

彼岸之澄Urumqi's time-honored hand-pulled mutton
After the first snow in Urumqi, the temperature dropped sharply to below zero. Eat some hand-pulled mutton to warm up.
🕌️Weijia Lamb is a time-honored halal brand that eats hand-pulled mutton. It is near Min Street.
🐑"Lamb" You can order at least half a kilogram of hand-pulled mutton, tender lamb, original flavor. Dip a little salt and it is delicious enough.
🥬"Spinach noodles" Spinach noodles are cold, and the noodles are added with spinach juice and noodles. They are chewy and very good with lamb.
🍵"Sanpaotai (tea)" Sanpaotai is a tea that is loved by people in the northwest. It is warm and paired with lamb to relieve greasiness and refresh the mouth. You can order a bowl or a pot.
If you are in the city center, you might as well come and eat lamb.
Urumqi's time-honored hand-pulled mutton After the first snow in Urumqi, the temperature dropped sharply to below zero. Eat some hand-pulled mutton to warm up. 🕌️Weijia Lamb is a time-honored halal brand that eats hand-pulled mutton. It is near Min Street. 🐑"Lamb" You can order at least half a kilogram of hand-pulled mutton, tender lamb, original flavor. Dip a little salt and it is delicious enough. 🥬"Spinach noodles" Spinach noodles are cold, and the noodles are added with spinach juice and noodles. They are chewy and very good with lamb. 🍵"Sanpaotai (tea)" Sanpaotai is a tea that is loved by people in the northwest. It is warm and paired with lamb to relieve greasiness and refresh the mouth. You can order a bowl or a pot. If you are in the city center, you might as well come and eat lamb.
When searching for local specialties, Weijia Lamb appeared too often. It really made me feel that if I didn't go there to eat, this trip to Urumqi would be in vain. I worked hard just to eat some meat. I got stuck in traffic for a long time on the bus and realized that I got on the wrong bus. I got off the bus and walked to the subway. Fortunately, the lamb was worth the trip. It was soft and tender without any smell, fat but not greasy, so fragrant.
If you want to eat more authentic local dishes, I recommend you to come to this restaurant. I ordered the most distinctive local milk tea, which tastes salty and sweet, and is super unique. The barbecue tastes good too.
5-Day Xinjiang Urumqi Tour Itinerary (Budget: 10,000 RMB) Itinerary Overview Duration: 5 days, 4 nights Total Budget: Approximately 10,000 RMB (Comfortable solo trip) Best Season: May-October (July-August is the most beautiful time for grasslands, September-October is the best for autumn colors) Highlights: Natural scenery + ethnic culture + culinary experience 📊 Budget Allocation Table **Item | Economy (RMB) | Comfort (RMB) | Remarks** **Round-trip Airfare | 2500-4000 | 3500-5000 | Advance booking can save money.** **Accommodation (4 nights) | 800-1200 | 1600-2400 | Comfort (based on 400-600 RMB/night)** **Dining | 600-800 | 1000-1400 | Daily average 200-350 RMB** **City Transportation + Surrounding Tours | 800-1200 | 1500-2000 | Includes chartered/shared car fees.** **Entrance Fees + Experiences | 400-600 | 600-800 | Main scenic spot entrance fees.** **Shopping/Others | 500-1000 | 1000-1500 | Flexibility Allowed | Total: Approx. 5600-8800 | Approx. 9200-11100 | This guide is based on the Comfort plan. 🗓️ Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Diwopu International Airport, take the airport bus (20 RMB) or taxi (approx. 50 RMB) to the city center. Evening: Check into a hotel in Hongshan District/Tianshan District. Recommended is the area near the Friendship Shopping District for convenient transportation. Evening: Visit the International Grand Bazaar (free), admire Islamic architecture, and experience the atmosphere of the ethnic market. Dinner: Grand Bazaar food street. Recommended dishes include baked buns, hand-pulled rice, and yogurt rice dumplings (50-80 RMB per person). Day 2: Tianchi Lake Day Trip Morning: Chartered car/shared ride to Tianchi Lake (1.5-hour drive, shared ride approximately 150 RMB/person including round trip) Full Day: Tianchi Lake entrance ticket + shuttle bus: 155 RMB Visit the Queen Mother of the West Temple, the Sea-Stabilizing Needle, and the lakeside walking trail. Optional: Take the Mayashan Cableway (220 RMB, panoramic view of Tianchi Lake) Lunch: Simple meal within the scenic area or bring your own food. Evening: Return to the city, dinner includes a sample of "Blood Station Big Plate Chicken" (60 RMB per person) Day 3: City Cultural Tour Morning: Visit the Xinjiang Museum (free, reservation required), see the "Loulan Beauty" (a traditional Chinese craftswoman). Corpses, historical relics Afternoon: Hongshan Park (free), climb the tower for a panoramic view of Urumqi Xinjiang Folk Street, take photos of distinctive architecture Evening: Stroll around Nanhu Civic Square and experience local life Dinner: Snack street in Consulate Lane, try mixed noodles, roasted lamb skewers, and kvass (40-60 RMB per person) Day 4: Nanshan Ranch/Salt Lake Day Trip (Choose one) Option A: Nanshan Ranch (Suitable for summer) Round-trip chartered car approximately 300 RMB/car, sharing is more cost-effective Entrance fee: 45 RMB Experience horseback riding on the grassland (approximately 80 RMB/day) Option B: Salt Lake (perfect for photos) Entrance Fee: 49 RMB Known as the "Dead Sea of China," you can float and take photos. Evening: Return to the city and relax at the Silk Road Hot Spring Resort (approximately 198 RMB including meals). Day 5: Shopping and Return Trip Morning: Purchase dried goods (raisins, dates, nuts) at Hualing Market; prices are more affordable than by bus. Lunch: Experience local specialties such as Wei Family Lamb or Marhaba Tatar Pastries. Afternoon: Transfer to the airport according to flight schedule, end of trip. 🍽️ Food Recommendations Must-Try Staples: Braised Pork Noodles, Pilaf, Meatball Soup, Wonton Specialty Meats: Roast Whole Lamb, Rack Meat, Spicy Lamb Trotters Snacks & Desserts: Handmade Ice Cream, Maren Tang (a type of sweet candy), Yogurt Shaved Ice, Kvass Recommended Restaurants: Xiao Ga Zi (Modified Xinjiang Cuisine) Haierbag (Specialty Restaurant) Abula's Naan (Popular Naan) Climate Preparation: Large temperature difference between day and night; sunscreen (SPF 50+) during the day, jacket needed at night Time Difference: Xinjiang uses Beijing time, but local time is 2 hours later. Restaurants serve lunch after 2 PM. Safety: Urumqi has good public security, but avoid traveling alone to remote areas. Payment: WeChat/Alipay is accepted in most places; keep a small amount of cash on hand. Taboos: Respect Muslim customs; do not make noise inside mosques. Transportation: Didi Chuxing (ride-hailing service) is convenient; Metro Line 1 runs north-south. 💰 Budget Control Suggestions Book your flights 30 days in advance and keep an eye out for Urumqi Airlines promotions. Choose 3-4 star hotels for better value or unique guesthouses. Shared rides save 50% on transportation costs compared to hiring a private car. Discounts are available at some attractions for those with valid student IDs, military IDs, etc. Negotiation is possible when shopping; prices at the Grand Bazaar are often inflated by 30%. This budget allows for a comfortable travel experience, including unique activities and delicious food. Urumqi blends modern urban life with Silk Road charm, offering both the natural grandeur of Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains and the lively atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar. Have a pleasant trip! #NaturalWonder #MostComprehensiveTravelGuide
This winter travel guide to Urumqi, Tianmen Mountain, Ulan Butong, and Weihai covers ice and snow scenery, natural wonders, and coastal winter charm, suitable for travelers seeking diverse experiences. Detailed itinerary suggestions are as follows: --- I. Itinerary Overview (Suggested 10-12 days) Route Logic: From Northwest Ice and Snow (Urumqi) → Central Plains Wonders (Tianmen Mountain) → Grassland Snowfields (Ulan Butong) → Eastern Coastline (Weihai), experience the diverse winter landscapes. --- II. Segmented Itinerary 1. Urumqi (Suggested 2-3 days) · Highlights: Tianshan Ice and Snow, Silk Road Culture, Exotic Cuisine · Must-See Attractions: · Tianchi Lake: In winter, the lake freezes over, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, spruce trees, and rime ice; ice sports are available. · International Grand Bazaar: Purchase ethnic handicrafts and sample baked buns, hand-pulled rice, and yogurt. • Silk Road Ski Resort: 1 hour drive from the city center, suitable for beginner to advanced skiers. • Food Recommendations: "Loulan Secret Roast" near Hongshan Park, "Wei Family Lamb" near People's Cinema. • Tips: Temperatures from December to February range from -10℃ to -20℃; bring warm clothing (down jacket, snow boots, hand warmers). --- 2. Tianmen Mountain (Zhangjiajie, Hunan, recommended 2 days) • Transportation: Fly from Urumqi to Zhangjiajie (approx. 4 hours), or take a train to Changsha and transfer. • Highlights: Rime ice and sea of clouds, steep canyons, glass walkway • Must-see attractions: • Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park: Take the cable car up the mountain, view the rime ice, and walk on the glass walkway (may be partially closed in winter). • Tianmen Cave: Steps may freeze after snowfall, so be careful, but the scenery is magnificent. • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon: Less crowded in winter, allowing for quiet appreciation of the picturesque canyon. • Food Recommendations: Sanxiaguo (a type of stew), Tujia cured meat, Ciba (glutinous rice cake). • Tips: Mountainous areas are damp and cold in winter; wear non-slip shoes and check the scenic area's opening information. --- 3. Ulan Butong (Inner Mongolia, recommended 2-3 days) • Transportation: Fly from Zhangjiajie to Beijing (approx. 2.5 hours), then rent or hire a car to Ulan Butong (5-6 hours drive). • Highlights: Grassland snowfields, off-road vehicle adventures, Mongolian culture • Must-Do Experiences: • Snowfield Off-Roading: Hire a local vehicle to explore the grasslands, photographing galloping horses and herders' dwellings. • Princess Lake: The frozen lake and birch forest create a picturesque scene. • Mongolian Family Visit: Drink milk tea, eat hand-pulled mutton, and participate in the Naadam ice and snow activities. • Accommodation: Guesthouse near Hongshan Military Horse Farm, experience the heated kang (traditional Mongolian bed). • Tips: Temperatures on the grasslands can reach -30℃ at night; windproof and warm clothing is essential. Hiring a local guide is recommended. --- 4. Weihai (Shandong, recommended 2-3 days) • Transportation: After returning to Beijing from Ulan Butong, fly to Weihai (approx. 1.5 hours) or take the high-speed train (Beijing → Weihai approx. 5 hours). • Highlights: Swan Lake, tranquil seaside, Korean cuisine • Must-see attractions: • Rongcheng Yandunjiao Swan Lake: Thousands of swans migrate here in winter, a fantastic spot for photography. • Liugong Island: Take a boat to the island to learn about the history of the First Sino-Japanese War; the winter seascape is solemn. • Coastal Road: Drive or cycle, visit Torch Eighth Street and Maotoushan Viewing Platform. • Food recommendations: Hanlefang Korean Restaurant, mackerel dumplings, seafood hot pot. • Tips: Weihai experiences strong winds in winter, with temperatures ranging from approximately -5°C to 5°C. Bring a windproof jacket. The best time to see the swans is from December to February of the following year. --- III. Itinerary Optimization Suggestions • Adjustments possible due to time constraints: If less than 10 days, you can skip Tianmen Mountain and focus on experiencing the northern ice and snow and the seaside (Urumqi → Ulanbutong → Weihai). • Transportation considerations: Flight delays or road closures may occur in winter. Allow for flexibility. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for car rental. • Gear list: • Warm clothing: Fleece-lined underwear, waterproof down jacket, wool socks, snow boots, gloves, hat, and scarf. • Other: Thermos, moisturizer (to prevent dryness), spare camera batteries (batteries drain quickly in low temperatures). --- IV. Budget Reference (per person) • Airfare/Train: Approximately 3000-4000 RMB (depending on advance booking discounts). • Accommodation: Economy class 300 RMB/night, Comfort class 500 RMB/night. • Tickets and experiences: Approximately 1500 RMB (skiing, off-road vehicles, etc.). • Meals: 80-150 RMB/day. • Total: 6000-9000 RMB (depending on individual preferences). --- V. Precautions 1. Safety First: Drive cautiously on snow; for off-roading in Ulan Butong, hire a reputable convoy. 2. Health Protection: Drink plenty of water in the dry northern climate; bring cold medicine; the wind chill index is high in Weihai coastal areas. 3. Cultural Respect: Respect the customs of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. --- This itinerary blends the wonder of winter, the vastness of grasslands, and the tranquility of islands, revealing boundless poetry hidden within the winter's chill. Adjust flexibly according to your interests. Wishing you a wonderful journey! #PersonalizedTravelPhotographyGuide