Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi before 18:00, pack luggage and confirm vehicle in the evening
I will not arrange scenic spots on the first day. The focus is to arrive in Urumqi, stay, eat, buy supplies, and confirm departure information for the next day. The journey on the 7-day line in Xinjiang will become longer from the second day on. If you do it too late on the first night, you will be obviously tired from riding in the next few days. My approach is to put the flight or high-speed rail arrival time as close as possible toBefore 18:00, so that you still have time to organize in the evening and will not delay the preparation work until bedtime.
When staying in Urumqi, I would give priority to locations with convenient transportation, such as along the airport, near the high-speed rail station, and next to the main road in the city. There is no need to pursue a room with a view on the first night. It is more important to get out of the city smoothly the next morning. Whether it is possible to park in front of the hotel, whether there is a convenience store nearby, and whether breakfast is good, these are more practical than room photos.
| time period | Arrangement | What would I do? |
|---|---|---|
| 17:00—18:00 | Arrived in Urumqi | Go to the hotel first instead of dragging your luggage shopping |
| 18:30 | Check-in | Check the hot water, air conditioning, sockets, and take out the clothes for the next day |
| 19:30 | Dinner | You can choose from noodles, pilaf, barbecue, and yogurt. Don’t order too much. |
| 21:00 | Buy supplies | Water, paper towels, wet wipes, lip balm, fruit, bread |
| 22:00 | Confirm the information for the next day | Driver’s phone number, license plate, departure time, pick-up location |
| Before 23:00 | Rest | Charge your mobile phone, power bank, and camera together |
I will have a simple dinner. A portion of fried pork noodles, two or three skewers of barbecued meat, and a cup of yogurt are enough. The portions of Xinjiang cuisine are not small. Don’t order a large plate of chicken, rice pilaf, and barbecue for the whole table at once on the first night. You will have to take a long time in the car the next day. If you eat too much, you will feel uncomfortable. Don’t drink too much iced drinks when you first arrive in Xinjiang, let your stomach get used to it first.
When I make arrangements for the first night, I will put “whether I can start smoothly the next morning” at the top of the list. Living further away may seem like a saving, but it will take more time to pick up people in the morning, take detours, and load luggage. A day’s journey in Xinjiang is long, and the time saved in the morning will be obvious later.
Put away your carry-on bag before going to bed. ID cards, power banks, car chargers, tissues, wet wipes, lip balm, sunglasses, and light jackets are all placed within easy reach. Don’t put your ID card in your suitcase. It will be used later when you stay in a hotel, enter a scenic spot, or buy tickets. Don’t put your jacket on the bottom of the box. You can use it when the wind blows when you go to Sailimu Lake the next day.
- Take the long route the next day and don’t stay up late the first night.
- You don’t need to buy a lot of water. Prepare two or three bottles first, and you can replenish them on the way.
- The power bank must be fully charged. Taking photos and navigating on the road in Xinjiang consume a lot of power.
- Car charter or car rental information must be confirmed in advance and do not ask for impromptu information the next morning.
- Choose comfortable shoes for walking in Xiata, on the grassland, and by the lake.
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi at 08:00, go to Sailimu Lake in the afternoon to see the lake and snow-capped mountains
The next day was the first day to officially enter the Xinjiang grassland lake line. i will be thereDeparts from Urumqi around 08:00, the route for the day is from Urumqi to Sailimu Lake, and then stay in Qingshuihe or Yining according to physical strength. In the morning, we mainly traveled, and had a simple meal at noon. In the afternoon, we went to Sailimu Lake to see the lake, grassland and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Sailimu Lake is not suitable for stopping at the door for only ten minutes. The really beautiful part is on the road around the lake. The color of the lake, the grass slopes, and the distance of the snow-capped mountains are different from different angles. I would leave at least 2 or 3 stops and not run out of time at the first crowded spot.
| time period | Route and arrangement | Specific details |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Departure from Urumqi | Confirm the fuel level, route, water and paper towels before leaving the city |
| 10:30 | Rest in the service area | Go to the bathroom, stretch your legs and feet, and replenish water |
| 13:00 | Lunch on the road | Noodles, pilaf, and rice bowls are all available, but they don’t need to be too oily. |
| 16:30 | To Sailimu Lake | First check the wind direction and weather before deciding where to stop. |
| 17:00—19:30 | Tour around the lake | Lakeside plank road, open lake surface, snow-capped mountains in the distance |
| After 20:30 | Stay in Qingshuihe or Yining | If you want to live in Qingshuihe easily, and if you want to have food conveniently, live in Yining |
It’s windy near Sailimu Lake, so you need to bring a coat in summer. The lakeside looks gentle, but in reality the ride feels much lower than in Urumqi. Carry sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm with you, don’t put them in the trunk. When taking photos, don’t just take pictures of the lake. Take in the lake shoreline, grassy slopes and distant mountains to make the picture more complete.
If my companions get tired easily from taking the car, I will stay in Qingshuihe. This way, you don’t have to rush to Yining that day, and you can eat and rest early in the evening. If everyone is in good condition, you can continue to Yining. There are many dining options in Yining. It is convenient to eat pepper chicken, pilaf, noodles and barbecue in the evening.
When I see Sailimu Lake, I don’t rush to take photos of people as soon as I get to the lake. Stand for a few minutes to look at the color of the lake, wind direction and light, and then find a suitable angle. As the cloud shadow passes over the lake, the color will continue to change. This change is more worth your time than simply taking a photo.
When visiting the lake, you should put safety and comfort first. Don’t park your car where it affects traffic, and don’t stand too close to the lake when taking photos. When the wind is strong, hats, scarves, and mobile phones should be held securely. The drive is already quite long that day, so don’t make too many arrangements in the evening. Go to bed early after dinner. We have to go to Yining and Zhaosu on the third day.
- Stay at least 2 hours by the lake, don’t stop at just one spot.
- Have a full lunch, which will make you feel more comfortable during the afternoon bus ride and lake tour.
- If you live in Yining, don’t delay dinner too late.
- Put your coat next to the seat, not in the trunk.
- There were a lot of photos that day, so the battery on my phone had to be replenished at any time.
Day 3: Take Yining Kazanqi and Liuxing Street at 09:00, and go to Zhaosu at 14:00
On the third day, I will leave the morning to Yi Ning. Traveling in Xinjiang can’t just see the mountains and lakes, the street life in Yining is also worth writing about. Kazanqi and Liuxing Street are suitable for walking slowly. There are colorful doors and windows, small courtyard exteriors, bakeries, ice cream shops, bun bakeries and roadside shops. You can see the more daily urban atmosphere of Xinjiang.
I will be thereGo out around 09:00, at this time the neighborhood becomes lively and the light is not too bright. In the morning, we first walked to Kazanqi and then to Liuxing Street. Have dinner in Yining at noon and set off for Zhaosu around 14:00 in the afternoon. This way we can see the local neighborhood without affecting our trip to Xiata on the fourth day.
| Time | Arrangement | How will I go? |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00—10:30 | Kazanqi District | Look at the appearance of streets, doors, windows, and courtyards, and do not enter private courtyards at will. |
| 10:40—12:00 | Liuxing Street | Drink drinks, buy snacks, and take a slow walk |
| 12:00—13:00 | Lunch in Yining | Baked buns, pilaf, noodles, handmade ice cream |
| 14:00 | Yining sets off for Zhaosu | Prepare water, fruit, and paper towels in the car |
| around 18:30 | Arrive at Zhaosu | Staying in the county seat makes it easier to go to Xiata the next day |
Yining can have a relaxed meal today. You can have baked buns and milk tea for breakfast or in the morning, and pilaf or noodles for lunch. You can try handmade ice cream, but don’t eat too much ice. You have to take a bus to Zhaosu in the afternoon. Just buy a small amount of fruit. Choose apricots, peaches, grapes, or small white apricots according to the season, and keep them in the car for easy eating.
Be modest when taking photos in the neighborhood. This is not a completely closed scenic spot, there are people living and doing business normally. It’s best to ask before taking pictures of people. Don’t push the door into the yard, and don’t block the entrance of other people’s shops for a long time. If you want to reflect the culture of ethnic minorities, it’s not just about photographing the appearance and color, but more importantly, describing the daily life of local people in a natural way.
I prefer to sit down and have a drink in Yining and watch the street shops slowly become lively. There is no need to rush to find a fixed angle here, walk slower, buy a baked bun, and have a brief chat with the shop owner. The article will be more informative than simply writing “suitable for taking pictures”.
Go to Zhaosu in the afternoon. The scenery along the way will slowly change from city blocks to grasslands and mountains. When staying in Zhaosu, I recommend choosing the county town, which is convenient for eating, supplies, and setting off the next day. In the evening you can have mutton soup, noodles, pilaf or hot vegetable rice. Shatta should walk on the fourth day and don’t stay up late on the third night.
- Don’t carry a bag that is too big when traveling around the city. It will be inconvenient to walk.
- Most small shops can scan codes, so you can prepare a small amount of cash.
- Go to the restroom before going to Zhaosu. It may not be convenient to stop at any time on the road.
- Zhaosu will be cooler than Yining at night, so you need to take out your coat in advance.
- Before going to bed, prepare the shoes, coat, and bag that Shatta will wear.
Day 4: Depart from Zhaosu to Xiata at 08:00, and stay in Tekes in the evening
The focus of the fourth day is Shatta. What Xiata saw were snow-capped mountains, river valleys, streams, forests and wooden plank roads, which was completely different from Sailimu Lake and Yining Street. This is a place for a slow walk, not a place to take a quick look and leave. I will set off earlier that day and try to spend the morning and noon inside the scenic spot.
I will be thereDeparture from Zhaosu around 08:00, have a hot breakfast, and bring a coat and a bottle of water with you. Xiata is more obviously affected by the weather. The snow-capped mountains are clearer on sunny days, and the scenery is quieter on cloudy days. If the clouds are thick, you may not be able to see all the snow-capped mountains in the distance. In this case, focus on the river valleys, woods and trails, and don’t wait forever.
| stage | Arrangement | Specific methods |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Breakfast | Hot foods such as porridge, eggs, steamed buns, and milk tea are more comfortable |
| 08:00 | Departure from Zhaosu | Put a coat, water, paper towels, and power bank in your carry-on bag |
| around 09:30 | To Xiata Scenic Area | Confirm the shuttle bus and walking routes first |
| 10:30—14:30 | Scenic spots tour | Walk slowly in the direction of the wooden plank road, river valley, and snow-capped mountains |
| After 15:30 | Leave Shatta | Adjust the time according to physical strength and weather |
| Around 19:00 | To Turks | Check in, have dinner, and rest |
Shatta must wear comfortable shoes. This is not a city walk, nor does it end at the observation deck. There are wooden planks, dirt roads, and steps. New shoes, thin-soled shoes, and sandals are not suitable. Bringing a bottle of water is enough, carrying too much will make you tired; you can bring some bread or chocolate to replenish your energy on the way.
When taking pictures of Xiata, I will first take pictures of the big scene: the wooden boardwalk in the near area, the stream and forest in the middle, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance. This way the photo has a front and back layer. Don’t just zoom in to take pictures of snow-capped mountains, as that can easily lead to a lack of environment. When the wind is strong, the hat should be fastened and the coat should be kept within easy reach.
I think the most noteworthy thing about Xiata is that “you can always see the snow-capped mountains in the distance while walking on the road.” It’s not a place where it ends once the platform is shot. The further you go, the clearer the relationship between the river valley, woods and snow-capped mountains becomes. People with average physical strength do not need to go very deep, they can just stop at a comfortable position.
Leave Xiata and go to Turks in the afternoon. For accommodation in Turks, just choose a location in the center of the county or with convenient transportation. Focus on hot water, parking and quietness. You can simply take a walk in the evening, but don’t plan too much. There was a lot of walking in Xiata that day, so it was more practical to have a hot meal, take a shower, and rest in the evening.
- The temperature difference between morning and evening in Xiata is obvious, so you must bring a coat with you.
- There are limited dining options in the scenic area, so you can prepare a small amount of bread and fruit in the car.
- Don’t wear new shoes, they can easily become uncomfortable after walking for a long time.
- After arriving in Turks, check in first and then go out for dinner.
- For dinner, you can eat noodles, spicy chicken, barbecue or hot rice.
Day 5: Depart from Turks at 09:00, see Kalajun or Kuokesu, stay in Nalati at night
On the fifth day, we entered the grassland section. You can arrange a trip to Kalajun around Tekes, or you can choose the direction of Kuokesu. Kalajun is suitable for viewing open grasslands, hillside lines and distant mountains; Kuokesu is suitable for viewing canyons, rivers and grassland combinations. The time in one day is limited, so I don’t recommend walking in depth in both places. It’s more comfortable to choose one focus.
I will be thereDeparture from Turks around 09:00, see the grasslands or canyons in the morning, and go to Nalati in the afternoon. On the sixth day, we have to go to Nalati and Bayinbuluk. On the fifth day, we can’t use up our physical strength too much. The grassland looks relaxed, but in fact the sun, wind and walking will consume your energy.
| Playing options | Suitable for the crowd | My arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| Kalajun Grassland | Those who want to see the lines of hillsides, undulating grasslands, and distant mountains | Focus on sightseeing in the morning and go to Nalati in the afternoon |
| Direction of Kuokesu | Those who want to see the combination of canyons, rivers and grasslands | You must control your time well and don’t delay it until too late. |
| Simplify the gameplay | Travelers are easily tired or the weather is average | Select only one area and leave time for transition in the afternoon |
Don’t just stand next to the car when taking photos in the grassland. Walk a short distance to a safe trail or an open location, and take a picture of the nearby grassland, the middle hillside, the distant snow-capped mountains and the sky. The picture will be more complete. When encountering areas where herders live, do not approach tents, horses, cattle, sheep, or personal belongings at will. If you want to take pictures of people or animals, communicate first and then take pictures.
I will arrange a simple lunch. There won’t be as many dining options around scenic spots as in the city, and food delivery may be slow. Noodles, pilaf, soup and rice are all fine, and bring some fruit and bread in the car. We have to go to Nalati in the afternoon, so don’t eat too much for lunch.
When I look at the grassland, I won’t always chase the fixed viewing platform. The most beautiful part of the grassland lies in the light and cloud shadows. If you stand in a position with a good view and watch for a few minutes, the color of the hillside will continue to change. Instead of constantly getting on and off the bus, take a closer look at a place.
Stay in Nalati Town or near the scenic spot at night. There are relatively many accommodation options in Nalati, but prices will rise during peak season. When booking a room, focus on parking, hot water, sound insulation and distance from the entrance to the scenic spot. You can have mutton soup, noodles, and barbecue for dinner. Eat it hot and go to bed early.
- Grasslands have strong UV rays, so don’t skimp on sun protection.
- Don’t wear a hat that is too loose when the wind is strong.
- Choose comfortable sneakers for walking on both grass and slopes.
- Go to Nala in the afternoon and confirm the accommodation location and parking situation in advance.
- Put away the thick coat and ID that you will wear on the sixth day before going to bed.
Day 6: Enter Nalati Sky Grassland at 08:30, and go to Bayinbuluke in the afternoon to see the Nine Turns and Eighteen Bends
The sixth day is very full of content, I will control the time more carefully. Tour the Nalati Sky Grassland in the morning, go to Bayinbuluk in the afternoon, and see the Nine Winds and Eighteen Bends in the evening. The most important thing about this arrangement is not to stay too late in Nalati, otherwise you will be in a hurry to see the evening light in Bayinbuluke.
When Nalati comes here for the first time, I recommend choosing Sky Grassland first. Here you can see grasslands, hillsides, snow-capped mountains, cattle and sheep, and distant forest belts, and the landscape is relatively concentrated.Enter the scenic spot around 08:30It is more suitable, the light is comfortable, and people are not completely concentrated. Before entering the scenic spot, confirm the route and shuttle bus arrangements for the day. Do not get entangled temporarily after entering.
| time period | Itinerary | My approach |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Enter Nalati Scenic Area | Prioritize the aerial grassland direction |
| 09:30—12:00 | Play in the sky grassland | Look at the hillsides, cattle and sheep, snow-capped mountains and forest belts |
| 12:30 | Lunch | Easy to eat and won’t take too long |
| 14:00 | Departure for Bayinbuluk | The scenery on the road is good, so don’t sleep the whole way |
| around 17:00 | To Bayinbuluke | Get ready to enter the scenic spot to see the Nine Winds and Eighteen Bends |
| Around sunset | Nine twists and turns | Get to the viewing position in advance and wait for the light to change |
When taking photos in Nalati, the color of clothes can be cleaner, white, beige, and blue are all suitable. The grassland background is already very rich, so there is no need to wear complicated patterns. For experiences such as horse riding and travel photography, you must first inquire about the route, duration and price before making a decision. The time in the morning is limited, so don’t waste it too much.
After going to Bayinbuluke in the afternoon, the focus is on the nine twists and turns. What you see here is the grassland river channel and the evening light. Don’t wait for the sun to go down before entering the scenic spot. It is best to get to the viewing position in advance. There will be many people during the peak season, so it will be easier to arrive early. It’s very windy when you stand waiting for the light, so be sure to bring a thick coat.
When I arrange the sixth day, I will regard Nalati as the highlight in the morning and Bayinbuluke as the highlight in the evening. Both places are worth seeing, but at different times. Nalati is suitable for viewing the grasslands in the morning, and Bayinbuluk is suitable for viewing the river channels and light in the evening.
Bayinbuluke is more convenient to stay in the town at night. For dinner, I would choose hot rice soup, mutton soup, noodles or pilaf. After watching Nine Winds and Eighteen Bends, people usually feel a little cold, so eating hot food is more comfortable. When choosing an accommodation, check the hot water, heating, cleanliness and quietness, don’t just look at the room pictures.
- Nalati, don’t take all the routes, focus on the sky grassland in the morning.
- Bayinbuluke should arrive at the viewing location in advance and don’t waste time entering the scenic spot.
- Thick coats, hats, and scarves are prepared according to the season.
- Drink less iced drinks at night, as your body temperature will be low in grassland areas.
- We have to return on the seventh day and rest early that night.
The seventh day is the return day, and I will not arrange any more important spots. The journey back to Urumqi from Bayinbuluk is long, so we need to start early in the morning. The day’s route depends on road opening conditions, weather and the status of fellow travelers. If you can walk in the Duku direction, the scenery will be richer, but the mountain road will also take more time and changes; if the weather is average, or your companions are easily tired from driving, it will be more suitable to take the more stable high-speed direction.
I will be thereDeparts from Bayinbuluke around 08:00. Eat hot breakfast and put water, paper towels, wet wipes, charging cables and jackets in the car. Don’t book your flight too early on the same day. If you want to leave on the same day, try to choose late night transportation; a more comfortable arrangement is to go back to Urumqi and stay one night before leaving the next day.
| time period | Arrangement | What would I do? |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Breakfast | Eat hot food and avoid eating too much oil |
| 08:00 | Departure from Bayinbuluke | Confirm route, weather and vehicle status |
| 10:30 | Break midway | Go to the bathroom, stretch your legs and feet, and replenish water |
| 13:00 | Lunch on the road | Noodles, rice soup, and rice bowls are all available. |
| 16:00 | Continue the return journey | Keep the car clean and tidy and take proper rest |
| Evening | Arrived in Urumqi | Check in or take the evening transfer to leave |
Keep your things handy on the car on the way back. Put the water in the front row, plug in the charging cable, put your coat beside you, and prepare a garbage bag. When returning from a long journey, the neater the car, the more comfortable it will be. Don’t eat too much for lunch, and don’t eat for too long. You have to continue taking the bus in the afternoon.
If you take the direction of Duku, you need to confirm the road information the night before, and don’t check it until the morning. Mountain road time is obviously affected by weather, traffic flow, and temporary traffic arrangements. The estimated time on the map can only be used as a reference. The goal that day was not to see a few more places, but to return to Urumqi steadily.
I prefer to set a simpler goal for the seventh day: be safe, comfortable, and return to the city on time. We have already seen Sailimu Lake, Yining, Xiata, Grassland and Bayinbuluk, so there is no need to add new content on the last day. After returning to Urumqi, we will have a hot meal, pack our luggage and take photos, which will make the ending more comfortable.
After returning to Urumqi, you can have a finishing dinner. Pepper chicken, pilaf, barbecue, yogurt, and noodles are all fine, but after walking for a few days, your body needs something refreshing. I would add a vegetarian dish or soup and stop ordering too much meat.
- Confirm road and vehicle conditions the night before returning.
- Wear comfortable clothes that day. It is more important to sit in the car for a long time than to take pictures.
- Eat a simple lunch, don’t overeat.
- Don’t schedule your flight too early, it’s best to leave enough time.
- After arriving in Urumqi, check in or pick up your luggage first, and then arrange dinner.
Related Guides
- A short-term guide for a 5-day trip to Xinjiang: Recommended must-see attractions around Urumqi
- How long does it take to travel by car every day in Xinjiang | Comparison of driving intensity in northern Xinjiang, Yili and southern Xinjiang
- Do you need to bring a down jacket in summer in Xinjiang: Dressing suggestions for Kanas, Sailimu Lake and Taxian County
- Is it easy to get motion sickness when traveling in Xinjiang: Comparison of driving difficulty on Duku Highway, Yizhao Highway and Panlong Ancient Road
- How big is the temperature difference between morning and evening in Xinjiang: How to dress in layers in northern Xinjiang, Ili, southern Xinjiang and high-altitude areas
Urumqi — — Key Facts
Tickets & Booking
- Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake): Tickets: peak season (Apr 1–Oct 31) CNY 95 per person; winter/spring (Nov 1–Mar 31 of the following year) CNY 45 per person; shuttle bus: CNY 60 round trip (same price in peak and winter/spring seasons). Half-price tickets: peak CNY 47.5, off-peak CNY 22.5 (seniors 60–64, children over 1.3 m and minors under 18, full-time undergraduate students and below). Free admission: children aged 6 and below or 1.3 m and below, and seniors aged 65 and above.; advance booking required (Tianshan Tianchi scenic area official channels (WeChat account/mini-program), OTA (Ctrip/Tongcheng and others with timed reservation))[src]
Transport & Schedules
- Urumqi → Turpan (Turpan North station) | EMU/intercity (C/D trains): Intercity/EMU trains such as C4362: Urumqi–Turpan North about 1 h 17 min–1 h 18 min, second class about CNY 44–51.5; e.g., D8808 departs 13:45 and arrives 14:46 (1 h 1 min), second class CNY[src]
- Urumqi → Kashgar | Direct express (all-sleeper): Z6516/Z6517 is an all-sleeper direct express: departs Urumqi 20:40 and arrives Kashgar 08:10 the next day, 1453 km total, 11 h 30 min running time, no intermediate stops, overnight; hard sle[src]
- Urumqi → Altay/Beitun (toward Kanas) | Conventional night train (K/Y series): K9735 (departs Urumqi 17:36, arrives Altay 07:00 the next day), K6709 (departs 22:06, arrives 08:38 the next day), Y995 (departs 23:40, arrives 09:08 the next day); hard sleeper about CNY 18[src]
Where to Stay · Room Type · Nearby
- City center/near the Grand Bazaar (Tianshan district) | Room tip: As the hub for entering Xinjiang and the transfer point for north and south Xinjiang, suitable for the first 1–2 nights | Nearby add-ons: Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, Erdaoqiao, Lingguan Lane, Hetian Second Street, Shaanxi Great Mosque, Xinjian[src]
- Around the museum/Youhao Road (Shayibak district) | Room tip: Near the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum (No. 581 Xibei Road), convenient for a museum itinerary | Nearby add-ons: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum, Hongshan Park, People’s Park[src]
Typical Climate & Packing (Past Years)
- January: -15.1–-5.3 °C, 1991–2021 average (climate-data.org); urban station figures differ s
- February: -11.5–-1.7 °C
- March: -4.9–7.5 °C
- April: 2.2–15.9 °C
- May: 8.9–21.5 °C
- June: 14.8–26.5 °C
