Xinjiang Tour Sayram Lake, Ili Grasslands & Scenic Road Trip

Best Places to Visit in Xinjiang Map

Highlights

Highlights: Xinjiang scenic road trip • Sayram Lake • Ili Grasslands • Nalati Grassland • Yizhao Highway • S101 Danxia Road • Kazakh nomadic culture

Trip Overview

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Best Time: June–September
Altitude: 400–3,000 m
Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate

Travel Information

Accommodation: Selected local hotels (customizable upon request)
Departure: Private departures available year-round
Ideal For: Road trip lovers • Grassland scenery • Photography • Nomadic culture • First-time Xinjiang visitors

Photos

Yuhu Lake surrounded by mountain landscapes in Zhaosu, Xinjiang
Yuhu Lake surrounded by mountain landscapes in Zhaosu, Xinjiang
Kuerday River flowing through the Kalajun grasslands in Xinjiang
Tianchi Lake surrounded by mountains in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang
Horses crossing the river during the Tianma horse bathing event in Zhaosu, Xinjiang
Vast grasslands and mountain scenery in Kalajun, Xinjiang
Scenic S101 Danxia Highway passing through colorful landscapes in Xinjiang
Traditional Xinjiang lamb pilaf served in a local restaurant in Xinjiang, China

A Scenic Xinjiang Road Trip Through Mountains, Lakes & Grasslands

Travel across one of the most scenic road trip routes in Xinjiang, connecting red Danxia valleys, emerald reservoirs, alpine lakes, open grasslands, snow-capped mountains, forest roads, and highland pastures. This journey is designed for travelers who want to experience Xinjiang by road, with constantly changing landscapes along the way.

Sayram Lake & Ili’s Most Beautiful Grassland Scenery

Explore Sayram Lake, one of Xinjiang’s most famous alpine lakes, known for its deep blue water, wide mountain views, lakeside roads, and peaceful highland atmosphere. Continue into the Ili region, where Nalati, Kalajun, Qiaxi, and Zhaosu reveal the classic scenery of rolling grasslands, wildflowers, horses, rivers, and distant snow peaks.

Nomadic Culture & Horse Heritage

Experience the living culture of Xinjiang’s Kazakh communities through grassland villages, horse traditions, local markets, and open-pasture lifestyles. In Zhaosu, known for its Ili horses, watch the dramatic Tianma Yuhé horse river-crossing performance, where groups of horses run through the Tekes River with powerful movement and spray.

Seasonal Highways with Unforgettable Views

Drive along some of Xinjiang’s most scenic seasonal roads, including the S101 Danxia Road and the Yizhao Highway, often called the “Little Duku Highway.” Depending on road conditions and traveler nationality, selected sections of the Duku Highway may also be included, offering snow mountains, forests, river valleys, and wide-open grassland views.

Photography Across Xinjiang’s Most Colorful Landscapes

Capture dramatic contrasts throughout the route: red Danxia cliffs against blue rivers, Sayram Lake under changing light, horses running across rivers, rolling grasslands, forest valleys, canyon viewpoints, snow peaks, and sunset reflections over wetlands and open plains.

Flexible Route for International Travelers

This private Xinjiang tour can be adjusted according to seasonal road openings, weather conditions, and nationality-based access rules. For foreign passport holders, Bayinbuluk and certain Duku Highway sections may require confirmation or replacement with an extended Nalati Grassland experience.

Important Travel Note:

This Xinjiang tour includes seasonal mountain roads and areas where access rules may vary by nationality, weather, road conditions, and local management policy.

  • Foreign passport holders: Bayinbuluk and certain Duku Highway sections may be restricted or may require special confirmation before departure. If access is not available, Day 7 will be replaced with an extended Nalati Grassland experience.
  • Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan travelers: Access is generally more flexible when traveling with valid Mainland Travel Permit documents, but final arrangements should still be confirmed before departure.
  • Nalati Grassland: No clear restriction for foreign passport holders was found during research, but advance booking and document confirmation are recommended.
  • Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway: Both are seasonal roads and may close due to snow, landslides, weather, or traffic control.

Day 1 — Urumqi → S101 Danxia Road → Kensiwate Reservoir → Jinghe

Distance / Time: Approx. 500 km / 7 hrs driving, plus scenic stops
Altitude: Urumqi approx. 800 m → Jinghe approx. 320 m
Accommodation: Jinghe

Depart from Urumqi and begin your Xinjiang road trip along the scenic S101 Danxia Road, a former defense highway known for red sandstone mountains, river valleys, and dramatic geological colors.

Stop at key viewpoints such as Baili Danxia, Camel Peak, and Qiankun Bend before continuing to Kensiwate Reservoir, where emerald water winds through red canyon walls. Arrive in Jinghe for overnight stay.

Highlights: S101 Danxia Road · Red canyon scenery · Kensiwate Reservoir · Xinjiang road trip landscapes

Day 2 — Jinghe → Sayram Lake → Guozigou Valley → Yining

Distance / Time: Approx. 280 km / 5 hrs driving, plus lake exploration
Altitude: Sayram Lake approx. 2,070 m → Yining approx. 660 m
Accommodation: Yining

Travel to Sayram Lake, one of the most iconic alpine lakes in Xinjiang. Follow the lakeside road for panoramic views of blue water, grasslands, distant snow mountains, and wide open skies.

Continue through Guozigou Valley, where forests, mountain slopes, and the impressive Guozigou Bridge create one of the classic scenic approaches into Ili. Arrive in Yining for the evening.

Highlights: Sayram Lake · Lakeside road · Guozigou Bridge · Ili Valley scenery

Day 3 — Yining → Yizhao Highway → Tianma Yuhé → Zhaosu

Distance / Time: Approx. 122 km / 2.5–3 hrs driving, plus scenic stops
Altitude: Yining approx. 660 m → Zhaosu approx. 1,850 m
Accommodation: Zhaosu

Drive along the seasonal Yizhao Highway, one of the most beautiful mountain roads in Ili. The route crosses the Wusun Mountains with views of valleys, pastures, wheat fields, forests, and snow peaks.

In Zhaosu, enjoy the famous Tianma Yuhé horse river-crossing performance, where Ili horses run through the river in the late afternoon light. This is one of the most dynamic photography moments of the journey.

Highlights: Yizhao Highway · Wusun Mountain views · Zhaosu horse culture · Tianma Yuhé

Day 4 — Zhaosu → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes

Distance / Time: Approx. 120 km / 2–2.5 hrs driving, plus grassland exploration
Altitude: Kalajun area approx. 1,600–2,800 m
Accommodation: Tekes

Explore Kalajun Grassland, known for its rolling “three-dimensional grassland” scenery, flower meadows, river valleys, and layered mountain views. Visit key areas such as East Kalajun and the Koksu Grand Canyon depending on weather and timing.

Continue to Tekes, famous for its Bagua-style city layout. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed walk through local streets and experience the cultural mix of Ili’s grassland towns.

Highlights: Kalajun Grassland · Koksu Grand Canyon · Tekes Bagua City · Ili grassland scenery

Day 5 — Tekes → Qiaxi Forest Park → Xinyuan

Distance / Time: Approx. 260 km / 4 hrs driving, plus scenic exploration
Altitude: Qiaxi area approx. 1,500–2,000 m
Accommodation: Xinyuan

Travel to Qiaxi Forest Park, a quieter scenic area known for snow mountain views, spruce forests, streams, open meadows, and peaceful valley landscapes.

Stop at viewpoints such as Qiaxi Huajuan, Yanzi Bridge, and Shimen Waterfall when conditions allow. This day offers a slower, more intimate experience of Ili’s forest-and-grassland scenery.

Highlights: Qiaxi Forest Park · Spruce forests · Mountain streams · Quiet grassland scenery

Day 6 — Xinyuan → Nalati Grassland

Distance / Time: Approx. 70 km / 1.2 hrs driving, plus full-day grassland visit
Altitude: Nalati area approx. 1,800–2,200 m
Accommodation: Nalati

Spend the day exploring Nalati Grassland, one of the most representative grassland destinations in Xinjiang. The scenic area includes Sky Grassland, River Valley Grassland, forested slopes, snow mountain views, and nomadic pasture scenery.

Depending on your interests, optional activities may include light hiking, horse riding, photography stops, or a visit to Xuelian Valley for higher mountain scenery.

Highlights: Nalati Grassland · Sky Grassland · River Valley Grassland · Kazakh pasture scenery

Day 7 — Route Depending on Traveler Nationality & Road Access

Standard Route: Nalati → Duku Highway Middle Section → Bayinbuluk
Alternative Route for Foreign Passport Holders: Extended Nalati Grassland Experience
Accommodation: Bayinbuluk or Nalati, depending on access rules

For Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Chinese ID travelers, the standard route may continue to Bayinbuluk via the middle section of the Duku Highway, subject to seasonal road openings and local conditions. Bayinbuluk is known for its vast wetlands, Swan Lake, and the famous Nine Bends sunset viewpoint.

For foreign passport holders, Bayinbuluk and certain Duku Highway sections may be restricted or require special confirmation. In this case, the itinerary will stay one more day in Nalati, with deeper exploration of Sky Grassland, River Valley Grassland, Panlong Valley, Xuelian Valley, or nearby grassland communities.

Highlights: Duku Highway or extended Nalati Grassland · Flexible route · Seasonal road scenery · Grassland culture

Day 8 — Return to Urumqi

Standard Route: Bayinbuluk → Duku Highway North Section or S321 Alternative → Urumqi
Foreign Passport Route: Nalati → Urumqi by confirmed open road route
Distance / Time: Approx. 380–520 km / 7–9 hrs driving, depending on route

Return to Urumqi by the best available route based on road openings, weather, and traveler access rules. If the Duku Highway North Section is open and accessible, the route offers mountain passes, forests, valleys, and dramatic changes of scenery.

If Duku Highway access is restricted or weather conditions are not suitable, return via the safer highway route through northern Xinjiang. The journey ends upon arrival in Urumqi.

Highlights: Return road journey · Tianshan landscapes · Flexible safe routing · Arrival in Urumqi

Booking & Cancellation Policy

  • Scheduled tours require a 30% deposit to confirm the booking.
  • Customized or private tours require a 50% deposit after itinerary confirmation.
  • The remaining balance is payable upon arrival before the tour starts.

Cancellation Policy

  • More than 30 days before departure: Full refund
  • 15–29 days before departure: 70% refund
  • 7–14 days before departure: 50% refund
  • Less than 7 days before departure: No refund

Travelers are responsible for ensuring valid passports, visas, and travel documents before departure.

Some services, including permits, transportation tickets, and hotel reservations, may be non-refundable once confirmed.

By booking with PandaRoaming, travelers agree to our full Cancellation & Refund Policy.

View full Booking & Cancellation Policy

✓ What’s Included

✓ English-speaking local guide throughout the journey
✓ Accommodation (double occupancy)
✓ Private vehicle and all ground transportation
✓ Entrance fees to all listed scenic areas
✓ All scheduled cultural and nature experiences
✓ Travel insurance
✓ Bottled drinking water during the trip

✕ What’s Not Included

✕ International and domestic flights
✕ China visa fees
✕ Meals during the journey
✕ Personal expenses and snacks
✕ Optional activities outside the itinerary
✕ Tips for guide and driver
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