Northern Xinjiang Lakes & Mountains | 10-Day Journey

NobleVoya · Less Road. More Xinjiang.

Northern Xinjiang Lakes & Mountains

北疆湖泊与山川

10 days · Private journey

Ten days from Tianchi and the Duku Highway to Nalati and Sayram Lake, then fly from Urumqi to Altay for Hemu and Kanas. Combine RV touring, a lakeside camping night and cabins inside the scenic areas.

Make this journey your own. We’ll confirm your stays, access and inclusions for your dates before you book.

RV · Private MPV · Intra-Xinjiang Flights · Scenic-area shuttles

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Stay for the experience

Stay for the evening. Wake to the scenery.

Days 3–4 · Camp in RV inside the scenic area · 1 night

Nalati: a river-valley sunset and Sky Grassland

After crossing the Duku Highway, enter Nalati by RV around 19:00, with approximately 4 hours for River Valley Grassland’s evening light, sunset and stars. Camp in your RV inside the scenic area, wake for sunrise and spend approximately 4 hours in Sky Grassland before the afternoon drive to Yining.

Days 5–6 · One lakeside camping night

Sayram Lake: a lakeside night, two days to explore

Arrive via Guozigou Bridge and enter Sayram Lake by private vehicle. Allow approximately 8–10 hours for the lake circuit, Swan Lake, sunset and stars. Next morning, see the mountains in golden light and explore Songshutou, Kele Yongzhu and Tian’e Leshui for approximately 3–4 hours before the afternoon return to Urumqi.

Your journey, in five answers.

Who is this journey for?

For couples, families and friends who want Tianshan lakes, Ili grasslands and the forest villages of Altay in one journey, using RVs, private MPVs and a flight.

How do the connections work?

Days 3–5 use an RV for the Duku Highway, Nalati and Sayram Lake. Day 6 returns to Urumqi by RV or MPV, as agreed. Fly directly to Altay on Day 7, then use private MPVs and scenic-area shuttles for Hemu and Kanas.

How is your time spent?

TIME AT A GLANCE

Nalati · Days 3–4
Transfer time
Day 3: approx. 7–8 hrs; Day 4: approx. 3.5–4 hrs
Time to explore
Day 3 in Nalati: approx. 4 hrs; Day 4 Sky Grassland: approx. 4 hrs
Scenic stay
Camp in RV inside Nalati Scenic Area · 1 night
Sayram Lake · Days 5–6
Transfer time
Day 5: approx. 2.5–3 hrs; Day 6 return: approx. 6.5–7.5 hrs
Time to explore
Day 5: approx. 8–10 hrs; Day 6: approx. 3–4 hrs
Scenic stay
Lakeside camping inside the scenic area · 1 night
Kanas · Days 8–9
Transfer time
Day 8: approx. 2–2.5 hrs; Day 9: approx. 4–4.5 hrs
Time to explore
Day 8 lake visit: approx. 4–5 hrs; Day 9 Three Bays: approx. 3–4 hrs, plus approx. 2 hrs at Rainbow Beach
Scenic stay
Cabin inside Kanas Scenic Area · 1 night
See every day ↓

Where do you sleep?

Nine nights: three hotel nights in Urumqi, one in Yining and one in a 4-diamond-category hotel in Altay; one night camping in an RV inside Nalati Scenic Area and one cabin night each at Hemu and Kanas; and one lakeside camping night inside Sayram Lake Scenic Area.

Where does the journey begin and end?

Arrive in Urumqi and depart from Altay. Day 7 includes the intra-Xinjiang flight from Urumqi to Altay; arrival and departure connections are planned around your dates.

Your itinerary, day by day

Routes, transport, time to explore and where you stay.

10 days · Detailed daily arrangements

Times are approximate. The 19:00 Nalati arrival, sunrise, sunset and stargazing depend on your dates and weather. VIP vehicle access, scenic shuttles, cabins, the permitted lakeside campsite and the Urumqi–Altay flight are confirmed before booking. Duku Highway travel depends on seasonal opening and vehicle restrictions. On Day 7, scenic stops along the Ahe Highway are part of the road journey. Flight check-in and security require additional time.

Day 01Arrive in Urumqi
Transport & connections
Private airport pickup by 7-seat MPV
Transfer time
Approx. 0.5–1 hr
Overnight
Urumqi hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Free time throughout the day to explore Urumqi independently.

Day 02Urumqi ↔ Tianshan Tianchi
Transport & connections
Round trip by private MPV
Transfer time
Approx. 3–3.5 hrs in total, return
Overnight
Urumqi hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Visit Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area for the alpine lake and the snow-capped Tianshan peaks, with approximately 4–5 hours to explore.

Day 03Urumqi → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Duku Highway → Nalati
Transport & connections
Full-day travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 7–8 hrs, including the Duku Highway crossing
Overnight
Camp in RV at River Valley Grassland Camp, inside Nalati Scenic Area

Sightseeing & experience

Explore Dushanzi Grand Canyon for approximately 2 hours, then cross the northern Duku Highway with scenic stops along the way. Around 19:00, enter Nalati Scenic Area directly by RV through the VIP vehicle-access channel and camp in your RV at River Valley Grassland Camp. Stay for the grassland sunset and stars at night, with approximately 4 hours to explore the scenic area.

Day 04Nalati Sky Grassland → Yining
Transport & connections
Travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 3.5–4 hrs
Overnight
Yining hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Rise early for sunrise over the grassland. Use the VIP access channel to reach Nalati Sky Grassland for approximately 4 hours of exploring. In the afternoon, continue by RV to Yining.

Day 05Yining → Guozigou Bridge → Sayram Lake
Transport & connections
Travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 2.5–3 hrs
Overnight
Lakeside camping inside Sayram Lake Scenic Area

Sightseeing & experience

Stop for photographs at Guozigou Bridge. Use Sayram Lake’s VIP vehicle-access service to enter the scenic area directly and begin a lake circuit, including a stop at Swan Lake. Allow approximately 8–10 hours for the visit, staying for sunset over the lake and stars at night.

Day 06Sayram Lake → Urumqi
Transport & connections
Travel by RV or private MPV
Transfer time
Approx. 6.5–7.5 hrs
Overnight
Urumqi hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Wake early for sunrise and golden light on the mountains above Sayram Lake. Continue an in-depth lake circuit with VIP direct vehicle access, visiting Songshutou, Kele Yongzhu (Bubbling Springs) and Tian’e Leshui. Spend approximately 3–4 hours exploring before leaving for Urumqi in the afternoon.

Day 07Urumqi ✈ Altay → Ahe Highway → Hemu Village
Transport & connections
Private MPV airport transfer + direct flight + private MPV + scenic-area shuttle bus
Transfer time
Road transfers and driving: approx. 5–6 hrs; flight: approx. 1 hr
Overnight
Cabin inside Hemu Scenic Area

Sightseeing & experience

Take an early private transfer to the airport and fly to Altay. On arrival, continue by private MPV along the Ahe Highway towards Hemu, stopping to enjoy the scenery along the way for approximately 4–5 hours. Transfer to the scenic-area shuttle bus to enter Hemu Village, settle into a cabin and explore the village at your own pace.

Day 08Hemu → Kanas
Transport & connections
Scenic-area shuttle buses + private MPV
Transfer time
Approx. 2–2.5 hrs in total for transfers and driving
Overnight
Cabin inside Kanas Scenic Area

Sightseeing & experience

Enjoy free time in Hemu during the morning: stroll beside the Hemu River or climb to the viewing platform. In the afternoon, travel to Kanas Scenic Area and transfer to its shuttle bus to reach Kanas. Explore Kanas Lake, allowing approximately 4–5 hours for the visit.

Day 09Kanas → Rainbow Beach (Wucaitan) → Altay
Transport & connections
Scenic-area shuttle bus + private MPV
Transfer time
Approx. 4–4.5 hrs in total
Overnight
Altay hotel · 4-diamond category

Sightseeing & experience

Take the scenic-area shuttle bus to Kanas’s Three Bays — Immortal Bay, Moon Bay and Wolong Bay — with approximately 3–4 hours to explore. Continue by private MPV to Rainbow Beach (Wucaitan) for its yardang landforms and colourful sunset, allowing approximately 2 hours, then travel on to Altay city.

Day 10Altay airport departure
Transport & connections
Private airport transfer by MPV
Transfer time
Approx. 0.5–1 hr
Overnight
No overnight stay

Sightseeing & experience

Your private MPV transfer to Altay Airport is arranged around your flight time, bringing the journey to a close.

Explore the places along your route.

Your journey starts with a conversation

Make this journey yours.

Share your dates, group size and favourite experiences. We’ll confirm transport, stays, activities and a personalised quote.

We’ll tailor the route to your available time. Before booking, review your written itinerary, inclusions, price and payment and cancellation terms.

More time. More Xinjiang.Plan my journey ↗