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2024 Gongliu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Today's Weather
Cloudy -2-12℃
Popular Attractions
Kurdenin Scenic Area
Check-in at Xinjiang Kurdening Scenic Area
The grassland scenic areas in Ili are mostly located in east-west valleys, but Kurdening in the eastern mountainous area of Gongliu County, Ili, is situated in a north-south valley. It stretches about 14 kilometers long and is about 1 kilometer wide at its widest point, with an average valley floor elevation of 1500 meters. 'Kurdening' means 'crossing ditch' in Kazakh.
The unique north-south orientation makes Kurdening warm in winter and cool in summer, with a pleasant climate throughout the year. Therefore, Kurdening is not only a famous scenic spot in Ili but also a popular summer resort. It combines the charming and delicate beauty of Jiangnan's mountain villages with the vast and rugged grassland scenery, attracting more and more domestic and international tourists.
With an average elevation of about 1500 meters, it boasts the largest primeval spruce forest in China. The national-level spruce nature reserve is located here, offering beautiful and pleasant scenery. It's definitely worth a visit!
This place is like a forest out of a Hayao Miyazaki film!!
After a trip to Xinjiang, my heartfelt feeling is!
Apart from Xinjiang, the rest is elsewhere, no other place can replace it!
Xinjiang is about to enter the most beautiful summer, this summer, you must go to Xinjiang 🌲
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✈ Chengdu - Yining, rent a car for a self-driving tour
🚙 Total cost per person is 6k (excluding airfare)
May in Yili has just entered spring, there is still snow in many places, the biggest advantage is that during the off-season, air tickets and hotel prices are cheap, and you can enjoy both the snow-capped mountains and some early blooming flowers🌼. June is the best time, with blooming flowers and green grass, but the snow mountains have melted, and the consumption is moderate. July and August are the peak tourist seasons, with all the lavender in Huocheng in full bloom, and the consumption is relatively high.
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🚙 My favorite places throughout the journey
【Nalati】
Self-driving 300/person, although the price is not cheap, it is truly worth it, I love Nalati the most, there are herds of cattle and sheep on the grassland, as well as snow-capped mountains and streams, you must wait for the sunset at the nomadic homes
【Qiaxi Forest Park】
Compared to Kuerdening, I prefer Qiaxi, it's as romantic as an oil painting, just like the movie scene of 'Heidi and Grandfather', I suggest staying in Gongliu
【Qiongkushitai】
The road to Qiongku is extremely beautiful, there is a snow mountain swing in front of the mountain, there is no need to be stubborn about the back mountain, the stay at Qingkong Jiyi is awesome
【Fairy Lake】
Although it requires hiking, the scenery is absolutely worth it
【Sailimu Lake】
Get up at 5 am to go to S bay to watch the sunrise, an unforgettable experience, it is a beautiful scene that will be remembered for a lifetime
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🚙12-day trip recommendation
1. Chengdu - Urumqi
2. Huocheng - Sailimu Lake (must see the sunrise)
3. Sailimu Lake - Guozigou Bridge - Huocheng Lavender, stay in Yining or Huanghuang Village
4. Yining - Tekes - Qiongkushitai
5. Qiongkushitai
6. Qiongkushitai - Kalajun Grassland - Stay in Zhaosu
7. Xatage scenic area - Stay in Tekes Bagua City at night
8. Tekes - Tekes River - Qiaxi Forest Park - Nalati, stay in the town
9. Nalati Grassland Scenic Area
10. Nalati - Northern section of Duku Highway - Tangbula - Fairy Lake, stay in Tangbula
11. Tangbula - Northern section of Duku Highway - Urumqi
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🌟Precautions
1. Prepare mosquito repellent
2. Choose an SUV for car rental, the roads to Qiongkushitai and Qiaxi are not very good
3. The temperature difference between morning and evening is large, you can experience four seasons in one day
4. If you want to take pictures of the sunrise at Sailimu Lake and don't want to stay in the scenic area, you can enter from the east gate before 9 am (the south gate does not check tickets)
Xinjiang Northern Xinjiang 10-Day Grand Tour.
【Introduction】:
◆ The scenery of the Ili region is the most representative and popular in Xinjiang. From May, the grasslands of Ili begin to turn green, with vast seas of flowers and clouds that seem to come straight out of an anime. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe that such beautiful scenery exists in the world.
🛬【Itinerary】:
Kanas Ili 10-Day Tour
1 - Urumqi - Burqin
Attractions - Wulungu Lake - Colorful Beach Sunset
Accommodation - Burqin Colorful Beach
2 - Burqin - Hemu
Attractions - Haden Viewing Platform - Aid Bridge
Accommodation - Hemu Hemu Scenic Area
3 - Hemu - Kanas
Attractions - Kanas Lake - Guanyu Pavilion
Accommodation - Kanas Kanas Burqin
4 - Kanas - Burqin
Attractions - Kanas Three Bays - Burqin River Night Market
Accommodation - Burqin
5 - Burqin - Kuitun
Attractions - Devil City
Accommodation - Kuitun World Devil City
6 - Kuitun - Yining
Attractions - Sayram Lake - Guozigou Bridge
Accommodation - Yining Sayram Lake
7 - Yining - Nalati
Attractions - Nalati Grassland
Accommodation - Nalati Nalati Tourist Scenic Area
8 - Nalati - Bayinbulak
Attractions - Bayinbulak
Accommodation - Bayinbulak Bayinbulak Grassland
9 - Bayinbulak - Kuitun
Attractions - Duku Highway - Tangbula
Accommodation - Kuitun Duku Highway
10 - Kuitun - Urumqi
Attractions - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Hundred Mile Danxia - S101 National Defense Highway
Accommodation - Urumqi Anjihai Grand Canyon
🧡【Tips】: 💬 For more customized routes, feel free to leave a message or contact me👇🏻
A year's wait, just for Xinjiang in May
A year's wait, just for Xinjiang in May.
Mid-May in Yili, not many people around, snow mountains, grasslands, flowers, beautiful scenery coexist! Friends who want to go to Xinjiang, you can set off in May!
📍Sailimu Lake: A must-visit! After entering the scenic area and reaching the lakeside, turn left to the S bend, where there are many people. Continue forward to the next bend, you can park your car on the roadside, then climb up the hillside on the left to admire the stunning scenery of Sailimu Lake🌊.
📍Nalati: Recommended for the sky grassland! The difference between the self-driving ticket and the sightseeing car ticket is not big, both require parking at the nomadic homes🚗. Follow the popular bridge and walk along the stream, the fewer people, the more beautiful the scenery🌄.
📍Kuerdening: An exclusive scenic area for May, like Qiaxi, it belongs to the grasslands that turn green early. After parking in the parking lot, you can ride a horse or hike, about an hour to reach the Qimengde viewing platform🧐. Along the way, there are small cabins and plank roads facing the snow mountains, the scenery is super beautiful!
📍Qiaxi: May's Qiaxi is the essence of Yili, because it turns green early and is an open scenic area, you can drive in, stop along the way to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but be sure not to block the way for passing vehicles🚧.
📍Xia Ta: Highly recommended! Even in summer, there are snow mountains and forests here, and the divine position is at the transfer bridge. After admiring the transfer bridge, cross the bridge and walk the right plank road all the way to the end, General Bridge, the scenery along the way is breathtaking👀! If you want to go to house number 2, you can start walking or riding from the transfer bridge, about half an hour to reach🐎.
▪ Tour Line Reference 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲
D1: Yining-Sailimu Lake-Guozigou Bridge-Qingshuihe Town
D2: Qingshuihe Town-Nalati Scenic Area-Nalati Town
D3: Nalati Town-Kuerdening
D4: Kuerdening-Qiaxi-Zhaosu County
D5: Zhaosu County-Xia Ta-Tekes County
D6: Tekes County-Yining
▪️My Views 𝗠𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀
Yili in May can be selectively played, some attractions may not be so green yet, but the places listed above are all worth a visit! The grasslands of Yili are similar, be sure to choose differentiated scenic areas to avoid aesthetic fatigue😉.
How to start a grassland hike? Yili Kalajun Grassland.
🌟🌟Route planning
There are two ways to hike the Kalajun route: √forward and √reverse. Forward means starting from Qiongkushitai and hiking all the way to the east to Kurdening to complete the entire hike; reverse means hiking in the opposite direction, which has a larger climb.
Generally, gather in Urumqi or Yining, charter a car to Tekes County (the last supply point before entering the mountain), and then go to the village at the starting point of the hike. If you have other plans, you can choose to end in Yining, not return to Urumqi, and continue the next trip.
▉ Reference itinerary for the Kalajun Grand Loop
DAY 1 From all over the country to Urumqi to Yining
DAY 2 Yining City to Tekes to Qiongkushitai
DAY 3 Qiongkushitai to West Kalajun Grassland
DAY 4 West Kalajun Grassland to East Kalajun Grassland
DAY 5 East Kalajun Grassland to Tarim Grassland
DAY 6 Tarim Grassland to Qiaxi Grassland
DAY 7 Qiaxi Grassland to Mohuer Grassland
DAY 8 Mohuer Grassland to Kurdening to Yining City to Urumqi
DAY 9 Urumqi to all over the country
▊ Reference itinerary for the Kalajun Small Loop
DAY 1 From all over the country to Urumqi to Yining
DAY 2 Yining City to Tekes to Qiongkushitai
DAY 3 Qiongkushitai to West Kalajun Grassland
DAY 4 West Kalajun Grassland to East Kalajun Grassland
DAY 5 East Kalajun Grassland to Tarim Grassland
DAY 6 Tarim Grassland to Yining City to Urumqi
DAY 7 Urumqi to all over the country
▋ Reference itinerary for reverse
DAY 1 From all over the country to Urumqi to Yining
DAY 2 Yining City to Kurdening to Sukolen Grassland
DAY 3 Sukolen Grassland to Qiaxi Grassland
DAY 4 Qiaxi Grassland to East Tarim Grassland
DAY 5 East Tarim Grassland to West Tarim Grassland
DAY 6 West Tarim Grassland to East Kalajun Grassland
DAY 7 East Kalajun Grassland to West Kalajun Grassland
DAY 8 West Kalajun Grassland to Qiongkushitai to Yining City
DAY 9 Yining City to Urumqi
🌟🌟Kalajun Grand Loop itinerary
Here is a description of the 9-day Kalajun Grand Loop. If you want to experience the whole picture and have enough time for vacation, it is recommended to choose the 9-day Grand Loop.
✪✪ First of all, you can see more scenery! The end of Tarim always leaves you wanting more;
✪✪ Secondly, after crossing the red house, the scenery of the last few kilometers of Qiaxi Grassland is as exciting as the close view of the snow-capped mountains when you first enter the mountain. The camping site of Mohuer Grassland is in a small valley with little wind. When the moon rises during dinner, you can set up a tripod and wait if you have plans to shoot at night;
✪✪ Finally, the 6-day 120 km hike, with a maximum of 27 km in one day, is a milestone record, with a sense of accomplishment +10086.
To be continued...
My friends all thought I went abroad.
😜 "Chaxi Scenic Area, unbelievably beautiful!" 😜
Guys 😁! I found a super beautiful place - Chaxi Scenic Area 💥!
It's located in Gongliu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 👏, known as "the most beautiful valley in Tianshan Mountains", and it's not an exaggeration 😲!
It's like a vivid and three-dimensional oil painting 🎨, with snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, and rivers, showcasing the magic and magnificence of nature to the fullest 👍! The mountains are lush, the water is clear, and each season has its own charm. Spring is full of new green, summer is full of flowers, autumn is colorful, and winter is covered in silver, who wouldn't love it 😻!
There are so many fun attractions 👀! Stroll along the Chaxi River, cross the valley, with tall cedars and birch forests on both sides, and the river is crystal clear, who can understand the tranquility and comfort away from the hustle and bustle 😜! You can also climb to the top of the Kesang Cave, see the unique karst landform, overlook the panoramic view of the Chaxi Valley, and feel the pride of "seeing all the mountains" 😫! Then experience the life of herdsmen, ride horses on the grassland, set up tents with herdsmen, taste special dairy products, and deeply feel the folk customs of Xinjiang, it's so cool 😍!
The address is Chaxi Scenic Area, Gongliu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 📍.
The transportation is also good 🚗, if you drive from Yining City, drive south along G218 National Highway for about 150 kilometers, the scenery along the way is beautiful 🤔. If you take public transportation, go to Yining City first, then transfer to a long-distance bus to Gongliu County, and then charter a car or carpool to the scenic area 😃.
The food is even more amazing 😋! Lamb pilaf, big plate chicken, roasted whole lamb, and sweet milk tea and delicious naan, every bite is super satisfying 😝!
The surrounding attractions are also great, Tarim Forest Park 👏, where the original forest is quiet and deep, as if you can walk into a fairy tale world 👍! Walking in it, listening to the birds singing, feeling the fresh air, who can understand 😻!
There is also Mohur Ranch 😜, endless grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep, the tranquility and vastness can really make people forget all their troubles 😫!
Then there is Kurdening Canyon 😍, steep canyon walls, rushing streams, full of mystery and excitement!
Although these niche attractions are not well-known, the scenery is definitely not inferior to those popular attractions 😝!
Guys, let's go 💪!
Northwest China Leisure Tour 16.
September 19, 2024
D29: Gongliu - Chaxi - Ku'erdening - Die Lake
After breakfast, head to Chaxi via Die Lake. The beautiful environment makes you want to stop and enjoy the view. The lake is clear, and the trees are lush. We met a lake patrol officer on the way and learned that the scenic area is shaped like a butterfly, a symbol of Gongliu. The area includes a waterfront leisure area, an ecological science area, a children's play area, and more. There are museums, libraries, food streets, hotels, supermarkets, and other facilities nearby. Visitors can pick and taste the fruit from the trees around the lake. At 10 pm, there is a water and light show called "Butterfly Dance in Tianshan" by the bridge. It is a great place to visit during the day and at night.
Yixi Scenic Area is primitive and simple, with forests and grasslands interwoven, grasslands and shrubs interspersed, and a majestic beauty. You can see the rolling mountains and misty clouds, hear the birds singing and the streams gurgling, and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature. There is a dirt road leading to the Tarim Scenic Area in Chaxi Scenic Area. After driving for about 10 minutes, we met a tourist on horseback who told us that the road ahead was still bumpy, so we immediately turned back to Ku'erdening.
Tips
1. Tickets: CNY 30/person; Opening hours: 9 am to 8 pm.
2. There is no bus to Chaxi, so you can only charter a car or drive there.
We navigated to the back gate of Ku'erdening Scenic Area and were told that the area is now a one-way tour, with the front gate (scenic area visitor center) as the entrance and the back gate as the exit. There are homestays but no hotels in Ku'erdening Town (Spruce Town), so we had to give up the tour and return to the Die Lake RV Campground to rest. Ku'erdening has the largest virgin spruce forest in China and is known as the "hometown of snow spruce." We enjoyed the beautiful Moon Bay not far from the left side of the back gate, which was worth the trip.
The Die Lake RV Campground offers free drinking water and showers (separate for men and women), and the restrooms are very clean. You can pitch a tent, have a picnic, barbecue, cook, and there is a police car patrolling for security. Gongliu Die Lake is a beautiful place that does not charge an entrance fee.
Yili Kurdening | Winter Wonderland
[Winter Wonderland, Undiscovered Treasure]
— Yili Kurdening ||| Winter Getaway
Tomorrow is the beginning of winter, so here's a secret place to visit, a great winter getaway, and a perfect travel destination!
While most people are still looking for solace in the bleakness of winter, there is a land that is quietly blooming with its unique charm, and that is Kurdening in Yili, Xinjiang!
If the summer Kurdening attracts many tourists with its vibrant greenery, then the winter Kurdening is a rare treasure for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle and find peace of mind!
Special Experiences ★
❄️Afternoon tea by the fire☕️
❄️Sunrise breakfast🍳
❄️Bonfire party and folk experience🔥
❄️Forest hiking🌲🐿️
❄️Snowmobile🏍️
❄️Snow banana boat🍌
❄️Stargazing at night🔭
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city and want to find a piece of pure land for your soul, then don't miss the winter Kurdening.
It is like a pearl hidden in the snow, waiting to be discovered and admired by every thoughtful person.
Kurdening Scenic Area: A Lively Early Winter Self-Driving Tour
Kurdening Scenic Area 🌲🌲🌲 is located in Gongliu County. After checking out from our homestay in Gongliu at noon, we drove into the scenic area. There are two ticket options: self-driving 🚘🚘🚘 and taking the shuttle bus. Naturally, we chose to drive ourselves. As it is early winter, the surroundings are covered with a layer of fresh snow ❄️❄️❄️, adding to the winter atmosphere of the area. We encountered some local herders 🐴🐴🐴 along the way, making the scenic area feel lively.
Kuerdening | A beautiful grassland that you can't miss when traveling in Yili.
| A beautiful grassland that you can't miss when traveling in Yili. If you travel to Xinjiang in early May, don't miss Kuerdening. The grassland here is greener earlier, with both the beauty of the vast grassland and the beautiful and charming poetic picture scroll.
There are not as many tourists here as in Narati, so you can play more enjoyable.
🌟 Qimengde Viewing Platform
A very good-looking viewing platform, don't miss it, you can walk up and down, or you can choose to ride a horse up and down.
We chose to ride a horse to the viewing platform and then walk down.
🐎 The horse riding fee is CNY 80/hour. One way only costs CNY 80.
💰 Scenic spot ticket: CNY 60
❤️ If you come in early May, remember to take a look at the apple flowers on the way.
Northern Xinjiang Autumn Tour (11).
On the 11th day of the Northern Xinjiang Autumn Tour, we visited Qaxi National Forest Park.
Qaxi National Forest Park is located at the northern foot of the Western Tian Shan Mountains. On the 5th day of the tour, we visited Jiangbulake Scenic Area in Qitai County. Jiangbulake Scenic Area is located at the northern foot of the Eastern Tian Shan Mountains. Both are in the Tian Shan Mountains and have snow-capped mountains, forests, and alpine meadows, but they are located in the east and west, respectively, and their management levels are different. I personally prefer Jiangbulake Scenic Area.
In the evening, we stayed at the Xinyuan County Liancheng Eco-Hotel.
Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and our leader Lao Chou arranged a dinner for all 56 of us to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together!
Camping at the foot of the snow-capped mountains in Kuerdening|A human oil painting.
|A human oil painting. The highest peak you can see here is Shuolmanabasidaban. The good weather in Xinjiang is simply a human oil painting!
The sun penetrates the clouds and shines on the white snow-capped mountains, reflecting dazzling light, which is the crown of the earth.
When night falls, you can finally realize what kind of picture the stars are like.
Kuerdening is like a hidden treasure in Xinjiang!
Xinjiang is a place full of mystery and enchanting scenery. Many people are fixated on the snow-capped mountains of Shata, but I found a snow-capped mountain in Kuerdening that looks like it came straight out of a comic book. This is a niche grassland that most people will miss.
Kuerdening has stunning snow-capped mountains, vast spruce forests, lush meadows, long wooden walkways, babbling streams, and wildflowers all over the mountains, along with cabins like those in 'Heidi and Grandpa.' About ten minutes past the Kuerdening ticket office, at the 'Bee Fragrance Station,' you can find the perfect spot to photograph the snow-capped mountains. The scenic area includes the Ten-Mile Gallery, Qimengde, the Spruce King Viewing Platform, wooden walkways, winding mountain roads, the mountaintop viewing platform, and the Cloud Grassland. Walking up the wooden walkway, deep into the spruce forest, all the way to the end of the walkway, you will see the most beautiful scenery in Kuerdening.
The local area offers delicious hand-grabbed lamb, which is tender and not gamey, making it particularly enjoyable. There are also fragrant baked buns with crispy outer layers and juicy fillings. Additionally, Xinjiang's yogurt is worth trying, with a rich texture and a balanced sweet and sour taste.
There are so many attractions:
1. Bee Fragrance Station: The best spot to photograph the snow-capped mountains.
2. Zhonggou Scenic Area: The Ten-Mile Gallery is picturesque, Qimengde is charming, the Spruce King Viewing Platform is tall and magnificent, the wooden walkways are perfect for strolling, the winding mountain roads are twisty, the mountaintop viewing platform offers a broad view, and the Cloud Grassland feels like a fairyland.
Things to note:
1. Tickets are 30 yuan per person. Navigate to the Kuerdening Scenic Area ticket office if driving. Cars can be driven to the Qimengde Scenic Area, but the parking lot is relatively small.
2. The signal on the mountain is poor, and there are no shops or restaurants, so you need to prepare food and water yourself.
3. Wear comfortable shoes because exploring Kuerdening is leg-intensive. Also, bring a jacket to guard against the changing weather on the mountain.
4. The scenic area is open from 09:00 to 19:00. If you want to ride a horse up the mountain, it costs 80 yuan per person.
It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Yining City to Kuerdening. Currently, only Zhonggou is open. You can first go to the Bee Fragrance Station to photograph the snow-capped mountains, then enter Zhonggou to explore various attractions. If you want a more comfortable stay, you can choose to stay in Gongliu County. If you want to experience the tent camp, Kuerdening Kafeng Base Camp has tent camps, but it is quite cold in the mountains in June.
Life advice!! Don't miss Kuerdening when you come to Yili
Kuerdening Scenic Area is truly a hidden gem on the Yili loop.
Very few people come here~ You can also drive into the scenic area.
And the road is very easy to drive! The walking distance after getting off the car is not too far either.
It's really a very comfortable place~
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📕Travel Guide
Buy tickets at the visitor center - drive into the scenic area.
Enter from Zhonggou - exit from Donggou. It's a loop route with no need to backtrack.
(ps: The road in the scenic area is very easy to drive, there is a small section of mountain road in the middle, but it's not a big problem)
There are many attractions in the scenic area.
I think the highlight is‼️Qimengde Viewing Platform.
It only takes less than 15 minutes to walk to see the grasslands, snow mountains, and cabins.
This is also a great spot for photography📸!
Most of my photos were taken here~
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I really, really recommend everyone to bring some food for a picnic here.
Find a shaded lawn.
Enjoy the cool breeze in the forest and the 360-degree unobstructed beautiful scenery.
I just want to exclaim that life is worth it!!
Introduction to Qiaxi Forest Park
At the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, there is a place like a fairyland - Qiaxi Scenic Area. This is a magnificent masterpiece of nature, a sanctuary for the soul.
Walking into Qiaxi feels like stepping into a beautiful landscape painting. The continuous green mountains surround it, like loyal guards protecting this pure land. The lush trees on the mountains sway gently with the breeze, making a rustling sound, as if telling ancient stories.
The clear streams rush happily, splashing water, playing a moving melody. The grass by the stream is like a green velvet carpet, dotted with colorful flowers, as if stars have fallen on the earth.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, herds of cattle and sheep graze leisurely, and the shepherd's songs float in the air, a sincere praise of life.
The beauty of Qiaxi lies not only in its natural scenery but also in its tranquility and peace. Here, time seems to stand still, all worries are left behind, leaving only inner calm and serenity.
Kuerdening rides a horse through the forest
Once intruded into the dream
The continuous meadows and lush scenery
Are all under my feet and in my eyes
In the embrace of the prairie
I realized that what troubled, anxious, and maybe even drove me crazy
Is actually just a tiny grass seed in the vast prairie
Just like the sea of bitterness churning in my heart
Merges into a piece of tranquility after entering Kuerdening
No longer seeing the sorrows of the past
The Third Beautiful Scenery of Yili: 'Kuerdening' and 'Chabuqi Sea'
🚙🎈🎈Self-driving to Kuerdening Scenic Area to see the sea of flowers and meadows on the mountain top, and the largest snow-capped spruce forest in China🌲.
🎈The spruce trees are 40 meters high, vigorous and upright, stretching endlessly! Full of lush greenery, full of green!
🎈Kuerdening is a self-driving scenic area with few tourists, the vegetation environment is very good, and the experience is great.
🎈The scenic area is very large, with one-way traffic, alternating mountain roads and meadow slopes. It takes at least three hours to go around, and you need to bring your own water and food.
🚙🎈🎈The road in and out of the scenic area passes by 'Chabuqi Sea' lake, which is a free attraction. The road winds along the huge Chabuqi Sea lake, with dazzling blue water! The mountain road winds up and down along the mountain top cliffs, with white clouds and blue water, making it very pleasant.
🎈There are many parking spots along the way where you can stop and enjoy the view.
🎈Due to the narrow and steep mountain road in and out of Kuerdening, drive carefully!
Don't take a business car to Qiaxi, because
You will be turned back on the way to Tarim Park!
The original leader had something come up, so a new driver was arranged to take us around. Unexpectedly, the driver was not familiar with the Qiaxi and Qiata loop, and we only found out at the entrance of Qiaxi that business cars are not allowed on the Qiata loop.
The Qiata loop was a highly anticipated part of this trip to Ili, but now we can only return disappointed. Since we were already there, the driver took us for a short drive until we were turned back. We didn't stop at all, just hurriedly took some initial impressions of Qiaxi from the car.
Because we trusted the original leader, we didn't do any prior research, but we didn't expect the subsequent developments to be like a domino effect, with our expectations falling one after another.
That's how it is on the road; even if you prepare in advance, unexpected things can still happen. Since that's the case, we might as well go with the flow. It's okay, we'll come back next time to see the beautiful Qiaxi and take the thrilling Qiata loop!
Chaxi Travel Guide
Everyone says that Chaxi Forest is the greenest grassland in Ili
So in June
We embarked on another trip to Northern Xinjiang
This is the departure to drive the Tank 300 along the Chaxi loop line, the scenery is really beautiful
All the essence is summarized ❤️❤️❤️
The best spot for photos in Chaxi Forest
Is the small hillside to the left of the Chaxi Scroll
That place is great for taking photos of the land and the sky
Let me tell you about a very niche photo spot in Chaxi
After navigating to the Chaxi Scroll, continue driving forward for about 5 kilometers
You will encounter a signpost with a left turn sign and a horn symbol, that's the destination
Two 🌲 big trees stand here
When the sunlight shines into the forest, it looks like the Twilight Saga.
Recommended routes in the scenic area
⭕️ Route 1: Visitor Center → Swallow Bridge → Shimen Waterfall → Chaxi Holy Spring → Chaxi Scroll → Martyrs' Tomb → Tarim Manor → Visitor Center
⭕️ Route 2: Visitor Center → Chaxi Panorama → Chaxi Scroll → Martyrs' Tomb → Tarim Manor → Visitor Center
Recommended attractions in Chaxi
📍 Chaxi Scroll
📍 Shimen Waterfall
📍 Tarim Grassland
📍 Viewing Platform
📍 Swallow Bridge
🎫 Tickets: 30/person
🧭 Navigation: Chaxi Forest Park, you can also navigate to Chaxi Scroll, the last section of the road to Chaxi Scroll is not recommended for sedans and business cars, the road is slightly rough.
👔 Clothing: It is recommended to wear bright and eye-catching colors, girls can wear dresses, the more you spin, pull the skirt, and make large movements, the better it looks
Kurdening Scenic Area, a treasure waiting for you to discover!
Kurdening, I didn't expect this decision to be so right!
Kurdening is unbelievably beautiful! "Why go to the Alps when you have Kurdening," I didn't take this official slogan seriously at first, but after climbing to the Qimengde Viewing Platform, I was left speechless by the beauty 😲!
You must drive here❗️ And you must enter the park early❗️ And you must ride a horse❗️
Let's talk about driving 🚗, it's 60 yuan per person. If you stay at a nearby B&B, you can get an 80% discount ticket, or you can buy tickets at the visitor service center.
The playtime is about 4-5 hours 🕙.
The driving route is as follows: if you have a ticket, navigate directly to the Zhonggou ticket checkpoint. If you need to buy a ticket, navigate to the visitor service center first, then go to the Zhonggou ticket checkpoint. It's a one-way road inside❗️
The specific route is: Zhonggou Entrance ➡️ Shili Gallery ➡️ Fengxiang Station ➡️ Kafeng Base Camp ➡️ Xiaokuerdun Station ➡️ Qimengde Viewing Platform ➡️ Ayousai ➡️ Spruce King ➡️ Tianshan Sleeping Buddha ➡️ Cloud Grassland
There are many ways to play ✅.
At Kafeng Base Camp, there are snow-capped mountains, forests, and a group of horses grazing. The scene is so beautiful.
The tranquility of the spruce forest
The leisure of cattle and sheep
Everything is leisurely, watching the clouds roll by
The distant snow-capped mountains always open their arms to people
It's like walking into a dream scene
Qimengde Viewing Platform is a must-visit place❗️ The essence of Kurdening is here, you must go up! I strongly recommend experiencing horseback riding here. There is a horse team next to the parking lot. It's 80 yuan per person one way, 160 yuan round trip. I think the best way to play is to ride up and walk down. When riding up to the viewing platform, you will pass through the forest, and walking down you will take the wooden plank road, seeing different scenery along the way, so you won't miss the beautiful views. There is a small wooden house a little below the viewing platform, where you can check in at the same wooden house as Heidi and her grandfather.
After playing at Qimengde Viewing Platform, don't go further up. The top is a camp, only those staying can go up. You need to walk back a bit to Kafeng Base Camp and take another path to exit the scenic area.
At Ayousai Viewing Platform, you can see the spruce forest on the opposite side.
Dear friends, you must go early, there will be traffic jams in the afternoon, and the parking lot at Qimengde can easily get full. If there are many people, you will have to wait for horses.
Kurdening is really one of the surprises of this trip, I love it so much.
Chaxi's most beautiful season has arrived
Chaxi's tickets are quite affordable, 30 yuan per person and no charge for cars. Drive a dozen kilometers to the first parking lot. The first parking lot doesn't have much scenery, but it has specialty restaurants and Mongolian yurts for accommodation, a supermarket, and the prices for the restaurant and accommodation are posted by the roadside. Accommodation costs 400 yuan for an eight-person yurt, 600 yuan for a ten-person yurt, and 800 yuan for more than ten people.
After leaving the first parking lot, there is a stream along the road where many people set up tents to stay by the stream. Continue driving to the central station's second parking lot, which is large and has restrooms with electricity.
From the left side of the parking lot, take the boardwalk to the top of the mountain to see the Chaxi panorama. It takes about fifty minutes to walk to the top. We arrived at the end of July, the grass wasn't very green, and there were no snow-capped mountains. Chaxi's most beautiful season is late May to early June, when you can see the tender green grasslands and snow-capped mountains, with a very strong sense of layering. There's no need to visit other attractions, the waterfall isn't very impressive.
Cars with less than seven seats can take the Chaxi loop road out. The gravel road is not easy to drive on, and RVs are not allowed! If you drive the loop road, you can drive directly to the viewing platform without walking the boardwalk, but you can't park for too long. You can take some photos.
If it's August, I suggest not going. The scenery isn't as beautiful, and the grass along the road has turned yellow.
Chaxi Camping yyds
Camping is definitely a great invention, it cures all the unhappiness of working people~
If you have nothing, no camping equipment, no camping experience, please come to Chaxi Camping~ Reasons and strategies are as follows.👇
Bring the old and the young, no one gets tired Chaxi is conveniently located, with no winding mountain roads, good paved road conditions, and a simple route. Just navigate directly to Chaxi Forest Park, pay a 30 yuan ticket to drive in, then drive for another hour following the stream past 'Chaxi is worth it after experiencing mountains and rivers' to reach Swallow Bridge, where you can see the camping base.
Fully equipped, and free Chaxi has many free camping platforms, separate shower rooms, and this time they built more small restrooms closer to the tents. When one of the restrooms got clogged and caused a queue, staff immediately came to clean it, really considerate! Of course, if you don't have a tent, you can rent ready-made artistic tents or super cute cartoon RVs.
Eat, drink, and play, not expensive Chaxi has many B&B yurts and restaurants. Highly recommend the fish restaurant at the service center entrance, super tender and fragrant, you'll be speechless after one bite~ During the Kurban Festival, we found there was also a glider flight experience, and at night the camp had singing and dancing.
💰: Large tent around 300 yuan, can accommodate three people
Small tent 120~200 yuan
First Experience in Xinjiang! Five days and four nights, from ancient cities to grasslands, every stop is a stunning scene
First time in Xinjiang, a five-day trip, every day is full of surprises!
🏰 Day 1: Ancient City of Kazanqi - Six Star Street, the perfect spot for photos in blue Ili, the Xinjiang dance at night is unforgettable.
🏞️ Day 2: Sayram Lake - Guozigou, the clarity under the clear sky and the white waves under the dark clouds, the grandeur of the Guozigou Bridge, every spot is a paradise for photography.
🖼️ Day 3: Tumbler Hundred Mile Gallery - Tianshui Secret Realm Monkete, Xinjiang's natural scenery is fully displayed here, every spot is a green that heals the soul.
🌲 Day 4: Xiaorbulake - Kurdening, a small town filled with the fragrance of wine and pine forests shrouded in mist, making you feel like you are in a movie.
🌅 Day 5: Chapqihai - Tekesi Bagua City - Zhaosu, the surprising waters of Chapqihai, the cultural charm of Bagua City, the heavenly horse life in Zhaosu, every day is a new discovery.
🍢 Food Experience: Xinjiang barbecue, hand-pulled noodles, naan, big plate chicken, kvass, ice cream, every bite is satisfying, nothing is bad!
🎶 Music Experience: Brainwashed by Ili's special song "Apple Fragrance", a perfect combination of music and travel.
Yili Prefecture Gongliu County - Encounter the beautiful and less crowded Kuerdening in the Western Tianshan Mountains
Gongliu County is located in the central part of Yili Prefecture, about an hour and a half drive from Yining City. The county town has relatively complete infrastructure, decent accommodation conditions, and a lower cost of living compared to Yining City. There is a night market next to Diehu Lake in the county town, offering a variety of delicious foods.
Kuerdening Scenic Area is located in Gongliu County, Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang, about an hour's drive from the county town. It is a nature reserve in the Western Tianshan Mountains. The main feature of the scenic area is its forest landscape. From the viewing platform, you can see the Kabamba Peak in the distance, and you can also ride horses to get a closer view of the forest and snow-capped mountains.
The water in the valley comes from melted high mountain ice and snow, and even at noon in late July, the water is still icy cold. Camping enthusiasts can put their drinks and watermelons in the river and soon enjoy the pleasure of ice-cold refreshments.
There is a herdsman halfway up the mountain who offers accommodation in yurts (though I recommend bringing your own tent for camping, or you can stay at the RV campsite within the scenic area). You can also bring your own meat and ask the owner to help cook it. We brought a leg of lamb, half of which the owner made into a large plate of lamb, and the other half we grilled into lamb skewers using the owner's stove.
There is almost no light pollution locally, and on clear nights, you can see a sky full of stars.
Notes:
1. Remember to clean up your trash when camping and do not use fire in the wild.
2. The scenic area has a one-way loop, and with a ticket, you can enter the park unlimited times on the same day. Camping is allowed at night.
3. Camping equipment can be rented in Gongliu County town at a reasonable price.
4. The road conditions are good, so there is no need to worry if you are driving a sedan. There is only a small section of dirt road. For reference, an A6L can pass through normally.
The mouths of Xinjiang people speak the truth
Chaxi has already turned green and no one is talking about it.
|| In previous years, the grass only started to grow sparsely in early May, and it wasn't until the end of May when the temperature in Ili rose that the grasslands would turn lush green. But!! By the end of April this year, Ili has already started to turn green, so visiting Ili in early May won't disappoint.
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📍Chaxi
"The Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall is in Ili, and the most beautiful part of Ili is Chaxi."
Every year, the earliest green grasslands in Xinjiang are in Chaxi, and this year is no exception. It has valleys, snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands... It's like stepping into the movie "Heidi and Grandpa."
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1⃣️Ticket: 30/person (really worth it)
2⃣️Self-driving: You need an SUV/off-road vehicle to drive the Chaxi loop, and sedans need to switch to shuttle buses. The beautiful scenery is all along this route, truly stunning!
3⃣️Shooting location: Inside Chaxi Forest Park, Gongliu County
4⃣️Opening hours: 9:00-20:00
It's recommended to go after 15:00, as the light is softer between 7-9 pm, making it even more beautiful if you wait for the sunset! However, you need to return the same way, and there are no street lights.
5⃣️Accommodation: Only Mongolian yurts are available, but the conditions are quite limited.
You can stay in nearby Gongliu County or Ku'erdening Town.
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Chaxi Loop Attractions
📍Chaxi Scroll: Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, valleys, waterfalls, cattle, and sheep, just like stepping into a Hayao Miyazaki manga. It's also a popular spot on social media.
📍Tarim Grassland: It has both grasslands and forest valleys. The spruces deep inside are taller and denser, giving a sense of depth.
📍Viewing Platform: From here, you can overlook the entire Chaxi.
📍Shimen Waterfall: The scenery is nice, but the temperature is low, and there's no signal. Be prepared before you go.
📍Swallow Bridge: The most beautiful mountain grasslands are at Swallow Bridge Station.
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Transportation Guide!
1. There is no public transportation here, only self-driving. The road is not easy to drive.
2. Chaxi self-driving cars are limited to 1500 cars per day.
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Photography Spots
The scenery is beautiful all along the way, and you can take photos anytime with a high success rate!
The viewing platform lives up to its name, as it unfolds like a painting before your eyes. You can also take photos a few steps down the boardwalk.
Driving a bit further from the viewing platform to the Tarim Forest Park, you'll find grasslands and spruce forests, which are also very beautiful.
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Outfit Sharing
1. Ethnic style! Various tassel outfits.
2. Light-colored dresses! Take pastoral-style photos in the grasslands and spruce forests.
3. Denim style! Take a few cool and sassy photos.
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Tips:
1. Non-off-road vehicles cannot drive inside.
2. You need to make a reservation in advance on the official account.
3. The road to Chaxi is not easy to drive, and it gets slippery when it rains.
4. Besides Chaxi Grassland in May, Ku'erdening and Tarim Forest Park are also the earliest green grasslands in Ili. If you have time, it's worth visiting these places. Ili has many beautiful grasslands, but you must slow down to truly experience them.
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I moved into the Chaxi painting! This hotel is so photogenic
This time I chose to stay at the Chaxi RV campsite. The location is very good, right inside the Chaxi Scenic Area, just next to the base camp. It is quiet in the midst of the bustling area, and the scenery is excellent, making it very photogenic. The price is also very affordable. In early June, I got a 20-square-meter panoramic family suite for less than 600 yuan. A large RV with two bedrooms and a living room can accommodate four people.
The campsite is adjacent to the vast aerial grassland on the left and the beautiful river on the right, making it feel like being in a fairyland. You can park your car on the road next to the campsite and then drag your luggage to the room. There are wooden walkways, and the campsite staff will also provide luggage assistance with small carts, making the check-in process very smooth. I think this place can be said to be the first choice within the Chaxi Scenic Area.
Like Kurdening, many people camp by the river in Chaxi, creating a great atmosphere.
The Chaxi RV campsite covers an area of 100 acres, with a total of 23 panoramic RVs and five tents. The RVs are well-equipped with air conditioning, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, bathrooms, and showers. Each RV is equipped with a 12-square-meter platform outside, where you can enjoy tea or meals, fully enjoying the combination of food and scenery. The endless snow-capped peaks of Kafeng in the distance are breathtaking.
Each RV has different themed paintings, which are quite beautiful. Although we arrived relatively late, the weather was good, and we saw a bit of the golden mountain at sunset. The weather was even better the next morning.
We booked a suite, which is a larger RV that can accommodate four people. Upon entering, there is a 'living room' with a four-seater sofa and a central coffee table, making it suitable for dining or working. There is an air conditioner above. On the left side, there are bunk beds with a single bed each, similar to a soft sleeper on a train. On the left side is the toilet and shower.
The kitchen area is on the side of the living room near the door, equipped with a range hood, microwave, small refrigerator, and sink, giving it a bit of an RV feel.
On the right side of the living room is the bedroom, with a large bed and cabinets on both sides. The windows are equipped with screens and curtains, ensuring good ventilation. There is also an independent air conditioner, so there's no need to worry about the cold at night.
There is an independent shower room and a toilet with a washbasin, achieving dry and wet separation, which is something many homestays in Xinjiang have not achieved. It's quite good.
Although the RV's interior space is not large, it is well-equipped. The luggage space is a bit tight, but with a bit of squeezing, it can be managed. This is the first time I've stayed in an RV-type hotel, and it feels quite good. The main attraction is the beautiful scenery here. The main view is the Chaxi painting, and the campsite itself is very photogenic. It is one of the most satisfying places on the big loop.
Kurdening Guiyuan Tianshe Homestay - My Sanctuary for the Soul
🤗Hi everyone! I want to share with you a place that has deeply captivated me - Kurdening Guiyuan Tianshe Homestay! 🥰
🏔The first time I came here, I was drawn by its secluded tranquility. Surrounded by rolling mountains and lush green meadows like a carpet, it felt like stepping into a paradise. 🌿🌼 Stepping into the homestay, the rustic and cozy atmosphere instantly relaxed me. 🏡
🛏The room is filled with a faint woody fragrance, and the bed is soft and comfortable, giving me a good night's sleep. 😴 In the morning, sunlight streams through the window, awakening my anticipation for a beautiful day. ☀ Opening the window, fresh air mixed with the scent of flowers and grass fills the room, making me feel refreshed. 🌬💐
🌅In the evening, I sit in the yard, watching the sunset slowly descend, painting the sky with brilliant colors, like a poem or a painting. 🌇 In that moment, the whole world seemed quiet and beautiful. 💖✨
🥘The food at the homestay is unforgettable. Fresh ingredients are used to cook delicious dishes, and every bite is filled with the taste of home. 🍲🍜 Here, I tasted the purest flavors and felt the true essence of life. 😋
👨👩👧👦The people here are warm and hospitable, their smiles as bright as the sun, making me feel warmth and care. 🙂 They shared stories of this place with me, giving me a deeper understanding of the land. 💞
💗Kurdening Guiyuan Tianshe Homestay is my haven for the soul, the warmest harbor on my journey. If you are also looking for a peaceful corner, you must come here and experience it. I believe you will find inner peace and satisfaction here! 🥰🥰
Kurdish Ninggui Garden Farmhouse Homestay Check-in at Chaxi Grassland Scenic Area, Xinjiang
Located more than 70 kilometers southeast of Gongliu County, Chaxi Scenic Area is an ideal destination for summer retreats, health resorts, and grassland folk tourism. It is also a paradise for painters and photographers.
Known as the Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall, Yili is most beautiful in Chaxi. The Chaxi Valley runs north to south, stretching about 13 kilometers in length and 500-1000 meters in width, with an altitude of 1500 meters. It enjoys a pleasant climate with warm winters and cool summers, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, ancient trees, and clear waters. The scenery is both majestic and picturesque, often described as 'Chaxi's landscape is as beautiful as a painting.' Many poets and artists have praised and depicted its beauty.
Chaxi is also a famous forest area, home to the Chaxi spruce forest, which produces the world-renowned morel mushrooms. If you are traveling to Yili in Xinjiang, make sure to check in at Chaxi.
Detailed address: Jiergalang Township, Gongliu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture
Xinjiang Yili Summer Tour - Journey to a Heavenly Place with Your Loved One
💑 In the summer of 2024, join hands with your beloved and meet in the enchanting Xinjiang. Majestic snow mountains, verdant grasslands, crystal-clear lakes, and herds of cattle and sheep compose a picture of a paradise on earth, captivating the heart and soul😭.
Last year, my six-day trip to Yili left me with countless wonderful memories and photos📷. Here are the must-visit places I highly recommend👇:
1️⃣ Sayram Lake - Known as 'the last tear of the Atlantic', Sayram Lake is especially blue in June and July. If you're lucky, you might even encounter elegant swans🦢.
2️⃣ Guozigou Bridge - Located near the south gate of Sayram Lake, from here you can take in the spectacular snow mountains, dense forests, and the majestic bridge, as if you are in a vivid painting, definitely worth a visit!
3️⃣ Xiatatu - This place is a convergence of glaciers, forests, and grasslands, offering a rich and colorful natural landscape. For those who love adventure and hiking, Xiatatu is undoubtedly an excellent choice.
4️⃣ Qiongkushitai - After a three-hour winding mountain road, we arrived at this undeveloped Kazakh village 'Qiongkushitai'. Riding horses through the back mountain trails, the scenery along the way is breathtaking, with distant snow mountains, grasslands, swings, and log cabins forming a touching picture. If time permits, do not miss the romantic sunset here🌇.
5️⃣ Qiaxi Forest Park - For a panoramic view of the primeval forest, Qiaxi is the best choice. Drive directly to Qiaxi's painting, every scene is worth capturing as a desktop wallpaper😭. Self-driving is convenient, but the roads may be rugged, so drive carefully~
6️⃣ Nalati Grassland - In Nalati, we chose to drive through two routes: the sky grassland and the valley grassland. The magnificent scenery of Nalati, the flat roads, the wildflowers everywhere, and the valley grassland under the snow mountains make one linger and forget to return, very suitable for family travel, enjoyable for all ages!
7️⃣ Yining Liuxing Street - Don't miss this place, set aside one to two days to stroll through the colorful streets of Liuxing Street, capture beautiful photos of the interplay of light and shadow📸, and taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine: yogurt ice cream, pilaf, mixed noodles, barbecue, big plate chicken, Xinjiang fried rice noodles, and sweet melons and fruits🍉.
The summer in Xinjiang Yili is as wonderful as a dream!!!
㊗️ Wishing everyone's trip is filled with laughter and beauty~
Seven-day tour of the essence of Ili
Northern Xinjiang: The scenery is mainly high mountains ▲, grassland and river valley landscapes, with main attractions including Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati, etc. It is recommended to deeply explore the natural scenery. Suitable for travel from June to September, the weather is relatively cool in summer, and the scenery is also very good. You must see the lavender sea of flowers in summer.
Itinerary:
D1: Urumqi - S101 National Defense Highway Danxia Landform - Kuitun
D2: Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Guozigou Bridge - Qingshuihe
D3: Qingshuihe - Kalajun Grassland - Tekes
D4: Tekes - Chaxi Forest Park - Gongliu
D5: Gongliu - Nalati Air Grassland - Nalati Town
D6: Nalati - Duku Highway - Tangbula Fairy Lake - Dushanzi
D7: Dushanzi - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Urumqi
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Gongliu