An 8-Day Trip from Lake Sayram to Duku

Day 1 – Meet in Urumqi
Upon arrival in Urumqi, a guide well-versed in the culture of the Western Regions will kick off your exciting journey through Xinjiang. Departing from the airport or train station, a private vehicle will take you to a well-equipped hotel in the city center. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the unique scenery of this major Silk Road hub while listening to the guide’s relaxed introduction to Urumqi’s multicultural heritage, local characteristics, and authentic cuisine. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. You can wander the surrounding streets and alleys, visit the International Grand Bazaar, and soak in the laid-back atmosphere of this frontier city. Along the way, feel free to ask your guide for practical information on popular attractions, local cuisine, and travel routes. Your guide will be happy to offer recommendations and, if needed, assist with planning your itinerary or ordering meals, ensuring an immersive experience of authentic Xinjiang culture.
Meals Included: None

 
Day 2 – Urumqi → Anjihai Grand Canyon → Mutetar Desert → Jinghe
After breakfast, we set off from Urumqi to officially begin our self-drive tour of the Ili Loop. First, we headed to the Anjihai Grand Canyon, a geological wonder sculpted by nature. The cliff walls, where crimson and emerald green intertwine, the meandering riverbed, and the distinct layers of ravines come together under the sunlight to create a breathtakingly grand panorama. Every snapshot captures majestic scenery, and you can pull over to stop and take your time admiring and photographing the views. Next, head to the Mutetar Desert to encounter the golden sea of sand at the edge of the Junggar Basin. Rolling sand dunes meet the desert grasslands, combining the majesty of the desert with the desolate beauty of the Gobi. Here, you can experience the vast desert scenery up close. After exploring, proceed to Jinghe County to check into your hotel and rest, shaking off the fatigue of the journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 – Jinghe → Self-drive tour around Lake Sayram → Guozigou → Qingshuihe
After breakfast, we set off from Jinghe for Lake Sayram, known as “the last tear of the Atlantic.” Upon arrival, we began our self-drive tour around the lake. The deep blue, crystal-clear waters of the lake contrast beautifully with the distant snow-capped mountains and grasslands. Wildflowers bloom in succession along the shore, and swans glide leisurely through the water. There are numerous viewing platforms along the route, allowing you to pull over at any time to stroll along the lakeside, experience the crisp, refreshing water up close, and capture the breathtaking scenery of the sacred lake and snow-capped mountains. Afterward, we’ll traverse the magnificent Guozi Gorge and stop at the imposing Guozi Gorge Bridge. Built against the mountainside and spanning the canyon, this bridge is one of Xinjiang’s most spectacular bridge landscapes. Along the way, you can admire the pristine scenery of the canyon’s forests, streams, and waterfalls. After the tour, we’ll head to Qingshuihe Town for hotel check-in.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 – Qingshuihe → Lavender Fields (June only) → Visit to a Uyghur Family → Yizhao Highway → Zhaosu Wetland Park → Zhaosu
After breakfast, we head to the Lavender Fields (June only). In the height of summer, vast stretches of purple lavender stretch as far as the eye can see. As a gentle breeze sweeps through, waves of flowers ripple across the landscape, and the rich fragrance fills the air, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into a romantic French countryside—the perfect spot for taking photos and capturing beautiful memories. Afterward, we’ll visit a local Uyghur family, tour their traditional home, sample local fruits and pastries, and experience the simple folk customs of the Western Regions, immersing ourselves in authentic Uyghur daily life. Next, head to the Yizhao Highway, hailed as the “Little Duku of Xinjiang.” Winding along mountains and cliffs, this road traverses the Tianshan Mountains, offering a single-trip panorama of snow-capped peaks, grasslands, forests, and gorges—where every step reveals a new, breathtaking vista. In the evening, arrive at Zhaosu Wetland Park. Stroll along the wetland boardwalk to admire the tranquil scenery of the grasslands, wetlands, and meandering rivers. You may encounter flocks of waterfowl and witness a stunning sunset over the grasslands. After the tour, check into a hotel in Zhaosu County.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 – Zhaosu → Xata Ancient Trail → Tekes
After breakfast, we depart from Zhaosu and head to the Xata Ancient Trail, a mecca for hikers. Nestled deep within the Tianshan Mountains, this hidden gem is backed by majestic snow-capped peaks. Along the way, you’ll encounter vast grasslands, babbling streams, and towering spruce forests, all set against a pristine natural landscape. You can take the scenic shuttle deep into the canyon to gaze up at the snow-capped peaks and glaciers up close. Stroll along the grassland boardwalks to experience the tranquility and grandeur far from the hustle and bustle, and explore the mysterious charm of this ancient trail. After your visit, head to Tekes Bagua City. Built according to the layout of the Eight Trigrams from the Book of Changes, this city features interlocking streets that all lead to one another, with not a single traffic light in sight—a truly unique cultural experience. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take a leisurely stroll through the city to experience its distinctive urban character.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 – Tekes → Self-Drive Tour of the Karajun Grasslands → Gongliu
After breakfast, we head to the Karajun Grasslands to embark on an in-depth self-drive tour. Known as the “Grasslands in the Sky,” this area is divided into East and West Karajun. The grasslands feature gentle undulations and stretch endlessly, where snow-capped mountains, forests, seas of flowers, and river valleys weave together into a breathtaking panorama. Unlike the flatness of typical grasslands, this three-dimensional landscape offers incredibly rich layers of scenery. You can stop anytime along the way to stroll through the grasslands, mingle with cattle and sheep, experience the nomadic culture of the Kazakh people, and admire the gentle light and shadows of the grassland sunset. After exploring, we’ll head to Gongliu County to check into the hotel and rest.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 – Gongliu → Qaxi Scenic Area → Tangbula
After breakfast, we head to Qaxi Scenic Area, a hidden gem in Ili. Backed by snow-capped mountains, with lush green grasslands and meandering streams at our feet, and vast stands of spruce trees, the landscape where mountains and water intertwine resembles a natural landscape painting. With few visitors and stunning scenery, you can quietly savor the serene beauty of nature and effortlessly capture soothing, picturesque shots. We then head to the Tangbula Grasslands, hailed as the “Hundred-Li Gallery.” Along the way, crisscrossing streams, lush grasslands, and dense spruce forests create over a hundred miles of picturesque scenery. Untouched by excessive commercialization, this area preserves the most pristine grassland scenery. You can stroll through the grasslands, get up close to the streams, and immerse yourself in the gentle beauty of this “Jiangnan of the Frontier.” That evening, we’ll stay at a local Tangbula guesthouse, where you can fall asleep under the starlit sky.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 – Tangbula → Duku Highway → Urumqi (Tour Conclusion)
After breakfast, we begin our return journey, traveling along the northern section of the Duku Highway—often hailed as “China’s Most Beautiful Highway.” This road runs north to south through the Tianshan Mountains, offering a journey through all four seasons in a single day. Along the way, you’ll admire breathtaking scenery including snow-capped peaks, gorges, forests, grasslands, and the Gobi Desert. As we cross the Tianshan Mountains, you’ll experience the awe-inspiring transformation of “impassable terrain into a smooth highway.” Along the way, we’ll stop in safe areas to capture the iconic landmarks of the Duku Highway and preserve the beautiful scenery of this final leg of our journey. After driving back to Urumqi, we’ll conclude this wonderful Ili Loop tour. The tour guide will accompany you throughout, assisting with transportation to the airport or train station so you can board your return flight or train and bid farewell to the magnificent Xinjiang.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Duku Highway specialty light meal

Travel Tips
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