middlemen

Ili is never just a single scenery; it is a journey across four seasons, a gentle embrace between man and nature. Every breeze, every flower, every snow-capped mountain, and every grassland here quietly awaits you, to be measured by your footsteps and remembered by your soul as the unique romantic landscape of the Western Regions. Travel and Transportation Guide ✈️ Airport Options: ✅ Urumqi Diwopu Airport 🛫: The aviation hub of Xinjiang! Many flight options, 💰 perfect for first-time visitors to Xinjiang~ ✅ Yining Airport ✈️: Focused on the Ili region! Direct flights save time but tickets are a bit pricey 💸 ideal for travelers with tight schedules! ✅ Xinyuan Nalati Airport / Zhaosu Tianma Airport 🛬: Convenient direct flights within Xinjiang! Land and head straight to the grasslands 🐎 (flights are limited, book early for discounts) 📅 Best Viewing Periods: Nalati Grassland: Early April to June 🌸 Wild lilies and dandelions cover the hills! Horse riding on the aerial grassland is amazing 🐎 Kalajun Grassland: May to September 🌿 The name "Human Grassland" is well deserved! May bursts with spring flowers, June sees golden lotus flowers covering the ridges 💛 Xiata Ancient Road: June to July 🌼 Wildflowers bloom at the foot of the snow mountains! A hiker’s paradise 🚶‍♀️ (Snow lotus blooms in June, incredibly magical!) Qiongkushitai: May to August 🏡 Step into a village straight out of "Heidi’s Grandpa"! Wooden houses + snow mountains + forest = a fairy tale come true 📸 Kuerdening: May to June 🌼 Snowmelt and wildflowers everywhere! The real-life filming location of "Heidi and Grandpa" 🎬 Qiaxi Grassland: April to May 🌱 Xinjiang’s first wave of spring! Snow mountains + spruce + grassland trio 🏔️ Bayinbuluke: May to June 🦢 Nine bends and eighteen turns + Swan Lake! The sunset with nine sun reflections is breathtaking 🌅 Itinerary: D1 Arrival in Urumqi, transfer to hotel D2 Urumqi - S101 National Defense Highway - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Jinghe D3 Jinghe - Sailimu Lake - Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden - Yining D4 Yining - Yizhao Highway - Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area - Zhaosu D5 Zhaosu - Xiata Ancient Road National Forest Park - Tekes D6 Tekes - Qiongkushitai - Gongliu D7 Gongliu - Qiaxi Grassland Scenic Area - Xinyuan D8 Xinyuan - Bayinbuluke Scenic Area - Bayinbuluke D9 Bayinbuluke - Nalati Tourist Scenic Area - Nalati D10 Nalati - Tangbula Grassland - Duku Highway - Urumqi D11 Departure from Urumqi

Dear friends! This 8-day Tacheng itinerary is simply legendary~ VIP self-driving with private car and guide throughout, not a single day to miss! Winter exclusive to see the Sayram Lake icicle wonder, sparkling like a crystal palace, every snap is a fairy tale masterpiece! In summer, you can sail on Sayram Lake again, rush into the lavender sea, and ride along the Duku Highway! All the essential tips packed for you! -------------------- More excitement, keep scrolling down~ -------------------- 🌟Route suggestions: D1-2: Anjihai Grand Canyon — Sayram Lake — Kruger Hot Spring Camp Two days crossing the magnificent canyon and blue ice wonderland, experience VIP self-driving around Sayram Lake, overnight at a wild luxury camp for stargazing. Winter-exclusive icicle spectacle shines like a crystal palace on the lakeshore, as if stepping into a fairy tale world✨ D3: Sayram Lake — Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden — Tekes Bagua City Early morning sail again on Sayram Lake breaking the ice, afternoon immersed in the purple romantic flower sea, evening explore the Bagua City maze without traffic lights🌊🌸 D4: Kalajun Scenic Area (East Kalajun + West Kalajun) Full day deep tour of the three-dimensional grassland secret realm, horseback riding through Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace, surrounded by snowy mountains and spruce forests, feel the gentle curves of the human-shaped grassland🏔️ D5-6: Kuerdening — Nalati Grassland Explore the snowy ridge spruce hometown along the valley, next day gallop on the aerial grassland encountering herds and yurts, the Duku Highway section opens only at designated times, the car window instantly turns into a painting frame🛣️ D7: Ili Old Town Kazanqi — Guozigou Bridge Stroll the blue folk streets tasting handmade ice cream, stand on the twin-tower cable-stayed bridge overlooking the stunning Guozigou gorge with its colorful autumn forest🌉 D8: Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar On the last day, shop for dried fruits, colorful carpets, and other special souvenirs, carrying memories of the borderland Jiangnan as you head home🛍️ -------------------- Must-visit attractions: Sayram Lake ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Address: Near National Highway 30, Bole City, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Opening hours: Open all day Recommended duration: 1-2 days The lake water is as blue as a gem💎, in winter the icicles are crystal-clear like a crystal palace, every photo is a fairy tale masterpiece! Tekes Bagua City ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Address: Gulebage Street, Tekes County, Ili, Xinjiang Opening hours: Open all day Recommended duration: 1-3 hours The streets are maze-like and fun🚥, the city is golden in autumn, and at night the lights make it feel like a dream castle! Kalajun Scenic Area ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Address: South of County Road 276, Tekes County, Ili Opening hours: 07:30-22:00 Recommended duration: 1-2 days A vast grassland at the foot of snowy mountains🌿, in winter the sea of clouds rolls like a fairyland, stay overnight to lie down and watch the stars! Kuerdening Scenic Area ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Address: Southeastern mountainous area of Gongliu County, Ili (88 km from county seat) Opening hours: 10:00-19:00 (Oct 2025 - Apr 2026) Recommended duration: 3-5 hours In spring, ice flowers break through the snow🌼, golden small flowers with snowy mountain backdrop, simply a healing scenic masterpiece! Nalati Tourist Scenic Area ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Address: Nalati Town, Xinyuan County, Ili Opening hours: 10:00-19:00 Recommended duration: 1-2 days Transforms into a high-beauty snow country in winter❄️, rime frost hangs on branches, winding mountain roads like silver dragons, cozy wooden cabin stays with great atmosphere~ -------------------- Essential travel tips: • Respect local customs, herders are warm and hospitable, removing shoes before entering homes is basic etiquette~🤝 • Sayram Lake icicle wonder is like a crystal palace❄️, wear anti-slip shoes to approach the lakeshore, every snap is an ice and snow fairy tale masterpiece! • Bargain at Baketu Port market for souvenirs, lavender essential oil and dried curd are great value🛍️ • Prepare snow chains for winter self-driving, mountain roads have hidden ice, safety first, drive slowly for safety🚗 • Tacheng air-dried meat is firm in texture, buy authentic loose meat by weight, vacuum packaging is super convenient for gifts🥩 -------------------- With the thoughtful service of private car and guide, your trip will be worry-free! Come and check it out~