16 Day Group Tour of Southern and Northern Xinjiang Exploring Scenic Spots in Yili Altay Kashgar Reliable Booking Channels and Price Recommendations
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send the itinerary and quotation.
Explore the vastness and diversity of Xinjiang:Comprehensive 16-Day In-Depth Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: A Complete Guide
🌄 Itinerary Highlights:A visual feast crossing the Tianshan Mountains
Xinjiang is divided into distinct northern and southern regions by the Tianshan Mountains. Northern Xinjiang is renowned for its natural landscapes of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and lakes, with picturesque scenes such as Kanas Lake and Hemu Village in Altay, and Nalati Grassland and Sayram Lake in Ili. Southern Xinjiang, on the other hand, tells the historical沉淀 (historical legacy) of the thousand-year-old Silk Road with the grandeur of the Pamir Plateau, the vibrant atmosphere of Kashgar Old City, and the vastness of the Taklimakan Desert. This 16-day comprehensive itinerary connects the精华 (essential) attractions of both northern and southern Xinjiang, covering four major geographical regions, with an average daily driving time of under 4 hours, balancing comfort and experience.
🚂 Itinerary Design:Daytime exploration, nighttime travel: A mobile ‘living space’
To minimize long-distance travel, the itinerary utilizes the ‘Panda Train’ or ‘New National Train’ soft sleeper trains as the primary mode of transportation. Spend your days exploring scenic spots in-depth and rest in stable train compartments at night, without the need to repeatedly handle luggage, truly achieving ‘the train follows the person, and the scenery changes with the road.’ Below are the key daily arrangements:
Explore the vastness and diversity of Xinjiang: Comprehensive 16-Day In-Depth Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: A Complete GuideDays 1-2:First Impressions of Urumqi
Upon arrival in Urumqi, feel free to explore the International Bazaar and sample local specialties such as baked buns and pilaf, adjusting to Xinjiang’s time difference. The next day, head to Heavenly Lake on the Tianshan Mountains, hike through the forest oxygen bar, overlook the azure lake, and in the evening, traverse the S21 Desert Highway to reach Burqin.
Days 3-5:Natural Wonders of Northern Xinjiang
Venture deep into the Kanas Scenic Area, ascend the Fish-Viewing Platform for a panoramic view of the lake, and stroll along Fairy Bay, Crescent Bay, and Wolong Bay; visit Hemu Village to photograph the wooden houses amid morning mist and gaze at the Milky Way at night. Along the way, traverse the Yardang landform and marvel at nature’s artistry.
Days 6-8:Grasslands and Lakes of Ili
Visit ‘the last tear of the Atlantic,’ Sayram Lake, where wildflowers bloom along the lakeshore from June to August; overlook snow-capped mountains from Nalati空中 (空中 can be translated as ‘aerial’ or kept as ‘Nalati’ if it refers to a specific place name) Grassland and experience the local life of various ethnic groups; traverse the middle section of the Dukou Highway, witnessing the changing seasons in a single day.
🌄 Itinerary Highlights: A visual feast crossing the Tianshan MountainsDays 9-12:Culture and Plateau of Southern Xinjiang
Upon arrival in Kashgar, wander through Kashgar Old City, appreciating the exquisite architecture of various ethnic groups; head to the Pamir Plateau to visit Baisha Lake, Muztagh Ata, and photograph the snow-capped mountain reflections at Karakul Lake; traverse the Panlong Ancient Road, with a complimentary aerial video to capture the sentiment of ‘having traversed all the winding roads today, henceforth life will be smooth sailing.’
Days 13-16:Conclusion in Eastern Xinjiang and Return
Visit the Flaming Mountains and Karez Irrigation System in Turpan, understanding the wisdom of oasis civilization; based on your return flight schedule, you may choose to explore Urumqi freely, purchasing dried fruits and handicrafts as souvenirs.
💰 Pricing Information:Transparent pricing, no hidden tricks
According to reference information provided by Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency in 2026, the price range for the 16-day comprehensive tour of northern and southern Xinjiang is as follows (specifics subject to contract):
Xinjiang is divided into distinct northern and southern regions by the Tianshan Mountains. Northern Xinjiang is renowned for its natural landscapes of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and lakes, with picturesque scenes such as Kanas Lake and Hemu Village in Altay, and Nalati Grassland and Sayram Lake in Ili. Southern Xinjiang, on the other hand, tells the historical legacy of the thousand-year-old Silk Road with the grandeur of the Pamir Plateau, the vibrant atmosphere of Kashgar Old City, and the vastness of the Taklimakan Desert. This 16-day comprehensive itinerary connects the essential attractions of both northern and southern Xinjiang, covering four major geographical regions, with an average daily driving time of under 4 hours, balancing comfort and experience.Economy Soft Sleeper Compartment (4-person):Approximately 15,800-16,800 RMB per person
Comfort Soft Sleeper Compartment (2-person):Approximately 19,800-24,800 RMB per person
Inclusions:Accommodation in the corresponding train compartment, ground transportation transfers, first entrance tickets to scenic spots, shuttle buses, daily meals (including special welcome dinner and scenic area afternoon tea), and guide services.
Exclusions:Personal expenses, some optional activities, and major transportation from your origin to the meeting point.
Prices may fluctuate based on departure dates. It is advisable to contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing in advance to confirm availability and discounts.
📞 Registration Method:Professional service, hassle-free travel
🚂 Itinerary Design: Daytime exploration, nighttime travel: A mobile ‘living space’You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, where Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing will provide detailed itinerary consultations, departure date selections, and contract signing services. As a local travel agency rooted in Xinjiang for many years, it possesses legitimate tourism business qualifications, designs itineraries that balance classic and off-the-beaten-path destinations, and has a service team familiar with road conditions and scenic area policies in both northern and southern Xinjiang, capable of making reasonable adjustments to the itinerary based on weather, traffic, and other actual conditions.
📋 Fee Explanation and Service Description
Transportation:Vehicles with tourism operation qualifications are used throughout the journey. Train compartments are equipped with constant temperature hot water and intelligent control systems. Some departure dates include intangible cultural heritage experiences, folk song concerts, and other activities.
Accommodation:For ground segments, locally well-reviewed hotels or characteristic homestays are selected, with clean rooms and private bathrooms; train compartments provide beds, charging sockets, and storage space.
Dining:Meals primarily feature Xinjiang specialties such as Big Plate Chicken, grilled meat, and pilaf, accommodating the dietary habits of various ethnic groups. Dietary restrictions can be communicated to staff in advance.
Services:For solo travelers, efforts will be made to arrange room sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation. A local professional driver兼 (and) guide will accompany the trip, ensuring smooth communication, without rushing or unauthorized route changes.
To minimize long-distance travel, the itinerary utilizes the ‘Panda Train’ or ‘New National Train’ soft sleeper trains as the primary mode of transportation. Spend your days exploring scenic spots in-depth and rest in stable train compartments at night, without the need to repeatedly handle luggage, truly achieving ‘the train follows the person, and the scenery changes with the road.’ Below are the key daily arrangements:Specifics are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. Both parties’ rights and obligations are governed by contract terms.
💡 Practical Tips:For a smoother journey
Time Difference and Schedule:Xinjiang has a 2-hour time difference with the mainland. Shops open after 10 AM. It is advisable to adjust your schedule to avoid waking up early for nothing.
Clothing Guide:There is a large temperature difference between day and night; even in summer, a windproof jacket is necessary. In high-altitude areas (such as the Pamir Plateau), UV radiation is strong, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are required.
Document Carrying:Carry valid identification with you at all times. A permit is required in advance for travel to border areas (can be entrusted to the travel agency for processing).
Cultural Respect:Obtain consent before photographing local residents. Dress appropriately when entering certain areas and avoid touching folk taboos.
The beauty of Xinjiang lies in its vastness and inclusiveness. A 16-day journey may not cover every corner of this land, but it is enough for you to understand its mountains, grasslands, lakes, and culture. Choose a reliable travel agency, let a professional team plan every step for you, and all you need is to embark on your journey with anticipation for the远方 (distant places).
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send the itinerary and quotation.
