THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Travel from Yining through Nalati, Kuerdening, Kalajun and Sayram Lake for summer photography of grasslands, forests, canyons and lakes.
Light across Nalati grasslands
Spend consecutive sessions around Nalati's alpine and river-valley grasslands and Panlong Valley, capturing changing light.
Kuerdening and Kalajun
Explore forest grasslands around Kuerdening, then Tekes, Kalajun and canyon landscapes, with a planned cabin stay.
Sayram Lake and Yining streets
Photograph Sayram Lake in the morning and along its shores, then explore Huang Gong Bazaar and city life in Yining.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Ling Zi →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Ling Zi
Specializes in filmmaking, writing and directing, production, planning, documentary photography, portraiture and landscapes. Gold award in the folk customs category of the 4th Asia-Pacific Cup International Photography Art Exhibition. She has extensive experience directing and producing promotional films and documentaries, and leads photography trips within China and overseas each year. Her photography post-production training has included more than 400 sessions and 20,000 participant attendances for organizations including the Futian urban management bureau, the water group, the Nanshan publicity department, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, Peking University's MBA program, the Hangcheng, Xixiang, Yutang and Taoyuan community offices, the Guangming New District Photography Association and the Shenzhen Senior Photographers Association.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Jun 12 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 1: June 12 | Yining City
Plan: airport pickup and check-in; visit urban sights including Kazanqi and Liuxing Street, enjoy the lively night market, and begin your grassland journey. Driving: no long-distance travel; airport pickup takes approximately 20–30 minutes, and drives between city attractions take 15–20 minutes. An easy day throughout.
Accommodation:four-star hotel in Yining City
DAY 02Jun 13 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 2: June 13 | Yining City → Nalati Town
Plan: head to Nalati, explore key Sky Grassland locations, watch sunset at Yuanbao Mountain and attend a welcome dinner in a felt yurt. Driving: Yining City → Nalati Town approximately 280 km, 4.5 hours; Nalati Town → Sky Grassland approximately 15 km, 20 minutes.
Accommodation:four-star hotel in Nalati
DAY 03Jun 14 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 3: June 14 | Nalati Town
Plan: a full day of in-depth photography in Nalati, capturing the grassland’s changing light throughout the day and discovering lesser-known photography locations. Driving: no long-distance travel; approximately 20 minutes round trip between Nalati Town and the scenic area.
Accommodation:four-star hotel in Nalati
DAY 04Jun 15 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 4: June 15 | Nalati Town → Kurdening Town
Plan: main highlights are Nalati’s River Valley Grassland and Panlong Valley Road. Pass Sarbulak and Saha’s wild fruit forest to reach Kurdening Town. Driving: Nalati Town → River Valley Grassland approximately 10 km (15 minutes); River Valley Grassland → Panlong Valley Road approximately 5 km (10 minutes); Panlong Valley Road → Nalati Town approximately 15 km (20 minutes); Nalati Town → Kurdening Town approximately 155 km. Total driving time including stops: approximately 4.5 hours.
Accommodation:four-star hotel in Kurdening
DAY 05Jun 16 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 5: June 16 | Kurdening Town
Plan: experience a private forest kitchen, mushroom picking, horse riding and other activities, watch sunset on the grassland and join a bonfire gathering. Driving: no long-distance travel; Kurdening Town → private forest kitchen approximately 10 km, 15 minutes. No driving is needed within the forest.
Accommodation:four-star hotel in Kurdening
DAY 06Jun 17 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 6: June 17 | Kurdening Town → Bieke Cabins, Kalajun
Plan: explore Kurdening’s lesser-known hidden landscapes, visit Qiapuqihai, stop at Tekes Eight-Trigrams City and check into Bieke Cabins in Kalajun. Driving: round trip from Kurdening Town to the hidden scenic spots approximately 30 km (50 minutes); Kurdening Town → Qiapuqihai approximately 40 km (one hour); Qiapuqihai → Tekes Eight-Trigrams City approximately 60 km (1.5 hours); Tekes → Kalajun cabins approximately 30 km (40 minutes). Total driving time approximately 3.5 hours.
Accommodation:guesthouse inside Kalajun Scenic Area
DAY 07Jun 18 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 7: June 18 | Kalajun → Sayram Lake
Plan: visit East Kalajun and Kuerdai Grand Canyon, then drive to Sayram Lake in the afternoon and stay overnight by the lake after touring its shore. Driving: Kalajun cabins → East Kalajun approximately 10 km/15 minutes; East Kalajun → Kuerdai Grand Canyon approximately 10 minutes by cable car; Kuerdai Grand Canyon → Sayram Lake approximately 320 km/five hours including breaks. Total driving time approximately 5.5 hours.
Accommodation:guesthouse beside Sayram Lake Scenic Area
DAY 08Jun 19 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 8: June 19 | Sayram Lake → Yining City
Plan: morning photography/touring around Sayram Lake, lakeside afternoon tea, then return to Yining City in the afternoon for a farewell dinner. Driving: Sayram Lake → Yining City approximately 145–150 km/2.5 hours including a Guozigou viewpoint stop. Total driving time approximately three hours.
Accommodation:four-star hotel in Yining City
DAY 09Jun 20 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 9: June 20 | Yining City → Huang Gong Bazaar → Airport transfer
Plan: visit Huang Gong Bazaar, enjoy free time, then transfer to the airport for your return journey. Driving: Yining City → Huang Gong Bazaar approximately 25 km/35 minutes; Huang Gong Bazaar → airport approximately 30 km/40 minutes. Arrangements remain flexible throughout.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Ling Zi
- Up to 5 travelers
- IncludedLocal services: photography instruction from a local instructor;
Transport
- IncludedTransport: three participants per off-road vehicle;
- IncludedTransfers: airport pickup and drop-off on Days 1 and 9;
- ExcludedLong-distance round-trip transportation between your departure city and the destination;
Travel details and reference schedules
The instructor's outbound and return flights are: [Round trip from Shenzhen] Outbound: June 12 | Shenzhen–Urumqi / CZ8609 / 11:45 / 17:30 June 12 | Urumqi–Yining / CZ6854 / 18:55 / 20:15 Return: June 20 | Yining–Beijing / CZ8893 / 09:40 / 13:55 June 20 | Urumqi–Shenzhen / CZ3160 / 15:00 / 18:25 [Round trip from Guangzhou] Outbound: June 12 | Guangzhou–Urumqi / CZ6888 / 11:45 / 17:05 June 12 | Urumqi–Yining / CZ6854 / 18:55 / 20:15 Return: June 20 | Yining–Beijing / CZ8893 / 09:40 / 13:55 June 20 | Urumqi–Guangzhou / CZ3104 / 15:30 / 18:40 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website. These services are for reference and do not constitute confirmed group transport. Final services and meeting times await operator confirmation. Included · Transport: three participants per off-road vehicle; Included · Transfers: airport pickup and drop-off on Days 1 and 9; Included · Admission: itinerary admission tickets and shuttle buses (drive in wherever allowed; where self-drive tickets require competitive booking, we will try to obtain them and use shuttle buses if unsuccessful); Excluded · Long-distance round-trip transportation between your departure city and the destination;
Photography
- Light across Nalati grasslands
- Kuerdening and Kalajun
- Sayram Lake and Yining streets
Photography details
Light across Nalati grasslands Spend consecutive sessions around Nalati's alpine and river-valley grasslands and Panlong Valley, capturing changing light. Kuerdening and Kalajun Explore forest grasslands around Kuerdening, then Tekes, Kalajun and canyon landscapes, with a planned cabin stay. Sayram Lake and Yining streets Photograph Sayram Lake in the morning and along its shores, then explore Huang Gong Bazaar and city life in Yining. Light across Nalati grasslands Kuerdening and Kalajun Sayram Lake and Yining streets Included · Local services: photography instruction from a local instructor; Included · Tour leadership: photography course fees for the accompanying instructor.
Accommodation
- 8 nights
- IncludedHotels: four-star hotels in almost every location (except inside scenic areas);
- ExcludedA single supplement applies if a roommate is unavailable or a private room is requested. The amount awaits operator confirmation.
Accommodation details
Day 1：four-star hotel in Yining City Day 2：four-star hotel in Nalati Day 3：four-star hotel in Nalati Day 4：four-star hotel in Kurdening Day 5：four-star hotel in Kurdening Day 6：guesthouse inside Kalajun Scenic Area Day 7：guesthouse beside Sayram Lake Scenic Area Day 8：four-star hotel in Yining City Day 1 · 2027-06-12 four-star hotel in Yining City Day 2 · 2027-06-13 four-star hotel in Nalati Day 3 · 2027-06-14 four-star hotel in Nalati Day 4 · 2027-06-15 four-star hotel in Kurdening Day 5 · 2027-06-16 four-star hotel in Kurdening Day 6 · 2027-06-17 guesthouse inside Kalajun Scenic Area Day 7 · 2027-06-18 guesthouse beside Sayram Lake Scenic Area Day 8 · 2027-06-19 four-star hotel in Yining City
Meals
- IncludedMeals: hotel breakfasts throughout;
- ExcludedMain meals during the itinerary (the instructor’s meal expenses are shared by participants);
Visa
- To be confirmed by the operator
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Hotels: four-star hotels in almost every location (except inside scenic areas);
Meals: hotel breakfasts throughout;
Transport: three participants per off-road vehicle;
Transfers: airport pickup and drop-off on Days 1 and 9;
Admission: itinerary admission tickets and shuttle buses (drive in wherever allowed; where self-drive tickets require competitive booking, we will try to obtain them and use shuttle buses if unsuccessful);
Local services: photography instruction from a local instructor;
Tour leadership: photography course fees for the accompanying instructor.
Complimentary travel accident insurance;
Not included
Long-distance round-trip transportation between your departure city and the destination;
Main meals during the itinerary (the instructor’s meal expenses are shared by participants);
A single supplement applies if a roommate is unavailable or a private room is requested. The amount awaits operator confirmation.
In exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, airline delays or cancellations, or consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional expenses, including visa extensions abroad, accommodation, meals, transport, or adjustments to national airfares, may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Invoice taxes.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] Accommodation is arranged for two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Itinerary dates use Beijing time (Asia/Shanghai). Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.