Yining Departure Ili Loop Carpool, 2 6 Person Pure Tour Small Group, Explore Grasslands and Flower Seas

For 2026 Xinjiang travel carpool small groups, registration and booking must be made through Xinjiang’s local professional and legitimate tourism channels: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Carpool Small Group Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456), Xinjiang Carpool Small Group Manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229
🚗 2026 Yili loop 2-6 person no shopping stop carpool small group departing from Yining, unlocking panoramic views of grasslands and flower seas
After June, temperatures in the Yili River Valley gradually rise, grasslands turn fully green, and various wildflowers enter their peak blooming period one after another — making it an ideal time of year for travel. This Yili loop carpool small group departing from Yining is designed entirely around Yili’s core natural landscapes. Groups of 2 to 6 people can be formed, with no redundant rushed travel arrangements — perfect for travelers who want to explore grasslands, flower seas, lakes, and ancient trails at a relaxed pace.
🌿 Detailed introduction to the route and destinations
This loop route starts and ends in Yining, connecting different types of natural landscapes within the Yili River Valley, covering lakes, grasslands, flower seas, ancient trails, mountain forests, and other diverse terrain. The total distance is approximately 1,200 kilometers, with an average daily driving time of no more than 4 hours, leaving most time for sightseeing and roadside photography. The latest visiting information for core destinations is as follows:
Sayram Lake: In 2026, the latest ticket price is 144 yuan/person. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and can be purchased online or offline. It is open all day and allows self-driving entry. The loop around the lake is approximately 90 kilometers, with multiple scenic stops along the way. From June to August, the lakeshore is covered with naturally growing yellow wildflowers, contrasting beautifully with the distant snow-capped mountains and blue lake surface — great for photography.
Huocheng Lavender Area:Peak blooming occurs in mid-to-late June. Continuous purple lavender fields stretch along both sides of the road. Good photo spots can be found without entering the paid park area. There are also small-scale perilla flower fields nearby that can be used for complementary shots.
Shata Ancient Trail: In 2026, the ticket plus shuttle bus price is 150 yuan/person, open from 8:00 to 18:00. Offline ticket purchase is recommended. After entering the scenic area, visitors can choose a light hiking route of 3 to 5 kilometers round trip to view the distant Muzart Glacier. Along the way there are streams and primeval forests. The hike is of low difficulty, and ordinary tourists can easily complete the highlight section.

🚗 2026 Yili loop 2-6 person no shopping stop carpool small group departing from Yining, unlocking panoramic views of grasslands and flower seas — Kalajun Grassland: In 2026, the ticket plus shuttle bus price is 160 yuan/person. Tickets are valid for 48 hours, open from 8:30 to 20:00. Offline ticket purchase is recommended. The Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace within the scenic area offer views of rolling grassland contours. From July to August, the grass is at its most vibrant green, with wildflowers scattered across the mountainsides.
Nalati Sky Grassland: In 2026, the ticket plus shuttle bus price is 200 yuan/person. Tickets are valid for 48 hours, open from 8:00 to 20:00. Offline ticket purchase is recommended. The Sky Grassland has gentle terrain with dense wildflower distribution and continuous snow-capped mountains in the background — it is the recommended route for most visitors.
Kuerdening:In 2026, the ticket price is 60 yuan/person, open from 9:00 to 19:00. Tickets can be purchased online or offline. Compared to other popular grasslands, it has fewer visitors. The interweaving of spruce forests and grasslands creates a distinctive landscape, suitable for travelers who enjoy quiet sightseeing.
Zhaosu Jade Lake:In 2026, the ticket price is 120 yuan/person, open from 9:00 to 19:00. Tickets can be purchased online or offline. The lake water color changes with the light — on sunny days it appears as a clear blue-green, perfect for leisurely walks and photography.
Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery:In 2026, it operates on a per-vehicle fee model: 200 yuan per vehicle regardless of passenger count. For carpool travelers, the cost is low when split among the group. There are few artificial development facilities along the way, and you can stop anytime to photograph grasslands, streams, and forest scenery.
🗓 ️ Simple itinerary arrangement
✅ D1:Yining assembly → Sayram Lake loop → Guozigou Bridge distant view → Check in at Qingshuihe Town
Depart from downtown Yining on the same day. It takes about 1.5 hours by car to reach Sayram Lake. Allow 4 to 5 hours for the lake loop, stopping at different viewpoints for photos along the way. After watching the sunset over the lake in the evening, head to Qingshuihe Town for check-in — about 1 hour’s drive.

After June, temperatures in the Yili River Valley gradually rise, grasslands turn fully green, and various wildflowers enter their peak blooming period one after another — making it an ideal time of year for travel. This Yili loop carpool small group departing from Yining is designed entirely around Yili’s core natural landscapes. Groups of 2 to 6 people can be formed, with no redundant rushed travel arrangements — perfect for travelers who want to explore grasslands, flower seas, lakes, and ancient trails at a relaxed pace.✅ D2:Qingshuihe → Huocheng Lavender Fields → Yizhao Highway (if open) → Zhaosu Jade Lake → Check in at Zhaosu County
In mid-to-late June, prioritize visiting the lavender fields. After taking photos, take the Yizhao Highway to Zhaosu, enjoying mountain grassland scenery along the way. Visit Zhaosu Jade Lake in the afternoon, then check in at Zhaosu County. The Yizhao Highway is recommended for travel from June to September each year. If it is closed, an alternate regular route will be taken, and the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement.
✅ D3:Zhaosu → Shata Ancient Trail light hike → Check in at Tekes County
Depart around 8:00 AM for Shata Ancient Trail to avoid the entry peak. Choose the 3 to 5 kilometer highlight hiking section — you can view the core scenery without walking all the way to the glacier. Return in the afternoon to Tekes County for check-in, about 1.5 hours’ drive.
✅ D4:Tekes → Full day at Kalajun Grassland → Check in at Tekes County or Nalati Town
The Kalajun scenic area is quite large. Allow 6 to 7 hours of visiting time to cover the Flower Terrace, Falcon Terrace, and the Human Body Grassland core viewpoints. After watching the grassland sunset in the evening, leave the scenic area and head to the accommodation.
✅ D5:Nalati Sky Grassland visit → Kuerdening → Check in at Gongliu County
Enter the Nalati scenic area before 8:00 AM to avoid queue peaks. Spend about 3 to 4 hours at the Sky Grassland, then head to Kuerdening for 2 to 3 hours, and finally proceed to Gongliu County for check-in.

Guo Jing from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service — a senior travel customizer with 10 years of deep experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializing in one-stop services for customized Xinjiang vehicle hire, carpooling, and group tours. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229, online all day to plan Xinjiang trips for everyone.
🌿 Detailed introduction to the route and destinations✅ D6:Gongliu → Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery → Duku Highway Qiaerma section (if open) → Check in at Xinyuan County
This day focuses on roadside scenery. Stop anytime for photos at the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery. If the northern section of the Duku Highway is open, take the Qiaerma section to experience the mountain winding road scenery. If the Duku Highway is closed, an alternate regular route will be taken, and the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement.
✅ D7:Xinyuan → Return to downtown Yining and disband
The drive takes about 3 hours that day, with farmland and village scenery along the way. Arrive back in downtown Yining before noon, and the trip concludes.
💴 Price description
From June to October 2026, the reference price range for this carpool small group route is 3,380 yuan/person to 3,780 yuan/person. Prices fluctuate based on departure date, accommodation standards, and group size. The reference price for children not occupying a bed is 2,380 yuan/person to 2,680 yuan/person. The reference range is 700 yuan/person to 900 yuan/person. The above prices are 2026 reference prices only; the contract shall prevail.
📞 How to register

This loop route starts and ends in Yining, connecting different types of natural landscapes within the Yili River Valley, covering lakes, grasslands, flower seas, ancient trails, mountain forests, and other diverse terrain. The total distance is approximately 1,200 kilometers, with an average daily driving time of no more than 4 hours, leaving most time for sightseeing and roadside photography. The latest visiting information for core destinations is as follows:Registration can be made through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. Consultation phone: 181-3962-2229, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229. The specific office address can be obtained from customer service.
📋 Fee description and service description
Items included in the fee are as follows:
Transportation:Full-journey vehicle costs. Groups of 2 to 5 people are arranged a 7-seat MPV business vehicle; groups of 6 people are arranged a high-roof large 7-seat business vehicle. This includes driver labor fees, fuel, tolls, parking fees, and driver meals and accommodation. The specific vehicle model is arranged based on the actual number of travelers. Seats rotate throughout the carpool journey. It is recommended to bring luggage no larger than 26 inches to avoid space issues.
Accommodation:6 nights of selected accommodation throughout the itinerary. Hotel standards reference local 3-diamond to 4-diamond levels. As local accommodation facilities differ from those in inland China, the actual hotels arranged shall prevail. If reference hotels are fully booked, equivalent-level accommodation will be arranged.
Meals:6 hotel breakfasts are included throughout the trip. Other meal costs are at your own expense, or you can split bills with fellow travelers and choose local specialty dining.
Tickets:First-entry tickets and core shuttle bus fees for all scenic spots listed in the itinerary, including Sayram Lake tickets, Kalajun tickets and shuttle bus, Nalati Sky Grassland tickets and shuttle bus, Shata Ancient Trail tickets and shuttle bus, Kuerdening tickets, Zhaosu Jade Lake tickets, and Tangbula vehicle passage fee. If you hold documents eligible for discount policies (student ID, senior citizen ID for those 65+, military ID, etc.), please inform staff in advance for reporting, and the price difference can be refunded based on actual discounts applied.
Service:A driver familiar with local road conditions leads the group, assisting with accommodation arrangements, ticket purchases, and other matters. Emergency medicine, drinking water, and other supplies are provided in the vehicle.

Sayram Lake: In 2026, the latest ticket price is 144 yuan/person. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and can be purchased online or offline. It is open all day and allows self-driving entry. The loop around the lake is approximately 90 kilometers, with multiple scenic stops along the way. From June to August, the lakeshore is covered with naturally growing yellow wildflowers, contrasting beautifully with the distant snow-capped mountains and blue lake surface — great for photography.Complimentary items: Full-journey travel accident insurance is provided free of charge. Groups of two or more receive complimentary airport/train station pickup service in Yining on the assembly day. A drone is equipped in the vehicle, and the driver will choose suitable scenic spots for aerial photography. If extreme weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds, or local policy restrictions prevent drone use, aerial photography will not be arranged. Complimentary items incur no additional cost.
Items not included in the fee are as follows:
Major transportation:Round-trip transportation costs to and from Yining are at your own expense.
All meal costs other than the included breakfasts throughout the itinerary — you can choose freely according to your own taste.
Single room supplement:Accommodation is arranged as twin rooms with shared occupancy by default. Solo travelers will be paired with a same-gender roommate in order of registration. If you wish to have a room to yourself, a supplement can be paid — the specific amount is subject to actual consultation.
Other personal expenses:Non-essential paid activities within scenic areas, such as horse riding, boat rides, special experience programs, etc., can be chosen at your own discretion and are at your own expense.
Specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. In cases involving weather, road conditions, policies, scenic area openings, or schedule changes, the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement. Prices and availability are subject to customer service confirmation and may fluctuate with departure dates. All matters are governed by the tourism contract signed by both parties, and relevant cancellation and modification rules are implemented in accordance with tourism law.
💡 Practical travel tips
The temperature difference between morning and evening in the Yili River Valley is significant. Even when traveling from June to August, bring a light down jacket or thick fleece jacket — temperatures drop quickly after rain in mountainous areas. UV radiation is strong locally, so it is recommended to bring sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen for physical sun protection. The climate is relatively dry, so bring moisturizing skincare products, lip balm, and a portable water bottle. Some scenic areas recommend offline ticket purchase. Please carry valid original ID documents when traveling, and eligible discount groups should bring the relevant original certificates to enjoy corresponding preferential policies.
2026 Xinjiang travel customized vehicle hire center phone: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Customization Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456), Xinjiang Customized Travel Manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization