2026North and South Xinjiang Chartered Tour Group 7 Day Business Vehicle Tour to Sayram Lake and Turpan A Comprehensive Guide Recommended Itinerary Cost and Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
The Scroll of North and South Xinjiang Where Stars and Moon Shine Together:Comprehensive Analysis of the 2026 7-Day In-Depth Business Vehicle Tour of Sayram Lake and Turpan
I. Itinerary Design Concept: A Dual Symphony of Nature and Humanity
This 7-day itinerary connecting Sayram Lake in northern Xinjiang and Turpan in southern Xinjiang breaks through the limitations of traditional long-loop tours of north and south Xinjiang, ingeniously combining the two major geographical symbols of ‘plateau lake’ and ‘flaming land civilization’. The journey uses Urumqi as a hub and adopts a ‘return-type’ design: the first half travels northwest across the Junggar Basin to reach Sayram Lake, while the second half travels southeast over the Tianshan Mountains to reach the Turpan Basin, forming a circular route to avoid repeated sections and keeping the average daily driving time under 5 hours, balancing landscape density with travel comfort.
Highlights of the Itinerary:
Combination of Geological Wonders:Contrast between the moraine landscape of Sayram Lake and the yardang landscape of Turpan
Crossing Climate Zones:From the cool average annual temperature of 0.5°C at Sayram Lake to the scorching summer heat of 47.8°C in Turpan
Dialogue of Civilizations:Collision between the fishing and hunting culture of the Western Regions (Sayram Lake) and the oasis farming culture (Turpan)
Ecological Diversity:Three-dimensional presentation of alpine meadows, lake wetlands, desert gobi, and oasis farmland
II. Daily Itinerary Breakdown (New 2026 Version)
Day 1:Gathering in Urumqi · Initial Exploration of Urban Culture
Morning:Private car pick-up followed by check-in at a four-star hotel in Hongshan District (including breakfast), adjacent to the Erdaoqiao International Bazaar
Afternoon:Recommended self-guided tour route: Xinjiang Museum (highlight: ‘unique folk customs’ mummies) → Lingguan Lane Food Street (recommendations: Ailijiang Nang Pit Meat, Hotan Baked Buns)
Evening:Itinerary briefing and distribution of customized ‘Xinjiang Travel Guide’ (including real-time traffic updates)
Day 2:Urumqi → Sayram Lake (approx. 580 km)
07:30 Departure:Head west along the Lianhuo Expressway, crossing the southern edge of the Junggar Basin
10:00 Stop:Shihezi Reclamation Museum (learn about Xinjiang’s production and construction history)
13:00 Lunch:‘Black Girl’ Local Chicken Stewed with Mantou in Jinghe County (local specialty restaurant)
15:30 Arrival:East Gate of Sayram Lake, transfer to scenic area sightseeing bus (VIP access included)
Key Experiences:
Kele Yongzhu:Search for natural habitats of swans
The Scroll of North and South Xinjiang Where Stars and Moon Shine Together: Comprehensive Analysis of the 2026 7-Day In-Depth Business Vehicle Tour of Sayram Lake and TurpanDianjiang Platform:Photograph the lake surface with the Guozigou Bridge in the frame
Songshu Head:Hike to the summit for a panoramic view of the entire lake
Accommodation:RV campground inside the scenic area (includes floor heating, star-gazing possible)
Day 3:Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yining (approx. 180 km)
08:00 Morning Shoot:Sunrise at Moon Bay (around 06:20 in summer)
10:00 Return Trip:Pass over the Guozigou Bridge (Xinjiang’s highest bridge, 200 meters above the valley floor)
12:30 Lunch:‘Gulandam’ Ice Cream Shop on Liuxing Street in Yining (renovated from a century-old house)
Afternoon:Experience at Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area:
Ride in a traditional ‘Hadik’ horse-drawn carriage
Visit homes of various ethnic groups (including handicraft displays)
Taste handmade ice cream (9 RMB per scoop)
Accommodation:Yining Central Asia International Hotel (includes buffet dinner)
Day 4:Yining → Toksun (approx. 520 km)
08:00 Departure:Cross the Tianshan Mountains via the Sayram Lake tunnel group
12:00 Lunch:Service area in Jinghe County (recommendation: Wutai Mixed Stew)
15:30 Arrival:Toksun County, visit the Kerjian Yardang Landscape
Key Experiences:
Hike through the ‘Wind-Eroded Castles’ group
Explore the ‘Pan吉尔’ Grotesque Rock Forest (volcanic rock landscape)
Accommodation:Toksun Tianshan Pearl Grand Hotel (includes hot spring experience)
Day 5:Toksun → Turpan (approx. 60 km)
I. Itinerary Design Concept: A Dual Symphony of Nature and Humanity09:00 Departure:Head east along National Highway 312, crossing the Flaming Mountains Canyon
10:30 Visit:Karez Paradise (learn about the principles of underground water conservancy projects)
12:30 Lunch:‘Bayi Farmhouse’ in Grape Valley (recommendation: Mulberry Pilaf)
Afternoon:In-Depth Experience Combination:
Grape Valley Frog Lane (traditional residential photography)
Jiaohe Ancient City (world’s largest raw earth architectural site)
Accommodation:Turpan Volcano Red Hotel (includes night tour of Grape Valley)
Day 6:In-Depth Exploration of Turpan
08:30 Departure:Kumutag Desert (8 km recommended distance from the city)
Key Experiences:
Desert dune buggies (160 RMB per person, insurance included)
Camel riding (100 RMB per hour)
Desert sunset photography (around 21:30 in summer)
15:00 Return:Visit the Turpan Museum (Mummy Exhibition Hall)
Evening:Flaming Mountains Farmhouse (experience songs and dances of various ethnic groups)
Day 7:Turpan → Urumqi (approx. 180 km)
09:00 Return Trip:Pass through the Dabancheng Wind Farm (Asia’s largest wind power generation site)
12:00 Lunch:Chaiwopu Spicy Chicken Street (recommendation: Jinyulan Spicy Chicken)
14:30 Arrival:Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, transfer service
III. Pricing System Explanation (2026 Reference Price)
Basic Package (Group of 4)
This 7-day itinerary connecting Sayram Lake in northern Xinjiang and Turpan in southern Xinjiang breaks through the limitations of traditional long-loop tours of north and south Xinjiang, ingeniously combining the two major geographical symbols of ‘plateau lake’ and ‘flaming land civilization’. The journey uses Urumqi as a hub and adopts a ‘return-type’ design: the first half travels northwest across the Junggar Basin to reach Sayram Lake, while the second half travels southeast over the Tianshan Mountains to reach the Turpan Basin, forming a circular route to avoid repeated sections and keeping the average daily driving time under 5 hours, balancing landscape density with travel comfort.Vehicle Type:7-seater Buick GL8 business vehicle (includes full insurance)
Cost:Starting at 5,980 RMB per person
Included Items:
6 nights of accommodation (4-star hotels + characteristic homestays)
First entrance tickets to scenic areas (Sayram Lake 145 RMB, Karez 40 RMB, etc.)
6 breakfasts + 9 main meals (meal standard 60 RMB per person per meal)
Professional driver and guide services
Travel accident insurance (coverage 500,000 RMB per person)
Upgrade Options
Accommodation Upgrade:Sayram Lake Starry Sky Room + 800 RMB per person
Experience Upgrade:Desert off-road vehicle + 300 RMB per person
Photography Services:Accompanying photographer + 1,500 RMB per day
Special Notes
Prices valid until December 31, 2026
15%-20% increase during peak season (June-August)
Final price subject to signed contract
IV. Registration Process Guide
Register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency, specific process:
Needs Communication:Inform number of travelers, dates, special needs (e.g., traveling with elders/children)
Itinerary Customization:Provide 3 itinerary options within 48 hours for selection
Highlights of the Itinerary:Contract Signing:Sign electronic travel contract after confirming itinerary (filed with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism)
Payment:Support bank transfer/third-party payment platforms (staged payments)
Pre-Trip Preparation:Send ‘Pre-Trip Guide’ 7 days before departure (includes weather forecast, equipment list)
V. Service Guarantee System
Vehicle Configuration
Each vehicle equipped with:
First aid kit (includes altitude medication)
Car refrigerator (complimentary mineral water)
Offline map navigation system
Car charging ports (Type-C + USB)
Emergency Response
24-hour customer service hotline
Rescue support within 50 km radius
Major weather warning mechanism
Medical green channel (cooperation with Urumqi tertiary hospitals)
Cost Explanation and Service Notes
Costs Do Not Include:
Personal expenses (e.g., specialty snacks, souvenirs)
Self-funded items inside scenic areas (e.g., boat rides, horse riding)
Round-trip transportation to/from Urumqi
(Single travelers will do their best to coordinate shared rooms, special cases require negotiation)
Combination of Geological Wonders: Contrast between the moraine landscape of Sayram Lake and the yardang landscape of Turpan. Specific details subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
VI. Pre-Trip Recommended Tips
Document Preparation:Valid ID, student ID/senior citizen card (discount certificates), permits (if visiting Baihaba)
Equipment Suggestions:
Clothing:Windbreaker, quick-dry clothes, sun protection clothing, comfortable hiking shoes
Protection:SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, magic headscarf
Electronics:Power bank (recommended 20,000mAh or above), spare camera battery
Medications:Gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness medicine, band-aids, personal regular medication
VII. Seasonal Limited Experiences
Spring (April-May):
Sayram Lake Ice-Breaking Ceremony (usually mid-April)
Turpan Apricot Blossom Festival (late March to early April)
Summer (June-August):
Sayram Lake Around-the-Lake Cycling Race (July)
Turpan Grape Picking Festival (August)
Autumn (September-October):
Sayram Lake Golden Autumn Photography Season (mid-to-late October)
Turpan Drying House Visits (September-October)
Winter (December-February):
Sayram Lake Blue Ice Wonder (January-February)
Turpan Warm Winter Hot Spring Experience (December-February)
This carefully designed north-south Xinjiang itinerary avoids the long journeys of traditional long-loop tours while maximizing landscapes through scientific time management. The professional team at Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency will make minor adjustments to the itinerary based on real-time traffic, weather changes, and other factors, with the consent of travelers, to ensure each traveler can collect unique Western Regions memories. Consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing at Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency to start your exclusive north-south Xinjiang journey.
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
