Northern Xinjiang is a natural palette of Xinjiang—without the deserts and Gobi of Southern Xinjiang, it condenses China’s most spectacular natural scenery: Kanas Lake reflecting snow-capped mountains, Ili’s grasslands covered with wildflowers, Sayram Lake’s sapphire-like surface, and Duku Highway’s bends hiding four seasons. An in-depth trip to Northern Xinjiang is never about checking in at scenic spots, but about slowing down to feel: waiting for morning mist in Hemu Village, trekking the Three Bays of Kanas, horseback riding on Nalati Grassland, and stargazing by Sayram Lake… Only through in-depth travel can you unlock the beauty hidden in its details. This guide covers the core charms, classic routes, must-do experiences, practical tips of Northern Xinjiang in-depth travel, and finally explains why choose China Dragon Travel Agency to plan your trip, helping you create a leisurely and memorable journey to Northern Xinjiang.
Why Take an In-Depth Trip to Northern Xinjiang
The beauty of Northern Xinjiang is regrettable if only tasted superficially—only in-depth travel can touch its essence, with three core charms:
- Concentrated Natural Scenery:No need to travel across multiple provinces—you can see a panoramic combination of snow-capped mountains + lakes + grasslands + forests + villages in Northern Xinjiang. Kanas Lake changes from blue to green with seasons, Ili’s grasslands spread from river valleys to the foot of snow-capped mountains, and Sayram Lake reflects the Tianshan Mountains. You can switch between grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and forests in one day.
- Authentic Cultural Experiences:In-depth travel is not just about sightseeing, but about stepping into local life. Stay in wooden houses, drink milk tea, and listen to Chur (a local musical instrument) in Tuvan villages like Hemu and Baihaba; experience horseback riding and milking in Kazakh yurts in Ili to feel the real nomadic culture—something impossible with check-in tours.
- Diverse Experience Ways:Northern Xinjiang is not just for viewing, but for participation—trekking the Three Bays of Kanas, self-driving around Sayram Lake, horseback riding on Nalati Grassland, stargazing camping in Hemu, self-driving on Duku Highway… Each experience allows you to interact with nature, instead of just passing by through car windows.
Sailimu Lake
Classic Routes for Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Travel: 7-10 Day Loop, No Rush or Detours
Scenic spots in Northern Xinjiang are scattered—the Grand Loop is the best choice for in-depth travel, covering core areas without backtracking. For limited time, choose a Small Loop focusing on a single area. Here are two route plans:
Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop (7-10 Days, Classic Must-Choose)
Route: Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Ili → Kanas → Urumqi
Daily Highlights & Stay Suggestions:
- Day 1-2: Urumqi → Sayram Lake (about 6 hours’ drive)
Reach Sayram Lake, the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean. In-depth experiences: Stay in a lake-view homestay inside the scenic area (not outside), trek 3km along the lake the next morning (from South Gate to Dianjiangtai), watch snow-capped mountains reflect on the lake; self-drive around the lake (about 90km) in the afternoon, focus on stopping at South Gate Flower Fields (June-July) and Guozigou Bridge Viewing Platform, and take photos of the starry sky by the lake at dusk.
- Day 3-5: Sayram Lake → Ili (about 2.5 hours’ drive)
Ili is the hometown of grasslands in Northern Xinjiang. In-depth experiences:
◦ Nalati Grassland (stay 1 night): Choose to trek in the Sky Grassland or rent a horse (about $28 for 2 hours) to ride from the river valley to the mountain top, overlooking the panoramic grassland.
◦ Karajun Grassland (stay 1 night): Focus on visiting KuoKESU Grand Canyon to see the curves of the Human Body Grassland (best light at dusk).
◦ Add a trip to Huocheng Lavender Fields in June-July, stay at a local farmer’s home, and experience lavender essential oil making.
- Day 6-8: Ili → Kanas (about 10 hours’ drive, can shorten to 1.5 hours by plane)
Kanas is the top autumn scenery spot in Northern Xinjiang. In-depth experiences:
◦ Stay inside the scenic area (Kanas Village is better than Jiadengyu), trek the Three Bays (Fairy Bay → Moon Bay → Dragon Bay) in the morning with few people and quiet scenery.
◦ Visit Baihaba Village (border pass required), stay in a Tuvan wooden house, and listen to locals talk about the village’s history.
◦ Climb the Fish-Watching Platform to overlook the panoramic view of Kanas Lake (emerald green in September-October, extremely beautiful).
- Day 9-10: Kanas → Urumqi (about 10 hours’ drive)
Stop at Wucai Beach on the way back to watch the sunset reflect on the Yadan landform and Ertix River, and arrive in the city at dusk.
Niche Small Loops (5 Days, Choose for Limited Time)
- Kanas In-Depth Small Loop: Urumqi → Kanas → Hemu → Urumqi (5 days), focusing on trekking the Three Bays, waiting for morning mist in Hemu, and staying in Tuvan homestays—suitable for chasing autumn scenery in September-October.
- Ili In-Depth Small Loop: Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Ili → Urumqi (5 days), focusing on horseback riding on grasslands, lavender fields, and Guozigou Bridge—suitable for viewing flowers in June-July.
Nalati Grassland
Must-Do Experiences for Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Travel
The essence of Northern Xinjiang in-depth travel lies not in ticking off scenic spots, but in truly experiencing each moment. These 5 experiences are essential:
1. Trekking the Three Bays of Kanas (6:00-8:00 AM)
Don’t just pass by by shuttle bus. Trek from Fairy Bay to Dragon Bay (about 3km, 1.5 hours). Morning mist lingers on the lake surface, sunlight filters through the forest onto the grass, and you may encounter squirrels and birds—this is the quietest moment of Kanas.
2. Waiting for Morning Mist in Hemu Village (7:00-9:00 AM in Autumn)
Stay in a wooden homestay in Hemu Village, walk 10 minutes to Hemu Viewing Platform in the morning, and watch mist rise from the river valley, shrouding scattered wooden houses with curling smoke. After sunlight breaks through the mist, the whole village is like a fairy tale (best autumn scenery in September-October, with golden leaves beside the wooden houses).
3. Self-Driving Around Sayram Lake (3:00-6:00 PM)
Rent a car (available inside the scenic area, about $42 per day), drive from South Gate to North Gate around the lake. Focus on stopping at West Lakeside (to take photos of snow-capped mountain reflections) and Dianjiangtai (to overlook the panoramic lake view). Wait for the sunset to dye the lake golden at the RV campsite by the lake in the evening.
4. Horseback Riding on Ili Grassland (before 10:00 AM)
Choose Nalati or Karajun Grassland, rent a horse from local Kazakhs (must let herders lead the horse for safety), and ride from the river valley to the mountain top. The grassland wind carries the fragrance of wildflowers, and distant snow-capped mountains are clearly visible—horseback riding lets you feel the vastness of the grassland better than taking a car.
5. Visiting a Tuvan Village Home (4:00-6:00 PM)
Find a local homestay in Hemu or Baihaba Village, drink a bowl of Tuvan milk tea, listen to the host play Chur (a musical instrument made of reeds with an ethereal sound), and learn about their living customs—such as how to ski in winter and herd in summer. It’s more heartfelt than visiting scenic spots.
Practical Guide for Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Travel: Integrated Transportation & Accommodation Guide
Integrate the two core needs of transportation and accommodation, and clarify key tips to avoid pitfalls:
- Transportation Choices:
◦ Priority to chartered cars/small group tours: The cost of chartered cars for 7-10 days is about $42-$56 per day (including fuel, excluding driver’s accommodation and meals). Local drivers are familiar with routes, can stop and take photos at will, and even take you to niche viewing platforms.
◦ Notes for self-driving: Only recommended for experienced long-distance self-drivers. Must bring snow chains for Kanas in September-October. The northern section of Duku Highway (Qiaermu → Nalati) is only open from June to October. Self-driving is prohibited inside scenic areas—park cars in outer parking lots and take paid shuttle buses into the scenic area (about $7-$14 per person).
- Accommodation Tips:
◦ Sayram Lake: Stay in a lake-view homestay inside the scenic area (e.g., Xihai Grassland Homestay), 5 minutes’ walk to the lake, convenient for watching sunrise and sunset.
◦ Kanas/Hemu: Stay in wooden houses inside the scenic area (Kanas Village/Hemu Village), no need to rush for shuttle buses, convenient for shooting morning mist.
◦ Ili: Stay in a homestay in Nalati Sky Grassland and near KuoKESU Grand Canyon in Karajun—close to scenic spots, reducing back-and-forth travel.
Practical Guide for Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Travel: Seasonal Clothing & Essential Items
Northern Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night and obvious seasonal scenery differences. Prepare clothing and items in advance:
- Seasonal Clothing:
◦ June-July (Flower Season): Short sleeves + thin jacket during the day; add a sweatshirt in the morning and evening; strong winds on grasslands, bring a hat and scarf.
◦ September-October (Autumn Scenery Season): Sweater + softshell or windproof jacket during the day; add a down jacket or thin insulated layer in the morning and evening; possible snow in Kanas, wear non-slip shoes.
- Essential Items:
Sunscreen (SPF50+), sunglasses (to resist strong light and reflections), moisturizing skincare products (Northern Xinjiang is dry—face cream and lip balm are a must), hiking shoes (non-slip and wear-resistant for trekking the Three Bays), power bank (weak signal in some areas, keep it charged).
Practical Guide for Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Travel: Food & Customs
- Food Recommendations & Pitfalls to Avoid:
◦ Kanas/Hemu: Tuvan milk tea, hand-grasped mutton, baked buns, nang pit meat. Recommend Hemu Village Central Restaurant (frequently visited by locals).
◦ Ili: Kazakh kumiss (fermented horse milk), hand-grasped rice, roasted whole lamb (for large groups). Recommend herders’ home-cooked meals in Nalati.
◦ Urumqi: Try baked buns, spicy pepper chicken, and hand-pulled noodles at Grand Bazaar. Don’t buy expensive specialties at Grand Bazaar—buy them at local supermarkets (e.g., Maiqu’er milk, raisins) for better value.
- Local Customs:
Take off shoes when entering Tuvan or Kazakh homes; Always ask before photographing locals; do not step on or pick wildflowers on the grasslands—respect nomadic culture and local customs.
Frequently Asked Questions for Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Travel
Q1: What’s the budget for an in-depth trip to Northern Xinjiang?
A1: $1,140-$1,430 per person for 7-10 days (including transportation, accommodation, tickets, and meals). Chartered cars cost $210-$280 more than self-driving. Accommodation prices are 30% higher in peak seasons (June-July, September-October).
Q2: Are the leaves yellow in Kanas in September?
A2: Leaves start to turn yellow in mid-September. Late September to early October is the best autumn scenery period—Kanas Lake is emerald green, leaves are golden, and there are fewer people than during National Day.
Q3: Can I camp by Sayram Lake?
A3: Camping is allowed only at designated RV campsites inside the scenic area. Advance reservation is recommended. Private camping is not permitted.
Q4: Is Northern Xinjiang suitable for traveling with the elderly/children?
A4: Yes. Choose a chartered car tour (to reduce travel fatigue), don’t rush the itinerary (visit only 1 scenic spot per day), and choose hotels with elevators for accommodation. Keep the elderly warm and prepare motion sickness medicine for children (long drives may cause motion sickness).
How to Plan a Smooth Northern Xinjiang In-Depth Trip
In-depth travel in Northern Xinjiang can sometimes be disrupted by crowded large groups, rushed itineraries, or forced shopping stops. To enjoy the region fully, keep the following tips in mind:
- Travel in Small Groups and Avoid Crowded Tours
Whether choosing a 7–10 day journey by small commercial vehicle or a 5–7 day 6-person flight + local transport plan, small group travel allows flexibility. You can pause to enjoy morning mist in Hemu, take extra photos by Sayram Lake, or adjust the schedule without worrying about large group constraints.
- Choose Refined Routes That Focus on Core Scenic Spots
Select routes that avoid unnecessary detours and routine stops. For example, the Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop can take shortcuts such as Ahe Highway (scenic forests and grasslands) or S21 Desert Highway (saves travel time). Small loops can concentrate on Kanas or Ili to maximize time at the main attractions.
- Balance Accommodation for Experience and Comfort
Prioritize staying inside scenic areas (Hemu, Kanas wooden houses) to easily capture morning mist or stargazing moments. In urban areas, choose comfortable 4-star hotels to ensure rest after long drives. This combination allows immersive experiences without sacrificing comfort.
- Look for Extra Experiences to Enrich Your Trip
Some operators include optional extras, such as professional photo shoots at Sayram Lake, luxury afternoon tea on Nalati Grassland, or drone-assisted photography for highways and lakes. Even if these are not included, consider planning time for unique experiences beyond sightseeing.
For your 2026 Northern Xinjiang in-depth trip, choosing the right travel agency ensures you don’t waste the beautiful scenery – China Dragon Travel Agency’s planning is not just “taking you around”, but “accompanying you to enjoy thoroughly”. From routes to accommodation, from experiences to details, everything revolves around depth, comfort, and freedom, allowing you to focus on enjoying the morning mist of Kanas, the starry sky of Hemu, and the blue of Sayram Lake without worrying about trivial matters. If you want to customize an exclusive Northern Xinjiang itinerary (e.g., parent-child tour, photography tour) or confirm chartered car and accommodation details, you can contact China Dragon Travel Agency—let the professional team help you create a smooth and unforgettable journey to Northern Xinjiang.
