[2024 Gongliu Attraction] Travel Guide for Qiaxi Forest Park (Updated Nov)
No.19 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Xinjiang
Forests
Address:
Jiergelang Township, Gongliu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Opening times:
Open today at 10:00-18:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5-1 day
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)
IsabellaSullivan
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!
Serendipitous Butterfly
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.
natalieocean
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!
Garcia Megan Meg
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
EVAN CLARK
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.
Johnson Ethan 2
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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Foster_61 Noah
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~
LuminousMatrix9
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
Oliver Martinez
Travel independently and not with a group to Qiaxi, with a hot travel guide coming your way!
🚩Depart from Gongliu Bus Station and embark on a mesmerizing journey to Qiaxi!
✨
Share a ride to Qiaxi near Gongliu Passenger Transport Station, 50 RMB per person. Be sure to keep the driver's phone number; you'll rely on it for the return trip, and the driver can arrange everything perfectly. The Qiaxi entrance ticket is only 30 RMB. Riding a horse up the mountain for about thirty to forty minutes costs 80 RMB and allows you to experience a different scenery. Or bravely choose to walk up the wooden plank road to the top. Personally tested: riding up the mountain and walking down the plank road is easy and not tiring! There's also a 20 RMB shuttle that can take you to the Qiaxi Waterfall, but I personally find this route a bit bland. It's better to complete the wooden plank road first, then take the shuttle to check out the waterfall. If you're returning to Gongliu on the same day and there are many people, the felt tents in Qiaxi are also a good accommodation choice.
💡Pro Tips:
Make sure to protect yourself from the sun, and a sun protection jacket is essential! Bring a light jacket in case it rains and gets cold. Don't forget an umbrella! Wear leggings so you can roll and sit on the grassland as you wish, and they also protect against mosquito bites. For food, bring instant rice and bread that can be eaten right away, as there's no hot water supply for instant noodles.
Friends who go after the end of June, it's advised not to go, as the snow on the glaciers has mostly melted.
Don't hesitate, come to Qiaxi and give yourself a unique and free journey!
Penny Tiny Wobble
Ili Essence Deep Play 9 Days
Without visiting Xinjiang, one does not know the vastness of China; without visiting Ili, one does not know the beauty of Xinjiang. God has given all the beauty to Xinjiang, and only by going there can one truly understand what freedom looks like, so tangible and full. Take a trip to Ili this summer, and see the real-life version of the Emerald City. If healing had a color, it would definitely be green.
Itinerary:
D1: All over the country - Urumqi
D2: Urumqi - S101 National Defense Highway - Danxia Landform - Kuitun
D3: Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Guozigou Bridge - Qingshui River
D4: Qingshui River - Kalajun Grassland - Tekes
D5: Tekes - Qiaxi Forest Park - Gongliu
D6: Gongliu - Narat Air Grassland - Narat Town
D7: Narat - Duku Highway - Tangbula Fairy Lake - Dushanzi
D8: Dushanzi - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Urumqi
D9: Urumqi - All over the country
Must-visit attractions:
S101 National Defense Highway Hundred-Mile Danxia Gallery - A road less traveled with beautiful scenery, the most beautiful views are on the road, with stunning canyon landscapes formed by colorful rocks and loess, and along the way, there are colorful flower seas, grasslands, and lakes, with continuous scenery.
Sayram Lake - One must see the last tear of the Atlantic, the lake and sky merge in close proximity, and it's truly breathtaking. The summer flower sea, swans, and blue sky, the camera can't capture one ten-thousandth of its beauty.
Kalajun Grassland - Snow-capped mountains, flower seas, grasslands, deep forests, streams, no one can resist the summer of Kalajun, the winding mountain road to Tekes seems to hide countless wonderful adventures.
Qiaxi Forest Park - The green of Qiaxi has a special kind of sanctity and healing, with valleys, waterfalls, and cattle and sheep that seem like walking cartoons.
Narat Grassland - The air grassland of Narat, with cattle and sheep under the snow mountains and the glimmer of streams, all present a comfortable appearance.
Duku Highway - A must-travel road in one's lifetime, open only four months a year, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, canyons, steep and narrow paths, constantly changing, making one marvel at the wonders of nature.
Healing,
Precautions:
3. Xinjiang is beautiful but really big, and the journey between attractions is very long. It is recommended to join a small group tour that includes accommodation and transportation, which can save a lot of effort and also provide companions for taking photos.
2. There is a large temperature difference between day and night, so be sure to bring enough clothes. Light colors are recommended for summer, which stand out in photos.
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential, and it's good to have snacks on hand. There are many winding roads, so bring something to prevent motion sickness.
Sayram Lake Kalajun Scenic Area Qiaxi Forest Park Narat Grassland Dushanzi Grand Canyon
Ruby Cook 567
Chaxi Forest Park: A Green Treasure in a Hidden Realm
The Wind of Chaxi Awaits Your Freedom
Chaxi National Forest Park
Southern Jiangnan in Ili, the Most Beautiful in Ili is Chaxi
Snow-capped Tianshan Mountains, Snow Ridge Spruce with Interlaced Light and Shadow
Chaxi, a paradise for self-driving tours, with very low entrance fees, is full of beautiful scenery, including snow-capped mountains, grasslands, flowers, and forests, making it hard to leave...
'The sky is vast, the wild is boundless, the wind blows the grass low to see the cattle and sheep.'
This poem is perfect to describe the magnificent scenery of the Chaxi Grassland in Xinjiang.
Here, it is a richly colored painting meticulously crafted by nature,
a green gem hidden deep in the Ili River Valley of Xinjiang,
and a green wonderland that every soul yearning for freedom and tranquility looks forward to.
KoaLa-Travel
It's delightful
Every grassland in Xinjiang seems to have its own magic, growing wildly and unrestrained!!!
Here, grasslands, valleys, spruces, snow-capped mountains, and streams are intricately interwoven, yet they create one after another of the most stunning scenes
If you want to visit Xinjiang~ the best time would be in May and June~ That's when Xinjiang is in its 'golden age' oh~
I like Kashgar~ not just for its freedom and vastness, but also for the various landscapes along the way.
Otherwise, why would it be called the 'Kashgar Scroll'?
Since we were on a group tour, I only remember how to have fun, but I don't know the exact route anymore~ hehehe
~Let me share a bit about what I've seen and heard~ Ticket price: 30 yuan/person
Transportation: We had a 5-seater SUV, super comfortable;
Time: The earlier you go, the better, mainly because the snow line on the Tianshan Mountains will be more visible, which means better photos~ Also, the scenic area limits 1500 vehicles per day, so it's best to go early~
Accommodation: It's recommended to stay in the city area, not in the scenic area, because the prices are too high and there are too few food options!! But if you want a better experience, that's also okay!!!
Warm tips:
① The temperature on the mountain changes a lot, and there may be rainy weather, so be sure to prepare warm or waterproof clothing~ If you don't mind the weight, bringing an umbrella is also okay~
② It's best to bring more dry food, because the drive is long, and it's hard to find restaurants on the way, so you'll need to take care of that yourself~
③ The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are really super strong, remember to apply sunscreen!!! A lesson learned from someone who's been there~ crying~
Grace@456 Foster
It's no exaggeration! Xinjiang's summer has no rival in China
Those who have visited Xinjiang in the summer know
'There is no rival to Xinjiang's summer in China' is not an overstatement at all!
Especially from June to August, it is the most beautiful season in Ili
If you want to visit Xinjiang, you can start planning now
After all, once the peak season arrives, the prices for flights and hotels will soar~
Snow-capped mountains and lakes⛰️ Forest cabins🌲 Meadows with flocks of sheep🐑 Fields of wildflowers🌼 Miyazaki-style animated clouds☁️
I declare, June in Xinjiang's Ili is the ultimate summer in my heart!
🌲Gorgeous scenic spots to check in
✅Duku Highway: This road has many beautiful spots, casually taking pictures is super photogenic, but it's also jam-packed during peak season
✅Kanas: Home of the lake monster, the Oriental Switzerland, a fairyland on earth
✅Hemu: Cottages from fairy tales, a must-visit in summer! Falling into a dream of flower seas
✅Nalati Grassland: The grassland in the sky, one of the four great river valley grasslands
✅Sayram Lake: Truly the last tear of the Atlantic, the scenery is absolutely stunning when the weather is good~
✅Chaxi Forest Park: Miyazaki's anime world, often visited by cute groundhogs!!
✅Tangbula Hundred Mile Gallery: A step into a scene, a world like a painting
✅Lavender Base: Sisters who love to take photos, rush here, it's more suitable for the physique of Chinese babies than Provence;
⚠️Precautions
✔️Weather: As the saying goes, 'Wear cotton in the morning and gauze at noon, eat watermelon around a stove' Xinjiang's weather is changeable, you can experience all four seasons in one day
✔️Clothing: There is a large temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang, even in July and August, it is quite cold at night, so prioritize warm clothing
✔️Sun protection: Some areas in Xinjiang are at high altitudes with strong ultraviolet radiation, so please bring sun protection items (such as high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses)
✔️Traffic: Xinjiang's straight roads can cause visual fatigue and are prone to speeding
✔️Bring some common medicines, such as medicine for stomach, colds, motion sickness, and mosquito repellent
✔️Wearing shoes in the car for a long time can be uncomfortable, prepare a pair of plastic slippers or disposable slippers for the car
Xinjiang doesn't need advertising, because everyone who has been there regrets not coming earlier, if possible, please be sure to visit Xinjiang in the summer🥰🥰
TastyTreatsTemptations
Qiaxi—An unpolished paradise, rarely visited yet stunningly beautiful, it's a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts
🌲🌄Many people online say that Qiaxi's attractions are monotonous, but in fact, you've all gone to the wrong places! 😅
❌Don't just flock to the Qiaxi Scroll!
📷Qiaxi is now dressed in lush greenery, making it the perfect time to visit.
✅The real gem is the Qiaxi Chata Loop, unpolished and full of mystery, rarely visited yet stunningly beautiful, it's truly a haven for niche outdoor lovers!
🚗🏕️Here, off-roading, hiking, and camping will satisfy you, and outdoor adventurers will find their paradise!
🅾️Qiaxi Travel Guide:
💰Admission: 30, great value for money!
⌚️Opening hours: 9 am to 8 pm, plenty of time to enjoy the sights slowly!
❤️Recommended visit duration: A full day, because every spot here is a masterpiece of nature, worth savoring!
🌈Best time to visit: May to June, when the greenery is lush and wildflowers are in full bloom, it's like stepping into a fairy tale world of Hayao Miyazaki! 🌸
🚗Transportation Guide:
❌There is no public transport here, only chartered or self-driving (complex road conditions, high chassis vehicles recommended) During peak season, there are shuttle buses, but due to the large number of tourists, you may need to wait in line.
❗️Attention! Qiaxi has a daily limit of 1500 self-driving cars, remember to set off early!
⭕️Must-visit attractions:
📍Qiaxi Scroll: It's like traveling to the animated world of Hayao Miyazaki, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, valleys, waterfalls, cattle, and sheep, all breathtakingly beautiful! 🏞️
📍Tarim Grassland: The grassland and forest valley complement each other, and the deep spruces are tall and lush, as if stepping into a hidden realm🌲🌾
📍Observation Deck: From here, you can take in the panoramic view of Qiaxi, which is extremely spectacular! 🏞️
📍Shimen Waterfall: Although the temperature is a bit low and the signal is not very stable, the scenery here is definitely worth exploring! 🌊
📍Swallow Bridge: The most beautiful mountain grassland is right here, not to be missed! 🌿
⭕️Warm Tips:
⚠️The Qiaxi Chata Loop has water crossings and is all dirt roads, only suitable for off-road vehicles or SUVs!
⚠️When the weather is bad, the road surface can be slippery, and the narrow roads are not easy for cars to pass, so novice drivers should consider carefully.
⚠️It is recommended to travel before June to avoid the peak of the tourist season and enjoy a more peaceful travel experience!
⚠️It's best to book a vehicle in advance on the 'Qiaxi Forest Park Scenic Area' platform to avoid unnecessary trouble.
⚠️This place is not fully developed yet, retaining its original appearance, so bring camping and picnic gear for an intimate encounter with nature! 🏕️🍽️
📷Photography Tips:
From 5-7 pm, the light is soft, making it the best time to capture beautiful scenery!
And you don't need to report to fly drones here, so you can freely shoot the magnificent landscape! 📸🎥
Lumin@t1_Zephyr
Which places are these pictures of?
Freshly taken photos from the May Day holiday, the grasslands in Xinjiang each have their own characteristics, with similarities but not completely the same. During May Day, the flowers were not fully in bloom, making each photo feel like it's missing a final touch. Fortunately, the weather was still good during May Day, and Xinjiang really depends on the weather.
Camera: Canon R6
Lens: 70-200F4
Post-processing: Light LR + Light PS
Actually, the photos look great straight out of the camera, and even better when viewed through the viewfinder of a mirrorless camera.
Can you recognize any of these 10 photos?
The Tasty Trekker
Strolling in the Clouds - Qiaxi Grassland
"The Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall is in Ili, and the most beautiful part of Ili is Qiaxi." Here, grasslands, forests, snow-capped mountains, streams, waterfalls, cattle, sheep, and horses leisurely stroll. It is like a beautiful and vivid painting.
Located more than 70 kilometers southeast of Gongliu County, upstream of the Jiergalang River, Qiaxi Scenic Area is a rare summer resort, a place for convalescence, and a destination for grassland folk tourism. It is also a paradise for painters and photographers.
Legend has it that Qiaxi was originally a beautiful Mongolian princess, cherished by her father like a precious jewel. Once, Princess Qiaxi accompanied her father on an inspection tour of the pastures and came to Qiaxi. After touring Qiaxi with her close maid, she was deeply moved and enchanted by the fairyland-like scenery of Qiaxi, becoming so infatuated that she was reluctant to leave. After returning to the palace, the princess spent her days immersed in memories and reveries of Qiaxi's beauty, becoming distracted, losing her appetite, and gradually becoming emaciated. Her father, alarmed, asked her the reason. The princess said: "I have accompanied my father on many tours, visiting countless famous mountains and rivers, but only Qiaxi's splendid scenery has deeply captivated me, making it hard to forget. I hope my father can understand my deep affection for Qiaxi's landscape and grant me the Qiaxi pasture. I will build a hut in Qiaxi and live there for the rest of my life without regret. Otherwise, I will not live long." Her father was deeply moved by his beloved daughter's passionate words and sincere emotions, so he granted her wish, giving her the Qiaxi pasture and the herdsmen's tents as her hereditary territory. To express his love and longing for his daughter, he named the place Qiaxi.
【Activities】:
Transportation: Driving is more convenient. It takes a little over an hour from Gongliu. Cars can enter the scenic area directly without additional fees.
Tickets: Includes both Tarim and Qiaxi scenic areas. It is recommended to visit Qiaxi in the summer to see the alpine grasslands. If time permits, consider taking the circular route...
新疆資深嚮導 李國軍
Wild and unrestrained
The Qiaxi National Forest Park in Xinjiang is located in the southeastern mountainous area of Gongliu County and the southeastern mountainous area of Tekes County in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, 72 kilometers away from the county town.
It was approved as a national forest park in 2004.
The climate here is mild, with abundant rainfall, lush water and grass in spring and summer, and a beautiful environment.
Qiaxi National Forest Park is a tourist destination that combines natural scenery, cultural sites, and folk customs, attracting numerous tourists to come for sightseeing, leisure, and vacation.
It's definitely a great place to be wild and unrestrained.
SereneAdventures
A friend who lives nearby didn't even know there was such a beautiful place, I really died laughing
Door rafting: 30, horse riding: 80/h Entry and exit times 9:00-21:00
Self-driving road conditions: Mostly dirt roads, lots of potholes, dusty, it is recommended to drive a four-wheel SUV or off-road vehicle with a high chassis
Stay: There are campsites, felt houses, and Min-style accommodations -
Qiaxi Essence Scenic Spots:
Qiaxi Scroll: This is the highlight here, with the continuous snow mountains opposite, and the scattered cattle and sheep~ Of course, there are many people and vehicles here
Qiaxi Chata Loop: Connects Qiaxi and Tarim Park, with poor road conditions and more thrilling
Tarim Park: The scenery along the way is beautiful after self-driving into this area, and you can see many well-arranged spruce forests
Tour route: Min-su experience area - Swallow Bridge - Shimen Waterfall - Qiaxi Holy Spring - Qiaxi Scroll (return the same way) - Qiaxi Chata Loop - Martyrs' Cemetery - Tarim Manor
AdventurousAbode
How can there be such a beautiful place | I love Qiaxi so much!
🌲 The Qiaxi in May is so beautiful
🌞 It's simply a high cost-performance ratio for Yili tourism
💰 30 yuan ticket per person
🚗 Driving into the park doesn't cost extra
📷 Off-peak self-driving tour in Qiaxi is really cool!
😄 No need to worry about the crowd
⛱️ Currently, the main crowded area is around Qiaxi Huajuan
🍃 Keep driving further inside, and there will be fewer vehicles
🍦 Road construction is underway, and the Qiaxi Chata loop tour is temporarily unavailable
❤️ But the scenery along the way is already very beautiful and photogenic!
⌛️ Enter the scenic area in the morning, enjoy a leisurely visit, and leave in the evening
☕️ Remember to bring some food. There are some food options at the scenic campsite. There are also some grilled lamb along the way, but it's still best to bring your own food and enjoy a camping experience in such a beautiful scenic area.⛺️
F0r3v3r_Myst1c
Ili is wonderful in summer, but you need to know how to enjoy it
Ili is the only region in the country that combines 'a sense of oppression and relaxation' in the best possible way.
But to enjoy it well, 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 the choice.
2. The way to enjoy Ili is inherently outdoorsy. The difference in scenery between the hiking routes and the conventional routes is huge, and incorporating some outdoor elements into your itinerary is a standard for an in-depth experience. Some of these can be done by off-road vehicle, some by horse, and many only on foot. Qiaxi Kuerdening can include the tail of the Kalajun crossing line, Kalajun can extend to Qiongkushitai or Gazagan camp, Shata has the Shata ancient trail, and even the Yisai shepherd trail and Tuhulasu grassland hiking route. If you really have no outdoor experience, you can also ride a horse for the first ten kilometers in front of Wusun or behind Qiongkushitai to get a feel for it, which is much better than just wandering around scenic area trails every day.
3. The golden period for Ili is from mid-May to late June. This is based on a comprehensive score of 'grass + forest + low snow line + temperature'. Too early and the range of grasslands is limited, for example, Kalajun is not very green, and Shata has a high frequency of bad weather in the afternoon. Too late and the weather is hot, the snow line disappears, and having only grasslands and forests loses the advantage of the snow-capped mountains.
4. 'There is no need to go to Qiongkushitai if you're not staying overnight' makes sense because Qiongku's absolute advantage lies in the scattered distribution of homestay wooden houses and a leisurely travel mindset, all predicated on 'staying at least one night', otherwise you won't be able to relax.
5. The priority for summer accommodation in Ili is lonely and well-conditioned homestays close to the scenery, followed by homestays with average conditions but good scenery, then experienced camping, then county town hotels, and the least preferable are poorly conditioned homestays without much scenery. However, the latter is precisely the choice most people will make, because they want both... but that's difficult.
6. Ili during the May Day period is good, but there are a few things to note. First, try not to attempt pure wilderness camping, as the weather during May Day is extremely unstable, with heavy snowfall every year. Second, do not apply aesthetic expectations to flowers and large areas of greenery, learning to appreciate Ili's snow-capped mountains is important.
7. Ili's summer sunsets are incredibly beautiful, and returning to your accommodation a bit later is not dangerous, 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, before it appears before people, is niche and equal. By making use of the scenic spots and further exploring within them, you are more likely to find 'good stuff' than by blindly heading straight for the mountains, just as starting a franchise is easier than creating an independent brand.
WES CARPENTER
In Xinjiang | A sparsely populated little grassland
The forest hidden in dreams, when it's crowded during the summer vacation, I chose this early May to come to Xinjiang!
Today I'm sharing a travel guide for Qiaxi, please see the details below:
1. Admission: 30/person (I think it's really worth it)
2. Self-driving: Driving the Qia Chat loop requires an SUV/off-road vehicle, sedans need to transfer to a shuttle bus, and all the beautiful scenery is on this stretch, very beautiful!
3. Photography location: Inside Gongliu County Qiaxi Forest Park
4. Opening hours: 9:00-20:00
It's recommended to go after 15:00, the light from 7-9 pm will be softer, and waiting for the sunset will be even more beautiful! However, you need to return the same way, and there are no street lights
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Qiaxi Loop Attractions
1. Qiaxi Scroll: Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, valleys, waterfalls, cattle and sheep, it's like stepping into a Miyazaki Hayao manga
2. Tarim Grassland: There are grasslands and forest valleys, the spruce trees deep inside are taller and denser, giving a sense of depth
3. Observation Deck: From here you can overlook the entire panorama of Qiaxi
4. Shimen Waterfall: The scenery is nice, but the temperature is low, and there is no signal, so be prepared before you go
5. Swallow Bridge: The most beautiful mountain grassland stands at Swallow Bridge
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Transportation Tips!
1. There is no public transportation here, you can only drive yourself, and the roads are not very good.
2. Qiaxi self-driving cars are limited to 1500 per day (according to the team leader)
3. Non-off-road vehicles cannot drive inside
4. You need to make a reservation in advance on the public account
5. The roads in Qiaxi are difficult to navigate, and it can be slippery when it rains!
✔️Photo Spots:
The scenery is beautiful all the way, you can take pictures at any time, and the success rate for good photos is very high!
The observation deck lives up to its name, it's like a scroll unfolding before your eyes, and it's also nice to take a few steps down the boardwalk to take pictures.
A little further from the observation deck towards the Tarim Forest Park is the grassland and spruce forest, which is also very beautiful.
✔️Outfit Sharing:
Light-colored dresses! For example, light blue, white, pink dresses all make for great photos, ethnic style, denim style! Martin boots, mid-calf boots, hats, sunglasses, horse-face skirts, etc. are all good choices.
TravelAddict
I found it in Xinjiang, hidden in the forest of dreams
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.
BAILEE BURNETT
Reverse Tourism | Head to Xinjiang in May, don't wait until June when it's crowded
Every June, Xinjiang is incredibly beautiful, but also incredibly crowded.
If you want to avoid the crowds, opt for traveling in May.
Fewer people, more beautiful scenery, and an enhanced experience up up up!
At that time, the grasslands are covered in fresh green, with little wildflowers dotted around, and the distant snow-capped mountains still stand tall, not yet melted. During this period, Xinjiang has few tourists, and every day feels like being in a fairy tale world, with a travel experience far surpassing the peak months of July and August.
⭐ Must-visit attractions:
🌲 Qiaxi Forest Park: The beauty of the south of the Great Wall is in Yili, and the most beautiful scenery is in Qiaxi. The snow-covered Tianshan Mountains, scattered spruce trees, and the ground full of little yellow flowers.
🌊 Sayram Lake: In Yili, there are endless forests and grasslands, making Sayram Lake exceptionally precious.
🏜️ Kumtag Desert: It's like traveling back to the ancient Western Regions. April-May is the best time for desert tours!
🖼️ Nalati Grassland: The endless green carpet stretches to the horizon, the spruce trees halfway up the mountain are like the forests of Norway, the Kazakh yurts at the foot of the snow mountains, and the melting snow water crossing the grasslands is flowing.
🌄 Anjihai Grand Canyon: The fissures of the earth, with the lush Tianshan Mountains in the distance.
👗 Weather and Clothing
🐧 Most of Xinjiang is sunny, with temperatures around 20 degrees during the day and around 10 degrees at night in May.
🐧 Be sure to bring a trench coat, a fleece jacket (there is a big temperature difference between day and night, and the temperature changes a lot in scenic areas, it might rain or snow)
🐧 You can also bring a hat➕scarf➕sunglasses. Choose flat, comfortable shoes that are good for walking.
⭐ Practical tips:
✅ The attractions in Xinjiang are far apart, and you will stay in cities/towns near the attractions, changing hotels every night. Be sure to check your belongings when checking out.
✅ Bring a thermos, neck pillow, power bank, headphones, ID card. Keep some snacks in the car.
✅ Long car journeys in Xinjiang are a drawback, so download music and maps in advance, carry a small amount of cash for emergencies.
✈ 8-Day Classic Itinerary in Yili
🔸day1: Warm home - Urumqi
🔸day2: Urumqi - Sayram Lake - Lavender Farm - Yining
🔸day3: Yining - In-depth tour of Shata Ancient Trail - Tekes
🔸day4: Tekes - Qiongkushitai - Tekes
🔸day5: Tekes - Kuerdening - Xinyuan
🔸day6: Xinyuan - Nalati Sky Grassland - Gongnaisi Forest Farm - Bayanbulak
🔸day7: Bayanbulak - Hejing - Gangu Scenery - Salt Lake - Urumqi
🔸day8: Urumqi - Warm home
JOLIE SHERMAN
May Day kicks off the summer travel season, and you can always trust Ili
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💓
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📝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!
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⭕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
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🎁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
VioletDreamshadow27
Xinjiang's fairy-tale secret realm, you will definitely regret not going this summer!!
After waiting a year just for the summer in Xinjiang, this year's Xinjiang—definitely hotter than last year🔥
So take advantage of the perfect time, and go to Xinjiang with your loved one👩❤️👨
Listen to the wilderness wind, see the snow mountain scenery, meet the myriad of creatures on the grasslands, and shine with all things under the brilliant sun of Yili✨
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Xinjiang's summer is often called the "real-life version of the Wizard of Oz🧚", "Heidi and Grandpa's home", "the secret realm leading to Hayao Miyazaki's comics", Yili's summer is too colorful🎨, blurring the line between heaven and earth, offering a unique exotic landscape unlike other travel destinations~
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🌲If you have time to go to Xinjiang, don't miss these places~
1️⃣ Sayram Lake
The last tear of the Atlantic, snow-capped flower seas🌸, lakes with swans, lighthouses, and the beautiful S-curve are worth checking in, and at night you can stay in a starry campsite, enjoying the splendid starry sky🌌
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2️⃣ Nalati Grassland
Grass waving into lushness🌿, flowers brewing sweetness, cattle and sheep slowly moving across the grassland, mountain flowers dotting the grassland's oil painting, creating a patchwork of colors, lying in a sea of flowers for a grassland afternoon tea🧺spending a leisurely day
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3️⃣ Qiaxi Forest
A niche secret hidden in the forest, few people and beautiful scenery, cool summer retreat🍃, natural oxygen bar
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4️⃣ Tekes Off Street
Characteristic buildings and murals can be seen everywhere, colorful🎨, very photogenic
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5️⃣ Tangbula Fairy Lake
A secret place under a sea of flowers, with forests and meadows, cattle, sheep, and steeds, blue skies and white clouds☁️, and the rippling Fairy Lake~
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6️⃣ Duku Highway
Open from June to October every year, experiencing all four seasons in one day, ten miles of different skies, a scenic road not to be missed🛣️
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✅When going to Xinjiang, be sure to avoid these
▪️Even in the height of summer in Xinjiang, bring a thick coat🧥, some spots are at high altitudes, and it's important to keep warm at night
▪️Want to self-drive? Then be sure to understand the local traffic, maintain sufficient fuel⛽️ before departure, and always keep more than half a tank
▪️Always have snacks, sun protection☀️, drinking water, power banks, and change in the car
▪️There are more mosquitoes in summer, so be prepared with mosquito repellent and herbal ointment
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🚗【Xinjiang 8 Days 7 Nights Itinerary】
D1: Urumqi airport pick-up - Check into hotel - Free time
D2: Urumqi - S101 National Defense Highway - Danxia Landform - Kuitun
D3: Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Guozigou Bridge - Qingshui River
D4: Qingshui River - Kalajun Grassland - Tekes Off Street - Tekes
D5: Tekes - Qiaxi Forest Park - Gongliu
D6: Gongliu - Nalati Sky Grassland - Nalati Town
D7: Nalati - Duku Highway - Tangbula Fairy Lake - Dushanzi
D8: Dushanzi - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Hui Culture Park - Urumqi
Addison.Foster.28
Traveling to Ili | I think I suddenly understood the meaning of travel
Summer in Xinjiang's Ili is unparalleled in my heart.
I have the opportunity to go there again this year
To experience the surprises it brings me along the way
To listen to the wonderful melodies of nature
Everyone should take the time to visit Ili once
Ili will not disappoint you in summer.
For me, going to Xinjiang is truly a pleasure.
To feel the wild scenery
To experience the local customs
To enjoy the vast green grasslands
To admire the romance brought by the stars at night
Must-visit spots in Ili:
1⃣️ Sayram Lake
In summer, a vast expanse of blue lake merges with the sky. Wearing a fairy dress and walking along the lakeside road to take photos is especially nice.
2⃣️ Nalati Grassland
Here, there are valley grasslands and 'sky grasslands' with a fairy-tale-like forest stream. From April to May, the mountains are full of wildflowers, and a few horses are scattered in the dense forest. This kind of scenery seems to be seen only in animations.
3️⃣ Bayanbulak Grassland
An endless flat grassland, passing through the winding roads, you can also see distant️ snow mountains, the setting sun is about to fall, and the golden light sprinkles on the grassland and lakeside, you must experience the indescribable beauty.
4️⃣ Northern Section of the Duku Highway
There are no specific attractions here, but the scenery along the way is enough to touch my heart, with grasslands, snow mountains, and lakes along the way, which are super suitable for shooting highway blockbusters.
5⃣️ Yizhao Highway
I like the road from Zhaosu to Yining, feeling the shock and beauty brought by nature.
6⃣️ Shata Ancient Trail
This is a romantic paradise for hikers. Mountains, rivers, forests, glaciers, and grasslands form a natural ecological wonderland.
7⃣️ Qiaxi Forest Park
As a niche attraction covered by the traffic of Nalati and Kanas, it is actually an overlooked beautiful grassland, low-key, quiet, beautiful, and cost-effective. If you go to the grassland in summer, it must be due west.
8⃣️ Kuerdening
This is a place where the forest is particularly lush, and also where painters and photographers find inspiration.
9⃣️ Kalajun Grassland
I really marvel that Xinjiang is a magical place. It seems to have burst into 'Howl's Moving Castle'. At first glance, the mountains are full of wildflowers, which is so beautiful.
1⃣️0⃣️ Qiongkushitai
I like to take photos and stay here. The magnificent grasslands and lush spruce forests form a distinct watercolor painting.
Soon to welcome the lush meadows
A divine-like pastoral sea of flowers, blue sky and white clouds️ sky
Horses and cattle all over the mountains, the starry sky and the cabins at night
My love for this place has never stopped
It's not an exaggeration to call it a 'divine-like wilderness'
🧡【Warm Tips】【Warm Tips】:
1. Remember to bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent on the grassland
2. There is a big temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang, remember to bring a coat oh
LilyMontgomery16
It's no exaggeration to say that Yili in Xinjiang has no rival in spring
🖼You can always trust the fairy-tale world of Yili's oil painting-like scenery!
After returning from a trip to Xinjiang, the impact was so profound, my sisters.
Friends who saw the photos said I lived in a fairy-tale world
Snow-capped mountains🏔️, grasslands🌿, lakes🌊, herds of cattle and sheep🐑
Now looking back, it feels like I had a beautiful dream
So beautiful that I don't want to wake up~
⭐️Today I have organized 9 must-visit spots for you
If you miss these essence spots on your first trip to Yili, you will really regret it~
🛤Super beautiful spots to check in
1️⃣Sailimu Lake
In spring, Sailimu Lake is just melting, where you can encounter the spectacle of large blue transparent push ice and dreamy swans, feeling the winter-spring transition of the Atlantic's tears
2️⃣Naraty Grassland
Naraty is a must-visit 'sky grassland'🐏 where you can meet snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes, flocks of sheep, grasslands, wildflowers, pine forests... Experience the life of nomadic people, very healing
3️⃣Guozigou Bridge
Exiting from the south gate of Sailimu Lake, you will find the Guozigou Bridge, with snow-capped mountains, forests, and the bridge in the same frame like a painting🖼, very impressive
4️⃣Xia'ta
Combining glaciers, forests, and grasslands, the scenery has rich layers! Those who love snow-capped mountains and are passionate about hiking🚶♀️ can rush!
5️⃣Qiaxi Forest Park
To see the primeval forest🌳, Qiaxi is the place! All the beautiful scenery is here, like the world of Miyazaki's anime, often with groundhogs appearing, too cute~
6️⃣Tulgen Apricot Blossoms
Limited to March and April, the apricot blossom🌸 season, with apricot trees dotted among the green grass and mountains, just like the garden world in a fairy tale
7️⃣Kazanqi
The internet-famous 'Blue House', streets composed of houses🏡 in various macaron colors, just like the town in Howl's Moving Castle
8️⃣Dushanzi Grand Canyon
The Dushanzi Grand Canyon⛰, formed by the natural erosion of Tianshan snow water over millions of years, has been featured in National Geographic magazine, and coming here, one can only marvel at the natural wonderwork
9️⃣Qiongkushitai
A place whose name makes you want to go, and whose scenery makes you not want to leave, with beautiful wild apricot flowers, coming here is like entering the world of anime🏞~
✔️Precautions:
🔸The temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is significant, so it's necessary to prepare warm clothes in case of need
🔸Xinjiang is vast, and some scenic areas require walking, so choosing a pair of suitable sports shoes is important
🔸The ultraviolet radiation in Xinjiang is intense, so be sure to prepare sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, sun hats, etc.
DanielParrish46
Ili is often said to be the 'Jiangnan' (a region of rivers and lakes in southern China) beyond the Great Wall, and among its places, Qiaxi is the most beautiful
It is said that the 'Jiangnan' beyond the Great Wall is in Ili, and the most beautiful part of Ili is Qiaxi. As a summer resort, it is very quiet and beautiful~ With its beautiful snow-capped mountains, lush forests, babbling streams, green grasslands, and fragrant wildflowers~ Even the greatest heat of summer turns into a refreshing touch of green here~
⚠️Suggestions
It is recommended to charter a car or drive by yourself, as you can drive within the Qiaxi Grassland scenic area, and you can stop wherever you like the scenery along the road.
🎫Ticket: 30💰, you can drive into the area.
⏰Recommended visiting time: Half a day to a day.
💙Recommended scenic spots to stay:
The Qiaxi Scroll is the most quintessential viewing spot in the Qiaxi Grassland, featuring layers of grassland, spruce forests, snow-capped mountains, and swings on the mountain tops.
LunaWanderer42
In Yili | Qiaxi Forest Park (with a mini guide)
I knew Yili was beautiful, but I didn't expect it to be this stunning!
This trip was tight and I was afraid of crowds, so I didn't go to Narati and came directly to Qiaxi. Looking at a bunch of photos online is nothing compared to the joy of seeing it with your own eyes, it's really too beautiful! The grassland is like a painting on the ground, the woods are clean and orderly, and many times when I look up, I feel like I'm in a Hayao Miyazaki manga. You can see the tents of the herders everywhere and the herds of cattle, sheep, and horses scattered all around, and when the wind blows through the roadside wildflowers, it lifts waves of yellow blossoms.
🎫【Ticket/Admission Time】The ticket is 30 yuan per person, and you can't buy it at the tourist center after 8 pm, but you can buy it at the entrance of the scenic area so don't worry about not being able to get in. Qiaxi scroll and the loop drive are open from 10 am (but we were let in just after 9 am).
🗺️【Route】There is only one road inside, just drive to the end, and you will find the exit is right where the Qiaxi entrance is (otherwise why call it a loop, haha), but parking is not allowed at the Qiaxi scroll, and that place is very photogenic, which is a bit troublesome, so you can first take pictures from the plank road and then drive back to the campsite to go to the loop.
⛺️【Camping】There is a campsite, including toilets, showers, food, and drink, the environment is nice but it's really cold at night. At 5 am the next day, who would know, a horse was eating grass right above my head, which woke me up 🥹
🚗【Car】Why have a separate category for cars? Because the Qiaxi loop is really strict! They don't allow small cars in, only off-road vehicles and SUVs can enter, so if you want to go to the loop, make sure to drive a big car, mainly because there are several water crossings and big pits (the car in front of us kept slipping and couldn't get up at the water crossing).
🍲【Food and Supplies】There are very few supply points in Qiaxi, after all, you come out after driving the loop for a few hours, but if you plan to camp for a few days, bring more food and drink. Down the mountain is Qiaxi town where you can buy more stuff, and the prices are not expensive (the 5 yuan beef skewers are delicious, recommended!)
Yili is really beautiful, not just the scenic spots, even the farmland next to the highway is so pleasing to the eye, the wind blowing through the wheat fields brings a wave of greenery, I swear I will definitely go again next time!