15 Day Group Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang Explore Plateau Lakes, Deserts, and Populus Euphratica Comprehensive Guide to Costs and Recommended Itinerary Prices

Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.

15-Day Panoramic Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang:An in-depth encounter with plateau lakes, desert poplars, and ancient Silk Road cities 🌄
I. Itinerary Highlights: A Visual Feast of Nature and Culture
The 15-day panoramic route of Northern and Southern Xinjiang focuses on ‘geographical span + cultural depth,’ connecting the forest lakes of Northern Xinjiang, the desert poplars of Southern Xinjiang, and the glacial lakes of the Pamir Plateau, covering Xinjiang’s four major geographical units:
Altai Ecological Zone:Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, and Baisha Village form a ‘backyard garden,’ where summer’s green carpet-like grasslands and autumn’s golden birch forests create a striking visual contrast.
Ili River Valley Grassland Belt:Sayram Lake, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic,’ and the wildflower sea and snow-capped mountain backdrop of Nalati’s aerial grasslands create cinematic scenes.
Edge of the Taklimakan Desert:Traversing the desert highway, the combination of sand dunes and poplar forests showcases the aesthetic of life’s struggle against the desert.
Pamir Plateau Secret Realm:The blue-and-white gradient lake surface of Baisha Lake, the glacial reflection of Muztagh Ata, and the thousand-year-old ruins of Tashkurgan Stone City compose a grand epic of high-altitude regions.
The itinerary features specially designed ‘seasonal limited experiences’:From June to August, you can participate in home visits to families of various ethnic groups in Nalati Grassland; from September to October, you can photograph the golden forest sea of Luntai Poplar Forest; from November to March of the following year, you can experience the fairy-tale world of ice and snow in Kanas.
II. Simple Itinerary: 15-Day Immersive Exploration
[Days 1-2: Gathering in Urumqi]
After arriving in Urumqi, check into a four-star hotel. Recommended free activities:
Food Exploration in Lingguan Lane:Hand-grabbed rice, baked buns, and kvass beverage.

15-Day Panoramic Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: An in-depth encounter with plateau lakes, desert poplars, and ancient Silk Road cities 🌄Xinjiang Museum:Focus on viewing the ‘unique folk customs’ mummies and artifacts from the Niya Site.
[Days 3-5: Northern Xinjiang Ecological Core Area]
Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Burqin:Traverse China’s second desert highway, stopping at Kelameili Sand Dune Park to photograph desert curves.
Burqin → Kanas → Hemu:
Kanas Lake Boat Tour:Observe up close the legendary birthplace of the ‘lake monster.’
Hemu Village Morning Mist Photography:Ascend Hadeng Platform to overlook wooden houses with cooking smoke and birch forests.
[Days 6-8: Ili River Valley Grassland Belt]
Hemu → Sayram Lake → Yining:
Sayram Lake Circumnavigation:Key stops include Dianjiangtai, Qinshuitan, and S Bend; biking or self-driving around the lake is recommended.
Fruit Valley Bridge Check-in:Photograph the combination of canyon and bridge known as ‘the first scenic spot in Ili.’
Yining → Nalati Grassland:
Aerial Grassland Light Hiking:Search for the ruins of ‘grassland stone men.’
Home Visits to Families of Various Ethnic Groups:Experience traditional life such as milking cows and making nang bread.

I. Itinerary Highlights: A Visual Feast of Nature and Culture[Days 9-11: Traversing the Dukang Highway]
Nalati → Bayanbulak:
Northern Section of Dukang Highway:Experience four seasons in one day, passing by the Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery.
Bayanbulak Nine-Curve Eighteen-Bend:Photograph the reflection of nine suns at dusk.
Bayanbulak → Kuqa:
Southern Section of Dukang Highway:Traverse the Large and Small Dragon Pools and the Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon.
[Days 12-14: Southern Xinjiang Culture and Desert]
Kuqa → Luntai Poplar Forest → Hotan:
Luntai Poplar Forest Park:Take a small train through the golden tunnel.
Hotan Night Market:Taste special snacks such as baked eggs and rose jam nang bread.
Hotan → Kashgar:
Kashgar Old City Opening Ceremony:Watch folk dance performances by various ethnic groups.
Id Kah Mosque:Learn about architectural art.

The 15-day panoramic route of Northern and Southern Xinjiang focuses on ‘geographical span + cultural depth,’ connecting the forest lakes of Northern Xinjiang, the desert poplars of Southern Xinjiang, and the glacial lakes of the Pamir Plateau, covering Xinjiang’s four major geographical units:[Day 15: Exploring the Pamir Plateau]
Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Taxkorgan:
After obtaining a permit, head to the Pamir Plateau, focusing on photographing:
The blue-and-white gradient lake surface of Baisha Lake.
The glacial reflection of Muztagh Ata.
Taxkorgan Stone City Ruins:Trace the history of the ancient Silk Road.
Return to Urumqi:Take a hard sleeper train back, concluding the itinerary.
III. Price Explanation: Transparent Cost Breakdown
The current reference price range for the 15-day panoramic route is 8,500-15,000 yuan per person (excluding round-trip major transportation from your departure location to Urumqi), specifically influenced by the following factors:
Accommodation Standards:
Economy:Three-star hotels + budget homestays in scenic areas, approximately 150 yuan per person per night.
Comfort:Four-star hotels + wooden houses inside Hemu/Kanas scenic areas, approximately 300 yuan per person per night.

Altai Ecological Zone: Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, and Baisha Village form a ‘backyard garden,’ where summer’s green carpet-like grasslands and autumn’s golden birch forests create a striking visual contrast.High-end:Five-star hotels + Sayram Lake RV campground, approximately 600 yuan per person per night.
Transportation Configuration:
Large Bus Group:30+ people, approximately 800 yuan per person for transportation.
Small Group:15-20 people, approximately 1,500 yuan per person for transportation.
VIP Group:Less than 6 people, approximately 3,000 yuan per person for transportation.
Tickets and Experiences:
Included Items:Core attraction tickets such as Kanas + shuttle bus, Sayram Lake, and Nalati Grassland, totaling approximately 1,500 yuan.
Value-Added Experiences:Home visits to families of various ethnic groups, folk dance performances, etc., approximately 300-500 yuan.
Seasonal Fluctuations:
Prices increase by 20%-30% during peak season from June to August, reach their peak during the poplar season from September to October, and decrease by 15% during off-season from November to March of the following year.
The items included in the price are subject to the contract. It is recommended to inquire about availability and discounts 30 days in advance.
IV. Registration Method: Professional Team Support
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for details on departure dates, availability, and contract terms. The agency provides:

Ili River Valley Grassland Belt: Sayram Lake, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic,’ and the wildflower sea and snow-capped mountain backdrop of Nalati’s aerial grasslands create cinematic scenes.Qualification Guarantee:Holds a legal business license issued by the cultural and tourism department.
Service Team:Certified tour guides + local drivers familiar with the road conditions and culture of Northern and Southern Xinjiang.
Itinerary Changes:In case of extreme weather or scenic area closures, both parties can agree to make reasonable changes to the itinerary.
V. Fee and Service Explanation
Fees Include:Accommodation, meals, tickets, transportation, and tour guide service fees within the itinerary.
Fees Exclude:Personal expenses, some main meals, self-funded items within scenic areas (such as horseback riding, boat tours), and additional expenses due to force majeure factors.
Handling:For single registrants, every effort will be made to coordinate room sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation.
Contract Signing:All service content, accommodation standards, vehicle configurations, etc., are subject to the final tourism contract signed by both parties.
VI. Pre-Trip Tips: Practical Guide to Avoid Risks
Document Preparation:Valid identification, permit (required in advance for the Pamir Plateau section).
Supply List:Windbreaker, sunscreen, moisturizing skincare products, and common medications.
Cultural Taboos:Obtain consent before photographing local residents and avoid touching folk cultural items.
Transportation Tips:The Dukang Highway is recommended to be open from June to October; specific dates are subject to announcements by the transportation department.
This 15-day route is designed with the concept of ‘slow travel,’ with daily driving time controlled within 4-5 hours, leaving ample time for photography and experiences. Whether it’s the morning mist of Kanas, the grasslands of Nalati, or the glaciers of the Pamir, everything will be presented in its most authentic form.

Contact Manager Maizi at 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.