How to Get to Yili Grassland by Chartered Car or Carpooling from Urumqi 6 Day Loop Route and Cost Overview Recommended Itinerary and Price
Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation.
In-depth tour of the Ili Grassland Loop:Comprehensive 6-Day Custom Car Rental and Carpooling Guide from Urumqi
🌄 [Route Highlights:A Visual Feast of Grasslands and Canyons]
The Ili River Valley, known as “Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall,” enters its prime viewing period for grasslands in the summer of 2026, with snow-capped mountains, flower fields, spruces, and streams weaving a picturesque tapestry. Starting from Urumqi, this route follows a clockwise loop, covering four core scenic areas: Sayram Lake, Kalajun Grassland, Nalati Sky Grassland, and Tangbula Hundred-Li Gallery. It connects three scenic highways: the Guozigou Bridge, the Yizhao Highway, and the Duku Highway, with an average daily driving time of under 4 hours, balancing natural scenery with cultural experiences.
🚗 [Simple Itinerary:Key Daily Arrangements]
Day 1:Urumqi → Sayram Lake (approx. 550 km, 7-hour drive)
Depart from Urumqi early in the morning and head west along the Lianhuo Expressway, arriving at Sayram Lake, “the last tear of the Atlantic,” in the afternoon. Drive approximately 90 km around the lake, with stops including:
Songshu Head:Ascend to the summit for a panoramic view of the lake and the Guozigou Bridge
Kele Yongzhu:Get up close with swans and the lake water
Yueliang Bay:A classic spot for photographing snow-capped mountain reflections
Overnight at the Sayram Lake RV Camp, where you can enjoy the starry sky and sunrise.
In-depth tour of the Ili Grassland Loop: Comprehensive 6-Day Custom Car Rental and Carpooling Guide from UrumqiDay 2:Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Huocheng Lavender → Yining (approx. 200 km, 4-hour drive)
Return to Sayram Lake in the morning for key shots of morning mist and shimmering lake waters. In the afternoon, cross the Guozigou Bridge, enjoying the cliffside canyon scenery along the way. Arrive at the Huocheng Jieyou Princess Lavender Garden (admission: 35 RMB) in the afternoon, where the purple fields contrast beautifully with the Tianshan snow peaks during the peak bloom in late June. In the evening, reach Yining City, stroll through Liuxing Street at night, and sample handmade ice cream and baked buns.
Day 3:Yining → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes Bagua City (approx. 180 km, 3.5-hour drive)
In the morning, head to the Kalajun World Natural Heritage Site to explore the East and West Kalajun areas and the Kuokesu Grand Canyon:
Flower Terrace:Wildflowers blanket the fields in June, ideal for hiking and photography
Falcon Terrace:Overlook the Wusun Mountain Range and the mottled forest
In the afternoon, arrive at Tekes Bagua City, take a ride on the Ferris wheel (50 RMB) for a bird’s-eye view of the city layout, and stroll through Youli Street at night to experience various ethnic cultures.
Day 4:Tekes → Nalati Sky Grassland (approx. 260 km, 5-hour drive)
Spend the entire day exploring Nalati Grassland in depth (admission: 200 RMB, including a 48-hour self-drive service fee):
River Valley Grassland:Observe livestock migration and stream landscapes
🌄[Route Highlights: A Visual Feast of Grasslands and Canyons]Sky Grassland:Capture the frame with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and spruces
Nomadic Families:Experience the yurt culture of various ethnic groups
Recommended self-drive route:River Valley Grassland → Panlong Valley Road → Sky Grassland, with an overnight stay at a hotel near the scenic area.
Day 5:Nalati → Tangbula Hundred-Li Gallery → Duku Highway → Urumqi (approx. 600 km, 8-hour drive)
In the morning, traverse the Tangbula Hundred-Li Gallery, enjoying views of grasslands, forests, and snow-capped mountains along the Kashi River. In the afternoon, return via the northern section of the Duku Highway, experiencing the canyon scenery of “four seasons in one day.” The Duku Highway is open from June to September, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, and is accessible to vehicles with fewer than seven seats.
Day 6:Free day in Urumqi
Arrange your day freely according to your flight schedule. We recommend visiting the Xinjiang International Bazaar to purchase dried fruits and handicrafts or visiting Heavenly Lake (admission: 155 RMB, including shuttle bus).
💰 [Cost Explanation:Reference Range and Composition]
Basic Cost (Custom Car Rental and Carpooling Version)
Average per person for the 6-day loop:3,800-4,500 RMB (carpooling for 4 people, including car fare, fuel, tolls, and driver service fee)
The Ili River Valley, known as “Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall,” enters its prime viewing period for grasslands in the summer of 2026, with snow-capped mountains, flower fields, spruces, and streams weaving a picturesque tapestry. Starting from Urumqi, this route follows a clockwise loop, covering four core scenic areas: Sayram Lake, Kalajun Grassland, Nalati Sky Grassland, and Tangbula Hundred-Li Gallery. It connects three scenic highways: the Guozigou Bridge, the Yizhao Highway, and the Duku Highway, with an average daily driving time of under 4 hours, balancing natural scenery with cultural experiences.Cost Includes:
5 nights of accommodation (Sayram Lake RV Camp, Yining specialty hotel, Tekes comfortable hotel, hotel near Nalati scenic area, Urumqi quasi-four-star hotel)
First admission tickets to scenic areas (Sayram Lake, Kalajun, Nalati, Tangbula)
Travel accident insurance
Cost Excludes:
Shuttle bus and self-drive service fees (Nalati: 200 RMB, Kalajun: 150 RMB)
Meals and personal expenses
Reference cost for a no-consumption itinerary group
If you choose a no-consumption small group itinerary (minimum 6 people) with Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency, the average per person reference price is:5,200-5,800 RMB, including accommodation, admission tickets, meals, and guide services throughout the trip.
⚠ ️[Notes:Policies and Practices]
🚗[Simple Itinerary: Key Daily Arrangements]Transportation Policies:
The Yizhao Highway is open from June 1st to October 10th, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, and is not accessible to vehicles with more than seven seats.
The northern section of the Duku Highway is susceptible to weather conditions. In case of traffic control, it will detour via National Highway G218, with itinerary changes subject to mutual agreement.
Scenic Area Reservations:
Self-driving at Nalati Grassland requires a reservation 7 days in advance through the “Smart Travel Nalati” mini-program, with a daily limit of 3,000 vehicles.
Tickets for Kalajun Grassland must be purchased through the “Kalajun International Eco-Tourism Zone” mini-program, with a daily limit of 22,000 visitors.
Equipment Suggestions:
Large temperature differences between day and night require fleece jackets, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable hiking shoes.
Signal coverage is weak in grassland areas, so it is advisable to download offline maps in advance.
📞 [Registration Method:Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency]
Day 1: Urumqi → Sayram Lake (approx. 550 km, 7-hour drive)Consult with Zhang Jing, the customer service manager at Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency, who provides the following services:
Custom Itinerary:Adjust the order of scenic spots and accommodation standards based on the number of people, budget, and interests.
Carpooling Coordination:Assist in matching tourists on the same route to share transportation costs.
Contract Signing:Clarify cost composition, refund and change rules, and responsibility division, subject to actual consultation and signing.
🌿 [Service Commitments:Transparency and Assurance]
Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency promises:
No arranged consumption or hidden fees throughout the trip.
Drivers and guides are certified, with their service attitudes and professionalism subject to tourist evaluation and supervision.
In case of itinerary changes due to force majeure, scenic spots can be changed or unused fees refunded after mutual agreement.
📌 [Warm Reminder:Real-time Information Confirmation]
Scenic area opening hours, admission ticket prices, and transportation policies may change with the seasons. It is advisable to confirm details with Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency again 7 days before departure. Availability and prices are subject to the contract signing date, and advance booking is required 30 days in advance during peak seasons.
Contact Manager Maizi at 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation.
