Xinjiang Grassland & Silk Road Tour: Sayram, Kalajun, Nalati & Kuqa

Arrive in Urumqi and transfer to your hotel. If time permits, visit the Xinjiang Museum to learn about the Silk Road, ethnic cultures, and see the well-preserved ancient mummies.
In the evening, walk through the lively Urumqi Grand Bazaar, where shops sell Uyghur handicrafts, spices, nuts and traditional goods.

Today drive to Sayram Lake, the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. Upon arrival, enjoy the crystal-blue water surrounded by snow-capped Tianshan peaks. Walk along the lakeshore or choose optional horseback riding. Overnight stay in a local Kazakh yurt guesthouse.

Today, depart Sayram Lake and drive toward Tekes along one of Ili’s most scenic drive. Your first stop is Guozigou Valley, often called the “first sight of Ili” for its rolling green slopes, winding river, and forests of wild fruit trees along the old Northern Silk Road. Walk along the wooden boardwalks to several viewpoints overlooking the valley and the elegant Guozigou Bridge.

After lunch, continue the drive to Tekes. From June to September, you may also stop at the lavender fields in Huocheng, where the purple blooms create one of Xinjiang’s most photogenic summer scenes.

After breakfast, drive to Kalajun Grassland, renowned for its vast alpine meadows, spruce forests, snow-capped peaks and shifting light that creates scenery like an oil painting. Take the shuttle to Xianhuatai (Flower Terrace).

From here, follow the well-marked 5 km wooden trail across open meadows to Falcon Terrace, one of the most beautiful viewing areas in Kalajun. This gentle 2–3 hour walk offers sweeping views of grasslands merging into white mountain peaks (If you prefer a more relaxed visit, the shuttle can take you directly between the platforms).

Return to Tekes in the late afternoon. Explore Tekes Old Town, uniquely designed in a bagua (Eight Trigrams) layout with no traffic lights. Walk Lijie Street for street photography of old murals and local life.

Overnight in Tekes.

After breakfast, drive to the Nalati Grassland, one of the world’s great sub-alpine meadow pastures. Known as a historic summer pasture for Kazakh herders, Nalati is famous for its wide green meadows, dense spruce forests, clear rivers, and rich nomadic culture.

Spend the afternoon exploring the grassland. The name “Nalati” comes from a Mongolian word meaning the place where the sun first shines. Rivers from the Ili River system flow through the valley, creating a landscape ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and photography. You may choose to ride a horse along the meadows to see wildflowers, forested slopes, and scattered yurts.

Stay overnight at a local Kazakh-style guesthouse, a wonderful chance to experience traditional hospitality and grassland life.

Enjoy sunrise over the grassland, then drive about three hours to Bayanbuluk Grassland, one of China’s largest and most beautiful alpine meadows. Set in the Tianshan Mountains, Bayanbuluk is known for its wide open plains, snow-capped peaks, winding rivers, and herds of sheep and horses grazing across the highland. Spend time walking or taking photos of this vast landscape, which feels peaceful and untouched.

Continue to Swan Lake, the most important swan nature reserve in China. This wetland attracts thousands of wild swans and other waterbirds in spring and summer, making it a serene spot for bird-watching and photography. If time allows, visit the viewing platform overlooking the famous Nine Bends of the Kaidu River, one of Bayanbuluk’s most beautiful sunset locations.

Important: Entry to Bayanbuluk requires a special Xinjiang Travel Permit, which must be arranged approximately four months in advance.

Overnight in Bayinbuluk.

Today, depart Bayanbuluk and drive toward Kuqa along the scenic Dushanzi–Kuqa Highway (about 4-5 hours drive), one of Xinjiang’s most beautiful mountain routes. Enjoy changing landscapes as you travel from high-altitude grasslands into the dramatic red-rock terrain of southern Xinjiang.

Upon arrival, visit the Tianshan Grand Canyon (Keziliya Canyon), a spectacular geological park carved by millions of years of wind and water erosion. Its towering reddish cliffs, narrow passageways, and winding corridors offer some of the most impressive canyon scenery in the Tianshan region.

After lunch, continue to the Kuqa Grand Mosque, the second-largest mosque in Xinjiang. Located in the old city area, it reflects classic Islamic architecture and highlights Kuqa’s historical role as an important center on the ancient Silk Road.

As the day cools, explore Kuqa Old Town, where traditional Uyghur homes, lively bazaars, and everyday street life offer insight into the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Overnight at Kuqa.

Morning drive to visit Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, which is regarded as the earliest Buddhist art treasure trove in China. It is a pleasant experience to walk along the corridor which contains lots of murals, and learn about its significant position in Buddhism as well as in the history of Kuqa. Afterwards, visit one of the largest temple ruins that have been discovered in Xinjiang, the Ruins of Subash Ancient City. This city is divided into two parts by Kuqa River. By witnessing the remains and archeological discoveries on the site, you will have a knowledge of the development of the civilizations in this region.

Late afternoon airport drop off and fly back to Urumqi. Overnight at Urumqi. 

Today Urumqi airport or train station drop off, end the travel with WindhorseTour. If you wish to continue your travels, we are experts in tailor made trips and ready to assist you in extending your stay in China.