Secret Snow Mountain Hiking Guide

Duku Highway + Sayram Lake | Xinjiang Travel Guide🚗

How to travel the Duku Highway and Sayram Lake like a special forces traveler? This article has all you need👇

Itinerary

Day 1: Urumqi - Sayram Lake
Morning: Arrive in Urumqi, visit the Xinjiang Museum to learn about Xinjiang's history and culture.
Noon: Head to Lingguan Alley to taste meat naan, spicy noodles, and other delicacies.
Afternoon: Drive about 4.5 hours to Sayram Lake, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, watch swans play.
Evening: Stay at a guesthouse or hotel near Sayram Lake and stargaze.

Day 2: Sayram Lake Circuit Tour
Early morning: Wake up early to watch the sunrise at Sayram Lake.
Morning: Visit Moon Bay, Kele Yongzhu, West Sea Grassland, and other attractions.
Noon: Taste highland white salmon at a restaurant in the scenic area.
Afternoon: Choose to cycle around the lake to experience the beauty up close.
Evening: Return to accommodation and organize photos.

Day 3: Sayram Lake - Yining
Morning: Leave via Provincial Road S313, stop to take photos at Guozigou Bridge.
Noon: Arrive in Huocheng County, try lavender snacks, visit the lavender garden.
Afternoon: Head to Yining City, tour Kazanqi Folk Village, ride the blue horse carriage.
Evening: Taste noodles with lung slices, handmade ice cream, and other foods at Hanren Street night market; stay at a hotel in Yining city.

Day 4: Yining - Nalati
Morning: Depart from Yining, take National Highway G218 to Nalati, enter the northern section of Duku Highway.
Noon: Eat Kazakh steamed noodles in Nalati town.
Afternoon: Explore Nalati Sky Grassland or enter Duku Highway to visit the Qiaerma Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery.
Evening: Stay at a guesthouse in Nalati town and experience a Kazakh family visit.

Day 5: Nalati - Bayinbuluke
All day: Head south along Duku Highway, pass through Gongnaisi Forest Farm and Hashilegendaban Pass.
Noon: Eat hand-pulled meat and wild mushroom soup rice in a roadside yurt.
Afternoon: Arrive at Bayinbuluke Grassland, visit the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, watch the sunset.
Evening: Stay in Bayinbuluke town, keep warm.

Day 6: Bayinbuluke - Kuqa
Morning: Continue south on Duku Highway, pass through the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon.
Noon: Eat Kuqa big naan and naan fried meat in Kuqa city.
Afternoon: Visit Kuqa Palace to learn about Kucha culture.
Evening: Taste roasted whole lamb and kvass at Kuqa night market, end the trip.

Transportation Guide

1. Major transport: You can choose to fly directly to Urumqi, then rent a car or take a bus to Dushanzi/Kuqa; or fly to Yining Airport, then charter a car or self-drive about 2 hours to Sayram Lake.

2. Local transport:

◦ Self-driving: Highly recommended for freedom and convenience, but some sections of Duku Highway are steep and dangerous, so novice drivers should be cautious. Rental costs 500 - 1000 RMB/day (SUV models), Sayram Lake self-drive 143 RMB/car/24 hours.

◦ Charter/shared car: Suitable for those who don’t want to drive, charter prices 800 - 1200 RMB/day (including driver).

◦ Public transport: Buses run from Yining/Kuitun to Nalati and Bayinbuluke but are infrequent; check schedules in advance. Sayram Lake shuttle bus 75 RMB/person (stops at 12 stations).

Cost Reference

• Tickets: Sayram Lake peak season 145 RMB/person (including shuttle bus); Nalati Sky Grassland ticket + shuttle 135 RMB; Bayinbuluke ticket + shuttle 140 RMB; Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon ticket 42 RMB; Kuqa Palace ticket 55 RMB; Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden ticket 35 RMB.

• Accommodation: Sayram Lake lakeside guesthouses 300 - 800 RMB/night; Nalati town hotels 200 - 500 RMB/night or grassland yurts 150 - 300 RMB/night; Bayinbuluke town outside scenic area 200 - 600 RMB/night; Kuqa city hotels 150 - 400 RMB/night.

• Food: About 100 - 200 RMB per person per day.

• Transport: Rental and charter fees as above; fuel costs depend on vehicle and itinerary.

Travel Tips

1. Duku Highway is open from June to October each year; check road conditions on the “Safe Dushanzi” WeChat public account before departure.

2. Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night; bring a windbreaker and light down jacket; strong UV during the day, prepare sunscreen.

3. Some sections of Duku Highway have steep slopes and sharp turns; drive carefully and avoid night driving.

4. It is windy around Sayram Lake; dress warmly and protect against wind.

5. The ecology along the route is fragile; do not litter.