• A Road Trip Across Northern Xinjiang

    ★★★★★

    4.9/5 505 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-303

    Destination:Urumqi, Kuytun, Tekes, Yining

Duration

7 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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About This Trip

Take this 7-day road trip to discover Northern Xinjiang, the most European-like place in China: travel along the most classic alpine scenic routes, get started in Urumqi, head to Kuytun, Tekes & Zhaosu, and end in Yining. Glimpse into the history and ethnic cultures of Xinjiang by visiting the Xinjiang Museum and Bazaar, see the amazing Sayram Lake with snow-capped peaks in the background in Kuytun, and revel in the natural beauty of Dushanzi Canyon and Tekes’ Kalajun Grassland. Moreover, experiencing the rich folk customs in Bagua City, Six-star Street, and Kazanqi Folk Village, you will see how multiple ethnic groups and religions meet, resulting in Northern Xinjiang a rich and distinctive cultural landscape.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1-2UrumqiXinjiang Museum, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, International Bazaar
3KuytunSayram Lake
4-5TekesGuozigou Bridge, Bagua City, Kalajun Grassland
6-7YiningKazanqi Folk-Custom Village, Six-Star Street, Departure
Quick Question

Itinerary

Welcome to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region! As a part of the famous ancient Silk Road and the home to a number of ethnic groups, this area is full of the natural landscape, outstanding cultural relics and historic sites, as well as colorful ethnic customs. The southern of Xinjiang mainly showcases humanistic customs while the northern part that this trip will on display, is outstanding for natural beauty. Upon your arrival, a local guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the remaining time at leisure.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

The Xinjiang Museum you will visit this morning would be an interesting primer on this region. Among over 40,000 cultural relics and specimens, the life-like statues in “the exhibit of Xinjiang’s ethnic customs” paint a vivid picture of ethnic groups living in this area. Then, step into the International Grand Bazaar, the most iconic ethnic market in Urumqi, where dried fruits and traditional Uyghur handicrafts are worth exploring. Later on, drive about 3 hours to Dushanzi Grand Canyon. It seems the earth suddenly broke and dropped vertically. Standing in the canyon, you will marvel at the power of water to wash this area into a magnificent landscape. When the tour ends, come to Kuytun City for the night.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Have breakfast at the hotel and then continue our journey to Sayram Lake, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. With the background of snow-capped mountains, surrounded by vast grasslands, and filled with sparkling blue waters, the lake is known as a pearl of the Silk Road. After that, check into your hotel nearby Sayram Lake and take a good rest.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, a 4.5-hour drive will bring you to Tekes County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. Along the way, you will pass through the Guozigou Canyon, once a key site on the Silk Road, with a magnificent cable-stayed bridge spanning the valley filled with fruit trees today. The highway winds through the Tianshan Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the highland scenic corridor. Finally, end the day at Tekes Bagua City, a city whose modern urban layout is inspired by the traditional Chinese philosophical concept of the Eight Trigrams. Stay overnight in Bagua City.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning, it takes about 30 minutes to Kalajun Grassland. Upon arrival, spend most of the day exploring the Kalajun Grassland, a typical alpine meadow and natural steppe covering 2,848 square kilometers. Backed by the rolling snow-capped Tianshan Mountains and facing the azure sky, you will be amazed by this stunning beauty. Afterwards, take a 90-kilometer ride to your hotel in Zhaosu County for some rest.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, you will travel back to Yining City along the Xiata Ancient Road and Yizhao Highway, both renowned for highland scenery and historical significance. The Kazanqi Folk-custom Village located in the city is our destination today. It is a large, authentic cultural site mainly reflecting the Uyghur folk customs. You can get a sense of locals’ original life through Uyghur’s delicious street food, delicate handicrafts. Next, make your way to Six-Star Street, where the Han, Kazakh, Hui, Uyghur, Russian, and other ethnic groups coexist in modern, colorful residences.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

The discovery journey of Northern Xinjiang comes to an end. At the appointment time, our local guide will await you in the hotel lobby and then transfer you to Yining airport for your departure flight. Look forward to seeing you again and travel the Southern Xinjiang together.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

12-Year TripAdvisor Award

Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    James T.
    Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Greenfly
    Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Ludovic V.
    Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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