Urumqi Private Car Tour of Xinjiang Entire Territory丨Professional Driver Full Journey Escort
For more details on Xinjiang travel, contact Zhang Jing, customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency: 181-3962-2233 (same as WeChat)
🗺️ Want to experience snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, deserts, canyons, and ancient cities all in one limited vacation? Starting from Urumqi, customized car tours across Xinjiang are a popular choice for many travelers. This article will break down the charm, itinerary, costs, and booking methods of this route from a ‘time + budget’ planning perspective.
📝 Route Overview:Time and Budget
Xinjiang is vast, with attractions often hundreds of kilometers apart. Customized car tours better balance time and comfort.
Itinerary Pace
Northern and Southern Xinjiang Grand Loop:Recommended 15–20 days, covering core areas like Kanas in Northern Xinjiang, Yili Grassland, Duku Highway, and deserts, canyons, and ancient cities in Southern Xinjiang.
Northern or Southern Xinjiang Single Route:Can be compressed to 8–12 days for in-depth exploration.
Daily Driving Distance
Long-distance routes average 300–500 km per day, with some sections longer.
It’s recommended to keep daily driving to 300–400 km and schedule 1-2 days of rest near key attractions to avoid fatigue.
Seasonal Recommendations
Northern Xinjiang Natural Scenery (Kanas, Yili):Best from June to September, with stunning autumn colors in late September.
Southern Xinjiang Cultural Charm (Kashgar, Pamir):April to June and September to November offer more comfortable weather, with October highlighting poplar forests.
Duku Highway:Typically open in sections from early June to October, subject to weather conditions; confirm before travel.
🏞 ️ Destination Overview:Essence of Xinjiang
Northern Xinjiang · Kanas Region
Kanas Lake:A combination of alpine lake and primeval forest; climb the Fish Viewing Platform for a panoramic view.
Hemu Village:A Tuva settlement known for its morning mist and wooden houses, a paradise for photographers.
Baihaba:Located in a border area, offering views of river valleys and boundary rivers (requires permits as per regulations).
Colorful Beach:Typical Yadan landform, vibrant at sunset.
Urho Devil City:Wind-eroded landscape, ideal for sunset and star photography.
🗺️ Want to experience snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, deserts, canyons, and ancient cities all in one limited vacation? Starting from Urumqi, customized car tours across Xinjiang are a popular choice for many travelers. This article will break down the charm, itinerary, costs, and booking methods of this route from a ‘time + budget’ planning perspective.Northern Xinjiang · Yili River Valley and Duku Highway
Sayram Lake:Known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic,’ with clear waters, perfect for a lake tour.
Nalati Grassland:Famous alpine grassland, lush green with wildflowers in summer.
Bayinbuluke:Home to the winding Kaidu River, a great spot for sunset and swan viewing.
Duku Highway:Known as one of ‘China’s most beautiful highways,’ open for a few months each year, offering a ‘four seasons in one day’ experience.
Southern Xinjiang · Culture and Scenery
Korla & Bosten Lake:Experience the coexistence of desert and lake landscapes.
Kuqa & Tianshan Grand Canyon:Appreciate red canyon landforms and Silk Road relics.
Kashgar Old City:Feel the rich Silk Road atmosphere and ancient street life.
Pamir Plateau:See snow-capped mountains, lakes, and the unique ethnic culture of Tashkurgan.
Eastern Tianshan & Turpan Area
Tianshan Tianchi Lake:An alpine lake near Urumqi, a classic short-distance destination.
Turpan:Experience unique landforms and cultural sites like Flaming Mountain and Karez wells.
🗓 ️ Sample Itinerary:15-20 Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Grand Loop
Below is a classic grand loop idea; specific arrangements can be adjusted with the travel agency based on your time and interests.
D1:Arrive in Urumqi
Free time upon arrival; visit Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar for local atmosphere or buy travel supplies.
Meet the customized car driver to confirm vehicle and itinerary details.
D2:Urumqi → Turpan
Visit Flaming Mountain and Karez wells to experience the heat and ancient wisdom.
Head to Shanshan Kumtag Desert in the evening or next morning for desert scenery.
📝 Route Overview: Time and BudgetD3:Turpan → Urumqi
Visit Grape Valley and Jiaohe Ruins in the morning.
Return to Urumqi in the afternoon, stopping at Dabancheng Wind Farm along the way.
D4:Urumqi → Tianshan Tianchi → Fuyun/Beitun
Visit Tianshan Tianchi in the morning to enjoy snow mountain reflections.
Drive to Fuyun or Beitun in the afternoon to prepare for entering the Altay region.
D5:Fuyun → Koktokay → Burqin
Visit Koktokay National Geopark to see canyons, rivers, and forests.
Arrive in Burqin in the evening; stroll the riverbank night market for local fish dishes.
D6:Burqin → Kanas Scenic Area
Enter Kanas Scenic Area; choose to climb the Fish Viewing Platform based on stamina.
Walk by Kanas Lake or nearby villages in the evening.
D7:Kanas → Hemu
Head to Hemu Village in the morning, enjoying grasslands and birch forests along the way.
Capture morning mist and wooden houses in Hemu, enjoying peaceful rural time.
D8:Hemu → Colorful Beach → Burqin
Depart Hemu early; visit Colorful Beach on the way back to enjoy Yadan landforms at sunset.
D9:Burqin → Urho Devil City → Karamay/Kuitun
Cross the Gobi to Urho Devil City; photograph the changing Yadan groups at sunset.
D10:Karamay/Kuitun → Sayram Lake
Drive along the expressway into the Yili River Valley; arrive at Sayram Lake in the evening to enjoy ‘blue ice’ or lake scenery.
Xinjiang is vast, with attractions often hundreds of kilometers apart. Customized car tours better balance time and comfort.D11:Sayram Lake → Yining → Zhaosu
Our agency offers various travel options: special trains, carpool tours, group tours, and customized car tours. For details, call: 181-3962-2233 (add as friend for detailed Xinjiang travel itinerary and pricing)
Drive slowly along the lake road in the morning; head to Yining in the afternoon to experience Kazanqi or Liuxing Street.
Continue to Zhaosu to prepare for the next day.
D12:Zhaosu → Xiate Ancient Trail → Tekes
Enter Xiate Scenic Area; hike to Xiate Canyon for close-up views of snow mountains and glaciers.
Head to Tekes Bagua City in the evening to check in.
D13:Tekes → Kalajun Grassland → Nalati
Visit the ‘human body grassland’ of Kalajun or Kuokesu Grand Canyon.
Drive to Nalati in the afternoon to enjoy river valley and grassland scenery.
D14:Nalati → Bayinbuluke
Explore Nalati Grassland in depth, experiencing different area views.
Arrive in Bayinbuluke in the evening to enjoy the sunset at the winding Kaidu River.
D15:Bayinbuluke → Duku Highway North Section → Urumqi
Embark on the Duku Highway’s north section for a ‘four seasons in one day’ experience.
Arrive in Urumqi in the evening or at night, completing the grand cross-Xinjiang journey.
D16-D20:Southern Xinjiang Deep Dive or Return
Southern Xinjiang Route:Start from Urumqi, passing through Korla, Kuqa, Kashgar, Taxkorgan, etc., for in-depth Southern Xinjiang scenery and culture.
Return:If time is tight, arrange return after arriving in Urumqi on day 15.
💰 Cost Breakdown:2026 Customized Car Pricing Reference
Below are market reference prices for Urumqi customized car tours with drivers around 2025; 2026 prices may adjust with market and policy changes; confirm with actual consultation.
Price Composition
Typically includes vehicle usage fee, fuel, tolls, parking, driver salary, and vehicle insurance. Confirm whether driver meals and accommodation are included or require additional subsidy.
7-Seat Vehicle Reference Price (RMB/day)
Standard Business Van (Buick GL8, etc.):Off-season about 1000–1500, peak season about 1500–2000.
Luxury/First-Class Business Van:Peak season may reach 2000–2600.
9–23 Seat Vehicle Reference Price (RMB/day)
9–15 Seats:Off-season about 1500–2200, peak season about 2200–2600.
17–19 Seats:Off-season about 1800–2400, peak season about 2200–2800.
20–23 Seats (Coaster, etc.):Off-season about 2200–3000, peak season about 3000–3500.
33–55 Seat Bus Reference Price (RMB/day)
33–38 Seats:Off-season about 2000–2800, peak season about 3000–3800.
47–55 Seats:Off-season about 2400–3000, peak season about 3800–4800.
Northern and Southern Xinjiang Grand Loop Cost Estimate (15-20 days example)
7-Seat Business Van:Full customized car fee about 30,000–50,000 RMB.
Mid-size/Large Bus:Full customized car fee about 50,000–80,000 RMB or more.
Per Person Budget:If shared by 4-6 people, per person customized car cost about 5,000–9,000 RMB (excluding accommodation, meals, tickets).
Other Cost Estimates (Per Person)
Accommodation:Budget 200–400 RMB/night, comfortable 300–600 RMB/night, peak season in scenic areas may reach 800–1500 RMB/night.
Meals:Daily meals 30–60 RMB per person, specialty meals (e.g., roast whole lamb) 150–200 RMB per person.
Tickets and Shuttle Buses:Northern Xinjiang loop about 600–700 RMB/person, Southern Xinjiang loop about 700 RMB/person, full Xinjiang loop total over 1500 RMB/person.
> Reminder:The above prices are for reference; actual costs vary by vehicle type, season, itinerary days, road conditions, and policies. Refer to the contract with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
🤝 Booking and Inquiry:Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency
Northern and Southern Xinjiang Grand Loop: Recommended 15–20 days, covering core areas like Kanas in Northern Xinjiang, Yili Grassland, Duku Highway, and deserts, canyons, and ancient cities in Southern Xinjiang.You can inquire and book Urumqi customized car tours across Xinjiang through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
Inquiry Phone:181-3962-2233
WeChat Inquiry:181-3962-2233 (add with note ‘Xinjiang Customized Car Inquiry’)
Service Features:
Multiple licensed vehicle options to meet different group sizes.
Drivers familiar with Xinjiang roads and attractions, can act as guides.
Customizable itinerary based on your time, budget, and interests.
Formal travel contract signed, transparent fees, rights protected.
📋 Fee and Service Description
Included Fees (per contract)
Vehicle usage fee, fuel, tolls, parking.
Driver salary, standard vehicle insurance, and basic maintenance.
Other services as per contract (e.g., airport transfer).
Excluded Fees (per contract)
Accommodation, meals, tickets, and personal expenses for travelers.
Driver meal and accommodation subsidy (if not included in contract).
Entertainment items not mentioned in itinerary and extra costs due to force majeure.
Service Description
The travel agency will provide vehicle and driver services as per contract.
In case of weather, road conditions, policies, or other force majeure factors, both parties can agree on reasonable itinerary changes.
For solo travelers, the agency will try to arrange room sharing; if not possible, a single supplement is required.
Specific itinerary details, costs, and service standards are based on the contract and actual communication with the travel agency.
For more Xinjiang travel special train details, contact customer service Zhang Jing ☎️: 181 3962 2233 (add as friend for free: detailed itinerary and train introduction)

