Northern Xinjiang, embraced by the Tianshan and Altai Mountains, boasts rare landscapes like Kanas Lake, Bayanbulak Grassland, Duku Highway and Hemu Village. Self – driving is ideal for overseas travelers. This 2026 guide focuses on itinerary planning and attraction experiences, letting you freely explore and create unforgettable memories.
Why Do Overseas Visitors Choose Self-Driving in Northern Xinjiang?
The charm of Northern Xinjiang lies not only in its magnificent landscapes but also in its “vast territory with sparse population and scattered scenic spots” – core attractions are mostly 200-500 kilometers apart, with infrequent public transport and limited coverage (e.g., only 1-2 buses run daily from Burqin to Kanas; missing one means waiting until the next day). Self-driving perfectly solves this pain point while offering unique advantages:
- Flexible Itinerary Control: Stay an extra day if enchanted by Kanas’ morning mist, or detour into沿途 villages whenever interested in ethnic minority cultures – no need to miss memorable moments for tight schedules.
- Access Hidden Beauty: The essence of Northern Xinjiang often lies in “non-scenic sections” – the sea of clouds at the top of Yizhao Highway, the Gobi oases along National Highway G217, and the snow-capped canyons of Duku Highway. Only self-driving allows you to stop and shoot at will.
- In-Depth Local Cultural Experiences: Easily reach remote villages like Hemu Village and Baihaba Village, interact closely with Tuvan and Kazakh herdsmen, and experience unique activities such as handicraft making and grassland camping.
Urumqi International Grand Bazaar
Classic Northern Xinjiang Self-Driving Route Planning
Northern Xinjiang self-driving centers on Urumqi as the starting point. It is recommended to plan a 7-12 day itinerary, with daily driving time not exceeding 4 hours to avoid fatigue. The following routes cover the most core natural and cultural landscapes of Northern Xinjiang and can be flexibly adjusted based on time:
1. 7-Day Essential Route (First Choice for First-Time Visitors) – Check Off Northern Xinjiang’s Iconic Landscapes
Route Overview: Urumqi → Fukang (Heavenly Lake of Tianshan) → Burqin → Kanas Lake → Hemu Village → Rainbow Beach → Urumqi. Total distance: approximately 1,500 kilometers. Daily driving: 3-4 hours. Low difficulty, suitable for overseas visitors with limited time.
Day 1: Depart Urumqi, drive about 1.5 hours to Fukang to visit Heavenly Lake of Tianshan; then head to Burqin, a 6-hour drive.
Core Experiences: Known as the “Pearl of Tianshan,” Heavenly Lake offers shuttle buses to the core scenic area. Hike along the lake to admire snow-capped mountain reflections or take a 1-hour boat tour. Upon arriving in Burqin, wander the Rainbow Beach Road Food Street at night to taste local cold-water fish (such as dogfish).
Best Time & Notes: Visit Heavenly Lake between 9-11 AM to avoid strong midday sunlight. The section from Urumqi to Burqin is mostly highway—stop at the Karamay Oilfield Scenic Area for photos along the way.
Day 2: Drive about 3 hours from Burqin to Kanas Lake.
Core Experiences: Park at the scenic area entrance and take a shuttle bus to explore the Three Bays (Moon Bay, Immortal Bay, Dragon Bay). Hike along the wooden plank road for about 2 hours, or climb the Fish-Watching Platform for a panoramic view (additional shuttle required; reserve 3 hours).
Best Time & Notes: The best time to shoot Immortal Bay’s morning mist is 7-9 AM in summer—depart early. Catering options in the scenic area are limited; bring snacks and water.
Day 3: Depart Kanas Lake, drive about 1 hour to Hemu Village.
Core Experiences: Hailed as China’s most beautiful ancient village, Hemu is a Tuva settlement. Climb the village’s viewing platform at dawn to photograph wooden houses, cooking smoke, and snow-capped mountains. Hike along the Hemu River in the afternoon, experience a herdsman’s home visit (drink milk tea, eat hand-grabbed meat), and join a bonfire party at night.
Best Time & Notes: Self-driving is prohibited in Hemu Village—park at the entrance and take a shuttle. Mosquitoes are abundant on the grassland in summer; bring insect repellent.
Day 4: Free activities in Hemu Village in the morning (shoot morning mist, visit village handicraft shops); return to Burqin in the afternoon, a 3.5-hour drive.
Core Experiences: Stop at grassland pastures along the way to photograph cattle and sheep herds.
Best Time & Notes: Choose to drive along the Irtysh River on the return trip to admire river valley scenery.
Day 5: Drive about 20 minutes from Burqin to Rainbow Beach, then return to Urumqi, a 6-hour drive.
Core Experiences: Rainbow Beach’s yardang landforms contrast beautifully with the Irtysh River. The colors are most brilliant under the setting sun (18:00-20:00 in summer)—shoot the sunset before returning.
Best Time & Notes: Rainbow Beach is windy; bring a windproof jacket. The return journey is long—rest and dine in mid-way counties (e.g., Karamay).
Days 6-7: Explore Urumqi city.
Core Experiences: Visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum to learn about ethnic minority cultures and the Silk Road history. Explore the International Grand Bazaar to buy handicrafts and taste local delicacies like roasted buns and pilaf.
Best Time & Notes: The museum is closed on Mondays—book in advance on the official website. Bargain appropriately when shopping at the Grand Bazaar and respect local ethnic customs.
2. 10-Day In-Depth Route (Grassland & Highway Wonders) – Four Seasons in One Day
Route Overview: Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Yining (Kazanqi Folk Village) → Nalati Grassland → Bayanbulak Grassland → Duku Highway → Kuqa → Urumqi. Total distance: approximately 2,000 kilometers. Covers lakes, grasslands, and highway wonders, suitable for overseas travelers who love nature and road trips.
Day 1: Drive about 5 hours from Urumqi to Sayram Lake.
Core Experiences: Known as “The Last Tear of the Atlantic,” Sayram Lake offers a 90-kilometer self-driving loop (3-4 hours). Stop at multiple viewing platforms such as Jiangtai and Swan Paradise. Camp by the lake or stay at a lakeside hotel at night to admire the starry sky and sunrise.
Best Time & Notes: Drive the loop counterclockwise to avoid oncoming traffic. Wildflowers bloom along the lake from June to August—ideal for photography.
Day 2: Shoot the snow-capped mountain sunrise reflected in Sayram Lake at 6-7 AM; then drive about 2 hours to Kazanqi Folk Village in Yining.
Core Experiences: Kazanqi is a traditional Uyghur village with exotic blue-brick and white-wall architecture. Rent a bicycle to tour the village and experience making local dessert macarons. Wander Liuxing Street in Yining at night to listen to local musicians play the dombra.
Best Time & Notes: Taste authentic Uyghur home-cooked meals in Kazanqi—book in advance.
Day 3: Drive about 2.5 hours from Yining to Nalati Grassland.
Core Experiences: Known as the “Alpine Grassland,” Nalati allows self-driving with a vehicle ticket. Drive along the grassland highway, stop at the Alpine Grassland Viewing Platform (about 2,200 meters above sea level), enjoy a 1-hour horseback riding tour in the river valley grassland, and visit a Kazakh herdsman’s yurt.
Best Time & Notes: The speed limit in the grassland is 40 km/h—obey traffic rules. The light is soft from 16:00-18:00, perfect for photographing grassland, cattle, sheep, and portraits.
Day 4: Drive about 2 hours from Nalati Grassland to Bayanbulak Grassland.
Core Experiences: Bayanbulak’s meandering Kaidu River (known as “Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends”) is a highlight. Climb the viewing platform to photograph the river’s twists and turns, and wait for the sunset at 19:00-21:00 to see the “nine suns” phenomenon caused by light refraction. The Swan Lake deep in the grassland (separate ticket required) offers views of swans.
Best Time & Notes: Bayanbulak is about 2,500 meters above sea level—some visitors may experience mild altitude sickness. Avoid strenuous exercise and bring warm clothing as temperatures drop sharply after sunset.
Day 5: Depart Bayanbulak Grassland, drive about 4 hours along the Duku Highway to Kuqa.
Core Experiences: Hailed as China’s most beautiful highway, the 561-kilometer Duku Highway is only open from June to September. Traverse snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, and gobi along the way. Stop at attractions like Haxilegen Daban (3,400 meters above sea level, snow-covered year-round) and Tianshan Grand Canyon for photos.
Best Time & Notes: The Duku Highway has many winding mountain roads—drive slowly and avoid overtaking. Do not drive at night; landslides may occur on rainy days—check the weather forecast.
Days 6-10: Return to Urumqi from Kuqa, an 8-hour drive.
Core Experiences: Visit Kuqa Grand Mosque and Kizil Caves (Silk Road relics) in Kuqa. Stop in Turpan on the return trip to explore Grape Valley and Karez Wells (ancient water conservancy projects).
Best Time & Notes: Book Kizil Caves 1 day in advance on the official website—photography is prohibited during visits. Turpan is extremely hot in summer (maximum temperature up to 40℃)—visit in the early morning or evening.
3. 12-Day Panoramic Route (Must-Choice for In-Depth Travelers) – Explore Northern & Southern Northern Xinjiang
Route Overview: Urumqi → Kanas Lake → Hemu Village → Baihaba Village → Burqin → Sayram Lake → Yizhao Highway → Nalati Grassland → Duku Highway → Urumqi. Core highlights: Integrates northern Altay and western Ili River Valley, adding Baihaba Village (“China’s Northwesternmost Village”) and Yizhao Highway (“Xinjiang’s Most Dangerous and Beautiful Highway”), offering diverse landscapes of snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, and border villages.
Added Key Itinerary 1: Drive about 1.5 hours from Kanas Lake to Baihaba Village.
Core Experiences: Known as “China’s Northwesternmost Village,” Baihaba borders Kazakhstan. Forests and snow-capped mountains surrounding the village create a painting-like scene. Climb the village’s viewing platform to photograph border scenery and experience the village’s tranquility at night (no commercial interference).
Notes: Apply for a border pass in advance (can be handled by Kanas Scenic Area travel agencies in about 1 hour). Accommodation in the village is mainly simple wooden houses—book in advance.
Added Key Itinerary 2: Depart Yining, drive about 3 hours along the Yizhao Highway, pass Zhaosu, and arrive at Nalati Grassland.
Core Experiences: Hailed as Xinjiang’s most dangerous and beautiful highway, the Yizhao Highway is only open from July to August. Traverse the Wusun Mountains, with sea of clouds atop peaks, grassland pastures, and wildflower seas. Stop at Angelite Daban (3,000 meters above sea level) for panoramic photos.
Notes: Large trucks are prohibited on the Yizhao Highway—only small vehicles are allowed. There are no gas stations along the way—fill up in advance and bring sufficient drinking water.
In-Depth Experiences of Must-Visit Core Attractions in Northern Xinjiang
1. Kanas Lake (Burqin County) – Pure Land on Earth, a Realm of Colors
Core Activities:
- Hike the Three Bays: The essence of Kanas, the 3-kilometer wooden plank road offers views of lakes and forests. The morning mist at Immortal Bay (7-9 AM in summer) is a favorite among photographers.
- Panoramic View from Observation Deck: Overlook the crescent-shaped Kanas Lake in its entirety, gaze at distant snow-capped mountains, and admire the layered blue shades of the lake on clear days.
- Lakeside Camping: Designated campsites are available in the scenic area (reservation required). Admire the Milky Way at night and wake up to birdsong and morning mist.
Best Seasons: June-July (emerald green lake + wildflowers), September (golden poplars + azure lake).
Kanas Lake
2. Sayram Lake (Bortala Prefecture) – A Date Between Blue Lake and Grassland
Core Activities:
- Self-Drive Loop: Focus on stops like Dianjiangtai Platform (panoramic lake views), Swan Paradise (swans in summer), and West Sea Grassland (blooming wildflowers) – stop anytime to shoot lake and snow-capped mountain combinations.
- Lakeside Hiking: Choose the shallow beach area on the east bank, walk on fine sand, and shoot reflections in the crystal-clear water.
- Lakeside Camping: Recommended campsite on the south bank (relatively complete facilities). Listen to the lake waves at night and watch the sunrise dye the lake red in the morning.
Hidden Experience: Attend equestrian festivals and grassland music festivals held by the lake from June to August (summer) to feel the local enthusiasm.
Sayram Lake
3. Nalati Grassland (Ili Prefecture) – Pastoral Songs of the Alpine Grassland
Core Activities:
- Alpine Grassland: At 2,200 meters above sea level, wildflowers bloom in summer with scattered cattle and sheep. Drive to the core viewing platform and hike along the wooden plank road (≈1 hour) to gaze at Tianshan snow-capped mountains.
- Horse Riding in River Valley Grassland: Choose regular herdsman-organized horse riding (≈100 yuan/hour) – ride along the river valley grassland, passing streams and forests to experience herdsman life.
- Herdsman Home Visit: Visit local Kazakh yurts, learn to make milk curd, drink salty milk tea, and listen to herdsmen’s grassland stories (reservation required, ≈50 yuan/person).
Scenic Area Selection: Nalati has three areas – Alpine Grassland, River Valley Grassland, and Bayanbulak Grassland. Prioritize Alpine Grassland and River Valley Grassland.
Nalati Grassland
4. Duku Highway – Highway Wonder of Four Seasons in One Day
Core Viewing Spots:
- Haxilegen Daban: The highest point of Duku Highway (3,400 meters above sea level), snow-covered year-round. Even in summer, it offers the best photo opportunity of “snow-capped mountains and grassland in the same frame”.
- Tianshan Grand Canyon: Red mountains contrast with green grassland, with gurgling streams in the canyon. Stop at the viewing platform to shoot the panoramic canyon.
- Bayanbulak Section: The highway runs along the edge of the grassland, with endless green carpets and scattered cattle and sheep – stop anytime to shoot highway photos.
Driving Tips: Open from June to September. It is recommended to drive from north to south (Bayanbulak → Kuqa) to appreciate the four seasons (“spring, summer, autumn, winter”) in order. Avoid driving on rainy days as falling rocks may occur.
Key Preparations for Overseas Visitors
1. Document Requirements (Mandatory)
- International Driving Permit (IDP) + valid domestic driver’s license, or Chinese-English notarized certificate of domestic driver’s license (certified by the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country).
- Original passport (valid for the duration of stay in China). A border pass is required for border attractions (e.g., Baihaba Village) – can be handled by travel agencies.
2. Itinerary Preparation
- Maps & Communication: Download offline maps of Northern Xinjiang on Amap/Baidu Maps in advance. Mobile signals are weak in remote areas (e.g., Hemu Village, Baihaba Village) – agree on emergency contact methods with travel companions.
- Scenic Area Reservations: Book popular attractions (Kanas Lake, Nalati Grassland) 1-3 days in advance via official websites during peak season to avoid no tickets on site.
- Clothing & Equipment: Northern Xinjiang has large temperature differences (15-20℃ between day and night) – bring a thin coat or windbreaker even in summer. UV rays are strong in high-altitude areas – prepare sunscreen (SPF50+), sunglasses, and a sun hat.
3. Safety & Health
- Driving Safety: Slow down and avoid overtaking on winding mountain roads (e.g., Burqin to Kanas, Duku Highway). Gas stations are scarce in remote areas – refuel whenever passing through counties.
- Altitude Sickness: Prepare Rhodiola rosea (take 3 days in advance) for high-altitude attractions (Bayanbulak, Nalati). Avoid strenuous exercise after arrival and drink plenty of warm water.
- Food Safety: Local cuisine is dominated by beef, mutton, and noodles. Bring a small amount of gastrointestinal medicine and avoid eating large amounts of spicy food on an empty stomach.
Tailored to the self-driving needs of overseas visitors, China Dragon Travel has created a comprehensive exclusive service system to fully resolve various pain points in itinerary planning: whether customizing exclusive routes based on your time, budget, and experience preferences, assisting with tedious procedures such as border pass applications and driver’s license notarization/certification; whether booking scarce characteristic accommodation in scenic areas, or arranging in-depth activities such as herdsman home visits, grassland camping, and bilingual guided tours – our professional team provides meticulous and thoughtful support. With years of experience in Northern Xinjiang tourism, the travel agency is familiar with the travel habits of overseas visitors and equipped with a 24/7 Chinese-English emergency contact team. From pre-trip planning to on-trip support, we ensure your journey is safe and smooth throughout.
