Urumqi Loop Independent Private Car Tour, Duku Highway S21 Desert Highway Flexible Route

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s senior Xinjiang travel customizer Guo Jing, specializing in one-stop travel services across Xinjiang including custom car rentals, carpooling, and worry-free group tours. Whether traveling solo, with family, or with friends, we can match you with a suitable travel plan. 24-hour travel consultation hotline: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
Exploring Northern Xinjiang:Custom car rental along the Urumqi loop route, touring Duku Highway and S21 Desert Highway
🌄 Detailed introduction to the route or destination
Northern Xinjiang, a land embraced by the Tianshan and Altai Mountains, is renowned for its magnificent natural scenery and diverse ethnic culture. In 2026, custom car rental tours along the Urumqi loop route have become a popular choice for in-depth experiences of Northern Xinjiang, connecting the two core scenic belts of Duku Highway and S21 Desert Highway, allowing tourists to enjoy the finest views of snow mountains, grasslands, lakes, and deserts within 7-10 days.
【Duku Highway:The “Tianshan Gallery” that crosses four seasons in one day】
The Duku Highway starts from Dushanzi in the north and ends at Kuqa in the south, with a total length of 561 kilometers. In 2026, it will be open from June 1 to October 15. This highway is known for coexisting “danger” and “beauty,” with year-round snow at Hashilegen Daban, the aerial flower sea of Nalati Grassland, the nine-bend eighteen-turn sunset at Bayanbulak, and the red Danxia landforms of Kuqa Grand Canyon. In 2026, the highway implements a daily reservation system, allowing vehicles with 7 seats or fewer to pass. It is recommended to make reservations in advance through the “Xinjiang Traffic Police” official account, avoid the peak season of July-August, and choose early June or September-October for travel when there are fewer people, more beautiful scenery, and better value.
【S21 Desert Highway:The “Golden Passage” across the Gurbantünggüt Desert】
The S21 Desert Highway is Xinjiang’s first desert expressway, fully opened to traffic in 2021, with a total length of 342 kilometers, connecting Urumqi and Altay. In 2026, this highway has become an important node of the Northern Xinjiang loop route, offering views of desert gobi, yardang landforms, wetland lakes, and other diverse landscapes along the way. Fuhai Golden Coast, Sea Monster City, Huangjialiang Desert Thousand Island Lake, and other attractions are scattered along the route, suitable for aerial photography and road photography. The highway has a design speed of 120 km/h, shortening the drive by 2 hours compared to traditional routes, and features multiple viewing platforms and rest areas for tourists to stop and enjoy.
📅 Simple itinerary (using 10 days and 9 nights as an example)
Day 1:Arrival in Urumqi
Arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, with a dedicated car transfer to a downtown hotel for rest.
Free time in the afternoon:Recommended visit to the International Grand Bazaar, tasting specialty foods such as baked buns and hand-pulled rice.

Exploring Northern Xinjiang: Custom car rental along the Urumqi loop route, touring Duku Highway and S21 Desert HighwayDay 2:Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Burqin
Morning:Head north along the S21 Desert Highway, crossing the Gurbantünggüt Desert, and capture desert light and shadow at the viewing platform.
Afternoon:Pass through Fuhai, visit Ulungur Lake, arrive in Burqin in the evening, stay at a hotel by the Irtysh River, and enjoy a cold-water fish feast.
Day 3:Burqin → Kanas
Morning:Head to the Kanas Scenic Area, transfer to a shuttle bus to visit Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay.
Afternoon:Climb to Fish Pavilion for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake, stay overnight in a wooden cabin within the scenic area, and experience the tranquility of the mountains.
Day 4:Kanas → Hemu
Morning:Re-enter the scenic area to tour Kanas Lake, then head to Hemu Village in the afternoon.
Afternoon:Stroll through the birch forest, visit Tuvan wooden houses, and climb to Haden Viewing Platform in the evening to capture the Hemu sunset.
Day 5:Hemu → Urho Devil City
Morning:Capture the morning mist of Hemu, then cross the gobi in the afternoon to Urho.
Afternoon:Visit the World Devil City, take the small train through the yardang landforms, and stay overnight in Urho Town.

🌄Detailed introduction to the route or destinationDay 6:Urho → Sayram Lake
Morning:Head south along National Highway G217, passing through the Karamay Oilfield.
Afternoon:Arrive at Sayram Lake, drive or cycle around the lake, overlook the Guozigou Bridge from afar, and stay overnight by the lake or in Qingshuihe Town.
Day 7:Sayram Lake → Nalati Grassland
Morning:Continue touring around the lake, then head to Nalati Town in the afternoon.
Afternoon:Visit the aerial grassland, experience horseback riding or hiking, and stay overnight in a characteristic Nalati guesthouse.
Day 8:Nalati → Duku Highway → Bayanbulak
Morning:Cross the middle section of the Duku Highway, enjoying snow mountains, canyons, and grassland scenery along the way.
Afternoon:Arrive at Bayanbulak, visit the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, and wait for the “nine suns” wonder at sunset.
Day 9:Bayanbulak → Duku Highway → Urumqi
Morning:Continue the return journey along the northern section of the Duku Highway, passing through Dushanzi Grand Canyon.
Afternoon:Arrive in Urumqi, freely shop for Xinjiang specialty products, and stay overnight at a downtown hotel.

Northern Xinjiang, a land embraced by the Tianshan and Altai Mountains, is renowned for its magnificent natural scenery and diverse ethnic culture. In 2026, custom car rental tours along the Urumqi loop route have become a popular choice for in-depth experiences of Northern Xinjiang, connecting the two core scenic belts of Duku Highway and S21 Desert Highway, allowing tourists to enjoy the finest views of snow mountains, grasslands, lakes, and deserts within 7-10 days.Day 10:Departure from Urumqi

Guo Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, a senior travel customizer with 10 years of in-depth experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializing in one-stop services for custom car rentals, carpooling, and group tours in Xinjiang. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
Dedicated car transfer to the airport according to the flight time, ending the Northern Xinjiang tour.
💰 Price explanation (using 10 days and 9 nights as an example)
【Custom car rental cost reference】
7-seat business vehicle (e.g., Buick GL8):Approximately 1300-1400 yuan/day in the low season of June, and approximately 1500-1700 yuan/day in the peak season of July-September.
Cost includes:Vehicle usage fee, fuel fee, toll fee, parking fee, driver service fee, and basic insurance.
Cost excludes:Tickets, accommodation, meals, and personal expenses.
【Per capita budget reference】
Economy large group (20-25 people):Approximately 4500-5200 yuan/person.
Quality small group (4-8 people):Approximately 5300-6500 yuan/person.
High-end custom group (2-4 people):Approximately 6800-8000 yuan/person.
Note:The above prices may fluctuate with departure dates; the specific price is subject to the signed contract.

【Duku Highway: The “Tianshan Gallery” that crosses four seasons in one day】📞 How to register
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, which provides customized itinerary planning and one-stop services.
Contact phone:181-3962-2229
WeChat consultation:181-3962-2229
📝 Fee and service explanation
【Cost includes】
Usage fee for compliant commercial vehicles, fuel fee, toll fee, and parking fee.
Driver service fee and basic insurance (travel agency liability insurance, vehicle seat insurance).
Free itinerary planning and in-depth scenic spot explanation services.
【Cost excludes】
Ticket and shuttle bus fees (Kanas 160 yuan, Hemu 95 yuan, Sayram Lake 145 yuan, etc.).
Accommodation fees (recommended downtown chain hotels or characteristic scenic area guesthouses, price range 200-800 yuan/night).

The Duku Highway starts from Dushanzi in the north and ends at Kuqa in the south, with a total length of 561 kilometers. In 2026, it will be open from June 1 to October 15. This highway is known for coexisting “danger” and “beauty,” with year-round snow at Hashilegen Daban, the aerial flower sea of Nalati Grassland, the nine-bend eighteen-turn sunset at Bayanbulak, and the red Danxia landforms of Kuqa Grand Canyon. In 2026, the highway implements a daily reservation system, allowing vehicles with 7 seats or fewer to pass. It is recommended to make reservations in advance through the “Xinjiang Traffic Police” official account, avoid the peak season of July-August, and choose early June or September-October for travel when there are fewer people, more beautiful scenery, and better value. Meal costs (40-80 yuan per person in urban areas, 90-160 yuan near scenic spots).
Personal consumption and entertainment expenses.
【Service guarantee】
Vehicle qualifications:All vehicles have tourism operation qualifications, drivers are licensed and familiar with Xinjiang road conditions.
Flexible itinerary:In case of force majeure factors such as weather or road conditions, the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement.
No forced shopping commitment:No shopping arrangements throughout the entire trip, no hidden consumption, transparent and open itinerary.
Specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing; please contact customer service for more information.
💡 Travel tips
Document preparation:Bring valid identification, driver’s license (if self-driving), and discount documents such as student ID/senior ID.
Clothing and equipment:Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night; bring windproof warm outerwear, comfortable hiking shoes, and sun protection items.
Reservation reminder:Scenic areas such as Kanas, Hemu, and Sayram Lake require advance reservations through the “One Phone to Tour Xinjiang” platform.
Reminder:The Duku Highway has many curves and steep slopes; overtaking on solid lines is strictly prohibited; some mountain sections have no signal, so it is recommended to download offline maps.
The magnificence of Northern Xinjiang lies in its diversity and purity. Starting from Urumqi, heading north along the S21 Desert Highway and Duku Highway, snow mountains, grasslands, lakes, and deserts unfold alternately before your eyes, like a scroll of time and space. Choose Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and let the professional team plan a worry-free, safe, and comfortable Northern Xinjiang journey for you!
For 2026 Xinjiang travel custom car rental, custom tours, and carpooling tours, welcome to consult (24-hour consultation hotline: 0991-8585456) Xinjiang custom travel manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization.