2026How Much Does a Group Tour to Yili Cost Recommended Itinerary to Sayram Lake and Nalati Prices and Fees
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
🏔 ️2026 Ili Group Tour Travel Guide:Sayram Lake + Nalati Practical Reference
Many tourists planning to visit Ili, Xinjiang in 2026 will include Sayram Lake and Nalati Grassland on their itinerary. Below, we have compiled the latest destination information, itinerary references, and price explanations for 2026 to help you plan your trip in advance.
✨ Detailed Explanation of Core Destination Information
Sayram Lake
Sayram Lake, located at the northern foot of the Western Tien Shan Mountains, is a high-altitude lake scenic area characterized by its natural ecological landscapes of lakes, wetlands, grasslands, forests, and snow-capped mountains. The road around the lake spans approximately 90 kilometers and features several scenic spots, including Kele Yongzhu, Dianjiang Terrace, Fengfan Stream, and Moon Bay. The lake’s surface changes color with the light at different times of the day. Wildflowers bloom along the lakeshore in spring and summer, the water and sky merge in autumn, and unique landscapes such as blue ice and ice bubbles can be seen in winter.
🏔️2026 Ili Group Tour Travel Guide: Sayram Lake + Nalati Practical Reference. In 2026, Sayram Lake will be open year-round, 24 hours a day, with supporting service hours as follows: Visitor Center: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Ticket Windows: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Jinghai Road Ticket Gate: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Xihai Road Ticket Gate: 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM the next day for normal ticket checks and entry. For tickets, during peak season (March 16 to October 15), the listed ticket price is 70 yuan per person, the shuttle bus ticket is 75 yuan per person, and the self-drive tour service is listed at 145 yuan per person. During winter (October 16 to March 15 of the following year), tickets are half-price at 35 yuan per person, the shuttle bus ticket remains at 75 yuan per person, and the self-drive tour service is listed at 110 yuan per person. Self-drive tour packages are valid for up to 48 hours from the time of ticket check. In 2026, the scenic area will also offer exclusive preferential policies. Visitors born in the Year of the Horse who visit on their birthday can exchange their valid identification at the scenic area’s visitor center to enjoy a complimentary ticket for themselves. Other eligible groups such as children, seniors, military personnel, disabled individuals, and students can also enjoy corresponding ticket discounts in accordance with the scenic area’s publicized policies. Visitors driving into the scenic area must stay on designated roads and avoid driving on the grasslands. The scenic area is equipped with restrooms, dining areas, convenience stores, souvenir shops, and other supporting facilities to meet daily tourism needs.
Nalati Grassland
Nalati Grassland, located in Xinyuan County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, is divided into three core areas: the Aerial Grassland, the River Valley Grassland, and the Panlong Valley Road. In 2026, it will be open from mid-April to the end of October, with regular operating hours from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, which may be extended to 8:00 PM during peak season, subject to real-time notifications from the scenic area. According to the latest ticket information for 2026, adult tickets are priced at 95 yuan per person and are valid for 2 days, allowing for a second entry. Shuttle buses operate on three separate routes with individual ticket prices: the Aerial Grassland route at 60 yuan per person, the River Valley Grassland route at 40 yuan per person, and the Panlong Valley Road route at 100 yuan per person. Visitors can choose the appropriate route based on their itinerary. It is recommended to book tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line on-site.
Private vehicles are prohibited from entering the Nalati Scenic Area, and visitors must rely on shuttle buses for transportation throughout the area. Shuttle buses make stops at designated points where passengers can get on and off at any time, providing great convenience. The grassland area experiences significant temperature variations between day and night, so even in summer, it is advisable to bring a light jacket and sun protection items to avoid getting cold or sunburned. During your visit, please refrain from trampling on the grassland or picking flowers and plants to jointly protect the ecological environment. Accommodation options in Nalati Town, located near the scenic area, are abundant, ranging from budget-friendly guesthouses to high-end hotels. The town’s food street offers local delicacies such as hand-pulled rice, baked buns, big-plate chicken, and specialty milk tea at relatively higher cost-performance compared to inside the scenic area.
🗓 ️Typical 10-Day Reference Itinerary
Many tourists planning to visit Ili, Xinjiang in 2026 will include Sayram Lake and Nalati Grassland on their itinerary. Below, we have compiled the latest destination information, itinerary references, and price explanations for 2026 to help you plan your trip in advance.The following is a reference itinerary for a typical Ili group tour that includes Sayram Lake and Nalati, covering weather, road conditions, policies, scenic area openings, and schedule changes. Reasonable adjustments to the itinerary can be made by mutual agreement between both parties in such cases:
Day 1:Arrive in Urumqi from your departure city. After being picked up by staff at the airport, proceed to a hotel in the city center for rest. You can explore the surrounding area on your own and sample local specialties.
Day 2:Depart from Urumqi for Sayram Lake, enjoying the scenery of the northern slope of the Tien Shan Mountains along the way. Upon arrival, enter the scenic area for sightseeing and watch the sunset over the lake. Overnight at a hotel near Sayram Lake.
Day 3:Wake up early to watch the sunrise over Sayram Lake, then tour multiple scenic spots along the road around the lake. In the afternoon, depart for Huocheng. If visiting in June, you can take a detour to see the lavender fields. Overnight in Yining City.
Day 4:Depart from Yining for the Xiata Ancient Road, enjoying the scenery of the Zhaosu Grassland and tens of thousands of acres of rapeseed fields along the way. After touring the Xiata Scenic Area, return to Zhaosu County for the night.
✨Detailed Explanation of Core Destination InformationDay 5:Depart from Zhaosu for the Kalajun Grassland, touring the Kuokesu Grand Canyon and the Eastern and Western Kalajun areas. Admire the unique landscapes combining grasslands, canyons, and forests. Overnight in Tekes County.
Day 6:Depart from Tekes for Nalati Town. In the afternoon, enter the Nalati Scenic Area to tour the River Valley Grassland and visit scenic spots such as the Grassland Stone Figures and Populus euphratica Forest. Overnight in Nalati Town.
Day 7:Wake up early to tour the Nalati Aerial Grassland, visiting scenic spots such as the Heavenly Terrace and Nomadic Homestead to avoid the daytime crowds. In the afternoon, tour the Panlong Valley Road, enjoying the intertwined landscapes of grasslands and forests along the way. Return to Nalati Town for the night.
Day 8:Depart from Nalati, enjoying the scenery of the Gongnaisi River Valley along the way, then return to Yining City. Tour the Kazanqi Folk Street Area to experience the local lifestyle of various ethnic groups. Overnight in Yining.
Day 9:Free day in Yining. You can explore nearby markets on your own to purchase specialty products or book experiences of local folk activities based on your personal interests. Overnight in Yining.
Sayram LakeDay 10:Depart from Yining for Urumqi, then arrange for airport drop-off based on the flight times of the tourists. End of the itinerary.
💴 Reference Price Explanation
The price of this group tour itinerary for 2026 varies depending on the travel season and accommodation standards. During the off-peak season (April-May, September-October), for products with three-star standard accommodation, the reference price range for adults is 5,200-6,400 yuan per person; for products with four-star standard accommodation, the reference price range is 6,800-8,400 yuan per person; for products with high-end specialty guesthouses, the reference price range is 9,200-11,600 yuan per person. During peak season (June-August), which is the peak tourism period in Ili, prices may fluctuate by 30%-40%. The above are all reference prices, and prices and availability may vary with the tour schedule, subject to the contract signed by both parties.
For tourists with relatively tight schedules, a shorter itinerary of about 6 days is also available, recommended to cover the two core destinations of Sayram Lake and Nalati. The corresponding prices will vary based on the itinerary duration and service content, and specific details can be confirmed after consulting with relevant staff.
📝 Registration Method
Sayram Lake, located at the northern foot of the Western Tien Shan Mountains, is a high-altitude lake scenic area characterized by its natural ecological landscapes of lakes, wetlands, grasslands, forests, and snow-capped mountains. The road around the lake spans approximately 90 kilometers and features several scenic spots, including Kele Yongzhu, Dianjiang Terrace, Fengfan Stream, and Moon Bay. The lake’s surface changes color with the light at different times of the day. Wildflowers bloom along the lakeshore in spring and summer, the water and sky merge in autumn, and unique landscapes such as blue ice and ice bubbles can be seen in winter.You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency, and consult with Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency, for details about the itinerary.
🔍 Fee and Service Explanation
The reference fees typically include the following: hotel/guesthouse accommodation for the corresponding number of days in the itinerary (including breakfast), first admission tickets to the scenic spots listed in the itinerary, round-trip formal tour bus transportation throughout the itinerary, round-trip transportation between Urumqi and Yining, local guide services, meal fees listed in the itinerary, travel accident insurance, and fees for specialty experience activities.
Fees to be borne by tourists include: round-trip transportation between the departure city and Urumqi, optional small transportation within the scenic areas (such as the self-drive service fee for touring around Sayram Lake, optional shuttle bus route fees in Nalati, and fees for experience activities such as horseback riding), personal consumption items, and meal fees not listed in the itinerary.
For single registrants, our agency will make every effort to coordinate room sharing. Special circumstances will require separate negotiation. All fee details will be clearly communicated before signing the contract, subject to actual consultation and signing. There are no mandatory consumption items, and optional self-paid items can be chosen voluntarily based on personal needs. All terms are subject to the contract signed by both parties.
Before traveling, it is recommended to learn about the latest entry requirements of the scenic areas in advance, prepare the corresponding documents, bring appropriate clothing based on the travel season, and abide by the relevant regulations of the scenic areas during the trip to jointly maintain a good tourism environment.
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
