Tianshan Wilderness Expedition | 9-Day RV Journey

NobleVoya · Less Road. More Xinjiang.

Tianshan Wilderness Expedition

天山山野探索

9 days · Private journey

RV road journey · Six campsite nights

Nine days through the Ili grasslands and Sayram Lake, with six nights at RV campsites. Cross the Duku Highway to Tangbula, wake in Nalati, continue through Kalajun and Zhaosu, then stay beside the lake before returning to Urumqi.

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

RV touring · Private MPV airport transfers · Seasonal scenic roads

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Stay for the experience

Grassland mornings. Lakeside evenings.

Nalati Grassland Layered Hills Forest Snow, Xinjiang

Days 3–4 · One scenic night

Nalati: river-valley sunset, then Sky Grassland

After an unhurried Tangbula morning, arrive in Nalati by RV. Stay for River Valley Grassland’s evening light and stars, then wake for sunrise and explore Sky Grassland before continuing to Kalajun.

  1. Day 3Approx. 4–5 hrs in Nalati’s River Valley Grassland.
  2. Day 4 morningSunrise and approx. 3–4 hrs in Sky Grassland.
  3. OnwardContinue to Kalajun for Falcon Terrace and sunset.
Stay
RV campsite inside Nalati
Experience
Evening → next morning
Sayram Lake Pink Wildflowers Road in Summer, Xinjiang

Days 7–8 · Two calendar days, one night

Sayram Lake: stay for another morning

Arrive via Guozigou Bridge, tour the lakeshore and Swan Lake, then wait for sunset near Dianjiangtai. Sleep beside the lake and return for sunrise, Songshutou, Kele Yongzhu and Tian’e Leshui. If showers pass, adjust rest and photo stops around the changing light.

  1. Day 7Approx. 8–10 hrs of lake touring and evening experiences.
  2. One lakeside nightDianjiangtai RV campsite; stars when skies are clear.
  3. Day 8Approx. 3–4 hrs of morning exploring; leave for Urumqi in the afternoon.
Stay
Dianjiangtai RV campsite
Next-day return
Approx. 6.5–7.5 hrs

9 days · An Ili RV loop

Your journey, in five answers.

Who is this journey for?

For couples, families and friends who want driver-led RV touring through Ili’s grasslands and lakes, with a different campsite each night.

What makes this route different?

Follow Tangbula, Nalati, Kalajun and Zhaosu, with the Duku and Yizhao scenic roads along the way. Give Sayram Lake two calendar days and one night. No internal flights or trains are included.

How is your time spent?

TIME AT A GLANCE

Nalati · Day 3
Transfer time
Approx. 3–3.5 hrs
Time to explore
Tangbula morning: approx. 3–4 hrs; Nalati evening: approx. 4–5 hrs
Overnight
RV campsite inside Nalati
Sayram Lake · Days 7–8
Transfer time
Day 7: approx. 2.5–3 hrs; Day 8 return: approx. 6.5–7.5 hrs
Time to explore
Day 7: approx. 8–10 hrs; next morning: approx. 3–4 hrs
Overnight
Dianjiangtai RV campsite · 1 night
See every day ↓

Where do you sleep?

Six RV campsite nights: one each at Tangbula, Nalati, Kalajun, Zhaosu, Yining and Sayram Lake’s Dianjiangtai. Two hotel nights in Urumqi bookend the touring segment; the return-night hotel is in the 4-diamond category.

What should you know before booking?

Days 1 and 9 use a 7-seat MPV for airport transfers. Days 2–7 use an RV; Day 8 returns to Urumqi by RV or private vehicle, as agreed in your proposal. Days 2, 4 and 8 combine substantial driving with sightseeing; departures and activity pacing are planned around the season.

Your itinerary, day by day

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

9 days · Detailed daily arrangements

Durations are approximate. Scenic stops, sunset and stars depend on your travel dates and weather. RV entry and designated campsites are reserved subject to local permission. Duku and Yizhao Highway travel depends on seasonal opening and vehicle restrictions; any alternative route and revised timings are confirmed before booking.

