How to Arrange an 8 Day Group Tour in Xinjiang Detailed Costs for Tianshan Tianchi Recommended Routes and Prices

Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.

8-Day In-Depth Tour of Xinjiang:A Superb Encounter with Heavenly Lake and the Secret Realms of Northern Xinjiang✨
I. Itinerary Highlights: A Double Feast of Nature and Culture
Xinjiang’s vastness exceeds imagination. This 8-day itinerary connects three major 5A-rated scenic spots—Heavenly Lake on Tianshan Mountain, Kanas Lake, and Sayram Lake—while traversing two of “China’s most beautiful highways,” the Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway. Along the way, you’ll pass through world natural heritage sites like Kanas and Nalati Grassland, as well as the cultural landmark Kashgar Old City. The itinerary balances depth and comfort, with daily driving limited to under 3 hours and over 6 hours allocated for sightseeing, avoiding the rushed experience of traditional group tours.
[Core Scenic Matrix]
🌊 Heavenly Lake on Tianshan Mountain:A high-altitude lake at 1,910 meters, with wildflowers blooming along the shore in summer and breathtaking blue ice wonders in winter. In 2026, the scenic area will upgrade to a “one-ticket, two-day” policy, allowing free re-entry the next day with the same-day ticket—ideal for in-depth exploration or photography enthusiasts.
🌲 Kanas Lake:Hike the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay), take a boat to explore the legend of the lake monster, enjoy autumn foliage in vibrant colors, or marvel at winter landscapes blanketed in snow.
🌄 Sayram Lake:Drive 70 kilometers around the lake, with eight stops including Jinhua Zihui and Kele Yongzhu, featuring two undeveloped原始 (primitive) shorelines for a secluded experience away from the crowds.
🛣 ️Duku Highway:Recommended from June to October, this route crosses the heart of the Tianshan Mountains, offering a four-season experience in a single day. Stop at the Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery and the Dragon Pools along the way.
🏰 Kashgar Old City:A professional photographer will lead you to capture three sets of ethnic-style portraits, unlock 10 hidden alleys, and experience intangible cultural heritage projects like pottery-making and afternoon tea at a century-old teahouse.
II. Simple Itinerary: Precise Control of Daily Highlights
[Day 1:Gathering in Urumqi]

8-Day In-Depth Tour of Xinjiang: A Superb Encounter with Heavenly Lake and the Secret Realms of Northern Xinjiang✨14:00-18:00 Free Time:Visit the Xinjiang Museum (free admission, reservation required) to see the “Princess” mummy exhibit and artifacts unearthed from the Niya Site.
20:00 Night Tour of the International Bazaar:Sample six authentic local snacks, including roasted stuffed buns, pilaf, and stewed meat in a pot. Recommended: “Abula’s Nang” chain store for freshly baked nang bread at 3 yuan each.
[Day 2:Urumqi → Heavenly Lake (550 km, 7 hours)]
09:00 Cross the Junggar Basin, with explanations of the Gurbantunggut Desert ecosystem and sightings of wild Przewalski’s horses and yellow sheep along the way.
16:00 First segment of the lake drive, capturing lake views at Jinhua Zihui scenic area. Wildflowers bloom in summer; blue ice can be admired in winter.
20:30 Dinner at a lakeside RV camp, featuring a cold-water fish feast from Heavenly Lake, including星空 (starry sky) photography lessons (professional tripods provided).
[Day 3:Heavenly Lake → Yining (280 km, 4 hours)]
09:00 Second entry to the lake, driving the remaining route and visiting the swan habitat (swans migrate in winter; visible May-October).
14:00 Stop at the Guozigou Bridge for photos of the “one bridge spanning two mountains” spectacle. The bridge spans 700 meters and cost 2.39 billion yuan to build.
17:00 Visit the Lavender Manor (June-July bloom) or Zhaosu Jade Lake (other months). Zhaosu Jade Lake, known as the “Tianshan Blue Tear,” appears emerald green due to its high mineral content.
[Day 4:Yining → Tekes (320 km, 5 hours)]

I. Itinerary Highlights: A Double Feast of Nature and Culture09:00 Traverse the Yizhao Highway, stopping for 40 minutes at Baishifeng Viewpoint (3,475 meters above sea level), with wildflowers in summer and snow up to 2 meters deep in winter.
14:00 Light hike along the Xiata Ancient Path (8 km), overlooking the Muzart Glacier and ending at Flower Terrace, with occasional sightings of marmots.
19:00 Night photography of Tekes Bagua City, with a complimentary aerial video of the city. Built according to the *I Ching*’s eight trigrams, it is the world’s best-preserved Bagua city.
[Day 5:Tekes → Nalati (260 km, 4 hours)]
09:00 Stop at Qiapuqihai to photograph the high-altitude lake from the mountainside road. Qiapuqihai is a cold-water mountain lake with crystal-clear water ideal for trout fishing.
13:00 In-depth exploration of Nalati’s空中 (aerial) grassland, experiencing horseback riding and archery (80 yuan/hour, insurance included) and visiting local yurts.
20:00 Grassland bonfire party, featuring roast whole lamb (1,880 yuan per lamb, serves 10), kumis (fermented mare’s milk), and performances by local ethnic groups.
[Day 6:Nalati → Bayanbulak (90 km, 2 hours)]
09:00 Traverse the middle section of the Duku Highway, laying flowers at the Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery, where 168 road construction martyrs are buried. Listen to cemetery keeper Chen Jungui share stories of road construction.
14:00 Bayanbulak Grassland, capturing the sunset over the Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends. Optimal shooting time is 21:00-22:00, when nine sun reflections can be photographed.
21:00 Stay in a yurt, experiencing ethnic folk customs, tasting butter tea and dried cheese curds, and participating in activities like milking cows and baking nang.

Xinjiang’s vastness exceeds imagination. This 8-day itinerary connects three major 5A-rated scenic spots—Heavenly Lake on Tianshan Mountain, Kanas Lake, and Sayram Lake—while traversing two of “China’s most beautiful highways,” the Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway. Along the way, you’ll pass through world natural heritage sites like Kanas and Nalati Grassland, as well as the cultural landmark Kashgar Old City. The itinerary balances depth and comfort, with daily driving limited to under 3 hours and over 6 hours allocated for sightseeing, avoiding the rushed experience of traditional group tours.[Day 7:Bayanbulak → Kuqa (260 km, 5 hours)]
09:00 Drive the southern section of the Duku Highway, stopping at the Dragon Pools for photography. The Large Dragon Pool covers 2 square kilometers; the Small Dragon Pool covers 0.5 square kilometers, both with emerald-green water.
14:00 Hike through the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, with complimentary canyon exploration headlamps. The canyon spans 5.5 kilometers, with a maximum width of 50 meters and a minimum recommended width of 0.4 meters.
19:00 Night tour of Kuqa Old City, sampling Kuqa’s giant nang (50 cm in diameter, 2 yuan each) and roast pigeon (5 yuan per skewer), and visiting the Kuqa Royal Palace (admission: 55 yuan).
[Day 8:Kuqa → Urumqi (750 km, 9 hours)]
09:00 Learn about Silk Road history during the return journey, stopping at the Dabancheng Wind Farm (Asia’s largest wind farm) for photos of the wind turbines.
18:00 Arrive in Urumqi, receiving a complimentary Xinjiang dried fruit gift box (containing almonds, raisins, and dried figs) to conclude the trip.
III. Pricing: Transparent Consumption, No Hidden Costs
[Summer 2026 Reference Price Range]
Peak Season (July-August):4,800-6,500 yuan per person (Northern Xinjiang Classic Loop)
Inclusions: Transportation (new vehicles under 5 years old, including fuel and tolls), accommodation (4 nights at 4-diamond hotels + 2 nights at特色 (specialty) homestays + 1 night in a scenic area RV), meals (7 breakfasts + 6 main meals), admission tickets (first-entry tickets to eight major scenic spots including Heavenly Lake, Kanas, and Sayram Lake), shuttle buses, guide services, and insurance.

[Core Scenic Matrix]Exclusions:Round-trip transportation (airfare/train tickets), personal expenses (e.g., horseback riding), and (single travelers will be coordinated for room-sharing; special cases require negotiation).
Price Fluctuation Notice:Prices and availability are subject to contract or customer service confirmation and may fluctuate based on departure dates. Summer is peak season in Xinjiang, with tight resources for scenic spot tickets, accommodation, and vehicles. Early booking (30 days in advance) is recommended to secure discounts.
IV. Registration
Register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for specific departure dates, availability, and preferential policies. Provide valid identification information for insurance and scenic spot reservations; children must provide household registration books or birth certificates.
V. Fee and Service Descriptions
[Inclusions]
Transportation:Round-trip tourist bus from Urumqi, including shuttle buses for scenic spots like Heavenly Lake, Kanas, and Sayram Lake.
Accommodation:4 nights at 4-diamond hotels (including breakfast) + 2 nights at specialty homestays (e.g., Nalati grassland yurts, Bayanbulak yurts) + 1 night at Sayram Lake RV camp.
Meals:7 breakfasts + 6 main meals (standard: 40 yuan/person, including specialties like Big Plate Chicken, roast lamb skewers, and pilaf).
Admission Tickets:First-entry tickets to eight major scenic spots, including Heavenly Lake, Kanas, Sayram Lake, and Nalati Grassland.
Services:Professional guide for full-trip explanations (including history, culture, and photography tips), travel insurance, mineral water, and emergency medicine.

🌊Heavenly Lake on Tianshan Mountain: A high-altitude lake at 1,910 meters, with wildflowers blooming along the shore in summer and breathtaking blue ice wonders in winter. In 2026, the scenic area will upgrade to a “one-ticket, two-day” policy, allowing free re-entry the next day with the same-day ticket—ideal for in-depth exploration or photography enthusiasts.[Service Commitments]
No Forced Consumption:The itinerary includes no shopping stops or mandatory self-funded projects; all expenses are voluntary.
In-Depth Exploration:Ample daily sightseeing time is allocated to avoid a “rushed” experience, such as supporting second-entry to Heavenly Lake.
Flexible Changes:In case of severe weather or unexpected scenic spot closures, both parties may agree to reasonable itinerary adjustments.
Subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
VI. Practical Tips
Identification:Carry valid identification at all times; frequent checks occur in Xinjiang. Children must bring household registration books or birth certificates.
Clothing:Xinjiang has large temperature variations between day and night. Bring a windbreaker in summer and a down jacket in winter; wear non-slip hiking shoes for scenic area treks.
Sun Protection:Strong UV rays require SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.
Photography Gear:Recommended: wide-angle lens (for lakes), telephoto lens (for wildlife), and tripod (for starry skies).
Cultural Respect:Remove shoes and dress modestly when visiting religious sites. Do not photograph locals without prior consent.
Xinjiang’s beauty lies in the grandeur of Tianshan, the purity of its lakes, the vastness of its grasslands, and the fusion of ethnic cultures. This 8-day itinerary offers both natural wonders in Northern Xinjiang and cultural heritage in Southern Xinjiang. Choose Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency for a worry-free, enjoyable journey through the Western Regions!

Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.