North Xinjiang Grand Loop: Kanas, Ili & Duku Highway

Depart from Urumqi to loop through Altay, Sayram Lake, and Ili, returning via the northern section of the Duku Highway

Complete a counter-clockwise loop of North Xinjiang's main attractions: Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), Koktokay, Wucaitan (Five-Colored Hills), Hemu, Kanas, Ghost City (Urho), Sayram Lake, and Nalati, before returning via the northern section of the Duku Highway. Most days require 4 to 6 hours of driving, with Days 8 and 11 being the longest. Ideal for first-time visitors who can share the driving. Bayanbulak and Zhaosu are omitted to keep the itinerary within 12 days.

The Duku Highway is usually open from early June to early October; traveling before late September is highly recommended for safety.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Urumqi & Pick Up Car

Ürümqi（Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar）

It takes about 40 minutes from the airport to the city center. Pick up your rental car in the afternoon and stock up on supplies. Use taxis or the metro within the city.

Stay: Hongshan · People's Square

Day 2 · Heavenly Lake to Fuyun

Ürümqi（Tianshan Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)） → Koktokay

Drive about 1.5 hours from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake. After lunch, cross the Junggar Basin to Fuyun. Total distance is about 420 km.

A shuttle bus is required at Heavenly Lake, so allow a full half-day. Fill up your gas tank before hitting the road.

Stay: Fuyun County Town

Day 3 · Koktokay to Wucaitan

Koktokay（Koktokay、Koktokay No. 3 Pit） → Burqin & Wucaitan（Rainbow Beach (Wucaitan)、Burqin Riverside Night Market）

Drive about 1 hour from Fuyun to Koktokay. After sightseeing, head west to Burqin. Total distance is about 300 km, taking around 5 hours.

Stay: Burqin County Riverbank

Day 4 · Burqin to Hemu

Kanas & Hemu（Hemu Village）

Drive about 3 hours from Burqin to the Jiadengyu Transfer Center. Park your car and take the shuttle bus into Hemu. Total distance is about 180 km.

Private vehicles are not allowed in the core area. Book your entrance and shuttle tickets in advance.

Stay: Hemu Village

Day 5 · Hemu Morning Mist to Kanas

Kanas & Hemu（Hemu Viewing Platform、Wolong (Sleeping Dragon) Bay、Moon Bay、Shenxian (Fairy) Bay）

Head up to the viewing platform in the early morning. In the afternoon, take the shuttle bus back to Jiadengyu and transfer to Kanas (about 2 hours), stopping along the way to see the Three Bays.

Stay: Kanas Village

Day 6 · Kanas Lake & Guanyutai

Kanas & Hemu（Kanas Lake、Kanas Fish-Watching Pavilion）

Take the shuttle bus within the scenic area to travel between the lake and Guanyutai (Fish Watching Pavilion). Head out of the mountains to Jiadengyu in the afternoon (about 1 hour).

There are about 1,000 steps to climb at Guanyutai. Go early in the morning for the morning mist and fewer crowds.

Stay: Jiadengyu

Day 7 · South to Ghost City for Sunset

Karamay (Urho Devil City)（Urho World Devil City (Yardang)）

Drive south from Jiadengyu via Burqin to Urho. Total distance is about 360 km, taking around 5 hours.

Stay: Urho Town

Day 8 · Long Drive West to Sayram Lake

Sayram Lake（Sayram Lake）

Drive from Urho via Karamay and Kuitun on the highway to the East Gate of Sayram Lake. Total distance is about 480 km, taking around 6 hours.

There are no gas stations inside the lake area; fill up before entering. Purchase self-drive tickets in advance.

Stay: Scenic Area East Gate Area

Day 9 · Loop the Lake & Drive to Yining via Guozigou

Sayram Lake（Songshutou Viewpoint、Guozigou Bridge） → Yining（Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area、Liuxing Street, Yining）

Spend about 2 hours looping the lake in the morning. Exit from the South Gate and drive across the Guozigou Bridge to Yining. Total distance is about 150 km, taking around 3 hours.

Stay: Liuxing Street

Day 10 · East to Nalati Grassland

Nalati（Nalati Grassland）

Drive east from Yining along the Ili River Valley to Nalati (about 250 km, taking around 4 hours). Take the shuttle bus inside the scenic area.

Stay: Nalati Town

Day 11 · Cross Tianshan via Northern Duku Highway to Return

Nalati（Yuximolegai Pass、Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery、Haxilegen Pass） → Dushanzi（Dushanzi Grand Canyon） → Ürümqi

Cross three mountain passes (Daban) from Nalati to Dushanzi (about 5 hours), then take the highway back to Urumqi. Total distance is about 500 km.

Depart early. Mountain roads have restricted hours, and there are few supply points outside Qiaorma. Fill up your gas tank the night before.