Xinjiang North South Private Car Tour, Experienced Driver Knows Hidden Gems Along the Route
Xinjiang Tourism Customized Car Rental: Comfortable Travel, Regular Fleet, Flexible Itinerary. Consultation Hotline Landline: 0991-8866234. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, Customized Consultation Manager Zhang Jing Phone: 181-3962-2233 (Add as friend for detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel routes and prices).
🚐 If you want to see all the scenery, culture, and those off-the-beaten-path corners of Xinjiang’s northern and southern regions in one trip, customized car rental is a worthwhile option. Especially when you don’t want to drive long hours yourself and want the flexibility to change your itinerary at any time, a local driver familiar with road conditions and attractions can make the whole journey much easier.
This guide will discuss the玩法 of customized car rental tours in northern and southern Xinjiang from the perspective of ‘an old driver taking you to小众 spots.’
🗺 ️ Overview of Northern and Southern Xinjiang Routes and小众 Attractions
Xinjiang’s landscapes can be roughly divided into two major sections: Northern Xinjiang and Southern Xinjiang, each with distinct styles.
🌄 Northern Xinjiang:Mainly natural scenery
Characterized by grasslands, lakes, forests, and river valleys. Green grass in summer, layered forests in autumn.
Kanas Lake:A combination of alpine lakes and primeval forests, popular in autumn.
Hemu Village:A Tuva village, with classic scenes of wooden houses, birch forests, and morning mist.
Sayram Lake:Known as the ‘Alpine Pearl,’ with azure blue waters, suitable for a lake tour.
Nalati Grassland:Called the ‘Sky Grassland,’ with wide views, ideal for photography and horseback riding.
Bayanbulak Grassland:A wetland grassland, the winding river channels are beautiful at sunset.
🕌 Southern Xinjiang:Combination of culture and desert
Mainly deserts, canyons, ancient cities, and ethnic customs, with a strong sense of history.
Kashgar Old City:An ancient city preserving traditional patterns, with rich streets and a vibrant atmosphere.
Pamir Plateau:Snow-capped mountains and lakes along the way, magnificent plateau scenery.
Taklamakan Desert:The world’s second-largest shifting desert, where you can experience desert camps.
Wensu Grand Canyon:Red mountain canyon, very stunning under light and shadow.
Lop Nur Village:A combination of desert, rivers, poplar forests, and ancient lifestyles.
🚐 If you want to see all the scenery, culture, and those off-the-beaten-path corners of Xinjiang’s northern and southern regions in one trip, customized car rental is a worthwhile option. Especially when you don’t want to drive long hours yourself and want the flexibility to change your itinerary at any time, a local driver familiar with road conditions and attractions can make the whole journey much easier.💡 Secret小众 Spots Only Old Drivers Know
These places have relatively fewer tourists, offering a more ‘adventurous’ experience:
Tangbula Grassland·Hundred-Mile Gallery (Yili):A free scenic belt along the Kashi River valley, with fewer tourists than Nalati, suitable for self-driving or slow customized car tours.
Zhaosu Jade Lake (Yili):The lake water is emerald green, with rapeseed flowers by the lake in summer, not far from the Xiatag scenic area, can be combined for a visit.
Jili Lake Sea Monster City (Altay):Yadan landforms reflecting with the lake water, great for photos at sunset, can be visited by boat.
Anjihai Grand Canyon (Tacheng):Colorful red-layer canyon, mostly free viewing platforms, suitable for aerial photography.
Tuyoq Mazar Village (Turpan):An ancient village, with mud walls and grape trellises full of life, can be combined with a visit to Kumtag Desert.
Baihaba Village (Altay):Known as the ‘First Village of the Northwest,’ quieter than Hemu, beautiful morning mist and wooden houses in autumn, requires a permit.
Taheman Wetland (Pamir):A wetland grassland surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with wide views, suitable for landscape photography.
Bandir Blue Lake (Pamir):A ‘pleasant surprise’ after coming down from the Panlong Ancient Road, the lake water changes color.
🗓 ️ Simple Itinerary Reference for Customized Car Rental in Northern and Southern Xinjiang
The following is a 12-day itinerary idea for a grand loop of northern and southern Xinjiang, which can be flexibly adjusted based on your time and interests.
D1:Arrive in Urumqi
Free time after arrival to acclimate to the climate.
Ask the driver to recommend local food.
Confirm itinerary details, vehicle condition, and contract with the driver.
D2:Urumqi → Burqin/Beitun
Drive along National Highway 216, enjoying the Gobi and grassland scenery along the way.
This guide will discuss the玩法 of customized car rental tours in northern and southern Xinjiang from the perspective of ‘an old driver taking you to小众 spots.’ Arrive and visit the Burqin night market.
Tip:The drive is long that day, so it’s recommended to start early.
D3:Burqin → Kanas Scenic Area
Enter the Kanas scenic area, choose whether to climb the Fish Viewing Pavilion based on your fitness.
Take a walk by the lake in the evening to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Tip:Large temperature difference in the mountainous area, remember to bring warm clothes.
D4:Kanas → Hemu
Head to Hemu Village, with forest and river valley scenery along the way.
Stroll around the village, photograph wooden houses and birch forests, or climb high to watch the sunset.
Tip:Large temperature difference between morning and evening, keep warm.
D5:Hemu → Colorful Beach → Burqin/Beitun
In the early morning, you can enter Hemu again to photograph the morning mist (subject to scenic area regulations).
In the afternoon, head to Colorful Beach to enjoy the color contrast of the Yadan landforms and the Irtysh River.
Return to Burqin or Beitun for accommodation in the evening.
D6:Burqin → Devil City → Kuitun
Drive along National Highway 217, enjoying the Gobi and wind-eroded landforms.
Arrive at Devil City, photograph the奇特 rocks under the sunset light.
Arrive in Kuitun for accommodation in the evening.
🗺️ Overview of Northern and Southern Xinjiang Routes and小众 AttractionsD7:Kuitun → Sayram Lake → Yining
Head to the ‘Alpine Pearl’ Sayram Lake, you can walk slowly along the lake and take photos.
Arrive in Yining in the evening, experience the local atmosphere.
Tip:It’s windy by the lake, keep warm.
D8:Yining → Zhaosu (via Xiatag)
Drive along the Yizhao Highway to Zhaosu, with grassland and river valley scenery along the way.
You can visit the Xiatag scenic area on the way, or head to Zhaosu Jade Lake to enjoy the emerald green water and flower sea.
Arrive in Zhaosu for accommodation in the evening.
D9:Zhaosu → Nalati/Bayanbulak
Enter Nalati Grassland, experience the vastness of the ‘Sky Grassland.’
No worries about traveling in northern and southern Xinjiang, professional customized car rental for free travel, Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency landline hotline: 0991-8866234, exclusive customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (WeChat same number can be added).
If time permits, head to Bayanbulak to enjoy the wetland and the sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns.
Tip:The scenic area is large, it’s recommended to take the shuttle bus.
D10:Nalati/Bayanbulak → Kuqa (via the northern section of Duku Highway)
If the season is suitable and road conditions allow, experience the northern section of the Duku Highway, feeling the landscape changes of ‘four seasons in one day.’
Pass by the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, enjoy the red canyon landforms.
Arrive in Kuqa for accommodation in the evening.
D11:Kuqa → Kashgar
Drive along the southern Xinjiang highway, enjoying the landscape of Gobi and oases intertwined.
Xinjiang’s landscapes can be roughly divided into two major sections: Northern Xinjiang and Southern Xinjiang, each with distinct styles. Arrive in Kashgar, feel the streets and atmosphere of the old city.
Tip:Southern Xinjiang attractions are scattered, customized car rental can save time.
D12:Kashgar → Pamir Plateau → Kashgar
Head to the Pamir Plateau, enjoy the snow-capped mountains, lakes, and wetland scenery along the way.
You can visit Taheman Wetland, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, etc.
Return to Kashgar in the evening, the trip ends.
💡 Itinerary Customization
The above is a reference idea, you can add or subtract days based on your interests, or include小众 attractions (such as Tangbula, Anjihai Grand Canyon, etc.) in the itinerary. Specific arrangements can be discussed with the driver, subject to mutual agreement.
💰 Customized Car Rental Price Reference (2026)
The following are approximate price ranges for customized car rental in 2026, specific costs are affected by multiple factors.
Main Factors Affecting Price
Vehicle Model and Seating Capacity:Ranging from 7-seat to 55-seat, the more seats, the lower the daily unit price may be, but the total price is higher.
Itinerary Days and Mileage:The grand loop of northern and southern Xinjiang usually takes more than 10 days, with long mileage, so the cost is relatively high.
Peak and Off-Peak Seasons:June to September and legal holidays are peak seasons, with prices generally higher than other periods.
Cost Composition:Usually includes vehicle fee, fuel fee, toll fee, and driver’s salary. The driver’s accommodation and meals may be included in the total price or paid separately.
2026 Reference Price Range
7-Seat Business Vehicle (Buick GL8, etc.):Suitable for small groups, daily price approximately 600–900 RMB/day.
9–19 Seat Minibus:Suitable for friends and family or small groups, daily price approximately 800–1300 RMB/day.
🌄 Northern Xinjiang: Mainly Natural Scenery20-Seat and Above Bus:Suitable for large groups, daily price approximately 1000–1500 RMB/day.
⚠ ️ Warm Tips
The above are reference ranges, actual prices are affected by multiple factors.
The specific vehicle price is subject to customer service quotation!
It is recommended to confirm the final price and inclusions with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency before signing the contract.
📞 How to Register and Inquire
You can contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency through the following methods for consultation and registration:
Consultation Phone:181-3962-2233
WeChat Consultation:181-3962-2233 (Please note ‘Xinjiang Northern and Southern Xinjiang Customized Car Rental’ when adding)
💡 Information Recommended to Prepare in Advance
Number of travelers and age groups
Planned travel dates
Interested routes (e.g., Northern Xinjiang, Southern Xinjiang, or the grand loop of northern and southern Xinjiang)
General requirements for accommodation and meals
The travel agency can provide itinerary suggestions and quotation plans based on your needs.
📝 Cost and Service Description
Included Items (Example)
Vehicle model and driver service.
Characterized by grasslands, lakes, forests, and river valleys. Green grass in summer, layered forests in autumn. Fuel fee, toll fee, and parking fee within the itinerary.
Driver’s salary and accommodation subsidy (subject to the contract).
Excluded Items (Example)
Personal round-trip transportation costs to Xinjiang.
Scenic area tickets, shuttle bus tickets, performance tickets, etc.
Hotel accommodation, meals, personal expenses, etc.
Other costs not mentioned in the itinerary.
Service Description
The driver is familiar with Xinjiang road conditions and scenic area situations, can assist in planning routes and recommending restaurants.
If encountering force majeure factors such as weather, road conditions, or policies during the trip, both parties can negotiate to make reasonable changes to the itinerary.
For single travelers, the travel agency will try to arrange room sharing; special circumstances need to be negotiated separately.
Specific service details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
🚗 Vehicle Selection Guide
Based on your group size, you can choose the following vehicle models:
7-Seat Business Vehicle (Buick GL8, etc.):Suitable for 2-4 people, comfortable space, suitable for families or small groups.
9-19 Seat Minibus:Suitable for 8-15 people, lower per capita cost, suitable for friends and family or small group travel.
20-Seat and Above Bus:Suitable for groups of 20 or more, such as company team building, study tours, etc., with complete formal operating qualifications.
💡 Warm Tips
The specific vehicle price is subject to customer service quotation!
When choosing a vehicle model, please consider the number of people, luggage volume, and budget comprehensively.
For Xinjiang tourism, choose Pathfinder International Travel Agency, customized car rental is worry-free and reliable, landline number: 0991-8866234, customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233
