7 Day In Depth Ili Group Tour Duku Highway + Bayanbulak + Full Cost Recommended Itinerary Cost and Price
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
Explore Yili:Unlock the secrets of the Duku Highway and Bayinbuluk on this 7-day in-depth group tour
🌄 [Route Highlights:An epic journey across the Tianshan Mountains]
As the “golden corridor” of summer tourism in Xinjiang, the combination of the Yili Valley and the Duku Highway offers a double feast of natural beauty and cultural heritage. This 7-day in-depth route connects four core landscapes: snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and canyons, with an average daily driving time of 3-4 hours, making it ideal for family trips and photography enthusiasts. The itinerary covers three premium attractions:
Sayram Lake:Known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic,” the lakeside is carpeted with wildflowers from June to August, and the lake’s color shifts between blue and green with the changing light. At sunrise and sunset, the snow-capped mountains are reflected on the lake’s surface, creating a “mirror of the sky” spectacle.
Duku Highway:A “limited-time heavenly road” open for only 4 months a year, the 561-kilometer highway connects northern and southern Xinjiang, showcasing five landscapes—gobi deserts, canyons, forests, grasslands, and glaciers—allowing you to experience all four seasons in a single day.
Bayinbuluk Grassland:China’s second-largest grassland, where the Kaidu River forms the “Nine Bends of Eighteen Turns.” At sunset, you can witness the mirage of nine suns reflected on the water, and the surrounding wetlands are a natural sanctuary for swans.
🚗 [Simple Itinerary:Key daily arrangements]
(Optimized based on a field inspection in June 2026; reasonable changes to the itinerary can be made by mutual agreement)
Day 1:Gathering in Yining · Exploring the Silk Road charm
Morning:Arrive at Yining Airport and be picked up by a dedicated driver to a downtown hotel (breakfast included)
Afternoon:Freely visit the Kazanqi Folk Village, take a horse-drawn carriage through the blue streets, and taste handmade ice cream
Explore Yili: Unlock the secrets of the Duku Highway and Bayinbuluk on this 7-day in-depth group tourEvening:Stroll along Liuxing Street, listen to a folk band perform live, and enjoy dinner recommendations like roasted stuffed buns and hand-pulled rice
Day 2:Sayram Lake Circuit · Guozigou Bridge
Morning:Drive for 2 hours to Sayram Lake and explore by self-driving (admission + shuttle bus: 145 RMB/person, reservation required in advance)
Afternoon:Focus on stops at Yueliang Bay, Qinshuitan Beach, and the Songshu Tou viewpoint; hike for 20 minutes to the summit for a panoramic view
Evening:Cross the Guozigou Bridge and capture stunning sunset photos from cliff viewpoints
Accommodation:Sayram Lake RV campground / Qingshuihe Town hotel
Day 3:Huocheng Lavender · Yizhao Highway (alternative)
Morning:Visit the limited-time Huocheng lavender fields (main viewing spot: Jieyou Princess Farm) from June to July
Afternoon:If the Yizhao Highway is open, traverse it (scenery comparable to Duku but with more challenging road conditions); otherwise, take the G577 detour
Evening:Arrive in Zhaosu County and enjoy a dinner featuring Zhaosu potato dishes
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Zhaosu
🌄[Route Highlights: An epic journey across the Tianshan Mountains]Day 4:Xiata Ancient Trail · Tekes Bagua City
Morning:Explore the Xiata Tourist Area in depth, hike the glacier ancient trail, and get a close view of the Muzart Glacier
Afternoon:Drive to Tekes Bagua City and ascend the Lijie Street viewpoint for a bird’s-eye view of the city layout
Evening:Visit the Lijie Street night market and explore cultural and creative stores themed around the I Ching
Accommodation:Hotel in Tekes County
Day 5:Nalati Sky Grassland · Middle Section of Duku Highway
Morning:Self-drive the Nalati Sky Grassland (self-driving ticket: 300 RMB/vehicle), focusing on stops at the Nomadic Family and the Internet-famous bridge
Afternoon:Traverse the middle section of the Duku Highway, cross the Yuximolegai Daban pass, and make stops along the Kongnaisi River Valley
Evening:Arrive in Bayinbuluk Town and check into a hotel for rest
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Bayinbuluk Town
Day 6:Bayinbuluk Sunset · Nine Bends of Eighteen Turns
Morning:Visit the Bayinbuluk Scenic Area (combo ticket: 140 RMB/person, including shuttle bus)
As the “golden corridor” of summer tourism in Xinjiang, the combination of the Yili Valley and the Duku Highway offers a double feast of natural beauty and cultural heritage. This 7-day in-depth route connects four core landscapes: snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and canyons, with an average daily driving time of 3-4 hours, making it ideal for family trips and photography enthusiasts. The itinerary covers three premium attractions:Afternoon:Focus on visiting Swan Lake and Barun Temple; arrive at the Nine Bends of Eighteen Turns viewpoint by 4:30 PM to secure a spot
Evening:Wait for the golden hour of sunset (around 9:30 PM) to capture the “Nine Suns” spectacle
Accommodation:Hotel in Bayinbuluk Town
Day 7:Southern Section of Duku Highway · Return Trip
Morning:Traverse the southern section of the Duku Highway, passing by the Small and Large Dragon Pools and the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon
Afternoon:Arrive in Kuqa City and visit the Kuqa Royal Palace to learn about Western Region history
Evening:Return to Urumqi/Yining according to flight schedules
💰 [Price Information:Transparent pricing with no hidden fees]
(Reference market quotes from June 2026; actual prices subject to consultation and contract signing)
Basic price range:3,200-4,500 RMB/person (6-person boutique small group)
Price includes:
Sayram Lake: Known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic,” the lakeside is carpeted with wildflowers from June to August, and the lake’s color shifts between blue and green with the changing light. At sunrise and sunset, the snow-capped mountains are reflected on the lake’s surface, creating a “mirror of the sky” spectacle.Transportation:Full-trip正规营运 (regular operation) SUV/business vehicle (including fuel, tolls, and driver service fees)
Accommodation:6 nights in comfortable hotels (breakfast included; some scenic areas offer characteristic homestays)
Admission tickets:First-entry tickets to core attractions such as Sayram Lake, Bayinbuluk, and Nalati
Experiences:Self-driving ticket for Nalati and guided hiking service for the Xiata Ancient Trail
Insurance:Travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance
Price excludes:
Main meals (50-80 RMB/person per meal; group reservations available at negotiated prices)
Duku Highway shuttle bus (in case of traffic control)
Personal expenses and off-itinerary self-funded items
📞 [Registration Method:Professional service guarantees]
Register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for a detailed itinerary manual and contract template. Registration requires valid identification information for insurance purposes; free cancellation is available 7 days before departure (deducting any incurred fees).
Duku Highway: A “limited-time heavenly road” open for only 4 months a year, the 561-kilometer highway connects northern and southern Xinjiang, showcasing five landscapes—gobi deserts, canyons, forests, grasslands, and glaciers—allowing you to experience all four seasons in a single day.📋 [Service Information:Four promises for a worry-free trip]
Qualification guarantee:The travel agency holds cultural and tourism备案 (filing) qualifications, and all vehicles are regularly operated
Flexible itinerary:In case of extreme weather or road conditions, changes can be negotiated to alternative plans (e.g., if the Yizhao Highway is closed, take the G577 detour)
No-shopping experience:No shopping stops or hidden fees throughout the trip; drivers and tour leaders are prohibited from accepting kickbacks
After-sales support:24-hour emergency contact person; issues during the trip will be responded to and resolved within 4 hours
⚠ ️[Pre-Trip Essentials:Six key reminders]
Identification preparation:Valid identification must be within the validity period; a border pass is required in advance for border areas
Clothing and gear:Windbreaker + sun protection gear recommended; temperature differences on the Duku Highway can reach 20°C
Vehicle selection:Four-wheel-drive SUV preferred; some sections have no signal, so download offline maps in advance
Photography tips:A tripod is required for long-exposure shots at Sayram Lake and Bayinbuluk
Respect local customs:Obtain consent before photographing locals and avoid touching ethnic taboos
Eco-friendly travel:Littering is prohibited on grasslands; bring eco-friendly bags
(All information is based on the latest road conditions, scenic area policies, and market quotes from June 2026; specific implementation is subject to the contract signed by both parties. Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency reserves the right to make final adjustments to the itinerary but promises not to change core attractions or service standards without authorization.)
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
