Qiongkushitaicun

Don't ask how much the ticket is, ask how many years of youth are left. I decided to embark on a journey to Xinjiang in the northwest of my motherland, using a month to find my lost soul. After coming back, I am full of motivation, often staring at the photos in a daze. To help friends who want to go to Xinjiang, I have compiled this travel guide, hoping to help everyone! Where should I go first when I go to Xinjiang for the first time? Urumqi, as the transportation hub of Xinjiang, is very convenient whether it is South Xinjiang or North Xinjiang. It is recommended to choose Urumqi as the first stop, because whether it is a group tour or self-driving, almost all vehicles start from here. Precautions: Time difference: There is a 2-hour time difference between Xinjiang and the mainland Many ethnic minorities are used to saying Xinjiang time Security check: Xinjiang's security check is very strict, train stations and airports require multiple security checks, it is recommended to go to the train station/airport in advance Accommodation recommendation: Urumqi: Recommend Friendly Business Circle or Zhongshan Road Business Circle Kanas: Recommend Beitun City, secondly, Jadunyu and Burqin can be recommended Hemu: Recommend staying in the scenic area log cabin, watching the stars all over the sky at night, increasing the play time during the day, and the experience is better Sailimu Lake: Accommodation is recommended to stay in Qingshuihe Town or Huocheng County Our self-driving route: Starting from Urumqi, go to Sailimu Lake—Huocheng—Zhaosu—Tekes—Qiongkushitai—Nalati—Duku Highway, and finally return to Urumqi from Dushanzi. The route is just a circle, which is a classic Yili ring line. ps: The above self-driving journey is 12 days in total, a total of 2300 kilometers, without rushing to the road and rushing to the scenic spots, often 5-6 hours of self-driving time every day. I feel that rest and maintaining a good state are necessary. Must-visit attractions: Qiongkushitai: The grassland covering the sky, the fairy tale forest like a mist, the small wooden house with grass on the head, every eye is super healing Huocheng Lavender: The purple sea of flowers tumbling with the wind is really romantic Tangbula Fairy Lake: A small popular secret that needs to ride a horse up the mountain, accompanied by flowers all the way, it seems to be Alice in Wonderland Nalati Grassland: The aerial photography and self-driving of the grassland and valley in the sky are absolutely amazing! Sailimu Lake: "The last tear of the Atlantic" If you have plenty of time, you must go for a self-driving tour around the lake Duku Highway: Duku Highway that must be self-driving once in a lifetime! It will open around mid-June every year, and you will feel the four seasons along the way. Xinjiang cuisine: The big plate chicken, lamb skewers, roasted lamb chops, and roasted buns in Xinjiang are really amazing, and those who like heavy tastes can close their eyes. ps: There are also old yogurt, cold water fish, hand-grabbed rice, wrapped meat, pulled strips and other delicacies waiting for you to taste!

Xinjiang welcomes the purest summer of the year🌈 The sleeping villages lie on the vast grasslands The sound of horse hooves echoes in the distant mountains💓 . 📝Summer Travel Tips for Xinjiang ✔️There are many mosquitoes in Xinjiang during summer, so be prepared for mosquito protection ✔️It is recommended to wear long sleeves and trousers when hiking and horse riding on the grassland ✔️Wearing plain white clothes for travel in Xinjiang will make for great photos ✔️There is a lot of delicious food in Xinjiang, don't overeat or eat too cold, pay attention to a reasonable diet .Ili·Xinjiang Join a tour or self-drive❓ 🔹It is recommended to join a tour, as many of the scenic spots you want to see in Xinjiang are very far away, self-driving is costly, and it's troublesome and delays the trip if you encounter problems on the way, and driving long distances is tiring. It's not enjoyable to visit the scenery with an exhausted body 🔹Although joining a tour is not as free as self-driving, it still gives you time to play, it's worry-free and effortless! A small group of 4-6 people is not expensive and can still enjoy the experience of a free trip, stop wherever you want! . ⭕May Day Itinerary 🌼D0: Yining airport/station pick-up - Check into hotel - Free time 🌼D1: Yining - Sayram Lake (Surround the 'Blue Tears', search for wild swans) 🌼D2: Qingshui - Qiongkushitai Village ('Heidi and Grandpa' comes to reality) - Tekes Bagua City (The only city in China without traffic lights) 🌼D3: Tekes - Qiaxi Forest Park (Twilight forest, hundred-mile scroll) 🌼D4: Gongliu - Nalati Air Grassland (Walk into the forest, spruce, streams, villages) 🌼D5: Nalati - Kazanqi Folk Village (Internet-famous blue house, Six Star Street) - Yining disband/group send-off . 🎁Surprise gifts with the itinerary 💥24h free airport/station transfer, no matter how late someone will send you 💥Professional travel photography + drone aerial photography, record the happy journey 💥Outdoor equipment + sky tent + afternoon tea, have dreamy memories

Ili is a gathering place for the Kazakh ethnic group, so on the first day, we followed the local customs. In Tangbula, we joined this nation of horseback riders to taste milk tea, roast lamb skewers, drink mutton soup, and sleep in a Mongolian yurt. Early in the morning, as the first rays of sunlight touched the grassland, the brave among us wrapped up in our thickest clothes to chase the light; the hosts of the grassland began to milk the sheep. The master said there was also horse milk, which I had never seen and certainly would not be accustomed to its taste, but the mere mention of horse milk filled me with a sense of boldness and a fully charged atmosphere. We drove towards Fairy Lake, but having taken the wrong road, we had to return the way we came and chose to ride horses instead. We brought thick shawls especially for the trip because, for us, riding horses really required a 'steel butt' that we didn't have! However, when the unexpected happened, we had to bite the bullet and get on the horses. Along the way, I kept thinking, wouldn't a motorcycle be a better choice? After all, it's faster. Passing hikers, we joked interestingly: those who haven't gotten on wish to get on, and those who have regret it. Isn't that the truth? But we just wanted to see that touch of green with our own eyes! And the scenery and local customs along the way, otherwise how could I have seen that mother, who without makeup, seemed to me stunningly beautiful and unforgettable for several days? How could I have come to admire the confidence of the 'sunset red' aunties once again? Reluctantly leaving Tangbula, the lavender fields of the Tianshan Flower Sea finally awaited us, the adorable ground cover making us jump for joy; in Kanas, cotton candy could be plucked right out of the air, and I brought Hayao Miyazaki's animations into my camera, staging a real-life version of The Wind Rises; in Qiongkushitai, with green grass and a sea of flowers, that's where Heidi and her grandfather lived! The little wooden houses on the grassland, the streams, forests, cattle, and sheep along the way, isn't that the Eastern Switzerland, captivating to the eye; hiking in Shatuo, looking up to see the snow-capped mountains right before our eyes, we kept looking, walking, and rushing towards this goal, never stopping. We also kept exclaiming: in the face of nature, humans are truly insignificant, so what do those human disputes, rights and wrongs, grudges and grievances amount to under such a landscape? Life is vast, and our eyes should not only see love and being loved, nor should they only see the immediate struggles! When you are confused, go into nature to find the answers!

In this vast world, as time flows, life is fleeting. Perhaps we are often trapped in the cage of life, or perhaps we are often troubled by the trivialities of reality. We are all searching, searching for a place filled with freedom and joy. When I think of freedom and vitality, the first thing that comes to my mind is the forests and grasslands of Yili, where there is the wind of the wilderness, the drooping grass, the vast grasslands, and the expansive snow-capped mountains. In the embrace of Yili, countless vivid stories grow in my heart, with brilliant gatherings, thrilling adventures, and even moments facing the grasslands with spring warmth and blooming flowers, far from the hustle and bustle of the world. Thus, dreams begin to sprout in my heart. I long to set foot on that distant land of Yili, to spend the summer of my dreams. Finally, I embarked on the journey. The rolling meadows and beautiful scenery that once invaded my dreams are now under my feet, within my sight. In the grasslands of Yili, I discovered that what once troubled me, made me anxious, and even drove me crazy, was actually just a seed in this vast grassland. When I merge the sea of bitterness in my heart into Sayram Lake, it becomes a soft blue, and I can no longer see the sorrows of the past. I start to look forward to traveling through Tekes without traffic lights, holding up a piece of perennial ice and snow on the mountains, searching for a white cloud in the forest sea, carrying the childhood dreams in my heart, lighting a bonfire in the desert, illuminating the starry Milky Way in the sky. Perhaps this is the meaning of travel. It gives us the opportunity to see with our own eyes the beauty of the world that cannot be expressed in words, and after many twists and turns, to find the land that can soothe our souls. My journey to Yili is like an open diary, recording every bit of my time there. From the pick-up in Urumqi, to the tranquility of Sayram Lake, to the romance of the lavender manor, the simplicity of Qiongkushitai, the mystery of Tekes, the beauty of Narati, the ruggedness of the Duku Highway, the grandeur of the Dushanzi Grand Canyon, to the winding of the S101 National Defense Highway, and finally back to the warmth of Urumqi. I hope that we can all find our own spiritual home in the wilderness of Yili, and find the true meaning of travel.

🛏【Hotel Guide】 📍Detailed address: Inside Qiongkushitai Village, Courtyard No. 92, Xueshan Holiday Homestay 🚗Transportation strategy: Depart from Tekes, about 100 kilometers, direct navigation is possible, there are many bends on the road, it takes about 3 hours 🌟Highlights: All wooden cabin structure, close to nature ⛱Hotel environment: There are many beautiful fir trees in the yard, a large lawn, and the interior decoration and facilities are well-equipped, the hot water is very nice 💰Average cost: When I went there, the guest rooms were about 600 each, but it felt like great value for money 📌Little Tips: There is a housekeeper who can play the drum, and every night everyone will sing and dance together, the atmosphere is quite nice!

Grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, cattle, and sheep I love this feeling of nature and wilderness so much Every place is like Heidi's home with her grandfather It's like a place out of a Hayao Miyazaki film It's really suitable for emptying your mind and embracing nature. 🏔️Attraction: Yili, Xinjiang 🚗Transportation: Self-driving 🎈Tourist spots ① Qiaxi Forest Park: Herds of cattle and horses, endless forests and grasslands ② Kuytun: The beauty along the way is captivating ③ Narat Grassland: Streams, forests, and mountain ranges are so beautiful they leave you speechless ④ Xiate: Very suitable for hiking and viewing the snow-capped mountains and grasslands ⑤ Sayram Lake: Like the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean Xinjiang is a place worth visiting Listening to the wind in the wilderness is quiet and healing At this moment, it's like entering a fairy tale world The beauty in front of you leaves you speechless.

Xinjiang is the right way to cool off in summer. Summer is not just about air conditioning and watermelon, Come out and see the blue sky, white clouds, green pastures, and snow-white mountains Winding rivers, purple sea of flowers Come to Xinjiang to start a summer of 20°C .Get up and take a look at the stunning itinerary starting from Yining Day1: Yining City - Guozigou Bridge - Sayram Lake - Jinghe Day2: Jinghe - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Duku Highway - Narat Day3: Narat Grassland - Qiaxi - Tekes Day4: Tekes - Qiongkushitai - Zhaosu Day5: Zhaosu - Xiat - Yining

1⃣️Recommended route for Yili River Valley in Xinjiang: Sailimu Lake—Karakojun—Qiongkushitai—Xiahta. Among them, only Qiongkushitai does not require a ticket and can be entered for free. 2⃣️If one travels to Xinjiang alone and charters a car to tour the Yili River Valley route, you can book a charter driver online in advance, the price will be relatively cheaper than offline, during the off-season in May and June, the daily charter price is about 200-300 yuan per day. 3⃣️If one goes to Xinjiang alone and wants to minimize transportation costs, you can first fly or take a train to Urumqi, then transfer to the capital city of Yili, Yining by train. However, you need to coordinate with the charter driver to see whether to depart from Urumqi or Yining. 4⃣️If the travel time is not very ample, you can choose the attractions around Yining, like Karakojun, Qiongkushitai, take a bus to Tekes first, which takes two hours, and the fare is 31 yuan per person. Then there are shuttle buses to and from the two attractions in the urban area of Tekes County. The round-trip fare varies from 100-200 yuan per person. 5⃣️The best time to travel in the Yili River Valley is in May and early June, avoiding the peak travel period, the scenery is beautiful and the prices have not yet risen. 6⃣️The daily accommodation fee in the off-season, if you only choose in small county towns, varies from 100-200 yuan per night, so the overall cost for five days, excluding the transportation cost to Xinjiang, is about 5000 yuan fluctuating up and down.

Yili is famous for its wildflower sea, and there is none like it. This year, with abundant rainfall, we chose to come to Yili during the May Day holiday, attracted by the blooming wildflowers. Our plan is D1 from Sayram Lake to Qiongkushitai, D2 to Chaxi, D3 to Kuerdening, D4 to Tangbula, and D5 back to Changji. As soon as we entered Yili, we could see the hillsides covered with tiny scattered flowers, mainly yellow, with some white flower seas, and also mixed yellow and white, creating a romantic atmosphere everywhere. Along the way, we passed many lush wildflower seas, some charging fees, some free, and some within scenic areas. After comparison, we found the best spot, which not only has yellow and white flower seas but also allows us to see the snow-capped mountains and the Tekes River. Sharing with everyone: Use Gaode Navigation to search for 'Aortakir'. About 200 meters before the destination, you will see a dirt road that leads into the flower sea. There is a barbed wire fence around it, and a lady at the entrance. This place charges a fee; you can drive in to take photos and camp, 5 yuan per person, and sedans can enter as well. If you drive a vehicle with a higher chassis, you can go further inside, where you will see a road under construction. Follow the road base to find the yellow and white flower sea and the snow-capped mountains and Tekes River, all for free. But be careful to follow the tracks pressed by the herders' vehicles and do not harm the little flowers! ❤️

🌞 Stepping into Kanas, it feels like being surrounded by nature's palette! 🎨 The sky is clear and blue🌌, with white clouds gently floating☁️, as if in a fairyland🌱. The grassland is green like a velvet carpet🌿, stretching all the way to the horizon, making me feel relaxed and happy😌. The herdsmen ride their steeds🐎, galloping freely across the grasslands🏇️, with their songs drifting in the wind🎵, conveying joy and tranquility🎶. 🏔️ In the distance, the snow-capped mountains are majestic and spectacular🏔️, complementing the grasslands🌄, forming a breathtakingly beautiful picture🖼️. At dusk🌇, the setting sun dyes half the sky red🌅, and the golden light spills over the land🌞, everything seems so peaceful and beautiful🌌. 📝 Now, I'll share my Kanas travel tips, remember to save them! 👇 🔸Tour order: Back mountain sunrise➡️Log cabin village➡️Life swing➡️Forest sea self-driving➡️Front mountain sunset 📸Recommended must-visit spots: 1️⃣ Front mountain sunset🌇: The best spot to watch the sunset over the snow mountains🌄, as if it's a divine reserved land🌌. There's no commercialization here🚫, just grasslands, your camera📷, and you, allowing you to fully enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature🌳. 2️⃣ Back mountain sunrise🌅: When the sun rises☀️, the first rays of light sprinkle on the land🌅, you will see the legendary 'sunlit golden mountain'🏔️, breathtakingly beautiful😲. 3️⃣ Life swing🍁: One of the most photogenic spots in Kanas📸, sitting on the swing, you can sway to your heart's content💃, feeling the embrace of nature🌳. 4️⃣ Log cabin🏡: The log cabins here are scattered and charming🏘️, no less beautiful than Hemu🌾, even more so. Walking among them🚶‍♀️, it's like stepping into a fairy tale world🏰. 5️⃣ Forest sea self-driving🚗: When the red car travels through the pine forest🌲, the aerial footage is absolutely stunning! 😍 🚗How to get there: 📍Location: Kanas Scenic Area 🎫Ticket information: Free! 💰 ⏰Opening hours: All day 🕘 💡Tips: Remember to check the weather forecast in advance☀️⛅🌧️, and prepare suitable clothing👒👕🧢 and sun protection items! 🧴🕶️

Summer in Xinjiang, the romantic ceiling of China!! This summer, you must go to Xinjiang with your good friends! Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, herds of cattle and sheep... It's simply a paradise on earth!! When you come to places like Yili in Xinjiang, you must visit |Sayram Lake| Known as 'the last tear of the Atlantic', in May, the ice and snow of Sayram Lake melt away, sparkling under the sunshine, incredibly beautiful. |Naraty Grassland| Naraty offers vast visual expanses, with wildflowers, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and valleys everywhere, as if stepping into a fairy tale world of Hayao Miyazaki. |Kunes Village| An undeveloped Kazakh village, with clear views of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, swings, and log cabins, if you have enough time, chase a romantic sunset here. Qapqal To see the primeval forest, you must visit Qapqal, where in May it's already fully green, with grasslands, forests, snow-capped mountains, complemented by blue skies and white clouds, picturesque. |Shatyr| For a glimpse of 'The Wizard of Oz' in real life, Shatyr is the place, with spruce forests, streams, mountains full of wildflowers, Heidi's and her grandfather's cottage, unbelievably beautiful.

Ili is the only region in China that combines a sense of oppression and relaxation perfectly. But to truly enjoy it, you need some experience and 'principles': 1. Choose between Kuerdening Qiaxi and Shata. It is recommended to use early June as the dividing line, before which Kuerdening Qiaxi is preferable, and after which Shata is better. 2. The way to enjoy Ili is inherently outdoorsy. The difference in scenery between hiking trails and regular routes is huge, and incorporating some outdoor elements into your itinerary is a standard for a profound experience. Some parts can be accessed by off-road vehicles, some by horse, and many only on foot. Qiaxi Kuerdening can include the tail end of the Kalajun traverse, Kalajun can extend to Qiongkushitai or Gazagan Camp, Shata has the Shata Ancient Trail, and even the Yisai Shepherd Trail and Tuhulasi Grassland hiking routes. If you really have no outdoor experience, you could also ride a horse for the first ten kilometers in front of Wusun or behind Qiongkushitai to get a taste, which is much better than just visiting scenic spots every day. 3. The golden period for Ili is mid-May to late June. This is based on a comprehensive score of 'grass + forest + low snow line + temperature'. Too early, and there are fewer grassland options, such as Kalajun not being very green, and Shata having a high frequency of bad weather in the afternoon. Too late, and the weather becomes hot, the snow line disappears, and having only grasslands and forests loses the advantage of the snow-capped mountains. 4. 'There's no point in going to Qiongkushitai if you're not staying overnight' makes sense because Qiongku's absolute advantage lies in its scattered homestay cabins and a leisurely travel mindset, all predicated on 'staying at least one night'; otherwise, you won't be able to relax. 5. In summer, the priority for accommodations in Ili should be lonely homestays with good conditions near scenic spots, followed by homestays with average conditions but good scenery, then experienced camping, then county town hotels, and lastly, homestays with poor conditions and not much scenery. However, the latter is what most people will choose, because they want both... but that's difficult. 6. Ili during the May Day holiday is good, but there are a few things to note. First, try not to attempt pure wilderness camping, as the weather is extremely unstable during May Day, with heavy snowfall every year. Second, don't apply your aesthetic expectations to flowers and vast greenery; appreciating Ili's snow-capped mountains is important. 7. The summer sunsets in Ili are incredibly beautiful, and it's not dangerous to return to your accommodation later, but missing the pink hues in the mountains would be a great pity. 8. Don't think that regular scenic spots are too 'mainstream'. Every scenic spot was once niche and equal in the eyes of the beholder. By using scenic spots as a base for further exploration, rather than blindly heading straight for the mountains, you're more likely to find 'good stuff', just as it's easier to succeed with a franchise than starting an independent brand.