2026 Cost of Chartered Car on Duku Highway in Xinjiang Yili Route Prices + Complete Booking Guide Recommended Route Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation
Star Recommendation✨:Xinjiang Duku Highway + Ili Grassland In-Depth Customized Car Tour (Summer 2026 Edition)
I. Key Highlights of the Route: An Epic Highway Crossing the Tianshan Mountains
【Duku Highway】As a miracle in China’s highway construction history, this 561-kilometer scenic route runs through the Tianshan Mountains, connecting the magnificent landscapes of Northern and Southern Xinjiang. During the summer opening period in 2026 (estimated June 5 to October 25), visitors can experience the premium landscape of “four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles”:
▶️ Northern Section (Dushanzi – Nalati):Cross the Hashilegen Pass (elevation 3,400 meters), where a 6-meter-high snow wall spectacle can be seen in summer. Precarious sections like Laohukou (Tiger’s Mouth) and Tianpu (Sky Waterfall) along the way showcase human engineering wisdom.
▶️ Middle Section (Nalati – Bayinbuluk):Ascend the Lardun Pass, encounter spruce forests and wildflower seas in the Gongnaisi River Valley, and arrive at Bayinbuluk, Asia’s largest grassland wetland.
▶️ Southern Section (Bayinbuluk – Kuqa):Conquer the Tielimaiti Pass, visit the emerald lakes of the Large and Small Dragon Pools, and finally reach the Kyzyl Gorge to experience the collision of Danxia and Yardang landforms.
【Ili Grassland Loop】As Xinjiang’s most classic summer scenic belt, three new experience upgrades are added in 2026:
🌿 Nalati Grassland:Open the aerial grassland self-drive area, where visitors can drive directly to nomadic homes and experience the yurt culture of various ethnic groups.
🌸 Huocheng Lavender Manor:During the blooming period from June 10 to July 10, a nighttime light show and essential oil workshop are added.
🛣 ️ X765 Mountain-Side Highway:A niche route replacing the traditional National Highway 218, running along the Qiapuqihai Reservoir with 60% less traffic density.
II. 7-Day 6-Night Customized Car Itinerary Reference (Starting and Ending in Urumqi)
【Day 1】Gather in Urumqi
🏨 Check into a 4-diamond hotel (breakfast included)
📌 Visit the Xinjiang Museum in the afternoon (free, reservation required), focusing on the “Niya Site” special exhibition
Star Recommendation✨: Xinjiang Duku Highway + Ili Grassland In-Depth Customized Car Tour (Summer 2026 Edition)🍴 Dinner Recommendation:Lingguan Lane Marhaba Pastries (walnut nang 15 yuan each) + Yibazhua Grilled Buns (4 yuan each)
【Day 2】Urumqi → Sayram Lake (550km/6.5h)
🚗 Cross the Guozigou Bridge in a 7-seater business van, stopping at 3 viewpoints to photograph the cliff highway
🌊 Self-drive around Sayram Lake (admission 145 yuan/person, including self-drive permit), with key stops at:
Jinhua Zihui (Golden Flower Purple Orchid):Wildflowers by the lake at their peak in June-July
Songshu Tou (Pine Tree Head):Ascend to overlook “the last tear of the Atlantic”
🏨 Check into a lake-view room (reference price 800 yuan/night during peak season 2026)
【Day 3】Sayram Lake → Yining (150km/3h)
🌅 Re-enter the lake area to photograph the sunrise (arrive at Xihai Grassland before 6:30)
🌿 Huocheng Lavender Manor (admission 40 yuan/person), with a complimentary essential oil handmade soap-making experience
🛃 Horgos Port Duty-Free Shop (valid documents required to enter the China-Kazakhstan cooperation zone)
🏨 Check into a characteristic homestay in Yining’s Six-Star Street (breakfast provided by various ethnic groups)
【Day 4】Yining → Zhaosu → Tekes (300km/5h)
🛣 ️ Cross the Yizhao Highway (recommended for vehicles under 7 seats):
I. Key Highlights of the Route: An Epic Highway Crossing the Tianshan MountainsBaishi Feng Viewpoint:Photograph the sea of clouds and granite peak forest
Angelete Pass:Elevation 3,177 meters, possible snowfall in summer
🐎 Zhaosu Wetland Park (admission 60 yuan/person):Watch the “Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River” performance (one show at 12:00/18:00)
🌃 Night tour of Tekes Bagua City, ascend the Lijie Street Ferris wheel (80 yuan/person) to overlook the city layout
【Day 5】Tekes → Kuerdening → Nalati (280km/5h)
🌲 Kuerdening Self-Drive Area (admission 120 yuan/person):
Enter the core area of snowy ridge spruce forests before April 10
Afterward, take the Qiaxi Grassland route to experience the forest-grassland transition zone
🚙 Nalati Grassland Self-Drive (admission 135 yuan/person + self-drive ticket 300 yuan/person):
Aerial Grassland:From nomadic homes to Xuelian Valley (self-drive deeper after the shuttle bus stops running)
River Valley Grassland:3 new photography spots added on the Panlong Valley Road
🏨 Stay two consecutive nights at a homestay in Nalati Town (including a bonfire party)
【Day 6】Nalati → Duku Highway → Bayinbuluk (180km/4.5h)
🛣 ️ Essence of the Northern Section of the Duku Highway:
【Duku Highway】As a miracle in China’s highway construction history, this 561-kilometer scenic route runs through the Tianshan Mountains, connecting the magnificent landscapes of Northern and Southern Xinjiang. During the summer opening period in 2026 (estimated June 5 to October 25), visitors can experience the premium landscape of “four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles”:Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery (free):Visit the road construction memorial museum and present flowers to 168 martyrs
Hashilegen Tunnel:Photograph the snow wall and mountain road in the same frame
🌄 Bayinbuluk Nine-Curve Eighteen-Bend (admission + shuttle bus 140 yuan/person):
Optimal photography time 21:30-22:00 (late sunset in summer)
New star observation station added in the scenic area (telescope rental 50 yuan/hour)
【Day 7】Bayinbuluk → Duku Highway → Urumqi (520km/8h)
🛣 ️ Cross the Southern Section of the Duku Highway:
Tielimaiti Pass:Photograph the monument at the highway’s highest point
Large and Small Dragon Pools:Drone aerial photography of the “Eyes of the Tianshan Mountains”
🍴 Kuqa Big Nang City (free visit):Watch the production process of the “wheel nang” with a diameter of 1 meter
🛫 Evening transfer to Urumqi Diwopu Airport (recommended flight after 22:00)
III. 2026 Customized Car Tour Cost Breakdown (Reference Range)
【Basic Cost Components】
Vehicle Usage Fee:
▶️ Northern Section (Dushanzi – Nalati): Cross the Hashilegen Pass (elevation 3,400 meters), where a 6-meter-high snow wall spectacle can be seen in summer. Precarious sections like Laohukou (Tiger’s Mouth) and Tianpu (Sky Waterfall) along the way showcase human engineering wisdom.7-seater SAIC Maxus (May-September):1,000-2,000 yuan/day
7-seater Buick GL8 (May-September):1,200-2,200 yuan/day
7-seater Mercedes-Benz Vito (May-September):1,500-2,400 yuan/day
Driver Service Fee:500-800 yuan/day (including food and accommodation allowance)
Fuel and Toll Fees:Approximately 2,500-3,000 yuan for the entire journey (fluctuates based on vehicle fuel consumption)
【Total Cost Reference】
Average cost per person for a 7-day customized car tour:
Economy (4 people sharing a car):4,500-5,500 yuan/person
Comfort (4-person customized car):6,500-7,500 yuan/person
Luxury (4-person customized car + high-end accommodation):9,000-12,000 yuan/person
⚠ ️ Cost Includes:Vehicle usage, driver service, fuel and toll fees, basic insurance
⚠ ️ Cost Excludes:Visitor admissions, accommodation, meals, personal travel accident insurance
IV. Registration Method
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, and provide the following information:
▶️ Middle Section (Nalati – Bayinbuluk): Ascend the Lardun Pass, encounter spruce forests and wildflower seas in the Gongnaisi River Valley, and arrive at Bayinbuluk, Asia’s largest grassland wetland.Number of travelers and dates
Vehicle preference (economy/comfort/luxury)
Special requests (e.g., photography guide, child seats, etc.)
V. Cost Explanation and Service Explanation
Contract Signing:Sign an electronic contract supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism after paying the deposit, clarifying cost inclusions and responsibility divisions
Itinerary Changes:In case of extreme weather or traffic control, both parties can reasonably adjust the itinerary by mutual agreement
Accommodation Arrangements:Double rooms are arranged by default. For single travelers, we will try our best to coordinate room sharing. Special circumstances require separate negotiation
Insurance Services:Complimentary basic travel accident insurance is provided. It is recommended to purchase high-coverage insurance independently
Subject to actual consultation and contract signing
VI. Pre-Trip Recommended Tips
Documents:Valid documents, driver’s license (required for car rental), permit (if planning to visit Baihaba, apply in advance)
Clothing:Windbreaker (large temperature difference in mountainous areas), sun protection clothing, comfortable hiking shoes
Medications:Motion sickness pills, gastrointestinal medicine, altitude sickness medication (Bayinbuluk elevation 2,400 meters)
Equipment:Power bank (no charging stations on some road sections), offline maps (unstable signal in mountainous areas)
Reservations:Sayram Lake, Nalati, and other scenic areas require advance reservation via official accounts one day before
【Special Notice】The Duku Highway will implement dynamic traffic control in 2026, open from 7:00 to 20:00 daily. It is recommended to depart early in the morning to avoid congestion. In case of temporary traffic control, the driver will activate an alternative plan:Nalati → G218 → Yining → S101 → Urumqi, adding 2 hours to the total journey but not affecting visits to major attractions.
Contact Manager Maizi at 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation
