9-Days Northern Xinjiang Tour With Duku Highway

Day 2

Urumqi - S101 Scenic Road - Duashazi 5hrs driving

Visit sites: Drive on the magnificent Scenic Road to a vast area that comprises canyons, dunes, and snow-capped steppe.You would experience four seasons in a day.

Accommodation: Xigema International Hotel

Day 3

Dushanzi - Sayram Lake 4hrs driving

Visit sites: Travel to Sayram Lake, which is home to one of the most beautiful lakes in China. It is also known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic’ and attracts tourists from all over the world each year. Settle into a ger tonight; we will stay at the Sayram Camping site.

Accommodation: Salim Lake Spruce Resort

Day 4

Sayram Lake - Yining 3hrs driving

Visit sites: Enjoy morning sunrise at Sayram Lake, then we will head to Kazanqi Folk Village, the only large-scale original ecological cultural scenic spot in northern Xinjiang, which showcases Uyghur customs. Along the way, we can enjoy local ice cream, visit traditional Uyghur houses, and stroll through the distinctive blue houses, making you feel as though you are in Chefchaouen.

Accommodation: Yining Runchang Hotel

Day 6

Ku’erdening - Nalati Prairie 3hrs driving

Visit sites: Nalati has been a renowned pasture since ancient times, featuring flat river valleys, high mountain peaks, deep gorges, lush forests, and expansive grasslands. Combined with local Kazakh folk customs, it has transformed into a tourist resort that offers sightseeing, scientific exploration, leisure activities, entertainment, summer vacations, and opportunities to purchase souvenirs. Visitors can immerse themselves in this beautiful prairie, and depending on the season, they can participate in interesting activities such as horse riding, hiking, and photography (optional).

Accommodation: Nalati Wansen Resort

Day 7

Nalati Prairie - Duku Highway - Dushanzi 6-7hrs driving

Visit sites: Today, the group will drive to Dushanzi via the Duku Highway. This highway connects South and North Xinjiang and is considered a landmark in the history of highway construction in China. Duku Highway is regarded as one of the best road trip destinations in China due to its spectacular landscapes. This national defense highway stretches from Dushanzi to Kuqa and attracts numerous travelers each year, particularly from mid-June to mid-September, when it is open. However, this charming road is accessible for only three months. The Dushanzi Kuqa Highway is 561 kilometers long and is known for being both peculiar and hazardous, as it crosses steep mountains and passes through various peaks, valleys, and numerous ethnic communities.

Accommodation: Dushanzi Xigema Hotel

Day 8

Duzhanzi - Urumqi 3hrs driving

Visit sites: After breakfast today, we will head to the Dushanzi Grand Canyon. Recognized as a 4A-level tourist attraction and praised as a "billion-year wonder of the unique realm" by China National Geographic magazine, the Dushanzi Grand Canyon ranks among the top 100 most beautiful photography spots in Xinjiang, making it a favorite for photographers. This scenic area beautifully combines geological landscapes with interactive experiences for visitors, and it serves as the starting point for one of China's most stunning self-driving routes, the Duku Highway. After our visit to the Grand Canyon, we will return to Urumqi. Following lunch, we will visit the International Bazaar, the largest bazaar in the world by scale. It showcases a fusion of Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, tourism, and entertainment, and is one of the most famous landmarks in Xinjiang.

Accommodation: Urumqi Hantang Hote