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 → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Duku Highway → Qiaolma → Tangbula Grassland
Transport & connections
Full-day travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 7–8 hrs, including the Duku Highway crossing
Overnight
A permitted RV campsite inside Tangbula Grassland Scenic Area

Sightseeing & experience

Explore Dushanzi Grand Canyon for around 2 hours, then cross the northern Duku Highway via Qiaolma. In the afternoon, drive into Tangbula’s Hundred-Li Gallery grassland. Leave the evening for a grassland walk and sunset, with around 3–4 hours to explore.

Day 03Tangbula Grassland → Nalati Grassland → River Valley Grassland
Transport & connections
Travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 3–3.5 hrs
Overnight
RV campsite inside Nalati Scenic Area

Sightseeing & experience

Spend around 3–4 hours exploring Tangbula freely in the morning. Travel to Nalati in the afternoon and enter River Valley Grassland directly by RV through the reserved vehicle-access channel. Enjoy the grassland sunset and, on a clear night, the stars, with around 4–5 hours for this visit.

Day 04Nalati Sky Grassland → Kalajun Grassland → Falcon Terrace
Transport & connections
Travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 3.5–4 hrs
Overnight
Kalajun Grassland RV campsite

Sightseeing & experience

Rise early for sunrise over Nalati, then travel by RV to Sky Grassland for around 3–4 hours of exploring. In the afternoon, continue to Kalajun and enter directly through the reserved vehicle-access channel. Visit Falcon Terrace and other viewpoints for sunset over the grassland, allowing around 4–5 hours to explore.

Day 05Kalajun Grassland → Zhaosu County → Zhaosu Wetland Park
Transport & connections
Travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 2–2.5 hrs
Overnight
Zhaosu RV campsite

Sightseeing & experience

Leave Kalajun by RV for Zhaosu in the morning. Spend the afternoon at Zhaosu Wetland Park for the Tianma Yuhe horse-river spectacle (Ten Thousand Horses Galloping) and wetland scenery. Allow around 3–4 hours for the visit; the performance depends on the day’s schedule.

Day 06Zhaosu → Yizhao Highway → Yining → Liuxing Street
Transport & connections
Travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 3–3.5 hrs, including the Yizhao Highway crossing
Overnight
Yining RV campsite

Sightseeing & experience

Follow the scenic Yizhao Highway by RV to Yining, subject to seasonal opening and the chosen vehicle’s access permission. Spend around 3–4 hours from afternoon into evening exploring Liuxing Street at your own pace, discovering local traditions and accordion culture.

Day 07Yining → Guozigou Bridge → Sayram Lake → Swan Lake → Dianjiangtai
Transport & connections
Travel by RV
Transfer time
Approx. 2.5–3 hrs
Overnight
Dianjiangtai RV campsite, Sayram Lake

Sightseeing & experience

Set off by RV and stop for photographs at Guozigou Bridge. Enter Sayram Lake directly using the reserved vehicle-access arrangements and begin an in-depth lake circuit, including Swan Lake. Towards evening, wait for sunset near Dianjiangtai and look for stars when skies are clear. Allow around 8–10 hours for lake touring and the evening experience.

Day 08Sayram Lake: sunrise, Songshutou, Kele Yongzhu & Tian’e Leshui → Urumqi
Transport & connections
Travel by RV or private vehicle
Transfer time
Approx. 6.5–7.5 hrs
Overnight
Urumqi hotel · 4-diamond category

Sightseeing & experience

Wake early for sunrise lighting the mountains above Sayram Lake. Continue the lake circuit with reserved direct vehicle access: visit Songshutou, where you can climb for a view over the lake, Kele Yongzhu (Bubbling Springs) and Tian’e Leshui. Allow around 3–4 hours for this morning’s exploring, then leave for Urumqi in the afternoon.

Day 09Urumqi airport departure
Transport & connections
Private airport drop-off by 7-seat MPV
Transfer time
Approx. 0.5–1 hr
Overnight
No overnight stay

Sightseeing & experience

Your private 7-seat MPV takes you to the airport to suit 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 ↗