5 Day North Xinjiang Group Tour Explore Yining Old Town’s Local Cuisine and Hidden Food Gems with Detailed Itinerary Costs Recommended Route Price

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send the itinerary and quotation.

⭐【5-Day In-Depth Food Tour of Northern Xinjiang | Taste Yining’s Old Town & Experience Grassland Flavors in Full】⭐
Summer in Northern Xinjiang is a tapestry of grasslands and lakes, as well as a feast of ethnic cuisines. In 2026, skip the rushed sightseeing of conventional tour groups and join Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency’s “Yining Old Town Food Exploration Tour.” Spend five days unlocking the hidden culinary gems cherished by locals—from handmade ice cream on Yining’s Kazanqi Folk Street to freshly slaughtered hand-grabbed mutton on the Nalati Grassland, and a high white salmon feast by the shores of Sayram Lake. Let your taste buds measure the essence of Northern Xinjiang.
I. Itinerary Highlights: An In-Depth Cultural Experience Guided by Food
❶ Kazanqi Folk Street, Yining:A Living Museum of Ethnic Life
Kazanqi is not a traditional scenic spot but a microcosm of Yining’s old town. It preserves over 200 century-old residences, with blue doors and windows, grape trellises, and handmade carpets creating a unique aesthetic. The tour group will take visitors into local homes for a “naan-making” experience—watch housewives pat dough into thin pancakes, stick them into a clay oven for baking, and serve them golden and crispy with a cup of brick tea, a staple breakfast for families of all ethnicities.
❷ Liuxing Street (Six-Star Street):The Crossroads of Multi-Ethnic Cuisines
Named for its hexagonal street layout, Liuxing Street blends Russian-style architecture with restaurants from various ethnic groups. The tour will visit three “local favorites”:
Liuba’s Russian Bread House:Unsweetened bread fermented with hops, filled with fresh apricot jam, with a crispy exterior and soft interior. Paired with a glass of kvass, it’s a classic Russian combination.
Hazina Pastry Shop:The owner makes apricot jam daily for “aklawa” pastries—layers of walnuts and raisins that release a blend of fruity and nutty aromas with every bite.
Gulandam Ice Cream Shop:Offers 9 free fruit jams (rose, blackcurrant, fig, etc.) and 3 nuts (chickpeas, walnuts, almonds) for customizable pairings. The ice cream is rich in milk flavor yet not overly sweet.

⭐【5-Day In-Depth Food Tour of Northern Xinjiang | Taste Yining’s Old Town & Experience Grassland Flavors in Full】⭐❸ Nalati Grassland:A Moving Feast for All Ethnic Groups
On the Nalati空中 Grassland (“Sky Grassland”), the tour group will arrange a “local family visit”: Visitors can ride horses (30 RMB per lap) to a Kazakh yurt to taste freshly slaughtered lamb—hand-grabbed mutton seasoned simply with salt for tender meat; milk tea brewed with fresh milk and fu brick tea, topped with a layer of cream; paired with “baursak” (fried dough) and wild chive jam, showcasing the dietary wisdom of local nomadic groups.
❹ Sayram Lake:The Ultimate Freshness of Cold-Water Fish
Known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic,” Sayram Lake is abundant with high white salmon. The tour group will take visitors to a lakeside restaurant for a “three-way fish feast”: fish head soup, sashimi from the fish body, and deep-fried fish tail. The cold lake water makes the fish firm and odorless—sashimi melts in the mouth with wasabi and soy sauce; the soup is freshened with wild leeks and carrots, garnished with wild mint picked by the lake for a crisp, sweet finish.
II. Simple Itinerary: Clear Daily Themes, Balanced Pace
📅 Day 1:Gather in Urumqi → Initial Folk Experience in Yining’s Kazanqi
Morning:Fly to Urumqi and transfer to Yining by private car (flight time ~1 hour).
Afternoon:Free exploration of Kazanqi Folk Street. Follow the guide to visit 3 hidden gems (bread house, pastry shop, ice cream shop). Dinner at a local-recommended “Old Homeland Grilled Meat Shop” for 4 RMB/skewer grilled meat, paired with soft naan and thick yogurt.
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in downtown Yining (breakfast included).
📅 Day 2:Food Hunt on Liuxing Street → Sayram Lake Circuit

Summer in Northern Xinjiang is a tapestry of grasslands and lakes, as well as a feast of ethnic cuisines. In 2026, skip the rushed sightseeing of conventional tour groups and join Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency’s “Yining Old Town Food Exploration Tour.” Spend five days unlocking the hidden culinary gems cherished by locals—from handmade ice cream on Yining’s Kazanqi Folk Street to freshly slaughtered hand-grabbed mutton on the Nalati Grassland, and a high white salmon feast by the shores of Sayram Lake. Let your taste buds measure the essence of Northern Xinjiang.Morning:In-depth tour of Liuxing Street. Visit网红 (internet-famous) shops and century-old homes. Experience an ethnic family’s afternoon tea (naan, tea, dried fruits).
Afternoon:Drive 3 hours to Sayram Lake. Circle the lake from the east to south shore. Touch the water at “Qinshuitan” and photograph the “Bridge Through Clouds” at the Guozigou Bridge.
Dinner:High white salmon feast at a lakeside restaurant. Accommodation: Comfortable hotel near Sayram Lake (breakfast included).
📅 Day 3:Nalati Grassland → Kazakh Food Experience
Morning:Drive 3 hours to Nalati Grassland. Take a shuttle bus to the Sky Grassland. Hike the river valley trail. Ride horses or fly kites (props provided at the entrance).
Lunch:Hand-grabbed mutton feast in a yurt, paired with milk tea and baursak.
Afternoon:Free time. Join the ethnic “Girl Chase” performance (visitors can ride horses to participate).
Accommodation:Comfortable guesthouse in Nalati Town (breakfast included).
📅 Day 4:Northern Section of Duku Highway → Kuitun River Canyon
Morning:Traverse the northern section of the Duku Highway (~4 hours). Stop at the Joerma Martyrs Cemetery and Tianpu Viewpoint to experience “four seasons in one day.”
Lunch:Light meal in Kuitun City (laghman noodles, pilaf).

I. Itinerary Highlights: An In-Depth Cultural Experience Guided by FoodAfternoon:Tour the Kuitun River Canyon to witness the grandeur of Danxia landforms intertwined with the river.
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Kuitun City (breakfast included).
📅 Day 5:Danxia Journey on Provincial Highway 101 → Return to Urumqi
Morning:Drive the “Tianshan Geographic Scenic Corridor” (Provincial Highway 101). Stop at the Hundred-Li Danxia Viewpoint and Kensiwate Reservoir to photograph colorful mountains and azure lakes.
Lunch:Wild vegetable and free-range chicken at a farmhouse along the way (seasonal wild vegetables vary).
Afternoon:Return to Urumqi. Transfer to the airport based on flight time.
III. Pricing Details: Transparent Fees, No Hidden Costs
💰 Tour Fee Range:3,400–5,100 RMB/person (comfort group, 6-person small team)
Included Items:
Transportation:7-seat business vehicle for full transfers (fuel, tolls, driver service fees included).

❶ Kazanqi Folk Street, Yining: A Living Museum of Ethnic LifeAccommodation:4 nights in comfortable hotels/guesthouses (double occupancy, breakfast included).
Meals:8 main meals (including hand-grabbed mutton feast, high white salmon feast, and other specialties).
Admission Tickets:First-entry tickets and shuttle buses for Nalati Grassland, Sayram Lake, Kuitun River Canyon, and other scenic spots.
Services:Licensed guide, travel accident insurance, 24-hour emergency response.
Excluded Items:
Round-trip transportation to Urumqi (flight/train).
Personal expenses during the trip (e.g., extra souvenirs, additional meals).
Pricing Notes:
Tour fees may vary by season (June–August is peak season), accommodation tier, and group size. Specifics are subject to actual consultation and contracting. As of June 2026, Nalati Grassland admission is 95 RMB + 100 RMB for the shuttle bus; Sayram Lake admission is 70 RMB + 60 RMB for the lake circuit shuttle bus, all included in the tour fee.
IV. Registration & Payment Details

Kazanqi is not a traditional scenic spot but a microcosm of Yining’s old town. It preserves over 200 century-old residences, with blue doors and windows, grape trellises, and handmade carpets creating a unique aesthetic. The tour group will take visitors into local homes for a “naan-making” experience—watch housewives pat dough into thin pancakes, stick them into a clay oven for baking, and serve them golden and crispy with a cup of brick tea, a staple breakfast for families of all ethnicities.Register through Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency. Contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for details. Payment supports bank transfer or third-party escrow transactions. An electronic contract will be issued after signing, clarifying service content and liability for breach.
V. Service Commitments & Notes
✅ Service Commitments:
No scheduled shopping stops or forced consumption throughout the trip.
Licensed guides familiar with ethnic customs (e.g., removing shoes before entering yurts, not touching children’s heads).
Daily vehicle disinfection, equipped with first aid kits and common medications.
⚠ ⚠️ Notes:
Northern Xinjiang has large temperature variations between day and night. Bring a windbreaker, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Follow local guidance for horseback riding on grasslands. Children must be accompanied by adults.
Wear comfortable sneakers for the ~35 km Sayram Lake circuit.
In case of extreme weather or road closures, both parties may reasonably adjust the itinerary by mutual agreement.
The beauty of Northern Xinjiang lies behind Kazanqi’s blue doors, in the grassland cooking smoke of Nalati, and in the aroma of fish soup by Sayram Lake. In summer 2026, follow Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency to remember the warmth of this land through your taste buds.

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send the itinerary and quotation.