A generous northern Xinjiang circuit for travellers who prefer depth over a hurried tour of stops. It links Altay's forest edge with Kanas, Sayram Lake and the Ili Valley, then travels through Zhaosu, Tekes, Nalati and Tangbula before returning to Urumqi.
A YUANMU PERSPECTIVE
Giving northern Xinjiang enough time to unfold
Northern Xinjiang rewards travellers who do not try to make its forest, lake, valley and mountain roads look alike. This longer loop gives each northern landscape its own passage, using the journey between them to reveal the scale that makes Altay and Ili feel connected but never interchangeable.
ROUTE CHARACTER
Why This Route
- Use time, not speed, to connect Altay and Ili.
- Treat the route's road days as distinct landscape passages with their own meaning.
- Protect space for weather, grassland conditions and unplanned observation.
WHO THIS PERSPECTIVE SUITS
For the Traveller
For travellers with time to explore northern Xinjiang deeply, who prefer a coherent loop and varied overnight rhythm to a hurried highlights tour.
THE JOURNEY, DAY BY DAY
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Urumqi
Route: Urumqi airport to city hotel
Arrive in Urumqi and settle in before beginning the long northern loop.
Tianchi to Altay
Route: Urumqi to Tianchi to S21 Desert Highway to Altay
Combine Tianchi with the S21 northbound corridor, moving from the capital's edge to the Altay foothills.
Altay to Hemu
Route: Altay to Ahe Road to Hemu
Use the Ahe Road only if it is open, travelling through forest and pasture country to Hemu.
Hemu to Kanas
Route: Hemu to Kanas Lake
Keep the morning in Hemu for a quiet village experience before travelling to Kanas Lake.
Kanas three bays to Burqin
Route: Kanas to Moon Bay to Wolong Bay to Five-Colored Beach to Burqin
Explore the three-bay landscape of Kanas, then follow the route south to Five-Colored Beach and Burqin.
Burqin to Kuitun
Route: Burqin to World Devil City to Kuitun
Travel through the oilfield landscape and World Devil City before the overnight in Kuitun.
Sayram Lake deep circuit
Route: Kuitun to Sayram Lake
Make a full Sayram Lake circuit, with time allocated to the shoreline rather than treating it as a roadside stop.
Sayram Lake to Yining
Route: Sayram Lake to Guozigou to Yining
Re-enter Sayram Lake for a second perspective, then continue past Guozigou to Yining; lavender is seasonal, not guaranteed.
Yining to Zhaosu
Route: Yining to Kazanchi to Yizhao Road to Zhaosu
Visit Yining's Kazanchi neighbourhood before using the Yizhao Road only when it is officially operating.
Xiata to Tekes
Route: Zhaosu to Xiata to Tekes
Travel through the Xiata area with views toward the Muzart Glacier, then reach Tekes for the night.
Qiaxi to Nalati
Route: Tekes to Qiaxi to Nalati
Use a measured day through the Qiaxi landscape before reaching Nalati for the next grassland section.
Nalati and Tangbula
Route: Nalati Air Grassland to Tangbula
Explore Nalati's grassland zones according to the day's access arrangements, then continue to Tangbula.
Tangbula to Urumqi
Route: Tangbula to S315 to Duku Highway to Urumqi
Follow the Tangbula landscape road and use the Duku section only when open; the final route is confirmed before departure.
Departure from Urumqi
Route: Urumqi hotel to airport
Depart from Urumqi after completing the Altay and Ili loop.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
Season and Road Notes
Summer to early autumn, with all mountain roads and flower stops confirmed for the travel dates
The loop is most sensitive to mountain-road operating windows and seasonal pasture conditions; early and late season departures need a different balance from high summer.
- Ahe Road, Yizhao Road, Nalati access and Duku Highway sections are all conditional on current operation.
- Lavender and flower-field visits are included only during the local flowering season.
PLACES ALONG THE WAY
Journey Landmarks
MAKE THE ROUTE YOUR OWN
How This Journey Adapts
We can make the loop more forest-led, grassland-led or road-led, with the exact overnight sequence confirmed against current mountain access and traveller pace.