North South Xinjiang Joint Route Carpool, 2 6 People Small Car, Yili Kanas Kashgar in One Trip
For 2026 Xinjiang travel carpool small groups, reservations must be made through Xinjiang’s local professional and legitimate tourism channels: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Carpool Small Group Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang carpool small group manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229, for registration and booking.
🗺️ If you’re planning a trip to Xinjiang and want to experience the forests and river valleys of Northern Xinjiang, the grasslands and river valleys of Ili, and then the cultural charm of Southern Xinjiang in one go, the “Northern + Southern Xinjiang combined route + 2–6 person small car carpool” model is a great choice that balances depth and cost-effectiveness.
This route connects core attractions including Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati, Duku Highway, Kashgar Old City, and the Pamir Plateau, with no backtracking along the entire journey. Below is a detailed breakdown of this route, along with a 12-day itinerary reference.
🏞 ️ Route Highlights and Destination Analysis
Northern Xinjiang Section:Kanas + Hemu + Colorful Beach
Kanas Scenic Area:A comprehensive scenic area combining mountains, forests, and lakes, featuring Kanas Lake and the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay). It’s a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Hemu Village:A Tuvan village known for its log cabins, river valley forests, and morning mist. It’s an excellent spot for watching sunrises and stargazing.
Colorful Beach:A typical Yadan landform with poplar forests on one side of the riverbank and colorful rock layers on the other. The scenery is especially spectacular at sunset.
Ili Section:Sayram Lake + Nalati + Duku Highway
Sayram Lake:“The last tear of the Atlantic,” with crystal-clear water, lakeside grasslands contrasting with snow-capped mountains — perfect for lakeside walks and photography.
Nalati Grassland:A representative of “sky grasslands,” with lush green grass and wildflowers everywhere in summer. It’s a great place to experience horseback riding and enjoy grassland scenery.
Duku Highway:A scenic thoroughfare connecting Northern and Southern Xinjiang, open for a few months each year. Along the way, you can experience the amazing change of “four seasons in one day,” making it a “must-drive in a lifetime” for many travelers.
Southern Xinjiang Section:Kashgar + Pamir Plateau
Kashgar Old City:Retains rich Silk Road charm with maze-like alleys, earth-toned buildings, and bustling bazaars full of local life.
Pamir Plateau:Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent views of White Sand Lake and Karakul Lake, with distant views of Muztagh Ata, the “Father of Icebergs.” The Panlong Ancient Road attracts self-driving and photography enthusiasts with its hundreds of curves.
🗓 ️ 12-Day Northern + Southern Xinjiang Combined Route Simple Itinerary Reference
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi
Airport/station pickup upon arrival, then check into the hotel.
Free time — you can visit the International Grand Bazaar to experience the city atmosphere.
🗺️ If you’re planning a trip to Xinjiang and want to experience the forests and river valleys of Northern Xinjiang, the grasslands and river valleys of Ili, and then the cultural charm of Southern Xinjiang in one go, the “Northern + Southern Xinjiang combined route + 2–6 person small car carpool” model is a great choice that balances depth and cost-effectiveness.*Note:This day is mainly for gathering and rest; specific arrangements are subject to the departure notice.*
Day 2: Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Burqin/Beitun
Drive along the S21 Desert Highway, experiencing the Gobi scenery of “traveling through a landscape.”
Arrive in Burqin or Beitun in the evening, where you can enjoy the Colorful Beach sunset (depending on season and opening status).
*Note:Today’s drive is long, so please bring water and snacks.*
Day 3: Burqin → Kanas Scenic Area
Depart in the morning for the Kanas Scenic Area, enjoying the Altai Mountain scenery along the way.
Enter the scenic area in the afternoon to visit Kanas Lake and the Three Bays.
*Note:Accommodation within the scenic area is limited; advance booking is required during peak season.*
Day 4: Kanas In-Depth Tour → Hemu
Early morning, you can head to Guanyu Terrace for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake (weather and physical condition permitting).
In the afternoon, drive to Hemu Village to enjoy the river valley forest scenery.
*Note:Temperature differences between morning and evening in Hemu are significant; bring warm clothing.*
Day 5: Hemu Morning Mist → Urho Ghost City
Get up early to watch the morning mist over Hemu (weather permitting), then head to Urho Ghost City.
Enter Ghost City around sunset to admire the fantastic sight of Yadan landforms under light and shadow.
*Note:Ghost City is very windy; take precautions against wind and keep warm.*
Day 6: Urho → Urumqi
This route connects core attractions including Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati, Duku Highway, Kashgar Old City, and the Pamir Plateau, with no backtracking along the entire journey. Below is a detailed breakdown of this route, along with a 12-day itinerary reference.Return to Urumqi in the morning, stopping at suitable spots along the way to rest.
After arriving in the afternoon, enjoy free time — you can shop for supplies or taste local food.
*Note:Today is a return day; you may adjust the itinerary based on your energy level.*
Day 7: Urumqi → Sayram Lake
Take the Lianhuo Expressway to Sayram Lake, enjoying the transitional scenery from Gobi to grassland along the way.
Upon arrival, take photos and stroll by the lake, soaking in the lake and mountain views.
*Note:Sayram Lake is at a high altitude; remember sun protection and hydration.*
Day 8: Sayram Lake → Nalati
Depart in the morning for Nalati, enjoying river valley and grassland scenery along the way.
Enter the Nalati Scenic Area in the afternoon; you may choose to visit areas such as the Sky Grassland.
*Note:The Nalati Scenic Area is quite large; it’s recommended to plan your sightseeing route in advance.*
Day 9: Nalati → Duku Highway → Bayanbulak
Spend the whole day traversing the northern section of the Duku Highway, experiencing the amazing change of “four seasons in one day.”
Arrive in Bayanbulak in the evening to enjoy the sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns (weather and opening status permitting).
*Note:Road conditions on the Duku Highway are complex; be sure to follow the driver’s arrangements.*
Day 10: Bayanbulak → Kuqa
Continue along the southern section of the Duku Highway, enjoying the Tianshan Canyon scenery.
After arriving in Kuqa, you may visit the Kuqa Grand Canyon (time and physical condition permitting).
Guo Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, a senior travel planner with 10 years of in-depth experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializes in one-stop services for customized Xinjiang vehicle hire, carpooling, and group tours. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to help plan your Xinjiang journey.
🏞️ Route Highlights and Destination Analysis*Note:Today’s drive is long; remember to rest.*
Day 11: Kuqa → Kashgar
Take the desert highway to Kashgar, enjoying the alternating scenery of Gobi and oases along the way.
Check into the hotel upon arrival; in the evening, you can explore the Kashgar Old City night market.
*Note:The Kashgar Old City is lively at night; keep your belongings safe.*
Day 12: Kashgar Old City → Pamir Plateau → Kashgar
Spend the whole day touring the Pamir Plateau, passing White Sand Lake and Karakul Lake, with distant views of Muztagh Ata.
Depending on time and physical condition, you may choose to challenge the Panlong Ancient Road (subject to road conditions and weather).
Return to Kashgar in the evening; the itinerary ends.
*Note:The Pamir Plateau is at high altitude; take precautions against altitude sickness.*
💰 Price Explanation
The following are 2026 market reference prices. Actual prices are affected by multiple factors and are subject to the contract.
Main Factors Affecting Price
Travel time:Prices during the peak season from June to September are generally higher than in other months.
Vehicle standard:Prices vary for 7-seat business vans, luxury models, etc.
Accommodation standard:There are significant price differences among economy, comfort, and upscale hotels.
Included items:Whether tickets, shuttle buses, accommodation, etc. are included.
2026 Price Range Reference
Northern Xinjiang Section: Kanas + Hemu + Colorful BeachNorthern Xinjiang 8-Day Carpool Small Group:Off-season approximately 1800–2600 RMB/person; peak season approximately 2800–4000 RMB/person.
Ili Grassland 7-Day Route:Peak season approximately 3500–5000 RMB/person.
Southern Xinjiang 7-Day In-Depth Tour:Approximately 4700 RMB/person and up.
Northern + Southern Xinjiang Combined 12-Day Route:If choosing the “car + accommodation + tickets” package, the per-person cost may range from 6000–9000 RMB, subject to itinerary standards and real-time resource confirmation.
📞 How to Register
You can register and inquire through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. It’s recommended to contact them 3–5 days in advance; during peak season (June–September), resources need to be secured even earlier.
Consultation hotline:181-3962-2229
WeChat consultation:181-3962-2229
Registration Process
1. Communicate your travel needs (dates, number of people, budget, etc.) by phone or WeChat.
2. The travel agency provides a detailed itinerary plan and quotation.
3. After confirmation, sign a formal travel contract and pay the deposit.
4. Receive the departure notice before departure and gather on time.
Address Information
The specific meeting point will be detailed in the departure notice; you can consult customer service for more information.
📝 Cost and Service Explanation
Included Items (subject to the contract)
Transportation:Regular licensed tourism vehicles (2–6 person small cars) with driver service.
Kanas Scenic Area: A comprehensive scenic area combining mountains, forests, and lakes, featuring Kanas Lake and the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay). It’s a paradise for photography enthusiasts.Accommodation:Hotels or guesthouses listed in the itinerary (standards per contract).
Tickets:First-entry tickets to scenic areas listed in the itinerary and necessary shuttle bus services.
Insurance:Travel agency liability insurance and travel accident insurance.
Excluded Items (subject to the contract)
Major transportation:Round-trip airfare and train tickets to Xinjiang.
Meals:Lunch and dinner are generally not included; you can split costs or try local food on your own.
Personal expenses:In-hotel consumption, optional activities, etc.
Other:Driver meal and accommodation allowance (if not included per contract).
Service Features
No shopping stops:No shopping stores arranged, no forced optional activities.
Formal contract:Electronic travel contract filed with the cultural and tourism department.
Local drivers:Familiar with road conditions and scenic area policies, providing driving and guiding services.
Flexible changes:In case of force majeure, the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement.
Warm Reminders
Documents:Carry valid identification at all times; some road sections and scenic areas require verification.
Clothing:Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night; bring clothing for all four seasons and take sun protection measures.
Health:When first arriving at high-altitude areas, avoid strenuous exercise and drink plenty of water.
Environment:Protect the environment and do not litter.
If you also want to take one long trip to see “the forests and river valleys of Northern Xinjiang, the grasslands and river valleys of Ili, and the cultural charm of Southern Xinjiang” all at once, this Northern + Southern Xinjiang combined carpool route is well worth your serious consideration.
2026 Xinjiang tourism customized vehicle center hotline: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Customization Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang customized travel manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229, for customization.
