Tour Code: TOCN-XJ-NB14
This 14-day private route is designed for travelers who want to understand Xinjiang as a complete journey, not just a single scenic area. It begins with Northern Xinjiang forests, lakes and village landscapes, then moves across Sayram Lake, Ili grasslands and Duku Highway before reaching Kashgar and the Pamir Plateau.
The route involves long drives, but the distance is part of the experience: desert highways, mountain roads, open grasslands, canyon scenery, old city lanes and high plateau views are connected in one continuous arc. A private format allows the pacing, rest stops and hotel choices to be adjusted around your travel dates and comfort level.
Some mountain roads, border-adjacent areas and high-altitude scenic sections may be affected by weather, seasonal opening, nationality checks and local policy. We review the latest conditions before confirming the final itinerary.
From Urumqi through northern Xinjiang to Kashgar and the Pamirs. Click a numbered stop for details.
Arrive in Urumqi and meet your local team for the start of your Xinjiang journey. Settle into your hotel and use the rest of the day to rest after your flight.
If time allows, your team can help arrange an easy evening in the city or around the Grand Bazaar, according to your arrival time and energy level.
Accommodation: Urumqi
Hotel: Atour-series hotel or similar local 4-star standard
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Leave Urumqi and head north on the desert highway toward Altay. This is the first major landscape shift of the trip: city streets give way to open road, dry basin scenery, distant mountains, and the wide northern horizon that defines much of Xinjiang travel.
The planned route includes the S21 Desert Highway and Kalamaili sand landscape area before continuing to Altay. The day is mainly about covering distance comfortably while allowing photo stops when road conditions and timing are suitable.
Accommodation: Altay
Hotel: Local 5-star standard hotel where available
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Travel deeper into the Altay region toward Hemu. When the Ahe Highway is open, the route follows a scenic corridor through mountain views, Ushilik, Tongba Forest and Tolehait Grassland, with the scenery becoming greener and more pastoral as you approach the village area.
Hemu is one of the most atmospheric overnight stops in Northern Xinjiang. Facilities in scenic areas can be simpler than major city hotels, but the location gives you easier access to village scenery, forested slopes and early morning light.
Accommodation: Hemu
Hotel: Scenic area accommodation
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Start gently in Hemu, where the morning mist is best treated as a natural moment rather than a guaranteed show. You will have free time to enjoy the village atmosphere before continuing toward Kanas Lake.
In Kanas, the landscape changes again: alpine water, dark forest, mountain air and broad viewpoints. The route keeps the day focused on the lake and scenic area instead of trying to rush out too quickly.
Accommodation: Kanas
Hotel: Scenic area accommodation
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Continue through the Kanas scenic area and visit the Three Bays. Around Moon Bay and Wolong Bay, the walking section lets the river curves, forest color and high viewpoints unfold at a slower pace than a simple drive-by stop.
After leaving Kanas, travel south toward Wuerhe. This is a transition day from forest and lake scenery into the drier, more dramatic landforms that will lead toward the Ili and Duku sections of the trip.
Accommodation: Wuerhe
Hotel: Local 4-star standard hotel
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Visit Wuerhe Ghost City, where wind has shaped the rock into ridges and towers across the desert. Spend time exploring the yardang scenery before continuing toward Sayram Lake.
If time and weather allow, enjoy an easy walk by the lake or stop for sunset views before settling into your accommodation near the East Gate.
Accommodation: Sayram Lake East Gate area
Hotel: Local 4-star standard hotel where available
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Spend more time around Sayram Lake with a 360-degree lake loop by vehicle. Planned stops may include West Sea Grassland, Kele Yongzhu, lighthouse viewpoints and the S-bend section, depending on traffic control, weather and local access rules.
After the lake, continue toward Kuitun for the night. The route is designed to keep Sayram Lake from feeling like a rushed photo stop, while still positioning you for the Duku Highway section ahead.
Accommodation: Kuitun
Hotel: Local 4-star standard hotel
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
When the Duku Highway and related mountain roads are open, this is one of the most scenic driving days of the route. The plan follows the Duku Highway through the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery and the Mengket Ancient Trail area before continuing toward Nalati Cloud Pasture.
The Nalati section can include relaxed grassland experiences such as local-style photo stops, folk music, archery, shepherd interaction, naan making, pottery, a grassland hot pot arrangement and an evening bonfire when confirmed in the final plan. These should be checked against season, operating conditions and your preferred pace.
Please note: The Duku Highway is generally open from June to early October each year, but exact dates depend on snowfall, weather and road conditions and are subject to official notice.
Accommodation: Nalati Town
Hotel: Local 4-star hotel or confirmed grassland camp option
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Continue in the Nalati area with the Sky Grassland, a high pasture landscape of open meadows, mountain lines and wide summer color.
When the middle section of Duku Highway is open, continue toward Bayinbuluk and follow the planned grassland drive. This is a long but rewarding day, with the scenery shifting from Ili pasture to the broader highland wetland atmosphere around Bayinbuluk.
Accommodation: Bayinbuluk Town
Hotel: Local 4-star standard hotel
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Travel from Bayinbuluk onto the middle and southern sections of Duku Highway when seasonal access allows. The day may include the Big and Small Dragon Lakes before continuing toward the red canyon landscape of the Kiziliya or Kuqa canyon area.
This is the bridge between Northern Xinjiang and Southern Xinjiang: grassland and mountain roads gradually give way to warmer tones, drier valleys and the geological scenery around Aksu. Final routing must be checked around Duku Highway opening dates and local road conditions.
Accommodation: Aksu
Hotel: Local 4-star standard hotel
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Continue west to Kashgar, where the journey enters Southern Xinjiang in a more cultural way. After the long scenic sections of the north and the Duku crossing, Kashgar brings a different rhythm: old lanes, market life, architecture and a stronger sense of Central Asian influence.
Enjoy a walk in Kashgar Old City at a comfortable pace. The focus is not to overpack the day, but to let the cultural contrast between Northern and Southern Xinjiang become clear.
Accommodation: Kashgar
Hotel: Local 4-star standard hotel or accommodation near Kashgar Old City
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Leave Kashgar for the Pamir Plateau route. The planned day includes both the north and south sides of Baisha Lake, then continues toward Muztagh Ata Glacier Park and the No. 4 glacier area when access is open and suitable.
In the Tashkurgan area, a Tajik family visit may include tea, yak yogurt, photos in local clothing, learning the Eagle Dance, an eagle-flute performance, and a Tajik wedding-style cultural experience, subject to local availability and confirmation in the final itinerary. Border and high-altitude areas may require additional checks depending on nationality, current policy, and travel dates.
Accommodation: Tashkurgan
Hotel: Local 5-star standard high-altitude hotel with oxygen-supplied room where applicable
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Start from Tashkurgan and follow the planned Pamir Plateau scenery through Panlong Ancient Road and Bandir Blue Lake. This is a high-impact mountain day, but it also requires practical pacing because road control, weather and altitude can affect the experience.
Continue to Karakul Lake for views toward Muztagh Ata before returning to Kashgar. This brings the plateau section of the itinerary to a scenic close.
Accommodation: Kashgar
Hotel: Accommodation near Kashgar Old City where available
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Depart from Kashgar according to your onward flight or train schedule. If your departure is later in the day, the local team can help keep the final hours simple and practical rather than adding unnecessary sightseeing.
This ends the 14-day Northern and Southern Xinjiang private journey, moving from Urumqi and Kanas through Ili grasslands and Duku Highway to Kashgar and the Pamir Plateau.
Accommodation: Not included - departure day
Hotel: No overnight hotel included unless requested
Meals: Hotel breakfast included
Selected hotels or scenic-area accommodation as listed in the itinerary, subject to final availability and seasonal conditions.
English-speaking guide or local support can be arranged according to the final confirmed itinerary.
China-based on-the-ground assistance is available during the journey.
Private vehicle arrangements for transfers and sightseeing as listed in the itinerary.
Daily hotel breakfast is included where provided by the hotel. Other meals remain flexible unless specifically confirmed.
Main entrance tickets for listed attractions can be included in the final quotation.
China-based travel accident insurance during your journey is included.
Full policy details can be provided upon request.
International transportation to and from China is not included.
China visa application and related fees are not included.
Comprehensive international travel insurance should be arranged by travelers before departure.
Optional activities, upgrades or experiences not listed in the final quotation are not included.
Personal expenses, shopping and discretionary spending are not included.
Gratuities for your guide and driver are not included and remain at your discretion.
Yes, if you want a broad Xinjiang route rather than a short Kanas-only trip. It connects Northern Xinjiang scenery with Southern Xinjiang culture and the Pamir Plateau, so it works best for travelers who are comfortable with long scenic drives.
Xinjiang is vast, and several days involve long drives. The private format makes the pace more manageable because rest stops, photo stops and departure times can be adjusted, but it is still a substantial overland journey.
This itinerary is designed for the summer travel season. The Duku Highway and some mountain roads depend on seasonal opening dates, weather, and traffic controls, so we check road status and local conditions before confirming your travel dates.
Yes. Hotels, vehicle type, guide language, walking intensity, photography time and road alternatives can be adjusted. If Duku Highway is closed, an alternative routing should be confirmed before booking.
The plan uses local 4-star or above hotels where available, scenic-area accommodation in Hemu and Kanas, and a higher-standard oxygen-supplied room where applicable in Tashkurgan. Hotel standards in remote parts of Xinjiang may differ from major Chinese cities.
Some border or high-altitude areas may require additional checks depending on nationality, local policy and travel dates. We will review the latest conditions before confirming the itinerary.
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14-Day Northern & Southern Xinjiang Private Tour
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