The National Day reverse trip that everyone’s been asking about avoids 90% of the crowds and explores Northern Xinjiang

Still wondering where to go for National Day? A 9-day self-driving trip in Northern Xinjiang with the Tank 300 is a must-have🈶️Route + tips + costs all explained in one go, just save this article!
🚗 Vehicle: Tank 300 (King of the Gobi Road! Super photogenic!)
👫 Number of people: 2 (Perfect for couples, partners, or besties)
📅 Time: 9.28-10.6 (Tested and effective for avoiding peak crowds!)

🔥 9-day essential route & exclusive activities (real version):
Day 1 Arrive in Urumqi—rest + stroll and eat at the Grand Bazaar
🏠 Mercure Urumqi Nanhu Citizen Square Hotel
Day 2 Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Fengqing Grand Canyon → Burqin (🚗7h)
🏠 Burqin Night Light City Holiday Inn
Day 3 Burqin → Hemu (🚗 originally 4h, actually about 6h+ due to traffic)
🏠 Hemu Mountain Wild Villa
Day 4 Hemu → Kanas (🚗 originally 2h, actually about 4h+ due to traffic)
🏠 Kanas Sanbaisuo
Day 5 Hike the three bays of Kanas → Fish Viewing Platform
🏠 Kanas Sanbaisuo
Day 6 Kanas → Devil City → Karamay (🚗7-8h)
🏠 Western Wuzhen Kunmo Hotel
Day 7 Karamay → Sayram Lake → Jinghe/Kuitun (🚗5h+) — Enter Sayram Lake from the east gate, drive counterclockwise around the lake! Avoid the crowds! The south gate to Dianjiangtai section is the most beautiful, find the empty S-curve.
🏠 Sayram Lake (hotel not recommended for now, check my previous warning post)
Day 8 Return to Urumqi → Buy dried fruits at Hualing Market (a must-buy! The milk tablets are really delicious)
🏠 Mercure Urumqi Nanhu Citizen Square Hotel
Day 9 Go home!

💰 Cost reference for 2 people (National Day):
Car (rental + fuel + insurance): ≈8000 RMB
Accommodation (8 nights): ≈6000 RMB (Hemu/Kanas take the biggest share)
Food: ≈2000 RMB
Tickets: ≈2000 RMB (Fengqing is free, saving money!)
✅ About 10,000 RMB+ per person

💥 Secret to the hit trip (real and copyable!):
1️⃣ Tank 300 is the looker + gives a sense of security! The interior space is huge, driving is very stable, and it easily fits luggage.
2️⃣ Flexible response to traffic jams! Hemu and Kanas will definitely have traffic jams, and they are the kind that don’t move because traffic police are directing flow in the opposite direction. I will share specific tips later!
3️⃣ Free alternatives are amazing! Took a wrong turn but unexpectedly arrived at Fengqing Canyon, which I give the top spot!
4️⃣ Immersive experience > just checking in! Hiking, stargazing, and Gobi off-roading are more memorable. Don’t just focus on taking photos, remember to look up and enjoy the scenery with your own eyes!!

👉🏻 I will later organize detailed daily itineraries and real photos of each attraction. This article can’t cover everything. All of the above is from our own scouting, teaching you how to avoid pitfalls and have more fun. National Day is coming soon, so start planning now!