Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop
A classic self-drive loop from Urumqi through the Wuerhe Devil City, the Colorful Beach, Kanas and Hemu, Sayram Lake, the Ili River Valley and the Duku Highway, returning to Urumqi.
The Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop starts and ends in Urumqi and covers about 3,800 km. It is the most popular self-drive route in Xinjiang. A common itinerary goes north from Urumqi on G216, past the Wuerhe Devil City in Karamay to Burqin. There you can watch the sunset at the Colorful Beach. Next comes the Altai Mountains, for Kanas Lake and Hemu Village. You can reach them via the newly opened Altay–Hemu Highway, which connects to Altay City, or go north to Baihaba. From there, head south through the Karamay and Kuitun area, then follow G30 to Bole. Continue to Sayram Lake and the Guozigou Grand Bridge, and descend into the Ili River Valley to Yining, with the Huocheng lavender fields and the Kazanqi folk area. Then head southeast through Tekes, Zhaosu or Gongliu’s Kurdening to the Nalati Grassland. Finally, follow the northern section of the Duku Highway over the Tian Shan through Qiaolma and Dushanzi back to Urumqi. Alternatively, follow the southern section of the Duku Highway to Bayanbulak and Kuqa to connect with southern Xinjiang.
The loop has a wide range of scenery: Gobi and yardang landscapes, the Irtysh River, the primeval forests and lakes of the Altai Mountains, the grassland flowers of the Ili Valley, and the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan. The distances are long and the sights are spread out, so plan 10–15 days, with daily drives often 300–500 km.
Distances between towns in northern Xinjiang are long, and fuel stations can be 100–200 km apart. Inside the Kanas scenic area, you must change to a shuttle bus. Book accommodation well in advance during peak summer season. The Duku Highway is usually open from June to October. When it is closed, you can return to Urumqi via G30. There are many checkpoints along the route, so carry your ID card.