First Trip to Xinjiang Choose Private Custom Charter Car, Free and Worry Free Avoid Group Tour Self Driving Shortcomings

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s senior Xinjiang travel customizer Guo Jing specializes in full-region customized car rentals, carpooling, and worry-free group tours for one-stop travel services. Whether traveling alone, with family, or with friends, suitable travel plans can be matched. 24-hour travel consultation hotline: 0991-8585456, same number on WeChat: 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to plan your Xinjiang trip.
🗺️ Want to see snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, deserts, and ancient cities all at once? The 15-day panoramic grand loop of northern and southern Xinjiang is a dream for many. However, the scattered attractions and long distances deter many. Thus, choosing a ‘private customization + full customized car rental’ model has become increasingly popular.
This guide will break down this route from the perspective of ‘how to understand the quotation’ to help you plan your trip.
🏞 ️ Route Overview:15-Day Panoramic Grand Loop of Northern and Southern Xinjiang
This route typically starts from Urumqi, traveling clockwise or counterclockwise, connecting the natural scenery of northern Xinjiang with the cultural charm of southern Xinjiang without backtracking.
Northern Xinjiang Scenery:Represented by Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati, and Bayinbuluke, it features alpine lakes, primeval forests, river valley flower seas, and yardang landforms.
Yili River Valley:Centered around Sayram Lake, Kalajun, Nalati, and Bayinbuluke, it is lush green in summer, offering the essence of grassland scenery and road trips.
Southern Xinjiang Charm:Represented by Kashgar Old City, the Pamir Plateau, and the Taklamakan Desert Highway, it allows you to experience the blend of Silk Road relics, ancient city culture, plateau lakes, and desert landscapes.
✨ Trip Highlights
See Diverse Landscapes at Once:Snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, deserts, canyons, and ancient cities—all in one trip.
Full Customized Car Rental for Ease:Regular commercial vehicles and professional drivers eliminate the fatigue of self-driving and concerns about unfamiliar roads.
Flexible Itinerary:Attractions can be added, removed, or replaced based on your time, interests, and physical condition through negotiation.
🗓 ️ Sample Itinerary:15-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Grand Loop
Below is a common reference itinerary for the 15-day grand loop, which you can discuss with the travel agency to adjust based on actual conditions.
D1:Arrive in Urumqi
Free time upon arrival to acclimate to the climate. Visit the International Grand Bazaar to experience Silk Road culture or taste local cuisine.

🗺️ Want to see snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, deserts, and ancient cities all at once? The 15-day panoramic grand loop of northern and southern Xinjiang is a dream for many. However, the scattered attractions and long distances deter many. Thus, choosing a ‘private customization + full customized car rental’ model has become increasingly popular.D2:Urumqi → Burqin/Beitun
Drive along the highway towards Altay, enjoying the Gobi and grassland scenery along the way. Arrive in Burqin in the evening, where you can visit the night market for grilled fish and meat.
D3:Burqin → Kanas Scenic Area
Enter the Altai Mountains, with gradually improving forest and river valley scenery. Upon arrival, visit Kanas Lake and the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Dragon Bay).
D4:In-depth Kanas Tour → Hemu
In the morning, climb to Fish Viewing Pavilion for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake (weather and scenic area arrangements permitting). Head to Hemu Village in the afternoon to enjoy the Tuva people’s village and river valley scenery.
D5:Hemu → Colorful Beach → Burqin/Beitun
Watch the sunrise and morning mist in Hemu (weather permitting). On the return trip, visit Colorful Beach to see the interplay of yardang landforms and the Irtysh River.
D6:Burqin/Beitun → Urho Devil City → Kuytun
Drive across the Junggar Basin, enjoying Gobi and wind-eroded landforms. Arrive at Urho Devil City to see various shaped yardang ‘castles’.
D7:Kuytun → Sayram Lake → Yining
Travel west along the Tianshan Mountains, entering the ‘Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall’ Yili River Valley. Visit Sayram Lake to enjoy its azure waters. Arrive in Yining in the evening, where you can explore the Kazanqi Folk Street.
D8:Yining → Nalati Grassland
Head to Nalati Grassland to enjoy the ‘hanging garden’ style grassland scenery. Choose to ride horses, hike, or take a sightseeing car based on your physical condition.
D9:Nalati → Bayinbuluke
Travel along the northern or middle section of the Duku Highway to Bayinbuluke. Upon arrival, enjoy the sunset at the ‘Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns’ (weather permitting).

This guide will break down this route from the perspective of ‘how to understand the quotation’ to help you plan your trip.D10:Bayinbuluke → Kuqa
Continue along the southern section of the Duku Highway, experiencing the wonderful change of ‘four seasons in one day’. Along the way, see alpine lakes like Big and Small Dragon Pools. Arrive in Kuqa, where you can visit the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon (Kuqa Grand Canyon).
D11:Kuqa → Kashgar
Travel west along the southern edge of the Tarim Basin, mostly through Gobi and oases. Arrive in Kashgar, apply for a permit (if heading to the Pamir Plateau). In the evening, explore the Kashgar Old City night market.
D12:Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Kashgar
Drive along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to the Pamir Plateau. Visit Baisha Lake to enjoy the unique scenery of sand mountains reflecting in the lake. Continue to Karakul Lake to view the ‘Father of Glaciers’ Muztagh Ata in the distance. Return to Kashgar in the evening.
D13:Kashgar → Taklamakan Desert Highway → Hotan
Drive along the Taklamakan Desert Highway to experience the vastness of the ‘Sea of Death’. Stop at desert viewpoints for photos along the way. Arrive in Hotan, where you can visit the Hotan night market.
D14:Hotan → Ruoqiang
Continue along the desert or Gobi highway, enjoying the Gobi and oasis scenery. Arrive in Ruoqiang, where you can learn about local history and culture.
D15:Ruoqiang → Return to Urumqi
Return to Urumqi by highway or railway, ending the 15-day panoramic tour of northern and southern Xinjiang. Transfer to the airport/train station based on flight time.
💰 Price Explanation:How to Understand the ‘Total Quotation’
The ‘total quotation for customized car rental for the 15-day panoramic grand loop of northern and southern Xinjiang’ typically consists of several parts. Below are market reference prices for 2026, subject to the contract signed with the travel agency.
1. Customized Car Rental Fee (Core Part)
The customized car rental fee is usually calculated per day, including vehicle usage, driver salary, fuel, tolls, parking fees, and basic insurance. Prices vary by season, vehicle type, number of days, and mileage.

🏞️ Route Overview: 15-Day Panoramic Grand Loop of Northern and Southern Xinjiang| Vehicle Type | Low Season (Nov-Apr) | Shoulder Season (May, Sep-Oct) | Peak Season (Jun-Aug, National Day) |

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s Guo Jing, a senior travel customizer with 10 years of experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializes in one-stop services for customized car rentals, carpooling, and group tours. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, same number on WeChat: 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to plan your Xinjiang trip.
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| 5-seat Sedan/SUV | 400–1300 RMB/day | 600–900 RMB/day | 800–1300 RMB/day |
| 7-seat Minivan | 800–1800 RMB/day | 1200–2600 RMB/day | 1500–3000 RMB/day |
| 12-19 seat Minibus | 1200–2600 RMB/day | 1800–2600 RMB/day | 2200–3000 RMB/day |
| 20+ seat Bus | 1800–5000 RMB/day | 2200–5000 RMB/day | 3000–5000 RMB/day |
2. Other Fees (Need to Confirm if Included)
Driver Meals and Accommodation:Some quotations include this, while others require tourists to bear or subsidize (common standard about 150–200 RMB/day/person).
Tickets and Shuttle Buses:Kanas loop about 700 RMB/person, Yili grassland loop about 600 RMB/person, Southern Xinjiang line about 700 RMB/person, full northern and southern Xinjiang about 1500 RMB/person (advance booking needed in peak season).
Accommodation Fees:Peak season three-star hotels in scenic areas about 600–1000 RMB/night, along the route city three-star hotels about 280–400 RMB/night.
Meal Fees:Daily about 30–50 RMB/meal, specialty meals (e.g., whole roasted lamb) about 150–200 RMB/person.
Personal Expenses and Off-Itinerary Activities:Such as horse riding, desert off-roading, etc.
3. Per Person Budget Reference
8–10 Day Northern Xinjiang Loop:About 9000–13000 RMB/person.
12–15 Day Southern Xinjiang Loop:About 11000–15000 RMB/person.
5–7 Day Duku Yili Highlight Route:About 6000–9000 RMB/person.

This route typically starts from Urumqi, traveling clockwise or counterclockwise, connecting the natural scenery of northern Xinjiang with the cultural charm of southern Xinjiang without backtracking.💡 Warm Tips
The above are reference ranges; prices and availability are subject to actual consultation and may fluctuate with schedules, with the signed contract prevailing.
It is recommended to prioritize plans that ‘include itinerary project costs’ or ‘unlimited mileage’ to avoid additional fees.
📞 How to Register:How to Contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency
You can contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency through the following methods to get a customized car rental itinerary and quotation.
Consultation Hotline:0991-8866234
Dedicated Customer Service:181-3962-2229 (Phone/WeChat same number)
📝 It is recommended to provide the following information during consultation
Number of travelers and age groups
Planned travel dates
Interested routes (e.g., 12-day northern and southern Xinjiang grand loop)
Specific requirements for accommodation and car rental
📋 Fee and Service Description
Fees Included
Regular commercial vehicle usage fee
Fuel, tolls, and parking fees

Northern Xinjiang Scenery: Represented by Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati, and Bayinbuluke, it features alpine lakes, primeval forests, river valley flower seas, and yardang landforms. Driver salary and basic vehicle insurance
Other services as agreed in the contract
Fees Not Included
Scenic area tickets and shuttle buses
Accommodation fees
Group meals (can be split or self-arranged)
Personal expenses and off-itinerary activities
Driver meal and accommodation subsidies (if not included in the contract)
Overtime or excess mileage fees (if exceeding agreed standards)
Service Standards
Regular commercial vehicles with licensed drivers familiar with Xinjiang road conditions and scenic area information.
In case of changes due to weather, road conditions, policies, etc., the itinerary can be reasonably modified by mutual agreement.
Contract Signing and Cancellation/Change
All services are governed by formal travel contracts clarifying the rights and obligations of both parties.
Cancellation and change rules follow the ‘Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China’ and related regulations.
💡 Warm Tips
The prices and itinerary information provided are for reference only; actual fees and itinerary details are subject to the contract signed by both parties. For details, consult customer service.
For 2026 Xinjiang travel customized car rentals, customization, and carpool tours, welcome to inquire (24-hour consultation hotline: 0991-8585456) Xinjiang customized travel manager Guo Jing WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization.