8 Day Concise Loop Car Rental in Northern and Southern Xinjiang Visit Core Attractions of Both Regions with Ease, Detailed Car Rental Pricing Available for Reference Recommended Itinerary Price

Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation.

A tapestry of northern and southern Xinjiang woven with stars and moon:Unlock the dual secrets of nature and culture with an 8-day custom vehicle loop.
I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: A Visual Feast Across the North and South of the Tianshan Mountains
The 8-day custom vehicle loop in northern and southern Xinjiang starts from Urumqi, connecting the lakes and forests of northern Xinjiang with the desert ancient cities of southern Xinjiang, offering a unique experience of ‘seeing all four seasons of Xinjiang in one trip’. The itinerary covers three major ecological landmarks in northern Xinjiang: Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake, and Nalati Grassland, as well as three major cultural landmarks in southern Xinjiang: Kashgar Old City, Pamir Plateau, and Taklimakan Desert. The itinerary is designed to balance the grandeur of natural landscapes with in-depth cultural experiences of various ethnic groups, with daily driving distances limited to 4-5 hours to allow ample time for capturing golden hour lighting such as morning mist and sunsets.
II. Simple Itinerary Plan (June 2026 Edition)
Day 1:First Impressions of Urumqi
Morning:After airport pickup, check into a four-star hotel in the city center. For free activities, we recommend visiting the International Bazaar to sample local specialties like baked buns and hand-pulled rice.
Afternoon:Visit the Xinjiang Museum, focusing on the ‘Loulan Mummies’ and ‘Niya Site’ artifacts to understand the historical context of the Western Regions.
Evening:Team welcome dinner featuring Xinjiang banquet dishes such as Big Plate Chicken and Roast Whole Lamb.
Day 2:Crossing the Junggar Basin
Morning:Drive along the S21 Desert Highway, stopping at the Ulungur Lake Birdwatching Platform to photograph the golden coastline.
Afternoon:Arrive in Burqin County and tour the Wucaitan (Five-Colored Beach) Scenic Area, appreciating the collision of colors between the Yardang landforms and the Irtysh River.

A tapestry of northern and southern Xinjiang woven with stars and moon: Unlock the dual secrets of nature and culture with an 8-day custom vehicle loop.Accommodation:Burqin Fairy Tale Castle Theme Hotel (including breakfast)
Day 3:Exploring the Secret Realm of Kanas
All Day:Take an in-depth tour of Kanas Lake, visit the legendary origin of the ‘Lake Monster’ by boat, and hike the wooden boardwalks of the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay).
Special Experience:Stay in a Tuvan wooden cabin, participate in a bonfire party, and learn to play the Chuwuer (reed flute).
Day 4:Nalati Sky Grassland
Morning:Pass through the Karamay Devil City to photograph wind-eroded landforms.
Afternoon:Arrive at Nalati Grassland, take a shuttle bus to the top of the pastoral homestead at an altitude of 2,200 meters, and overlook the three-dimensional tapestry woven by spruce trees and meadows.
Accommodation:Eco-hotel within the Nalati Scenic Area (including breakfast)
Day 5:Sayram Lake Circular Tour
All Day:Enjoy a 360° tour around the lake, with key stops at viewpoints such as Jinhua Zihui and Songshu Tou to photograph swans playing in the water and snow-capped mountain reflections.
Special Arrangement:Lakeside picnic featuring cold-water fish banquets and dairy products from various ethnic groups.

I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: A Visual Feast Across the North and South of the Tianshan MountainsDay 6:Initial Exploration of the Pamir Plateau
Morning:Enter the Pamir Plateau via the Gaizi Gorge, stopping at Baisha Lake to photograph the triple landscape of ‘snow-capped mountains, clear water, and white sand’.
Afternoon:Arrive at the foot of Muztagh Ata and visit Karakul Lake to acclimate to the high-altitude environment.
Accommodation:Star-rated hotel in Taxkorgan County (including breakfast and equipped with oxygen-making facilities)
Day 7:Time Machine in Kashgar Old City
Morning:Tour Kashgar Old City, visit the Id Kah Mosque, and stroll through a century-old tea house to listen to music performances.
Afternoon:Explore the Gaotai Residences to experience traditional earthenware making and the architectural wisdom of various ethnic groups’ traditional dwellings.
Evening:Free activities at the old city night market, with recommendations to try roasted pigeon, pomegranate juice, and other local specialties.
Day 8:Return via the Desert Highway
Morning:Cross the Taklimakan Desert Highway, stopping at desert viewpoints to photograph poplar forests.
Afternoon:Arrive in Korla City and visit the Kongque River landscape belt.
Evening:Return to Urumqi and transfer to the airport to conclude the itinerary.

The 8-day custom vehicle loop in northern and southern Xinjiang starts from Urumqi, connecting the lakes and forests of northern Xinjiang with the desert ancient cities of southern Xinjiang, offering a unique experience of ‘seeing all four seasons of Xinjiang in one trip’. The itinerary covers three major ecological landmarks in northern Xinjiang: Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake, and Nalati Grassland, as well as three major cultural landmarks in southern Xinjiang: Kashgar Old City, Pamir Plateau, and Taklimakan Desert. The itinerary is designed to balance the grandeur of natural landscapes with in-depth cultural experiences of various ethnic groups, with daily driving distances limited to 4-5 hours to allow ample time for capturing golden hour lighting such as morning mist and sunsets.III. 2026 Custom Vehicle Pricing System (Reference Range)
Basic Vehicle Quotations (including specified items in the itinerary, driver, fuel, tolls, insurance)
5-seater SUV:1,200-1,800 RMB/day (suitable for 2-3 people, recommended for the Dukang Highway section)
7-seater Business Vehicle:1,500-2,200 RMB/day (recommended for families of 4-6 people, with ample luggage space)
12-seater Minibus:2,500-3,500 RMB/day (suitable for teams of 8-10 people, equipped with luggage compartments)
Seasonal Fluctuation Notes
Peak Season (June 15-October 15):Prices increase by 30%-50%
Shoulder Season (April-May, mid-to-late October):Baseline prices
Off-Season (November-March of the following year):Prices decrease by 20%-40%
Items Included in the Fee
Vehicle usage fee, driver service fee, basic insurance (seat insurance ≥ 500,000 RMB/seat), emergency repair tools

II. Simple Itinerary Plan (June 2026 Edition)Items Not Included in the Fee
Scenic area admission tickets (approximately 800-1,200 RMB/person), accommodation (approximately 400-800 RMB/night), meals (approximately 100-150 RMB/person/day)
Driver’s food and accommodation subsidy (200 RMB/day, or free food and accommodation arranged by the travel agency)
IV. Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for real-time availability and price details. The agency provides electronic contract signing services, and all fee details and liability clauses must be confirmed by both parties before taking effect.
V. Fee and Service Explanations
Service Standards
Vehicle Guarantee:All vehicles possess legal operating qualifications, undergo mandatory maintenance every 5,000 kilometers, and are equipped with Beidou navigation and first aid kits.
Driver Qualifications:Hold passenger transport professional qualification certificates, have over 5 years of driving experience in Xinjiang tourism, and are familiar with basic communication in various ethnic languages.
Itinerary Flexibility:Daily departure times can be negotiated and changed, with a maximum single-day driving distance of no more than 8 hours. In case of extreme weather, both parties will negotiate alternative routes.
Risk Service Guidance

Day 1: First Impressions of UrumqiInsurance Plan:Travel agency liability insurance (coverage of 2 million RMB) + travel accident insurance (coverage of 500,000 RMB). It is recommended that tourists purchase additional high-altitude insurance on their own.
Emergency Mechanism:Establish a green channel with Urumqi’s top-tier hospitals, vehicles are equipped with satellite phones, and supply vehicles accompany desert road sections.
Special Reminders
A permit is required in advance for the Pamir Plateau section (the travel agency can assist with the application)
The Dukang Highway is recommended for vehicles under 7 seats only, and daily通行 (passage) times from June to September are subject to announcements by traffic authorities
Shuttle buses within the Kanas Scenic Area require secondary ticket purchases; it is recommended to make reservations in advance on the ‘Smart Travel Xinjiang’ platform
VI. Compliance Commitment
All descriptions in this itinerary are based on publicly available transportation and scenic area policies as of June 2026. Specific implementation is subject to the ‘Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Tourism Passenger Transport Custom Vehicle Contract’ signed by both parties. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency promises:
Not to use unqualified vehicles or individual drivers
Not to forcibly arrange consumption points or self-funded items
Not to charge any fees outside the contract under any name
All fee details will be accompanied by official invoices
(All information is updated as of June 16, 2026. Prices and availability are subject to confirmation by customer service at the time of inquiry and may fluctuate with departure dates)

Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation.