Upon arrival in Urumqi—you’ll be warmly welcomed by your local driver at the airport or train station arrival hall. Enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax.

Meals: /

Destinations: Urumqi

Accommodation: Urumqi Hantang Hotel

In the morning, after breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and set out on an extraordinary overland adventure along the S101 Scenic Road—an iconic highway carved along the northern edge of the Tianshan Mountains.

Originally constructed in the 1960s as a national defense road, the S101 winds for over 300 kilometers from Urumqi westward to the city of Usu. Often called “Little Duku Highway,” this route is a haven for photographers, hikers, and nature lovers.

In the afternoon, continue west through this natural gallery, where vast silence meets sweeping grandeur. Whether you’re pausing for roadside photography or simply gazing out the window, it feels like flipping through a giant picture book authored by the earth itself. In the evening you’ll arrive in Duashazi, where you’ll check into your local accommodation.

Meals: B

Destinations: S101 Scenic Highway – Duashazi area

Accommodation: Xigema International Hotel

In the morning, set off by 4x4 vehicle toward Sayram Lake, one of China’s most breathtaking alpine lakes. Known poetically as “the last tear of the Atlantic,” Sayram is a place where legend meets landscape. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, its pristine waters reflect endless skies and snow-capped peaks, forming a panoramic sanctuary far from the rush of modern life.

In the afternoon, as you arrive at the lake’s edge, the vast stillness washes over you—endless grasslands meet sapphire waves, while distant mountain silhouettes stand silent in the horizon. This is a place for quiet awe and soul-deep reflection.

In the evening, you’ll settle into a traditional Mongolian-style ger at the Sayram Lake Camping Site. As dusk falls, stars emerge above the tranquil waters.

Meals: B

Destinations: Sayram Lake

Accommodation: Sayram Lake Camping Site

In the morning, journey toward Huocheng, where you’ll stroll through one of China’s largest lavender farms. In blooming season, endless violet fields stretch across the horizon, filling the air with a gentle floral aroma. On the way, you’ll pass the majestic Guozigou Bridge—a stunning cable-stayed marvel spanning lush canyons and hailed as the most beautiful bridge in Xinjiang.

In the afternoon, continue toward Yining and stop to explore the Kazanqi Folk Village—a living, breathing window into Uyghur culture. This is the only large-scale ecological cultural village in northern Xinjiang showcasing original Uyghur customs. Wander through cobalt-blue houses that echo the charm of Morocco’s Chefchaouen, savor locally made ice cream, and step into traditional Uyghur homes to experience heartfelt hospitality and centuries-old ways of life.

In the evening, arrive in Yining and check in at your hotel.

Meals: B

Destinations: Huocheng Lavender Farm – Guozigou Bridge – Kazanqi Folk Village – Yining

Accommodation: Yining Runchang Hotel

In the morning, depart Yining and travel deep into the heart of Kalajun Prairie, whose name means “vast black grassland” in Kazakh. This expansive alpine meadow has been hailed by China National Geographic as one of the most stunning “three-dimensional grasslands” in the country.

As you ride across the endless green waves, you’ll reach the rim of Kalajun Canyon, where sweeping vistas open beneath your feet. If you wish, take the cable car down to explore the incredible Kuksu Canyon, a dramatic natural chasm carved by wind and water—hidden deep within the folds of the prairie.

In the afternoon, continue your scenic drive to Tekes, a tranquil town steeped in Central Asian history, where you’ll settle in for the night.

Meals: B

Destinations: Kalajun Prairie – Kalajun Canyon – Kuksu Canyon, Tekes

Accommodation: Tekes Tianyue Hotel

In the morning, venture into the Xiata Scenic Park, a mystical alpine valley steeped in ancient lore. Once a perilous pass along the Silk Road, this rugged corridor linked the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.

In the afternoon, on your return journey, stop by the Zhaosu Wetland Park, where lush marshes and winding rivers create a haven for wildlife and wandering souls. As the sun begins to set, you may catch a rare and stirring spectacle: the Ili horses—strong, spirited, and iconic—galloping across the river in a natural rhythm of wild freedom.

Meals: B

Destinations: Xiata Scenic Park – Zhaosu Wetland Park

Accommodation: Tekes Tianyue Hotel

In the morning, deep into the Ili River Valley, arriving at the remote and soulful village of Qiongku Shitai. Tucked at the foot of snow-capped mountains, this untouched hamlet marks the historic entrance to the Wusun Ancient Road, once a vital artery of the Silk Road.

Here, nearly every home in the village is built from hand-hewn wood, creating the best-preserved wooden architectural complex in the Ili region. Qiongku Shitai offers a rare glimpse into authentic Kazakh pastoral life, framed by alpine beauty and cultural depth. Surrounded by grazing horses and log homes weathered by generations, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a living museum of nomadic heritage.

In the afternoon, explore the village lanes, engage with friendly locals.

Meals: /

Destinations: Qiongku Shitai Village – Ili River Valley

Accommodation: Qiongku Shitai Yunzhen Gudao

In the morning, leave behind the rustic charm of Qiongku Shitai and journey through the heart of the Ili region toward Nalati, a secluded prairie untouched by crowds and commercialism. With fewer tourists and wider skies, this hidden gem offers the perfect backdrop for a day of slow travel and soulful connection.

In the afternoon, you are free to immerse yourself in the serenity of Nalati’s alpine grasslands. Wander freely across open meadows, breathe in crisp mountain air, or spread out a blanket for a peaceful picnic beneath the endless sky. For those longing for a nomadic experience, horseback riding is available—feel the rhythm of hooves over soft earth.

Meals: B

Destinations: Nalati Grasslands

Accommodation: Nalati Wansen Resort

In the morning, begin your day by exploring the famed Nalati Prairie, one of Xinjiang’s most celebrated alpine pastures. With its sweeping river valleys, jagged peaks, deep forested gorges, and vast open grasslands, Nalati has been a cherished summer pasture since ancient times.

You’re free to hike, ride horses, or simply photograph the dramatic contrasts of mountain and meadow.

In the afternoon, continue your drive along a segment of the legendary Duku Highway, one of China’s most scenic mountain roads. As you reach the boundless Bayin Bluk Grassland, prepare for a spectacular end to the day. This steppe, known for its cinematic beauty and tranquil expanse, is where golden sunlight spills across rolling hills and quiet rivers.

Meals: B

Destinations: Nalati Prairie – Duku Highway – Bayin Bluk Steppe

Accommodation: Bayin Bluk Muxin Hotel

After breakfast, begin a full-day overland journey along the awe-inspiring Duku Highway, widely hailed as China’s most epic road trip route. Officially known as the Dushanzi–Kuqa Highway, this 561-kilometer engineering marvel links northern and southern Xinjiang.

Built as a national defense highway, the Duku route is not only a feat of construction—it’s a seasonal wonder that opens to the public for only three months each year (mid-June to mid-September). Along the way, you’ll cross multiple climate zones and geologic layers, from snow-dusted peaks to highland steppe, witnessing the wild grandeur of the Tianshan Mountains in its rawest form.

By late afternoon or early evening, arrive in Dushanzi and check in to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

Meals: B

Destinations: Duku Highway – Dushanzi

Accommodation: Dushanzi Xigema Hotel

In the morning, begin your day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Dushanzi Grand Canyon, a 4A-rated scenic site celebrated by China National Geographic as a “billion-year wonder in a unique realm.” With its deep ravines, eroded cliffs, and winding riverbeds, the canyon is not only a paradise for photographers but also a natural gateway to the iconic Duku Highway.

Around midday, return to Urumqi and enjoy a relaxing lunch. Then, immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of Xinjiang at the International Grand Bazaar—the largest bazaar in the world by scale. Combining Islamic architectural flair, ethnic commerce, folk art, and lively performances, this landmark offers the perfect final stop for souvenir shopping, local snacks, and cultural immersion.

Meals: B

Destinations: Dushanzi Grand Canyon – Urumqi International Bazaar

Accommodation: Mengli Changge / Yun Shangji Hotel

After breakfast, your guide and driver will accompany you to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B

Destinations: Urumqi airport

Accommodation: /