How to Travel the Duku Highway Section in Yili with a Tour Group Essential Route Crossing + Costs Recommended Itinerary Prices

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation

Essential Guide to Crossing the Ili Grasslands and the Duku Highway:Summer 2026 Limited Edition
🌄 [Route Highlights:7-Day Loop Concentrating the Essence of the Tianshan Mountains]
The combination of the Ili Grasslands and the Duku Highway is known as the “golden duo” for summer travel in Xinjiang. This 7-day loop starts from Urumqi, connecting Sayram Lake, the Kalajun Grasslands, the Nalati Aerial Grasslands, the entire Duku Highway, and the Bayanbulak Grasslands. The average daily driving time is controlled at 3-4 hours, balancing in-depth exploration with a comfortable experience.
🚗 [2026 Duku Highway New Regulations Update]
According to the recent announcement from Xinjiang’s transportation department, the Duku Highway will implement “daytime passage, nighttime construction” measures in 2026:
Operating Hours:
Dushanzi to Kuruli Section:Daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Kuruli to Nalati Section:Entry can be extended until closure at 9:00 PM
Reservation System:The northern section (Wusu Post to Nalati) will require reservations starting June 25th, which can be made 1-7 days in advance through the “Visit Xinjiang with One Code” mini-program, with 5 time slots (8:00 AM to 7:00 PM) available daily for entry.
Vehicle Restrictions:Vehicles with 7 seats or fewer are recommended for passage, while towed RVs and vehicles with more than 8 seats are prohibited.
📅 [Simple Itinerary:7-Day, 6-Night Immersive Experience]
Day 1:First Impressions of Urumqi

Essential Guide to Crossing the Ili Grasslands and the Duku Highway: Summer 2026 Limited EditionMorning:Arrive in Urumqi, transfer to hotel after airport pickup
Afternoon:In-depth tour of the International Bazaar, recommended to try the baked buns in Lingguan Lane (3 RMB each)
Overnight Stay:Four-diamond hotel in Urumqi
Day 2:Adventure Around Sayram Lake
Morning:Urumqi → Sayram Lake (5.5-hour drive)
Afternoon:Counterclockwise 90-kilometer loop around the lake, with key stops at Jiangjun Terrace and Swan Paradise areas
Overnight Stay:Lakeside RV campground (starry sky rooms require advance reservation)
Admission:145 RMB per person (includes self-drive ticket, valid for 48 hours)
Day 3:Exploring the Three-Dimensional Kalajun Grasslands
Morning:Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Kalajun Grasslands (3-hour drive)
Afternoon:Hike the Falcon Platform cliff trail, photograph the “Human Grasslands” at dusk
Overnight Stay:Characteristic homestay in Tekes Bagua City

🌄[Route Highlights: 7-Day Loop Concentrating the Essence of the Tianshan Mountains]Admission:275 RMB per person (includes East and West Kalajun + Kokesu Grand Canyon)
Day 4:Leisurely Stroll Through the Nalati Aerial Grasslands
Morning:Tekes → Nalati Aerial Grasslands (4-hour drive)
Afternoon:Take the shuttle bus to visit Tianjie Terrace and Nomadic Family, experience horseback riding with local people of various ethnic groups (160 RMB per hour)
Overnight Stay:Four-diamond hotel in Nalati Town
Admission:64 RMB per person (combined ticket for Aerial Grasslands and River Valley Grasslands)
Day 5:Crossing the Northern Section of the Duku Highway
Morning:Nalati → Northern Section of the Duku Highway → Hashilergen Pass (elevation 3,400 meters)
Afternoon:Ride through the Tangbula Hundred-Li Gallery, photograph the snow-capped mountains and grasslands in the same frame
Overnight Stay:Homestay in Qiaoerma or Tangbula
Special Reminder:Reservations are required for the northern section; unreserved vehicles are prohibited from entering
Day 6:The Nine Bends of Bayanbulak
Morning:Qiaoerma → Bayanbulak Grasslands (3-hour drive)

The combination of the Ili Grasslands and the Duku Highway is known as the “golden duo” for summer travel in Xinjiang. This 7-day loop starts from Urumqi, connecting Sayram Lake, the Kalajun Grasslands, the Nalati Aerial Grasslands, the entire Duku Highway, and the Bayanbulak Grasslands. The average daily driving time is controlled at 3-4 hours, balancing in-depth exploration with a comfortable experience.Afternoon:Arrive at the Nine Bends viewing platform before 7:00 PM to wait for the sunset of the “Nine Suns”
Overnight Stay:Four-diamond hotel in Bayanbulak Town
Admission:140 RMB per person (includes shuttle bus)
Day 7:Finale on the Southern Section of the Duku Highway
Morning:Bayanbulak → Kuqa Grand Canyon (4-hour drive)
Afternoon:Explore the red-brown rock wall canyon, return to Urumqi (or adjust according to flight schedule)
Admission:41 RMB per person
💰 [Cost Explanation:Transparent Consumption with No Hidden Traps]
Reference price range for a 7-day group tour of Ili + Duku Highway in 2026:
Comfortable Small Group (6 people):Starting from 4,590 RMB per person
Premium Small Group (3 people):Starting from 4,860 RMB per person
Private Small Group (2 people):Starting from 5,320 RMB per person

🚗[2026 Duku Highway New Regulations Update]Cost Includes:
Transportation:7-seat compliant vehicle for Duku Highway passage (includes fuel and toll fees)
Accommodation:6 nights in four-diamond hotels + 1 night in a characteristic homestay
Admission:First admission tickets to Sayram Lake, Kalajun, Nalati, Bayanbulak, and Kuqa Grand Canyon
Meals:8 hotel breakfasts + 3 special dinners (such as hand-grabbed meat from various ethnic groups)
Services:Dedicated driver + travel accident insurance
Cost Excludes:
Lunch and dinner自理 (50-100 RMB per meal per person)
Personal consumption items such as horseback riding and paragliding
Single room supplement (to be negotiated)
📞 [Registration Method:Professional Service Guarantee]
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, where Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing will provide you with:

According to the recent announcement from Xinjiang’s transportation department, the Duku Highway will implement “daytime passage, nighttime construction” measures in 2026:Real-time availability inquiry
Reservation service for the Duku Highway under the reservation system
Contract signing and payment guidance
📝 [Service Commitments and Risk Warnings]
Contract Guarantee:All cost details are included in the formal travel contract, with no temporary price increases
Flexible Changes:If extreme weather or policy changes occur, both parties can agree to modify the itinerary
Cancellation and Refund Rules:Subject to contract agreement; it is recommended to purchase cancellation and refund insurance before travel
💡 [Summer 2026 Travel Tips]
Clothing Guide:Large temperature differences between day and night in Ili; it is recommended to adopt the “onion-style” dressing method (short-sleeved shirt + sun protection clothing + windbreaker)
Photography Equipment:A telephoto lens is required for the northern section of the Duku Highway; a tripod is recommended for Bayanbulak
Reservation Reminder:The reservation channel for the northern section of the Duku Highway opens on June 20th; it is recommended to lock in a time slot in advance
Peak Avoidance Tips:Traffic is lighter from Monday to Thursday; weekends are prone to congestion
This 7-day loop, which combines grasslands, snow-capped mountains, canyons, and lakes, allows travelers to experience both the vast beauty of the Ili Grasslands and the magical journey of “four seasons in one day” on the Duku Highway. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency refines every detail of the itinerary through meticulous operations, allowing travelers to enjoy the gifts of this land without worrying about reservations, road conditions, accommodation, and other trivial matters.
(The specific itinerary arrangement and cost details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing; prices may fluctuate with departure dates, so it is recommended to lock in a date as early as possible)

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation