How is the Fee Charged for the Yili Chartered Car with Driver Photography Tour Special Line Shooting Fee Schedule Recommended Routes Cost and Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quote.
Star Recommendation✨:Ili Grassland and Lake Photography Special Route – Professional Driver-Guide + Flexible Itinerary, Capturing Xinjiang in Light and Shadow
1. Detailed Introduction to Routes or Destinations
The Ili River Valley is known as ‘China’s Most Beautiful Summer,’ where snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and flower seas intertwine, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. In summer 2026, the following attractions will be the core filming locations for photography tours:
Sayram Lake:The Last Tear Drop of the Atlantic
The lake is as blue as a gem, with小众 (lesser-known) shooting spots like Xihai Grassland and Jinhua Zihui (Golden Flower Purple Herb) spread over 100 kilometers around the lake. In the early morning, mist shrouds the lake surface; in the afternoon, the reflection of snow-capped mountains is clear; at sunset, golden ripples appear on the lake. The scenic area is open from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM. The self-drive package is 145 yuan per person (including shuttle bus), and self-drive vehicles need to be reserved in advance.
Nalati Grassland:The Three-Dimensional Painting of the Air Grassland
The Air Grassland is at an altitude of 2,200 meters, with wildflowers covering the ground in June and lush green grass in July. The Panlong Valley Road route offers opportunities to photograph layered spruce forests, while the River Valley Grassland route is suitable for capturing scenes of local people from various ethnic groups moving their herds. The scenic area ticket is 95 yuan per person, and self-drive vehicles cost 300 yuan per vehicle (reservation required).
Kalajun Grassland:The Three-Dimensional Landscape of a World Natural Heritage Site
The combination of East and West Kalajun and the Falcon Platform creates a vast compositional space. In late June, purple primrose flower seas frame the snow-capped mountains, while in July, yellow wild poppies cover the grassland. The scenic area combo ticket is 140 yuan per person (including shuttle bus), and the Falcon Platform sightseeing bus costs 10 yuan per person for a one-way trip.
Star Recommendation✨: Ili Grassland and Lake Photography Special Route – Professional Driver-Guide + Flexible Itinerary, Capturing Xinjiang in Light and ShadowBayinbuluk:The Sunset Magic of the Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends
The Kaidu River winds through the grassland, forming 18 bends. During summer sunsets, sunlight refracts on the river surface, creating the illusion of nine suns. The scenic area combo ticket is 140 yuan per person, and the short-distance shuttle to the Brazilik Viewing Platform costs 20 yuan per person for a round trip.
2. Simple Itinerary (Reference from actual photos taken in July 2026)
7-Day, 6-Night Photography Special Route Itinerary
Day 1:Urumqi → Sayram Lake (550 km, 7 hours)
Photograph Xihai Grassland and Jinhua Zihui around the lake in the afternoon. Stay overnight in a lakeside starry sky room.
Day 2:Sayram Lake → Huocheng Lavender Garden → Kalajun Grassland (400 km, 6 hours)
Photograph the sunrise at Sayram Lake in the early morning, the lavender fields of Huocheng’s 65th Regiment in the afternoon (blooming in mid-to-late June), and the sunset at the Falcon Platform in Kalajun in the evening.
Day 3:Kalajun → Qiongkushatai (90 km, 3 hours)
1. Detailed Introduction to Routes or DestinationsPhotograph the three-dimensional grassland all day. In the afternoon, visit an original Kazakh village and stay overnight in a wooden cabin homestay.
Day 4:Qiongkushatai → Xiata Ancient Path → Zhaosu (180 km, 4 hours)
Photograph the village under the snow-capped mountains in the early morning. In the afternoon, hike the Xiata Ancient Path and photograph the Muzart Snow Mountain framed by wildflowers.
Day 5:Zhaosu → Nalati Grassland (280 km, 4 hours)
Photograph the rapeseed flower fields in Zhaosu in the morning (blooming in July). In the afternoon, take an aerial photograph of the Nalati Air Grassland. Stay overnight in a grassland yurt.
Day 6:Nalati → Bayinbuluk (180 km, 3 hours)
Photograph the morning mist over the grassland in the early morning. In the afternoon, traverse the middle section of the Duku Highway. Photograph the sunset at the Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends in the evening.
Day 7:Bayinbuluk → Urumqi (520 km, 8 hours)
Free photography in the early morning. Depart in the afternoon and photograph the Anjihai Grand Canyon (from a distance) along the way.
The Ili River Valley is known as ‘China’s Most Beautiful Summer,’ where snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and flower seas intertwine, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. In summer 2026, the following attractions will be the core filming locations for photography tours:3. Pricing Explanation (Market Reference for July 2026)
Basic Custom Vehicle Rental Fees (Including Driver)
5-Seater SUV:1,200-1,800 yuan/day (suitable for 2-4 people)
7-Seater Business Vehicle:1,600-2,200 yuan/day (suitable for 4-6 people)
Hardcore Off-Road Vehicle:1,800-2,500 yuan/day (suitable for complex road conditions)
Photography Service Upgrade Fees
Regular Driver:Included in the custom vehicle rental fee (provides basic route guidance)
Photography Enthusiast Driver-Guide:An additional 800-1,200 yuan per day (familiar with shooting spots, provides photography advice)
Professional Photography Leader:An additional 1,500-3,000 yuan per day (guides composition, parameter settings, and coordinates shooting elements)
Sayram Lake: The Last Tear Drop of the AtlanticTotal Cost Reference (Based on a 7-Seater Business Vehicle)
Economy Type:Approximately 4,000-5,500 yuan per person (including vehicle fee, basic accommodation, and tickets)
Light Luxury Type:Approximately 7,000-9,000 yuan per person (including vehicle fee, four-star hotel, and specialty dining)
The price includes vehicle usage fees, fuel fees, toll fees, driver’s salary, and basic insurance. The driver’s accommodation and meal subsidy is approximately 150-200 yuan/day (can be negotiated and included in the total price). An additional mileage fee of 1.5-2 yuan/km applies for mileage beyond the contracted amount.
4. Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency. Contact customer service manager Zhang Jing for details on the itinerary.
5. Fee Explanation and Service Explanation
Fees Include:Custom vehicle rental for the entire trip, driver service fee, fuel fee, toll fee, parking fee, and basic insurance.
Fees Do Not Include: Tourist accommodation, dining, tickets, personal expenses; driver’s accommodation and meal subsidy (some fleet quotes may include this, need to confirm in advance); overtime service fee (approximately 50-100 yuan/hour beyond the agreed 8 hours); additional mileage fee (approximately 1.5-2 yuan/km beyond the agreed mileage).
The lake is as blue as a gem, with lesser-known shooting spots like Xihai Grassland and Jinhua Zihui spread over 100 kilometers around the lake. In the early morning, mist shrouds the lake surface; in the afternoon, the reflection of snow-capped mountains is clear; at sunset, golden ripples appear on the lake. The scenic area is open from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM. The self-drive package is 145 yuan per person (including shuttle bus), and self-drive vehicles need to be reserved in advance.Service Standards:Vehicles with formal operating qualifications and certified drivers. If weather, road conditions, or policy changes occur during the trip, both parties can reasonably modify the itinerary through mutual agreement.
Special Reminders:The Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway are expected to open around June 10. The specific opening time will be announced by the Xinjiang Transportation Department. The last shuttle bus at the Bayinbuluk scenic area departs at 6:30 PM. Plan your time in advance to photograph the sunset.
6. Photography Equipment Recommendations
Lenses:Wide-angle lens (16-35mm) for photographing grasslands and lakes, telephoto lens (70-200mm) for capturing snow-capped mountain details, and macro lens for photographing wildflowers.
Filters:Polarizing filter to eliminate lake surface reflections, and graduated neutral density filter to balance the light ratio between the sky and the ground.
Auxiliary Equipment:Tripod (for photographing slow shutter speed water flows), spare batteries (fast power consumption in low-temperature environments), and waterproof bags (to protect against waves at Sayram Lake).
7. Precautions
Border Pass:A border pass is required in advance to visit border areas such as Baihaba. The travel agency can provide guidance on obtaining one.
Environmental Protection Requirements:Drones are prohibited in scenic areas such as Kalajun and Bayinbuluk and must be reported in advance.
Seasonal Limitations:The lavender fields in Huocheng bloom in mid-to-late June, and the rapeseed flowers in Zhaosu bloom in July. The itinerary may need to be adjusted according to the blooming periods.
(The specific information is subject to actual consultation and contracting. Prices and availability are subject to confirmation in the contract/by customer service and may fluctuate based on the tour schedule. The contract signed by both parties shall prevail.)
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send the itinerary and quote.
