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 --- 🗓️ 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 --- 🗓️ 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 --- 🗓️ 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 --- 🗓️ 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 --- 🗓️ 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) --- 🗓️ 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 --- 🗓️ Day 7: Arrive in Urumqi, end of trip --- 🧮 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 --- 💡 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 --- 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.