How to Get to Nalati from Urumqi by Chartered Car or Carpooling 4 Day Grassland Route + Price Recommended Itinerary Cost and Price
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation
Explore Nalati:A 4-Day In-Depth Grassland Tour from Urumqi: The Ultimate Guide✨
I. Itinerary Highlights: A Visual Feast of Grasslands and Canyons
Nalati Grassland, the “star attraction” of Xinjiang’s Ili River Valley, enters its prime viewing season in summer 2026. This alpine meadow at around 2,000 meters above sea level is renowned for its three core areas: “Sky Grassland,” “River Valley Grassland,” and “Panlong Valley Path.” In summer, wildflowers blanket the land, herds of cattle and sheep roam freely, and distant snow-capped mountains contrast sharply with nearby meadows, making it a paradise for photography and hiking enthusiasts.
The northern section of the Duku Highway (from Bayanbulak to Dushanzi) serves as a “scenic corridor” connecting Nalati. This 561-kilometer highway, with improved traffic efficiency due to the opening of the Tianshan Victory Tunnel in 2026, offers views of glaciers at Hashilergen Daban and primeval forests at Qiaoerma, allowing travelers to experience all four seasons in a single day.
II. 4-Day Itinerary Plan: A Golden Combination of Grassland, Canyon, and Highway
Day 1:Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yining
Explore Nalati: A 4-Day In-Depth Grassland Tour from Urumqi: The Ultimate Guide✨Morning:Depart from Urumqi and head west along the Lianhuo Expressway, passing Shihezi and Kuitun, to reach Sayram Lake, known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic.” In 2026, the scenic area implements timed entry reservations, open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with tickets and shuttle buses costing approximately 145 RMB per person (subject to scenic area announcements). Drive around the lake or take the shuttle bus, with key stops including Jinhua Zihui, Songshu Tou, and Dianjiang Tai, to capture lake views and snow-capped mountains.
Afternoon:Cross the Guozigou Bridge, a double-tower, double-cable steel truss cable-stayed bridge that stands as a benchmark in Xinjiang’s highway construction. From the bridge, enjoy views of the spruce forests and wildflowers in Guozigou Canyon below.
Evening:Check into Yining City. We recommend exploring the Kazanqi Folk Street Area to experience traditional architecture and handicrafts of various ethnic groups and to savor handmade ice cream and baked buns.
Day 2:Yining → Huocheng Lavender → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes Bagua City
Morning:Visit the Huocheng Jieyou Princess Lavender Farm (peak bloom from mid-June to early July), where a sea of purple lavender contrasts beautifully with the blue sky, perfect for portrait and landscape photography.
Afternoon:Drive to Kalajun Grassland, famous for its “Human Body Grassland” and the unique landscape formed by the curves of the Kuoksu Grand Canyon and the meadows. Take the shuttle bus to visit Xianhua Tai and Lieying Tai. In the evening, head to Tekes Bagua City and take the Ferris wheel at the city center for a panoramic view of the city layout.
Evening:Check into Tekes. We recommend trying “Naren” (hand-grabbed horse meat noodles), a local delicacy of various ethnic groups.
I. Itinerary Highlights: A Visual Feast of Grasslands and CanyonsDay 3:Tekes → Qiongkushatai → Nalati Grassland
Morning:Follow the winding mountain road to Qiongkushatai Village. Starting in 2026, vehicles with more than 7 seats will be restricted, but smaller cars can reach the village directly. Here, you can find preserved original wooden houses and pastures. Take a light hike to the back mountain for views of the Wusun Ancient Path and snow-capped mountains.
Afternoon: Drive to Nalati Grassland, prioritizing a visit to the Sky Grassland. Take the shuttle bus from the tourist service center to Youmu Renjia, with stops at Tianjie Tai and Tianmu Tai to capture shots of snow-capped mountains and meadows together. If you have sufficient energy, you can opt for a self-paid horseback ride to Xuelian Valley (about 4 hours round trip, costing approximately 300 RMB per person).
Evening:Check into Nalati Town. We recommend trying the hand-grabbed mutton and Kazakh milk tea at the “Ma You Yu” restaurant.
Day 4:Nalati → Northern Section of Duku Highway → Urumqi
Morning:If time allows, re-enter Nalati to capture additional shots of the grassland in the morning light. Then, return along the northern section of the Duku Highway, with a stop at Bayanbulak Grassland (if open) to photograph the sunset over the meandering river (confirm scenic area opening status in advance).
Afternoon:Cross Hashilergen Daban and stop at the glacier viewing platform to experience the wonder of snow and ice in summer. Arrive in Urumqi in the evening to conclude the itinerary.
Nalati Grassland, the “star attraction” of Xinjiang’s Ili River Valley, enters its prime viewing season in summer 2026. This alpine meadow at around 2,000 meters above sea level is renowned for its three core areas: “Sky Grassland,” “River Valley Grassland,” and “Panlong Valley Path.” In summer, wildflowers blanket the land, herds of cattle and sheep roam freely, and distant snow-capped mountains contrast sharply with nearby meadows, making it a paradise for photography and hiking enthusiasts.III. Price Reference: Cost-Effective Choice for a Shared Car Small Group
For a 4-day shared car small group tour from Urumqi to Nalati in 2026, the per-person cost is approximately 3,400-4,100 RMB, including:
Transportation:5-seat city SUV or 7-seat business vehicle (including driver, fuel, and toll fees)
Accommodation:3 nights at local four-diamond hotels or characteristic homestays (double occupancy)
Tickets:First entrance tickets and shuttle buses for Sayram Lake, Kalajun, Nalati, etc.
Insurance:Travel accident insurance
Exclusions:
The northern section of the Duku Highway (from Bayanbulak to Dushanzi) serves as a “scenic corridor” connecting Nalati. This 561-kilometer highway, with improved traffic efficiency due to the opening of the Tianshan Victory Tunnel in 2026, offers views of glaciers at Hashilergen Daban and primeval forests at Qiaoerma, allowing travelers to experience all four seasons in a single day.Meals:All main meals are at your own expense (the driver can recommend local restaurants)
Self-Paid Items:Horseback riding, Xuelian Valley entrance ticket, entertainment projects within scenic areas
：Single travelers may need to pay a supplement (specific amount as per contract)
IV. Registration Method: Professional Team Ensures Your Itinerary
You can register through the Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency, which holds a travel agency business license issued by the national culture and tourism department. They provide compliant operational vehicles and local drivers familiar with road conditions and scenic area policies. For inquiries, contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing.
V. Service Instructions and Precautions
Vehicle Selection:For small groups of 2-6 people, a 5-seat SUV or 7-seat business vehicle is used by default. If you need to upgrade to a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle (such as a Toyota Prado), the cost will increase by approximately 30%.
II. 4-Day Itinerary Plan: A Golden Combination of Grassland, Canyon, and HighwayItinerary Changes:Due to weather, road closures, or temporary scenic area closures, both parties may agree to reasonably adjust the itinerary (e.g., replacing with sites like the Xiata Ancient Path or Tangbula百里画廊百里画廊 [Tangbula Hundred-Li Gallery]).
Equipment Suggestions:Xinjiang has large temperature variations between day and night, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and warm outerwear. For grassland hiking, wear non-slip shoes.
Photography Tips:Nalati Sky Grassland, Songshu Tou at Sayram Lake, and Hashilergen Daban on the Duku Highway are must-shoot locations. We recommend bringing a wide-angle lens and a drone (subject to scenic area flight regulations).
VI. Compliance Notice
All prices and schedules are subject to contract confirmation and may fluctuate based on market supply and demand.
The travel agency does not arrange any hidden consumption. Tourists can freely choose dining and shopping spots.
For single travelers, every effort will be made to arrange shared rooms. If sharing is not possible, a supplement will be required (specific amount as per contract).
Summer in Nalati is a dialogue between snow-capped mountains and meadows, a symphony of highways and canyons. Choosing a shared car small group allows you to enjoy the freedom of stopping while avoiding the fatigue of self-driving. In 2026, why not travel with the Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency to unlock the vastness and gentleness of this land?
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation
