8-Day Xinjiang Tour with Ili River Valley

Xinjiang Surreal Summer

If you visit Xinjiang in summer, the Ili River Valley must be the top destination for enjoying the natural beauty of Xinjiang.

West of Urumqi, cradled between the "two arms" of the Heavenly Mountains, the Ili River Valley embraces extremely beautiful scenery: flowers, grasslands, snowy mountains, and forests. There you will find picture-perfect landscapes that surpass even your dreams and imagination. It is also the homeland of many ethnic minorities, who you can meet: Uyghur, Kazakh, Mongolian, Kyrgyz…

During this 8-day Xinjiang tour, starting from Urumqi, you will drive forward the west and revel in the dreamlike Ili River Valley.

Tour 'Wow' Points

Find the Best-Kept Secret of the Heavenly Mountains on an Ancient Path

Enjoy a short hike on the ancient trail connecting the south and north of the Tianshan ('Heavenly Mountains') Range. Journey into an oil painting landscape of snow-topped peaks, grasslands, and forests.

Xiate ancient path
horses on the grassland

Enjoy the Blue of "the Atlantic's Last Tears"

Have a relaxing walk on the banks of Sayram Lake. Warm moist air from the Atlantic Ocean travels more than 5,000 km (3,000 miles), but no further, to leave this beautiful sapphire-like lake.

A lady with white dress on the bank of Sayram Lake
Walking on the grass land by the blue lake

Ride a Horse on the "3D Grassland"

Experience the lifestyle of Kazakh nomads. Visit a herdsman's yurt and enjoy a traditional meal.

Kalajun Grassland
Grass land with a horse on it

Encounter the Romantic Purple in Ili River Valley

Visit the biggest lavender plantation in China. Dive in the 'ocean' of purple flowers

lavender plantation

Meet Friendly People in a Lovely Town

Take a horse-drawn carriage to tour a traditional district where the Uyghur people live. Have a chat with local people under the grape terraces in their garden.

a girl walking on the street with blue houses
Kids playing on the street

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Trip Advisor certificate of 2024

Itinerary Quick Look

Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.

Day 1 Urumqi Arrival

When you land in Urumqi, your personal tour guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals area and will be ready to transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2 Urumqi to Sayram Lake | Sayram Lake

Drive from Urumqi to Sayram Lake. Enjoy a nice walk along the plank path on the bank of the lake and sit on the glassy land dotted by little wildflowers. Feel the breeze, perhaps carrying some of the "last tears" from the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 3Sayram Lake to Tekes | Guozi Valley and Lavender Oceans

Admire the spectacular scenery of Guozigou — 'Fruit Valley'. The great highway project and towering Guozigou Bridge traverse the deep gorge and add to the magnificence of the valley views.

Drive from Sayram to Tekes via Huocheng. Stop at Huocheng for the romantic lavender vistas.

Day 4 Tekes | Kalajun Grassland

Visit the most beautiful grassland in the Ili River Valley — Kalajun. Enjoy strolling on the "green blanket" with colorful flowers. The dark green forest and snowy peaks may make you feel like you are walking in an oil painting. Ride a horse to experience the life of Kazakh herdsmen, if you like.

Explore Tekes Town in the late afternoon, which is built according to the shape of a bagua (an Eight Trigrams grid). A city with excellent fengshui and concentric octagons of roads, you will be surprised that this is a town without traffic lights. Walk around the Lijie Street. Take some interesting pictures in front of old walls painted with classical Xinjiang artwork.

Day 5 Tekes to Zhaosu | Watch Sky Horses Bathing

Drive from Tekes to Zhaosu, the hometown of Sky Horses. We will head to Zhaosu Wetland Park, which is a paradise of the "sky horses" and some species of rare birds. The highlight of touring the park is witness the horses runing in the river. Every summer, a breathtaking spectacle unfolds as local herders guide their horses to the shallows of the river. These majestic creatures come to drink, bathe, and frolic in the cool water.

Day 6 Zhaosu | Xiata Scenic Area

You will explore a best-kept secret of the Heavenly Mountains on day 6. Enjoy the amazing scenery of an ancient path that connects the south and north zones of the Tianshan Range for centuries.

You will take a shuttle bus with enjoyable scenery along the way. Then change to a golf cart for the rest of route. If you would like to go hiking instead of taking a golf cart, the distance of hiking is 13 km, which is suitable for experienced hikers. At the end of the route, a panorama of snow-capped peaks dominates the view ahead.

Day 7 Zhaosu to Yining | Yining City Discovery

Head north through the Heavenly Mountains to Yining, capital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture.

Explore the Kazanqi District of Yining City, an area rich in Uyghur culture, where the residential houses are painted blue or green and have other traditional Uyghur ethnic features.

Embark on a charming journey through the village aboard a horse-drawn carriage. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of cultures with traditional songs, dances, and folk shows. You will be treated with some local special pastries and seasonal fruits.

Day 8 Yining Departure

Your guide and driver will escort you to Yining Airport to catch your flight to your next destination.

Hotel Selection

—the Icing on the Cake

Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.

hotel room in Turpan
the hotel in the valley
FromCNY14,100 / USD 2,200p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price Includes:

  • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
  • English speaking local guide
  • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

Tour code: xj-13

Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

Number in your group

What's your hotel choice?

I am also available on:

Start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create Your Trip

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Click to Sign up

Why China Highlights

Customize Your Tour

Customize Your Tour

  • Travel Advisors Rooted in China
  • Instant Response, No More Waits!
  • Direct Connections, Supreme Values
Maximize Your Flexibility

Maximize Your Flexibility

  • Your own personal guide and ride.
  • Explore at your own pace.
  • Unparalleled flexibility, impossible on a group tour.
Ensure Your Satisfaction

Ensure Your Satisfaction

  • The Top 20% nationwide guides at your service.
  • 20% more space on your group's transportation.
  • 24/7 emergency support.
Live Your China Story

Live Your China Story

  • Authentic local culture and lifestyles.
  • Understand the culture by living it.
  • Uncover fascinating histories and witness New China.
China Highlights logo
Trip Advisor rating Rated 5 out of 5 | 98.8% Excellence
China Highlights International
Travel Service Co., LTD
Featured on
China Highlights was featured on these medias.

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China