Northern Xinjiang Carpooling 4 Day Canyon Exploration Visit Anjihai Dushanzi Stunning Danxia Landscape Transparent Pricing Easy Registration Recommended Route Price
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send the itinerary and quotation.
Icon prefix:🌄【4-Day Northern Xinjiang Carpooling Adventure: Canyon Exploration】Anjihai and Dushanzi: A Geological Symphony Among Danxia Rocks
Detailed Introduction to the Route or Destination
Summer in Northern Xinjiang is a carnival for geology enthusiasts. As you set foot on this land, the folds of the Tianshan Mountains hold secrets spanning hundreds of millions of years—Anjihai Grand Canyon and Dushanzi Grand Canyon are the keys to unlocking this geological door. Although both canyons are located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, they tell the epic of the Earth in vastly different ways: Anjihai is renowned as the “King of Colors,” with ochre-red, dark green, and bluish-gray rock layers resembling a spilled palette, cliffs carved like by knife and axe, and the Anjihai River winding through the canyon floor, forming a “braided” river system; Dushanzi is famous for its “regular folds,” with the Kuitun River’s relentless erosion carving dense vertical gullies into the cliff walls, resembling an open geological textbook. In June 2026, both canyons will be at their prime for viewing and remain relatively uncommercialized, preserving their原始 (primitive) geological features, making them ideal destinations for carpooling exploration.
Simple Itinerary
【Day 1:Urumqi Gathering · Initial Exploration of Geological Veins】
Morning:Arrive in Urumqi from various locations, transfer to the hotel after airport pickup (double occupancy room with breakfast included). Early arrivals can freely visit the 【International Bazaar】 or 【Autonomous Region Museum】 to experience the vibrant blend of ethnic cultures.
Afternoon: Gather at 14:00 for carpooling to the S101 National Defense Highway. This “Geographical Gallery of Landscapes on the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains” combines Yardang, stone forest, and grassland landforms, with ochre-red Danxia hills intertwined with green grasslands. The business vehicle can stop flexibly to capture the visual feast of the “Colorful Danxia.”
Icon prefix: 🌄【4-Day Northern Xinjiang Carpooling Adventure: Canyon Exploration】Anjihai and Dushanzi: A Geological Symphony Among Danxia Rocks Evening: Arrive at Anjihai Grand Canyon. Standing at the canyon’s edge, you’ll see a 200-meter-deep chasm below, with snow-capped mountains in the distance and the Anjihai River winding like a silver ribbon at the canyon floor. During sunset (around 21:30-22:00), the oblique sunlight enhances the color saturation to its peak, making it the golden hour for aerial photography and general photography.
Accommodation:Hotel in Kuitun City (breakfast included).
【Day 2:Dushanzi Grand Canyon · Geological Aesthetics Classroom】
Morning:After breakfast, head to Dushanzi Grand Canyon (28 km from Kuitun). This mature scenic spot charges an entrance fee of 35 RMB per person (half-price for ages 60-64, free for ages 65+), with additional fees for attractions like the glass bridge and cliff swing. It is recommended to walk along the plank road to the canyon’s edge to observe the “mud painting” landform formed by the Kuitun River’s erosion. The morning light from the east enhances the three-dimensional folds.
Afternoon:Gather at 14:00 for carpooling back to Urumqi, with a possible stop at 【Shawan Big Plate Chicken Street】 to taste authentic big plate chicken (recommended: “Shawei King” old restaurant, where the chicken falls off the bone and the belt-like noodles soak up the rich broth).
Accommodation:Hotel in Urumqi City (breakfast included).
【Day 3:Sayram Lake · A Gift from the Highland Sapphire】
Detailed Introduction to the Route or DestinationMorning:After breakfast, carpool to Sayram Lake (approximately a 5-hour drive). Known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic,” this lake sits at an altitude of 2,071 meters, with a mirror-like surface reflecting snow-capped mountains and cloud shadows. In June 2026, wildflowers will bloom along the lakeshore, allowing for a 270-degree circumnavigation with key stops at viewpoints like “General’s Platform” and “Pine Tree Head.”
Afternoon:Gather at 16:00 to cross the Guozigou Bridge, admiring the canyon scenery of the “First Scenic Spot of Yili,” and arrive in Yining City in the evening for a night tour of 【Six-Star Street】 to taste ethnic specialties.
Accommodation:Hotel in Yining City (breakfast included).
【Day 4:Yizhao Highway · A Heavenly Road Through the Clouds】
Morning:After breakfast, carpool along the Yizhao Highway (S237), known as the “Little Duku” for its treacherous terrain, offering views of the Zhaosu Grassland and rapeseed flower fields (blooming from late June to July).
Afternoon:Arrive at Xiata Ancient Trail Forest Park at 14:00 for a 3-km light hike to “Flower Terrace” to closely observe the Muzart Snow Mountain. Gather at 16:30 for the return trip to Zhaosu County, with carpooling to Yining Airport/Railway Station to conclude the itinerary.
Price Description
Summer in Northern Xinjiang is a carnival for geology enthusiasts. As you set foot on this land, the folds of the Tianshan Mountains hold secrets spanning hundreds of millions of years—Anjihai Grand Canyon and Dushanzi Grand Canyon are the keys to unlocking this geological door. Although both canyons are located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, they tell the epic of the Earth in vastly different ways: Anjihai is renowned as the “King of Colors,” with ochre-red, dark green, and bluish-gray rock layers resembling a spilled palette, cliffs carved like by knife and axe, and the Anjihai River winding through the canyon floor, forming a “braided” river system; Dushanzi is famous for its “regular folds,” with the Kuitun River’s relentless erosion carving dense vertical gullies into the cliff walls, resembling an open geological textbook. In June 2026, both canyons will be at their prime for viewing and remain relatively uncommercialized, preserving their原始 (primitive) geological features, making them ideal destinations for carpooling exploration.Adult Fee:4,280 RMB per person (reference price, subject to contract)
Child Fee:2,580 RMB per person (includes vehicle seat and insurance, excludes entrance tickets and breakfast, excludes hotel bed; children under 1.2 meters exceeding height must pay an additional half-price entrance ticket + breakfast fee of 360 RMB, with an additional bed fee if occupying a bed)
:1,000 RMB per person (for single registrants, we will try our best to arrange shared rooms; special circumstances require separate negotiation)
Fees Include:Carpooling fee (7-seat business vehicle), 3 nights of hotel accommodation (double occupancy), first entrance tickets to scenic spots within the itinerary, driver-cum-guide service, and travel accident insurance.
Fees Exclude:Round-trip transportation, secondary consumption within scenic spots (e.g., glass bridge, horse riding), personal meals, and other self-funded items.
Price Fluctuation Description:Prices may fluctuate based on departure date, hotel room type, and policy changes, subject to the contract signed by both parties.
Registration Method
The simple itinerary can be registered through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Contact customer service manager Zhang Jing, providing the number of travelers, dates, and special requests, and the customer service will assist in completing the registration process.
Fee Description and Service Description
Transparent Fees:All fee details will be clearly listed in the contract, with no hidden charges. If changes to scenic spots or activities are needed during the itinerary, reasonable adjustments can be made after mutual agreement.
Service Standards:Carpooling uses a 7-seat business vehicle with an experienced local guide familiar with road conditions and photography spots; hotels are comfortable double occupancy rooms, clean and hygienic; breakfast is included in the itinerary, with main meals recommended at local specialty restaurants for free choice by tourists.
Special Tips:Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night, so bring windproof jackets and sun protection items; there are no guardrails at canyon edges, so retreat within the line when taking photos; the middle section of the Duku Highway has unstable road conditions, and the itinerary will be adjusted if closed.
Subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
Itinerary Highlights and Precautions
【Day 1: Urumqi Gathering · Initial Exploration of Geological Veins】Highlights:
Small Group Carpooling:4-6 person small group, flexible and free, avoiding the mechanical tours of large bus groups.
Geological Feast:One itinerary covers four major geological landscapes: Danxia, canyons, highland lakes, and snow-capped mountains and grasslands.
Off-Peak Travel:Avoid peak tourist seasons, visiting core attractions in the early morning and evening for better light and experience.
Precautions:
First:There are no guardrails at canyon edges, so follow the guide’s instructions and do not approach cliffs擅自 (擅自 means unauthorized or on one’s own initiative, but here it’s better to use a more natural English phrase like “without permission”).
Policy Changes:Scenic spot opening hours and ticket policies may change, so confirm the latest information with customer service before traveling.
Eco-Friendly Travel:Do not litter or damage geological relics, and jointly protect the原始 (primitive) landscape of Northern Xinjiang.
The canyons of Northern Xinjiang are love letters from the Earth to humanity. The wildness of Anjihai, the regularity of Dushanzi, the gentleness of Sayram Lake, and the sanctity of Xiata—each place is worth measuring with your footsteps. In June 2026, let’s embark on a carpooling adventure, lightly equipped, to seek the answers of time in the folds of geology.
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send the itinerary and quotation.

