2026 Southern and Northern Xinjiang Short Holiday 8 Day Group Tour S101 Guozigou Kashgar Old Town Budget Small Group Price Registration Recommended Itinerary Price
Contact Manager Yang Jia at 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quote
Explore Northern and Southern Xinjiang:2026 Short Holiday 8-Day Budget Small Group Deep Experience✨
[Why Choose the 8-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop?]
Xinjiang is vast, with Northern Xinjiang renowned for its natural scenery and Southern Xinjiang for its cultural history. To experience both the grandeur of grasslands and lakes and the richness of ancient city folk customs in 8 days, the Northern and Southern Xinjiang loop is a highly cost-effective choice. In summer 2026, this route becomes a popular option for short holidays due to optimized transportation and upgraded accommodations. The itinerary covers core attractions such as S101, Sayram Lake, the Guozigou Bridge, Kanas, and the Kashgar Old City, with daily driving limited to 4-5 hours to balance sightseeing and rest, making it ideal for families, couples, or friends traveling together.
Highlights of the 8-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop
A Double Feast of Nature and Culture:From the snowy mountains and grasslands of Northern Xinjiang to the desert ancient cities of Southern Xinjiang, see both major geographical features of Xinjiang in one trip.
Light Luxury Small Group Experience:Small groups capped at 6 people, avoiding crowded large vehicles, with flexible itineraries and in-depth explanations from driver-guides.
Budget-Friendly Cost-Effectiveness:Starting at 4,280 RMB per person, including comfortable hotels, scenic spot tickets, and basic insurance, with no hidden fees.
Simple Itinerary (Summer 2026 Edition)
[Day 1:Gather in Urumqi]
Free activities all day. Recommended to visit the International Bazaar and taste local specialties like baked buns and pilaf. Attend a pre-trip briefing in the evening to collect travel materials.
Explore Northern and Southern Xinjiang: 2026 Short Holiday 8-Day Budget Small Group Deep Experience✨[Day 2:Urumqi—S101—Kuitun]
Drive along the S101 highway, enjoying Danxia landforms, snowy mountains, and grasslands. Take photos at the “Asian Geographic Center.”
Arrive in Kuitun in the afternoon, check into a comfortable hotel, and try local cold-water fish for dinner.
[Day 3:Kuitun—Sayram Lake—Guozigou Bridge—Yining]
Spend the day at Sayram Lake, “the last tear of the Atlantic,” with options for cycling around the lake or taking a shuttle bus for in-depth exploration.
Pass by the Guozigou Bridge to photograph the “miracle project” on the cliff. Arrive in Yining in the evening and stroll through Liuxing Street to experience ethnic cultures.
[Day 4:Yining—Kalajun Grassland—Tekes]
Visit the Kalajun Grassland, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Hike or ride horses through Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace, overlooking the unique landscape of the “Human Body Grassland.”
Check into Tekes八卦城 (Bagua City) in the evening and photograph the city panorama from the Liji Street observation deck.
[Day 5:Tekes—Kanas]
[Why Choose the 8-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop?]Cross the Junggar Basin and arrive at the Kanas Scenic Area in the evening. Stay in a Tuvan wooden house inside the scenic area for convenient morning fog photography the next day.
Enjoy a local hot pot dinner and experience Tuvan traditional songs and dances.
[Day 6:In-Depth Kanas Tour—Burqin]
Photograph the morning fog over Kanas Lake in the early morning, take a boat tour of the Three Bays, and hike to Guanyu Terrace for a panoramic view.
Head to Burqin in the afternoon and visit the Colorful Beach at night to admire the sunset over the Yarkant River and the Yardang landforms.
[Day 7:Burqin—Kashgar (Flight)—Kashgar Old City]
Fly to Kashgar on an early morning flight and start a free exploration of the old city in the afternoon:Visit the Gaotai Folk Residences and Id Kah Square, listen to music and taste herbal tea at a century-old teahouse.
Recommended to visit a popular roasted egg shop for dinner and experience the lively atmosphere of a Southern Xinjiang night market.
[Day 8:Kashgar—Departure]
Free activities based on flight time. Optional to buy specialties like Yingjisha knives and Aidelaisi silk before ending the trip.
Price Details (Summer 2026 Reference)
Xinjiang is vast, with Northern Xinjiang renowned for its natural scenery and Southern Xinjiang for its cultural history. To experience both the grandeur of grasslands and lakes and the richness of ancient city folk customs in 8 days, the Northern and Southern Xinjiang loop is a highly cost-effective choice. In summer 2026, this route becomes a popular option for short holidays due to optimized transportation and upgraded accommodations. The itinerary covers core attractions such as S101, Sayram Lake, the Guozigou Bridge, Kanas, and the Kashgar Old City, with daily driving limited to 4-5 hours to balance sightseeing and rest, making it ideal for families, couples, or friends traveling together.[Budget Small Group:4,280-4,980 RMB per person]
Target Audience:Travelers with moderate budgets, first-time visitors to Xinjiang, and those seeking high cost-effectiveness.
Inclusions:
Transportation:6-person small group in a comfortable business vehicle (including fuel, tolls, and parking fees).
Accommodation:7 nights in comfortable hotels or scenic area wooden houses (double occupancy, including breakfast).
Tickets:First entrance tickets to Kanas, Sayram Lake, Kalajun, etc.
Insurance:Basic travel accident insurance.
Services:Driver-guide services and 24-hour emergency response.
Exclusions:
Major Transportation:Round-trip flights from various locations to Urumqi and Kashgar.
Highlights of the 8-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang LoopMeals:Main meals at own expense (driver can recommend local restaurants, averaging 50-80 RMB per meal).
Optional Activities:Personal experiences like horse riding and boat tours.
:Single travelers will be matched for shared rooms when possible; a supplement is required in special cases.
Price Fluctuation Notice:
Prices may increase by 10%-15% during peak season (July-August) and decrease to 3,880 RMB from September onwards.
Final prices are subject to the signed contract. Availability must be confirmed 30 days in advance.
Registration and Inquiries
Register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for the latest departure dates, availability, and discounts.
Provide valid identification information for registration and sign a standardized national travel contract to clarify rights and responsibilities.
Fee and Service Details
A Double Feast of Nature and Culture: From the snowy mountains and grasslands of Northern Xinjiang to the desert ancient cities of Southern Xinjiang, see both major geographical features of Xinjiang in one trip.Transparent Pricing:All fees are listed in the contract, with no shopping stops or optional activity recommendations during the trip.
Flexible Itinerary:Reasonable changes to the itinerary can be made by mutual agreement in case of uncontrollable factors like weather or road conditions.
Accommodation Upgrade:Upgrade to a 4-star hotel or boutique homestay (e.g., Kanas lake-view room, Kashgar Old City guesthouse) by paying the difference.
Vehicle Options:A 7-seat business vehicle is provided by default. Upgrade to a 9-seat vehicle or off-road vehicle by notifying in advance and paying the difference.
Subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
Pre-Trip Tips
Identification:Carry valid identification at all times for景区 (scenic area) entry and accommodation checks.
Clothing:Northern Xinjiang has large temperature variations; bring a windbreaker and thermal underwear. Southern Xinjiang is hot in summer; wear lightweight clothing.
Photography Gear:Bring a tripod for morning fog photography at Sayram Lake and Kanas. A telephoto lens is recommended for cultural photography in the old city.
Permits:No permits are required as the itinerary does not involve border areas.
[Conclusion]
The 8-Day Northern and Southern Xinjiang Loop is a dialogue between nature and culture. From the Danxia wonders of the S101 highway to the century-old teahouses of Kashgar Old City, from the lake and mountain scenery of Kanas to the wildflowers of Ili Grassland, surprises await at every step. Choose Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency’s budget small group to unlock a high-quality travel experience with a reasonable budget, making this summer unforgettable with Xinjiang!
Contact Manager Yang Jia at 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quote

