Budget Travel in Xinjiang

🌄【Explore Northern Xinjiang for 3000 RMB】7 Days 6 Nights Budget Travel Guide｜Sayram Lake · Ili River Valley · Bagua City · Nalati Grassland

Who says Northern Xinjiang can only be explored with expensive group tours?
I spent less than 3000 RMB,
took the Southern Xinjiang loop train,
saw the blue ice melting at Sayram Lake,
rode horses along the edge of the Kalajun Grassland,
stayed in a guesthouse in Tekesi Bagua City,
and even drank a bowl of kvas for just 5 RMB!

📌 Trip Overview:
📍 Route: Urumqi → Yining → Sayram Lake → Zhaosu → Tekesi → Nalati → Return to Urumqi
⏰ Duration: 7 days 6 nights (recommended May to September)
💰 Total Budget: About 2950 RMB per person
🚗 Transportation: Train + long-distance bus + carpool + public bus, no private car rental

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🗓️ Day 1: Urumqi → Yining｜Step into Ili River Valley

🚂 Take train K9786 (upper berth in hard sleeper)
- Ticket price: about 358 RMB, duration about 12 hours
- Depart at night, arrive at Yining station early morning after sleeping

✅ Tip: Book tickets in advance, choose a right-side window seat to see the distant view of Guozigou Bridge

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🗓️ Day 2: Yining → Sayram Lake Day Trip

🚌 Morning:
- Take a shuttle bus from Yining Bus Station to Sayram Lake (South Gate)
- Ticket price: about 60 RMB one way, 2.5 hours ride

🌊 Arrive at noon:
- Free entry to the South Gate area (currently the South Gate is gradually opening free sections)
- Walk along the boardwalk or rent a bike (about 30 RMB/hour)

📸 Must-visit spots:
✅ “The Last Tear of the Atlantic” – lake surface reflecting snow-capped mountains
✅ Pine Tree Head Trail for panoramic views (30-minute hike)
✅ Photograph swans, wildflowers, and Mongolian yurts

🚌 Return to Yining by evening
- Accommodation: Hostel or budget hotel (e.g., “Yining Impression Inn”)
- Price: 80–100 RMB/night × 2 nights = 180 RMB

🍽️ Food: Handmade ice cream + pilaf + baked buns ≈ 40 RMB

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🗓️ Day 3: Yining → Zhaosu / Tekesi

🚌 Morning:
- Yining → Zhaosu by bus (about 90 RMB, 3 hours)
- Or direct to Tekesi (ticket 85 RMB, 2.5 hours)

🏨 Check in at Tekesi Bagua City
- Recommended guesthouse: family inn near the central square
- Price: 100 RMB/night × 2 nights = 200 RMB

🎯 Afternoon sightseeing:
✅ Climb the viewing platform for a full view of Bagua City (free)
✅ Bike along the city greenway, enjoy the quiet small town without traffic lights
✅ Visit the Li Street cultural and creative district (free)

🍽️ Dinner: Kazakh hand-pulled meat + yogurt dumplings ≈ 35 RMB

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🗓️ Day 4: Tekesi → Edge of Kalajun Grassland Tour

🚌 Carpool or charter to the East Gate of Kalajun Grassland / outskirts of Kuokesu Grand Canyon
- Carpool about 80 RMB per person round trip
- Do not enter the scenic area (ticket 155 RMB is expensive), choose free hiking in the surrounding pasture area

🌿 Highlights:
✅ Alpine meadows, herds of cattle and sheep, winding streams
✅ Photograph the “Human Grassland” landform (view from afar)
✅ Chat with herders and drink a bowl of hot milk tea (usually free)

🌆 Return to Tekesi in the evening, rest for the night

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🗓️ Day 5: Tekesi → Nalati Town

🚌 Take bus to Nalati Town (via Gongliu or Xinyuan)
- Tekesi → Xinyuan bus 60 RMB
- Xinyuan → Nalati bus 30 RMB
- Total time about 5 hours

🏨 Stay at a budget hotel in Nalati Town
- Price: 120 RMB/night (slightly higher in peak season, book in advance)

🌌 Optional: Join a star photography group carpool (not camping inside the scenic area)

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🗓️ Day 6: Nalati Grassland Outskirts Hiking + Prepare for Return

🌿 Skip the core scenic area ticket (ticket + shuttle 135 RMB), choose:
✅ Free grassland area outside town for hiking (e.g., near Tawu Sani)
✅ Photograph the aerial grassland with snow mountains in the background
✅ Horse riding experience (bargain about 50 RMB/30 minutes)

🚌 Afternoon bus back to Yining or directly to Jinghe/Kuitun

🚄 Take the hard sleeper train from Kuitun or Jinghe back to Urumqi at night
- Hard sleeper ticket about 280 RMB

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🗓️ Day 7: Arrive in Urumqi, end of trip

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🧮 Total Expenses Breakdown (per adult):
- Round-trip hard sleeper train: 358 + 280 = 638 RMB
- Long-distance bus + carpool fees: 60 + 90 + 60 + 30 + 80 = 320 RMB
- Accommodation (6 nights): 180 + 200 + 120 = 500 RMB
- Food (7 days): 80 RMB/day × 7 = 560 RMB
- Rentals/horse riding/miscellaneous: 30 + 50 + 50 = 130 RMB
- Emergency transport + water + snacks: 100 RMB
- Local bus + taxi: 50 RMB
✅ Total: about 2398 RMB! You can still save 600 RMB to upgrade accommodation or buy lavender products and dried fruits

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💡 Money-saving Tips:
✔️ Peak season in Northern Xinjiang is June to August; May and early September offer better value
✔️ Sayram Lake South Gate, Kalajun outskirts, and outside Nalati Town all have free quality views
✔️ Interact with locals often for free tea or ride opportunities
✔️ Bring your own sunscreen, thermos, and power bank as prices in scenic areas are high

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Northern Xinjiang is not a distant fairy tale,
but a poem and a faraway place measured by footsteps.
Spend 3000 RMB to see snow mountains reflecting on lakes, grasslands like carpets, and the Milky Way pouring down.