8-Day Xinjiang Private Tour: Ili River Valley

Welcome to Urumqi, the gateway to Xinjiang and the starting point of your journey through the Ili River Valley. Upon arrival, your private guide will greet you in the arrivals hall and escort you to your hotel by private vehicle.

The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, travel to the renowned Heavenly Lake, set high in the Tianshan Mountains at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and serene alpine scenery, the lake is one of Xinjiang’s most picturesque natural landmarks.

Stroll along the plank paths that trace the lakeshore and take in the ever-changing colors reflected on the water’s surface. As you explore, your guide will share the myths, legends, and cultural stories associated with this celebrated mountain lake.

After the visit, continue by private vehicle to Kuitun. The drive covers approximately 400 kilometers.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive onward to Sayram Lake, often praised as one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Xinjiang. Known for its tranquil waters, open grasslands, and sweeping mountain views, the lake offers a peaceful and expansive natural setting.

Take a leisurely walk along the lakeside plank path, relax on the grasslands dotted with seasonal wildflowers, and enjoy the fresh breeze that sweeps across the shore. Often called the “last tears of the Atlantic,” Sayram Lake is as poetic as it is scenic.

Today’s driving distance is approximately 400 kilometers.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, continue your journey through the Ili region, beginning with the spectacular scenery of Guozigou Valley, also known as “Fruit Valley.” Framed by dramatic mountains and deep gorges, the valley is made even more striking by the impressive Guozigou Bridge, whose sweeping structure adds a modern architectural highlight to the natural landscape.

Continue toward Tekes via Huocheng, where you will stop to admire the romantic lavender fields for which the area is well known. When in season, the endless stretches of purple blossoms create one of the most enchanting landscapes in Xinjiang.

The total driving distance for today is approximately 280 kilometers.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, visit Kalajun Grassland, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful grasslands in the Ili River Valley. Rolling meadows, colorful wildflowers, dark green forests, and distant snow-covered peaks combine to form a landscape of extraordinary beauty.

Enjoy time to walk through this vast alpine pasture and take in the tranquility of the open scenery. If you wish, you may also choose to ride a horse and experience a taste of traditional Kazakh herdsmen life.

Later in the afternoon, return to Tekes Town, famed for its unique bagua-inspired layout based on the Eight Trigrams. With its concentric octagonal road pattern and absence of traffic lights, Tekes is both visually distinctive and culturally intriguing. Stroll along Lijie Street and discover corners of the town decorated with traditional Xinjiang-style artwork.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Nalati. Following lunch, visit the celebrated Nalati Sky Grassland, often described as the “grassland in the sky” for its high elevation and sweeping mountain views.

Take a shuttle bus up into the scenic area, stopping at several viewing platforms to admire panoramic vistas of rolling meadows, forested slopes, and distant peaks. At the final stop, enjoy a gentle walk along a stream toward the forest, where tall fir trees, white yurts, and flower-dotted grasslands create a landscape reminiscent of a fairy tale.

Today’s driving distance is approximately 250 kilometers.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, drive to Yining. Upon arrival, explore the Kazanqi District, a vibrant neighborhood known for its rich Uyghur cultural heritage. The residential houses, often painted in shades of blue and green, reflect distinctive local architectural traditions and create a lively and colorful streetscape.

Enjoy a ride through the area by horse-drawn carriage, a charming way to experience the atmosphere of the community. Along the way, immerse yourself in the region’s cultural diversity through traditional music, dance, and local folk performances.

Today’s driving distance is approximately 250 kilometers.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy some free time at leisure before your private transfer to Yining Airport for your onward flight.

Your journey concludes today, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Xinjiang’s mountain lakes, sweeping grasslands, fragrant lavender fields, and the rich cultural traditions of the Ili River Valley.