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.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Arrive in Urumqi & Pick Up Car
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.
住宿：紅山·人民廣場
第 2 天 · Heavenly Lake to Fuyun
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.
住宿：富蘊縣城
第 3 天 · Koktokay to Wucaitan
可可托海（可可托海、可可托海三號礦坑） → 布林津·五彩灘（五彩灘、布林津河堤夜市）
Drive about 1 hour from Fuyun to Koktokay. After sightseeing, head west to Burqin. Total distance is about 300 km, taking around 5 hours.
住宿：布林津縣城河堤
第 4 天 · Burqin to Hemu
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.
住宿：禾木村
第 5 天 · Hemu Morning Mist to Kanas
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.
住宿：喀納斯村
第 6 天 · Kanas Lake & Guanyutai
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.
住宿：賈登峪
第 7 天 · South to Ghost City for Sunset
Drive south from Jiadengyu via Burqin to Urho. Total distance is about 360 km, taking around 5 hours.
住宿：烏爾禾鎮
第 8 天 · Long Drive West to 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.
住宿：景區東門一帶
第 9 天 · Loop the Lake & Drive to Yining via Guozigou
賽里木湖（松樹頭、果子溝大橋） → 伊寧（喀贊其民俗旅遊區、伊寧六星街）
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.
住宿：六星街
第 10 天 · East to 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.
住宿：那拉提鎮
第 11 天 · Cross Tianshan via Northern Duku Highway to Return
那拉提（玉希莫勒蓋達坂、喬爾瑪烈士陵園、雜湊勒根達坂） → 獨山子（獨山子大峽谷） → 烏魯木齊
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.
住宿：紅山·人民廣場
第 12 天 · Museum Visit & Departure
Take a taxi or metro to the museum in the morning. Return your rental car and head to the airport, allowing at least 2 hours for check-in.
The Xinjiang Museum is closed on Mondays; you can visit Hongshan Park instead.