How Much Does a Chartered Tour to Bayinbuluk in Yili Cost A Comprehensive Guide with Recommended Routes and Price Details
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation
Comprehensive Guide to Customized Vehicle Tours in Bayanbulak, Yili: Free Travel amidst Grasslands, Lakes, and Starry Skies
🌿 Route or Destination Highlights:The ‘Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns’ of Bayanbulak Grassland and the Secret Realm of Swan Lake
Bayanbulak Grassland, located in the southeastern part of the Yili River Valley in Xinjiang, is China’s second-largest grassland and the ancestral home of various ethnic groups. It is renowned for the sunset over the Kaidu River, known as the ‘Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns.’ From June to August each year, the setting sun reflects multiple images on the winding river, a moment cherished by photographers as the ‘magic hour on the grassland.’ Deep within the grassland lies Swan Lake, a high-quality nature reserve. From April to October each year, rare birds such as whooper swans and mute swans inhabit the area, creating a natural tableau with the wetlands and snow-capped mountain reflections along the lakeshore.
🚗 Simple Itinerary:5-Day, 4-Night In-Depth Tour (Summer 2026 Reference)
Day 1:Depart from Yining → Circle Sayram Lake → Fruit Valley Bridge → Overnight in Qingshuihe Town
Comprehensive Guide to Customized Vehicle Tours in Bayanbulak, Yili: Free Travel amidst Grasslands, Lakes, and Starry SkiesDepart from Yining in the early morning and drive west along the Lianhuo Expressway for about 2 hours to reach Sayram Lake. In 2026, the scenic area will implement a dual mode of ‘self-driving around the lake + shuttle bus.’ It is recommended that customized vehicle tourists choose to drive around the lake themselves (admission ticket 145 yuan/person, including shuttle bus), with stops at scenic spots and viewpoints such as Jinhua Zihui along the way. In the afternoon, cross the Fruit Valley Bridge and overlook the canyon scenery from the observation deck at the top of the bridge. Arrive in Qingshuihe Town in the evening for accommodation (recommended budget hotel standard room approximately 280 yuan/night).
Day 2:Qingshuihe → Yizhao Highway → Zhaosu Grassland → Xiata Ancient Road → Overnight in Zhaosu
Depart in the early morning on the Yizhao Highway (expected to fully open in early June 2026). Known as the ‘Little Duku,’ this highway is famous for its steepness, with brief stops possible at attractions such as White Stone Peak and Wild Wolf Valley along the way. Arrive at Zhaosu Grassland in the afternoon, where fields of rape flowers intertwine with purple perilla flower seas (July is the peak blooming season). In the evening, head to the Xiata Ancient Road scenic area (admission ticket 80 yuan/person, shuttle bus 40 yuan/person) and hike to the Flower Terrace for a distant view of Muzart Snow Mountain.
Day 3:Zhaosu → Tekes Bagua City → Karajun Grassland → Overnight in Tekes
Drive to Tekes Bagua City in the morning. This city, built according to the Bagua layout, has no traffic lights yet maintains orderly traffic. You can ascend the Ferris wheel in the city center (50 yuan/person) for a panoramic view. In the afternoon, enter Karajun Grassland (admission ticket 140 yuan/person, including shuttle bus) and focus on visiting the Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace. In June, the grassland is ablaze with wildflowers, making it the prime time for portrait and landscape photography.
Day 4:Tekes → Narati Grassland → Northern Section of Duku Highway → Overnight in Bayanbulak Town
🌿Route or Destination Highlights: The ‘Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns’ of Bayanbulak Grassland and the Secret Realm of Swan LakeDepart in the early morning for Narati Grassland (admission ticket for the aerial grassland route 135 yuan/person, shuttle bus 40 yuan/person). It is recommended to take the shuttle bus to the Nomadic Family and then hike or ride a horse deep into the heart of the grassland. In the afternoon, traverse the northern section of the Duku Highway (expected to open around June 10, 2026), with stops at the Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery and Hashilergen Daban (snow wall landscape) along the way. Arrive in Bayanbulak Town in the evening.
Day 5:Bayanbulak Grassland → Sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns → Return to Yining
Enter the Bayanbulak scenic area in the early morning (admission ticket + shuttle bus 140 yuan/person). Visit Swan Lake in the morning and return to the observation deck for the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns in the afternoon (the shuttle bus terminal requires a 1.5-kilometer walk or horse ride). The summer sunset time is around 21:30, so it is recommended to arrive 1 hour early to secure a spot. After photography, return to Yining overnight (approximately a 6-hour drive), or choose to stay another night in Bayanbulak Town and return the next day.
💰 Price Description:2026 Customized Vehicle Cost Reference (Subject to Contract)
Vehicle Type and Average Daily Price (Including Driver, Fuel, and Toll Fees)
5-Seater SUV (2-4 people):Regular season (April-May, September-October): Approximately 800-1000 yuan/day; Peak season (June-August, National Day): Approximately 1200-1500 yuan/day; Low season (November-March of the following year): Approximately 700-900 yuan/day.
Bayanbulak Grassland, located in the southeastern part of the Yili River Valley in Xinjiang, is China’s second-largest grassland and the ancestral home of various ethnic groups. It is renowned for the sunset over the Kaidu River, known as the ‘Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns.’ From June to August each year, the setting sun reflects multiple images on the winding river, a moment cherished by photographers as the ‘magic hour on the grassland.’ Deep within the grassland lies Swan Lake, a high-quality nature reserve. From April to October each year, rare birds such as whooper swans and mute swans inhabit the area, creating a natural tableau with the wetlands and snow-capped mountain reflections along the lakeshore.7-Seater Business Vehicle (4-6 people):Regular season: Approximately 900-1300 yuan/day; Peak season: Approximately 1200-1600 yuan/day; Low season: Approximately 800-1100 yuan/day.
9-17 Seater Minibus (8-15 people):Regular season: Approximately 1500-2200 yuan/day; Peak season: Approximately 1800-2500 yuan/day.
Factors Affecting Cost Fluctuations
Season:Prices in the peak season are 20%-30% higher than in the regular season. An additional dispatch fee of 200-300 yuan/day is required during the operation periods of the Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway.
Itinerary:If the itinerary includes non-paved road sections such as Qiongkushitai and Xiata Ancient Road, some fleets will charge an additional mileage fee (approximately 1-3 yuan/kilometer).
Driver’s Accommodation and Meals:Most fleet quotes do not include the driver’s accommodation and meals. Passengers need to bear the cost or negotiate a subsidy (approximately 100-150 yuan/day).
🚗Simple Itinerary: 5-Day, 4-Night In-Depth Tour (Summer 2026 Reference)📝 Registration Method:Customize your itinerary through Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency
You can contact Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency, providing information such as the number of travelers, travel time, and preferred attractions. A professional travel consultant will match the vehicle type and route for you. The travel agency provides compliant operational vehicles, and all drivers are licensed and familiar with the road conditions in Yili and Bayanbulak.
📋 Price Description and Service Description
Included in the Cost:Vehicle usage fee, driver service fee, fuel fee, toll fee, parking fee, and basic insurance (seat insurance ≥ 500,000 yuan/person).
Excluded from the Cost:Scenic area admission tickets, shuttle buses, driver’s accommodation and meals, additional mileage fees, and overtime service fees (approximately 50 yuan/hour beyond the agreed 8 hours).
Service Guarantees:If unforeseen factors such as weather or road conditions arise during the itinerary, both parties can reasonably modify the itinerary by mutual agreement; vehicles are inspected before departure each day and are equipped with first aid kits and emergency tools.
Day 1: Depart from Yining → Circle Sayram Lake → Fruit Valley Bridge → Overnight in Qingshuihe TownThe actual consultation and contract signing shall prevail. Prices and availability are subject to contract confirmation or daily confirmation and may fluctuate with departure dates.
💡 Practical Tips
Document Preparation:Real-name ticketing is implemented in various scenic areas in Xinjiang. Original valid identification documents are required, and children need their household registration book or birth certificate.
Clothing Recommendations:Bayanbulak Grassland has a large temperature difference between day and night. In summer, it is advisable to bring a windbreaker or a thin down jacket; for hiking on the grassland, it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
Photography Equipment:To photograph the sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, a tripod and a telephoto lens (200mm or above) are required. For photographing Swan Lake, it is recommended to bring a 70-200mm zoom lens.
Dining Recommendations:Gulandam Ice Cream (original flavor 9.9 yuan) on Liuxing Street in Yining and yak meat hot pot (80 yuan per person) in Bayanbulak Town are must-try delicacies.
From the blue of Sayram Lake to the green of Bayanbulak, from the perilous Yizhao Highway to the magnificent Duku Highway, a customized vehicle tour in Bayanbulak, Yili, is a dialogue about freedom and scenery. Choose a compliant fleet, clarify cost details, and reserve flexible time to make this grassland journey a shining chapter in your memories.
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation
