Urumqi Departure Xinjiang Shared Van, 6 Seat Business Minivan, Couples and Family Friendly Small Group

For 2026 Xinjiang tour carpooling small groups, reservations must be made through Xinjiang’s local professional and legitimate tourism channels: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Carpooling Small Group Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang carpooling small group manager Guo Jing’s WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for booking and reservation.
🚐 If you’re planning to depart from Urumqi and want a way that’s more relaxed than self-driving and more flexible than a big bus, to experience a ‘small circle’ Xinjiang trip, then the ‘6-seat business van carpooling small group’ is an option worth considering. It’s especially suitable for couples, small groups of friends, or families with elderly parents and children, allowing you to connect classic destinations like Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), Kanas, and Sayram Lake in a more flexible way within limited time.
🗺 ️ Route and Destination Details
The core of this route is to use a compliant 6-seat business van to connect the highlights around Urumqi, with a relatively relaxed pace suitable for sightseeing along the way.
1. Urumqi: The Starting Point and Transit Hub of the Journey 🏙️
As the capital of Xinjiang, this is the transportation hub for entering and leaving the region. You can take a short rest in the city, visit the Grand Bazaar, taste authentic local food, and prepare for the long journey ahead.
2. Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake): The Closest ‘Highland Pearl’ 🏔️
About 1.5 hours’ drive from the city, this is a national 5A scenic area. The lake water is crystal clear, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and cool in summer—a classic must-visit spot for first-time visitors to Xinjiang. The trails in the scenic area are well-maintained, perfect for walking and photography.
Reference Information:Peak season (April 1 – October 31) tickets are about 95 RMB/person, shuttle bus about 60 RMB/person, opening hours usually 8:00–19:00 (last entry at 18:00).
3. S21 Desert Highway: Crossing the Gurbantünggüt Desert 🏜️
This is a popular desert landscape highway in recent years, with endless Gobi and wind turbine arrays outside the window. Along the way, you can stop at viewpoints like the Kelameili Desert Park to take photos and experience the vastness of ‘being on the road.’
4. Burqin and Kanas: Deep into the Altai Mountains 🌲
Burqin is the gateway town to the Kanas area. The Kanas scenic area combines mountains, lakes, forests, and grasslands. The morning mist and reflections at the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay) are very famous.
Reference Information:Peak season tickets are about 160 RMB/person, shuttle bus about 110 RMB/person, opening hours usually 8:00–19:00 (last entry at 18:00).
5. Hemu: The Fairy Tale World of the Tuva Village 🏡

🚐 If you’re planning to depart from Urumqi and want a way that’s more relaxed than self-driving and more flexible than a big bus, to experience a ‘small circle’ Xinjiang trip, then the ‘6-seat business van carpooling small group’ is an option worth considering. It’s especially suitable for couples, small groups of friends, or families with elderly parents and children, allowing you to connect classic destinations like Tianshan Tianchi, Kanas, and Sayram Lake in a more flexible way within limited time.Located by the shores of Kanas Lake, this primitive village is famous for its log cabins, birch forests, and morning mist—a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Many itineraries arrange accommodation here to enjoy the sunrise and starry sky.
6. Urho Devil City: The Desolate Beauty of Yardang Landforms 🌪️
A typical yardang landform, with changing light and shadow at sunset, perfect for shooting stunning photos. The scenic area mostly has boardwalks and viewing platforms, with a low-intensity tour.
7. Sayram Lake: Known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic’ 💧
One of Xinjiang’s highest and largest alpine lakes, with deep blue water. The itinerary usually includes a lake circuit tour, and you may experience lakeside camping or star-gazing mobile homes, enjoying peaceful lakeside time.
8. Yining and Nalati: Grassland Scenery of the Ili River Valley 🌿
Yining is full of folk customs, and the Kazanqi Folk Village preserves traditional residential styles. Nalati Grassland is one of the world’s famous grasslands, lush and green in summer—an excellent place to experience the ‘sky grassland.’
Reference Information:Nalati ‘Sky Grassland’ tickets are about 95 RMB/person, shuttle bus about 40 RMB/person.
9. Duku Highway Northern Section: The Scenic Road Through the Tianshan Mountains 🛣️
Usually recommended to be open from mid-June to late September each year. The highway crosses high mountains and canyons with magnificent scenery, known as ‘four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles.’ If weather or road closures occur, the itinerary will be adjusted per contract negotiation.
10. Bayanbulak: Sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns 🌅
Located in the highland wetlands of the Tianshan hinterland, the famous ‘Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns’ is an excellent spot to watch the sunset. The scenic area offers views of grasslands, rivers, and distant snow-capped mountains.
🗓 ️ Simple Itinerary Reference
The following is a classic ’10-day 9-night Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop from Urumqi’ reference itinerary. Specific arrangements may change due to season, road conditions, and other factors; please refer to the final contract.

🗺️ Route and Destination DetailsDay 1:Arrive in Urumqi
Check into the hotel upon arrival, free time—visit the Grand Bazaar or taste local food.
Day 2:Urumqi → Tianshan Tianchi → Fukang/Burqin direction
Visit Tianshan Tianchi in the morning, drive to the next stop in the afternoon, with stops at desert viewpoints for photos along the way.
Day 3:S21 Desert Highway → Burqin
Cross the desert highway, arrive in Burqin in the evening, and visit the night market for cold-water fish feast.
Day 4:Burqin → Kanas
Enter the Kanas scenic area, visit Kanas Lake and the Three Bays, and stay overnight at Jadengyu or near the scenic area.
Day 5:Kanas/Hemu In-Depth Tour
Depending on the season and physical condition, arrange an in-depth Kanas tour or head to Hemu to enjoy the village’s morning mist and sunset.
Day 6:Hemu → Urho Devil City
Free time in Hemu in the morning, head to Urho Devil City in the afternoon to enjoy the yardang sunset.
Day 7:Urho → Sayram Lake
Cross the Junggar Basin, arrive at Sayram Lake, take a lake circuit tour or relax at the lakeside camp.

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service’s Guo Jing, a senior travel customization specialist with 10 years of deep experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializing in one-stop services for customized Xinjiang vehicle rental, carpooling, and group tours. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number 181-3962-2229, online around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
The core of this route is to use a compliant 6-seat business van to connect the highlights around Urumqi, with a relatively relaxed pace suitable for sightseeing along the way.Day 8:Sayram Lake → Yining
Pass by the Guozigou Bridge, stop at the bridge viewpoint for photos, and visit Yining’s Kazanqi Folk Village in the afternoon.
Day 9:Yining → Nalati → Bayanbulak
Head to Nalati Grassland in the morning, cross the northern section of the Duku Highway in the afternoon, and arrive at Bayanbulak to enjoy the sunset.
Day 10:Bayanbulak → Urumqi
Free time around Bayanbulak in the morning, return to Urumqi in the afternoon, ending the trip.
💰 Price Description
The following are market reference prices around 2026. Actual costs may vary due to season, vehicle type, number of days, and other factors; the contract shall prevail.
1. Vehicle Cost Reference
7-seat business van:With driver service, market reference price about 1000–2000 RMB/day.
Long-distance route total price:Taking the 10-day Northern Xinjiang loop as an example, the full journey van cost is about 10,500–15,000 RMB, shared by passengers on board.
2. Total Trip Cost Estimate
The following is a per-person cost estimate, including carpooling, accommodation, tickets, and basic meals, excluding round-trip transportation.
| Spending Level | Per-Person Cost (approx.) | Accommodation Standard Reference |

1. Urumqi: The Starting Point and Transit Hub of the Journey 🏙️| :— | :— | :— |
| Budget | 3500–4500 RMB | Budget hotels/ordinary guesthouses |
| Comfort | 5500–7000 RMB | Comfortable hotels/featured guesthouses/campsites |
3. Other Possible Costs
Driver meal and accommodation subsidy:Some itineraries do not include this in the quote; it needs to be borne by tourists, commonly 150–200 RMB/person/day, subject to the contract.
：For solo travelers, the travel agency will usually try to arrange room sharing. If sharing is not possible, a single room supplement is required; the specific amount is subject to the contract.
Personal expenses:Such as horseback riding, boat tours, helicopter sightseeing, specialty dining, etc., are at your own expense.
📞 How to Register
You can inquire and register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. It is recommended to communicate in advance about the number of travelers, number of days, preferred route, and budget to get a detailed itinerary and quote.
Consultation hotline:181-3962-2229
WeChat consultation:181-3962-2229
📝 Cost and Service Description
1. Included Items (Example)
Vehicle:Full-journey licensed tourism operating vehicle (including insurance) and driver service fee.

As the capital of Xinjiang, this is the transportation hub for entering and leaving the region. You can take a short rest in the city, visit the Grand Bazaar, taste authentic local food, and prepare for the long journey ahead.Accommodation:Accommodation costs for hotels or guesthouses listed in the itinerary.
Tickets:First entrance tickets and necessary shuttle bus fees within the itinerary.
Services:Driver-guide service; some itineraries may include basic emergency medicine and mineral water.
2. Excluded Items (Example)
Major transportation:Round-trip airfare, train tickets, etc., to and from Urumqi.
Meals:All main meals during the trip, at your own discretion.
Optional activities:Items marked as voluntary choices in the itinerary, such as horseback riding, boat tours, etc.
Driver meal and accommodation subsidy:If not included in the contract, it must be borne separately by tourists.
Personal expenses:Such as shopping, extra drinks, etc.
3. Service and Guarantee Description
Formal contract:Sign a formal tourism contract filed with the national cultural and tourism department, clearly defining rights and responsibilities.
Compliant vehicles:Use vehicles with legal operating qualifications and purchase corresponding insurance.
Professional drivers:Drivers are familiar with Xinjiang road conditions and attractions, with standardized service.
Itinerary changes:In case of force majeure factors such as weather, road conditions, or scenic area policies, both parties may negotiate a reasonable itinerary adjustment.
> Friendly Reminder:All prices and service details are market reference information and do not constitute any commitment. Please refer to the tourism contract signed with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
2026 Xinjiang tourism customized vehicle rental center phone: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Customization Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang customized tourism manager Guo Jing’s WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization.