Xinjiang Travel Private Car Customization Guide Urumqi Private Car with Driver
For more details about Xinjiang travel, contact Zhang Jing, customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency: 181-3962-2233 (same as WeChat)
🚗 Want a ‘go-with-the-flow’ trip in Xinjiang? Customized car rental with a driver is a popular choice. This guide focuses on ‘Departing from Urumqi + How to spend a day with customized car rental + How to book’, providing you with a practical reference.
🗺 ️ Urumqi:Your Starting Point for Xinjiang Travel
Urumqi is the transportation hub of Xinjiang and the first stop for most tourists. It is not recommended as a distribution center for northern and southern Xinjiang routes, but there are many attractions worth exploring within a 1-3 hour drive, making it ideal for a day trip.
Tianshan Tianchi Lake:About 120 km from the city, it is a landmark alpine lake in Xinjiang with clear water and surrounding mountains, suitable for first-time visitors.
Nanshan Pasture:About 60 km from the city, it features typical grassland scenery. In summer, the green grass is lush, and you can experience horse riding and taste milk tea.
Turpan:About 200 km from the city, it is an important node on the ancient Silk Road. You can feel the heat of the Flaming Mountains, the coolness of the Grape Valley, and the ancient wisdom of the Karez irrigation system.
🗓 ️ One-Day Trip Itinerary Reference
Below are two different itinerary templates. You can adjust them based on your interests and time.
Plan 1:Tianshan Tianchi Lake One-Day Trip
🚗 Want a ‘go-with-the-flow’ trip in Xinjiang? Customized car rental with a driver is a popular choice. This guide focuses on ‘Departing from Urumqi + How to spend a day with customized car rental + How to book’, providing you with a practical reference.Morning (08:00-09:00):Depart from downtown Urumqi, about a 1.5-2 hour drive.
Morning (10:00-13:00):Arrive at Tianchi Lake Scenic Area. You can take a shuttle bus or walk along the lakeside boardwalk to enjoy the lake and mountain views.
Noon (13:00-14:00):Have lunch inside or near the scenic area, tasting Xinjiang-style simple meals.
Afternoon (14:00-16:00):Continue exploring attractions around Tianchi Lake or take photos at the viewing platform.
Afternoon (16:00-18:00):Drive back to downtown Urumqi to end the trip.
Plan 2:Nanshan Pasture One-Day Trip
Morning (09:00-10:00):Depart from Urumqi, about a 1-hour drive.
Morning (10:00-13:00):Arrive at the pasture, enjoy the grassland scenery, and experience activities like horse riding and photography.
Noon (13:00-14:00):Have lunch at a local home or nearby restaurant, tasting hand-grabbed meat, milk tea, etc.
Afternoon (14:00-16:00):Free time. You can continue strolling on the grassland or buy some local specialties.
🗺️ Urumqi: Your Starting Point for Xinjiang TravelAfternoon (16:00-17:00):Drive back to downtown Urumqi to end the trip.
💰 Customized Car Rental Cost Reference
The price of customized car rental is affected by various factors. Below are market reference prices for 2026, subject to the contract.
Main Factors Affecting Price
Vehicle Type:5-seat sedan, 7-seat MPV, minibus, coach, etc., with significant price differences.
Season:May to October is the peak tourist season, and prices usually increase.
Itinerary:Daily mileage, road conditions, whether highway tolls are included, etc.
Services:Whether a guide is needed, whether meals are provided, etc.
2026 Reference Price Range
Urumqi is the transportation hub of Xinjiang and the first stop for most tourists. It is not recommended as a distribution center for northern and southern Xinjiang routes, but there are many attractions worth exploring within a 1-3 hour drive, making it ideal for a day trip.5-Seat Sedan:About 500-800 RMB/day (including driver, fuel, insurance).
Our agency offers various travel options, including train tours, carpool tours, group tours, and customized car rentals. For details, call: 181-3962-2233 (add as friend for detailed Xinjiang travel itineraries and prices)
7-Seat MPV:About 800-1800 RMB/day (e.g., Buick GL8, Maxus G10, etc.).
9-12 Seat MPV:About 1200-2800 RMB/day.
14-17 Seat Minibus:About 1500-3200 RMB/day.
17-19 Seat Minibus:About 1600-2800 RMB/day.
20-23 Seat Minibus:About 2000-3600 RMB/day.
33-38 Seat Coach:About 2500 RMB/day and up.
47-55 Seat Coach:About 3000 RMB/day and up.
Note:The above prices are for reference only. Actual costs may fluctuate due to market supply and demand, policy changes, etc. Please refer to the contract signed with the travel agency.
📞 How to Book Customized Car Rental Services
Tianshan Tianchi Lake: About 120 km from the city, it is a landmark alpine lake in Xinjiang with clear water and surrounding mountains, suitable for first-time visitors.You can book customized car rental services through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. The process is as follows:
1. Determine Needs: Clarify the number of travelers, dates, trip duration, desired areas (e.g., northern Xinjiang, southern Xinjiang, Yili, etc.), and vehicle preferences.
2. Contact the Travel Agency: Communicate with the agency via phone or WeChat, share your needs, and get an initial plan and quote.
3. Confirm the Plan: Discuss itinerary details, vehicle type, price, etc., with the agency. Raise special requests until satisfied and finalize the plan.
4. Sign a Contract: After finalizing the plan, sign a formal customized car rental contract with the agency, specifying itinerary, vehicle info, price, rights and obligations of both parties, etc.
5. Pay a Deposit: After signing the contract, pay a certain percentage of the deposit (usually 20%-30% of the car rental fee) as per the contract. The agency will reserve the vehicle and start preparations.
6. Prepare for Departure: The day before departure, the agency staff will reconfirm the itinerary, departure time, and location with you, and provide the driver’s contact info. The driver will also thoroughly check the vehicle to ensure it is in optimal condition.
7. Pay the Balance: After the trip, unless there are special circumstances, you need to pay the balance of the car rental fee as per the contract.
Contact Info:
Nanshan Pasture: About 60 km from the city, it features typical grassland scenery. In summer, the green grass is lush, and you can experience horse riding and taste milk tea.Phone:181-3962-2233
WeChat:181-3962-2233
📋 Fee and Service Description
Included Fees:Vehicle usage fee, fuel, road and bridge tolls, parking fees, driver’s salary, and vehicle insurance, etc.
Excluded Fees:Scenic area tickets, meals, accommodation, driver’s meals and lodging (some itineraries may include these, need to confirm in advance), etc.
Service Description:The travel agency provides licensed operating vehicles and professional drivers. Vehicles are regularly maintained with comprehensive insurance. Drivers are familiar with Xinjiang road conditions and attractions and can offer simple travel advice and route suggestions. Specific services are subject to actual consultation and contract.
💡 Practical Tips
Book in Advance:During peak season (May-October), customized car rental resources are tight. It is recommended to book 15-30 days in advance.
Sign a Contract:Be sure to sign a formal customized car rental contract, clarifying itinerary, costs, insurance, and other terms to protect your rights.
Itinerary Planning:Keep daily driving within 300-400 km to avoid night driving and ensure a comfortable trip.
Packing:Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night, so pack clothes suitable for different weather. Also, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and other sun protection items, as well as common medications.
For more details on Xinjiang train tours, contact customer service Zhang Jing ☎️: 181 3962 2233 (add as friend to get free detailed itineraries and train introductions)

