My first experience in Xinjiang (Part II)

I remember when I was a child, I liked geography very much. Every time I open the map of China, my eyes always unconsciously fall on the west of China. Compared with the eastern region where many provinces are crowded together, the division here is clear, namely Xinjiang in the northwest and Tibet in the southwest.

Xinjiang, in particular, is the province with the largest land area in China, accounting for one sixth of the total land area of China. In this vast land, there are majestic and long Altai Mountains, Tianshan Mountains and Kunlun Mountains, desolate and majestic Pamirs, the largest Taklimakan Desert in China, the lowest Turpan Basin in China, the second highest peak in the world, the beautiful Ili grassland, the mysterious Kanas Lake, rich natural resources and countless ethnic customs ...

Being able to set foot on this magical land in person. After years of planning and preparation, in August 218, I finally started my long-awaited first trip to Xinjiang.

Because of the limited time, my first trip to Xinjiang was mainly about the route design of Tianshan Mountains and Ili Valley in central Xinjiang. Before traveling, I learned that serious rockfall occurred in the Jorma-Nalati section of Duku Highway, which led to road closure, and accordingly I made appropriate adjustments.

The specific itinerary for 15 days is as follows:

Hami → East Tianshan Mountain → Balikun Grassland → Fukang → Kuitun → Qiaoerma → Kuitun → Sailimu Lake → Yining → Zhaosu → Xiata → Tekes → Kalajun → Tekes → Nalati → Bayinbuluke → Kuqa Grand Canyon → Turpan → Flame. After passing through Balikun Grassland and Qitai County, I finally arrived in fukang city on the edge of Urumqi. The whole journey is about 6 kilometers, and it takes about 12 hours, including the lunch time of the intermediate brigade.

The beautiful scenery must be seen

1. East Tianshan Mountains

The majestic East Tianshan Mountains run through the whole territory of Hami from west to east, and the tall peaks block the water vapor from going south, which results in completely different climates in the south and north of the mountain. Hami city is a typical Shannan region, with high temperature and little rain in summer, abundant sunshine and dry climate; In the north of the mountain, there is plenty of rainfall, cool and pleasant, and forests, grasslands and lakes are connected one by one. When crossing the East Tianshan Mountains from south to north, it is really beautiful and dizzying.

2. The Balikun Grassland

is located in the north of the East Tianshan Mountains, and the majestic peaks of the East Tianshan Mountains have created this vast grassland. In summer, the Balikun grassland is covered with blue sky, green grass, fresh air, herds of cattle and sheep, plus suitable temperature, which is a good place for summer vacation and leisure.

Accommodation Hotel

Based on the consideration of cost performance and convenient travel, our family of three (three adults) chose to stay in fukang city. The hotel where I stayed was a 7-day hotel chain (Fukang Bus Station). The address was No.388, Junggar Road, diagonally opposite to Fukang Bus Station. Ctrip.com made a reservation, and the price was 22 yuan/day at that time. Fukang city is not very large in scale, but it has complete supporting facilities, convenient for eating and shopping, and is a good place to replenish on the way.

Travel planning

Starting from fukang city, all the way to the west, after visiting the Anjihai Grand Canyon, we arrive in Kuitun City for check-in. The whole journey is about 36 kilometers. Including the lunch time of the trip, it takes 9-1 hours. It should be noted that due to the child's physical discomfort the next day, it was a pity that the planning of Anjihai Grand Canyon was finally cancelled and he stayed in Kuitun directly.

The beautiful scenery must be seen

Anji Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is located near Kuitun. After years of scouring, Anji Haihe River has formed a huge alluvial fan on the northern slope of Tianshan Mountain, which is spectacular.

Accommodation Hotel

As we are going to take the northern section of Duku Highway the next day, there are three optional cities to stay in, namely dushanzi area, Kuitun and Wusu. Wusu city is far away, so it was excluded first. Dushanzi and Kuitun, of which Dushanzi is the closest, and the accommodation is a little expensive, while Kuitun is a little far away, but the conditions for accommodation, eating and shopping are much better. After comprehensive comparison, I finally chose Kuitun City to stay.

The hotel is Kuitun Yintong Hotel, the address is 64 Bole Street, and there is a military compound nearby. The sound of the military horn is very kind. Hotel price is triple room 32 yuan/day, booked by Ctrip. Kuitun City is relatively developed, with complete supporting facilities in the city. There are all kinds of large supermarkets in the food court in the shopping center, which is convenient for eating and shopping. It is suggested to buy convenient food for the next day's Kuku Highway here.

itinerary planning

from Kuitun, all the way south, take the famous northern section of Duku Highway, go straight to Jorma and then return to Kuitun, with a total round trip of 3 kilometers. As it takes a lot of time for sightseeing and taking photos, it is estimated that it will take 11-12 hours together with lunch.

The beautiful scenery must be seen

The northern section of Duku Highway

There is a saying in Xinjiang that if you don't take Duku Highway, you have never been to Xinjiang. Indeed, this heavenly road, which is only open for a few months every year, passes through the Tianshan Mountains and the Ili Valley. Driving on this highway, you don't need to find any scenic spots. Looking up, it's really beautiful everywhere.

start from Kuitun, pass through dushanzi area in Karamay, and enter the majestic Tianshan Mountains southward. At the beginning, the slope of Panshan Highway for dozens of kilometers was not large, but there were many bends. The scenery on both sides of the highway was magnificent and desolate. Through the world-famous anti-avalanche tunnel, over the ice plate at the foot of the glacier, the scenery suddenly became clear. The endless mountain grassland and towering dangerous peaks form a beautiful picture scroll ...

Accommodation Hotel

Same as Day2

Travel Planning

Starting from Kuitun, we entered the Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bortala in Xinjiang along Lianhuo Expressway westward, passed through a dry desert, and finally arrived at Sailimu Lake surrounded by heavy mountains. After the tour around the lake, I stayed in the yurt in Guozigou on the side of Sailimu Lake. The whole journey was about 35 kilometers, and the total time for traveling and dining was 14~15 hours.

The beautiful scenery must be seen

Sailimu Lake

It is highly recommended! Sailimu Lake is the highest altitude and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang, and it is also the most beautiful lake seen in Xinjiang and even since traveling. There is no one. Sailimu Lake is the last place where the warm and humid air currents in the Atlantic Ocean can reach, and it has the romantic reputation of "the last tear in the Atlantic Ocean"! Sailimu Lake is clear and transparent, with a transparency of 12 meters. In fine weather, Sailimu Lake is like a dazzling blue gem embedded in the mountains. That deep blue is richer than the sky and brighter than the sea.

The best way to visit Sailimu Lake is to drive around the lake, but it's a pity to hear that driving is no longer allowed. But the beautiful scenery of Sailimu Lake is really worth a visit. You can watch the sunset on the east bank of the lake. It's spectacular! Lunch is self-provided, and dinner can be settled at the gate of Sailimu Lake. There is mature catering service here, which is very good.

Accommodation Hotel

Accommodation is the only headache in Sailimu Lake and Guozigou. There are good hotels near the gate of Sailimu Lake, but they are very expensive and often difficult to book. There are campsites and yurts in other places around, and the conditions are poor but the price is high, so we have to book in advance. I chose the Mongolian yurt of Jinding Station in Huocheng, which was booked by Ctrip. com, and it was 286 yuan/day. Gongwei couldn't take a bath, so I didn't mention anything else, and I slept with my clothes for one night.

trip planning

After watching the sunrise in Sailimu Lake in the morning, go to Guozigou for sightseeing, then take the Lianhuo Expressway until the end of Horgos, then take a rest here, turn east, pass Qingyi Expressway and National Highway 218 and finally stay in Yining. The whole journey is about 23 kilometers, and the total time for traveling, rest and dining is about 1 hours.

beautiful scenery must be seen

1. Sailimu Lake

Sailimu Lake sunrise, the most perfect and spectacular sunrise in this trip, must be seen. The best place to watch is on the high mountain in the west of Guozigou, but it is very close to the yurt where you stay. Walking to the top of the mountain, I watched the sun rise in Ran Ran, and a burst of golden warm current gently awakened the beautiful Sailimu Lake. That golden dream is really intoxicating!

2. Guozigou

Accommodation Hotel

Beautiful scenery must be seen

Accommodation Hotel.