Shawan Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Antler Bay Ranch Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
In this lifetime, one must drive on the S101 National Defense Highway
From Kuitun through Bayingou to Lujiaowan, Tangjiashimenzi, Kenswat Reservoir to Baili Danxia, and then to the geographical center of Asia, the connecting road here is the S101 provincial highway. The entire journey is free of charge, with landscapes ranging from grand canyons to grassland snow mountains, and then to the colorful Danxia landforms. It is yet another must-drive scenic avenue in one's lifetime. A full crossing requires preparing for an entire day.
The underrated niche scenic spot in Xinjiang has become stunningly beautiful
Xinjiang has always been the apple of my eye, and since my first visit to Altay in 2016, I have been to Xinjiang four times❗ With the popularity of 'My Altay', it will inevitably boost tourism in Xinjiang. The Duku Highway has also opened earlier than ever before, and many previously visited niche spots like Kanas, Qiongkushitai, and Xiat are now very popular, and the experience is not as good as before🙅🏻♀️Today, I recommend a hidden gem that is still rarely visited by tourists~
📍Lu Jiao Wan Scenic Area
Address: Boertonggu Pasture, Shawan City, Tacheng Region, Xinjiang (near S101 provincial road)
Lu Jiao Wan is one of the best grasslands at the foot of the northern Tianshan Mountains, and it was once a breeding ground for Tianshan red deer🦌 After the breeding season each year, the male red deer shed their antlers by the mountain streams, giving this place a beautiful name.
To the south of Lu Jiao Wan is the Habiga Mountain, which is over 4,000 meters above sea level, with snow on the summit all year round🏔️The mountain slopes are covered with spruce trees, and the unique geographical conditions provide abundant rainfall and glacier water nourishment to the valley, making the grass much greener than that in Yili during the same season❗
The scenic area can only be accessed by self-driving, as there are no shuttle buses❌ Therefore, large tour groups do not choose this place, and it is currently a private land exclusively enjoyed by locals in Xinjiang. Last summer, when the temperature was high and the sunlight was strong, I saw the snow line on the Tianshan Mountains melting away along the Duku Highway, and the grass turned yellow, but Lu Jiao Wan still had fantastic snow-capped peaks and grasslands, similar to a mini Xiat, and most importantly, there were really few people❗
For self-driving or chartered car, it is recommended to take the S101 from Urumqi (this national defense highway is also super beautiful), pass through Lu Jiao Wan, and you can also pass by the Anjihai Grand Canyon to Kuitun, connecting to Sayram Lake, Yili. Or it is very convenient to continue on the Duku Highway to Dushanzi
Strolling through the picturesque pasture, it feels as if you are in the midst of the Dolomites in Italy
🏞️🎉 In the fairyland atop the Tianshan Mountains, there lies a pasture untouched by the hustle and bustle of the world—Deer Horn Bay🦌, quietly waiting for your exploration.
🏔 Imagine walking through the picturesque pasture, with a view reminiscent of the Swiss landscape, distant snow-capped mountains towering, as if you are in the midst of the Dolomites in Italy.
📷 Here, every frame is wallpaper-worthy scenery, a dreamland for photography enthusiasts, get ready to blow up your social media!
🌟📍 【Discover Deer Horn Bay】A hidden green fairyland
🏞️ Deer Horn Bay scenic area is tucked away next to the 101 provincial road in Boertonggu Township, Shawan City, far from the noise, yet within easy reach.
🕙 From 10 am to 7 pm, this place is a natural playground, for just 28 yuan, you can embark on a spontaneous adventure (a blessing for self-driving enthusiasts, as you can park right at the foot of the mountain)🚗.
🛣️🎨 【Self-drive on S101, a journey through time】
🚗 Driving on the S101 national defense highway is like traveling through a constantly changing canvas.
🏞️ Along the way, the passion of the Hundred Mile Danxia, the tranquility of the Kenswa Reservoir, the magnificence of the Anjihai Grand Canyon, each step is filled with novelty and awe.
✨ The destination? Of course, it's that little-known secret place—Deer Horn Bay, an Eden reserved for the few.
🦌🌿 【Dance with nature, the story of Deer Horn Bay】
🏞️ Deer Horn Bay is not only a paradise for Tianshan red deer but also a gift from nature.
💐 Glistening green waves stretch to the horizon, dark green forests interweave with snowy peaks, and purple wildflowers sprinkle among them like a river of stars.
🐂 Here, time seems to slow down, cattle and sheep roam leisurely, herdsmen gallop on their horses, scenes from Miyazaki's animations come to life before your eyes!
🏞️🧗♂️ 【Activity Guide】Embrace the embrace of nature
🎩 Put on your fisherman's hat and set off! Hike through the mountains, ride horses on the grasslands, feel the pulse of the earth.
🌄 Climb high for a distant view, sit on a folding chair, with snow-capped spruces in front of you, babbling streams beneath, and Kazakh yurts, composing beautiful pictures.
🍹🥩 In the afternoon, why not enjoy delicious food and relaxation at a local restaurant, hot pot, barbecue, with a chilled drink, let the evening breeze of the grassland blow away all worries.
🌃🌠 【Romance under the starry sky, the night is also wonderful】
🌅 As the sun sets, consider setting up camping lights on the grassland, watch an open-air movie, and immerse your soul in the stars and stories.
🛖 Spend the night in a Mongolian yurt or under a canopy camp, gaze at the Milky Way, fall asleep to the breath of nature, what a wonderful dream it will be?
💰🧤 【Practical Tips】
🧥 Remember to bring a jacket to cope with the temperature difference in the morning and evening, choose a regular horse team to ensure riding safety, and although the sun in Xinjiang is beautiful, don't forget to apply sunscreen! ☀️🧴
Lu Jiao Bay Scenic Area
Lu Jiao Bay 4A Scenic Area is located in Shawan County, Xinjiang, with the S101 Tianshan Highway passing through. The natural scenery of Lu Jiao Bay is beautiful, with a well-arranged combination of landscapes that create a sense of depth. The phenomenon of 'one mountain with four seasons, ten miles with different skies' is vividly displayed here. The scenic area is equipped with farm stays and homestays, making it an ideal place for leisure, camping, and summer retreats. The ticket price is 28 yuan per person, and self-driving vehicles are allowed to enter.
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Anjihai Grand Canyon Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Crossing half of China, I found the real version of the earth's rift
Crossing half of China, I found the real version of the earth's rift||The most shocking thing to me in Xinjiang is the Anjihai Grand Canyon
It's no less impressive than any current popular 5A
Unlike the beauty of the grassland, grandeur, wildness, and shock are its synonyms
The cliff with a drop of nearly 300 meters, the valley stretching for nearly ten kilometers
The winding river like branches, the eye-catching mineral soil like blood stains
Like a flowing abstract oil painting, quietly hidden in the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains
The point is that it has not been developed in large quantities and still maintains its original natural appearance
I declare that this is a severely underestimated wild spot in the whole Xinjiang
🚘How to get there?
Navigate to 'Anjihai Grand Canyon', about three hours from Urumqi
It is recommended as the first stop of the Yili Ring, take the S101 provincial road to visit the Danxia landform for a hundred miles, and stay in Kuitun after watching the sunset in Anjihai
📷【Photo spot recommendation】
➡️Eagle Beak Cliff: Navigate to the destination (the built scenic spot gate), continue forward for about 1KM and park, walk to the nearby cliff to take in the entire canyon, this is also the most dangerous and grand position in the entire canyon
➡️About 6KM away from the G312 National Road, you can see the white house at the fork in the road. The right straight is the navigation route, the left dirt road is the mining area road, and there are many cliff positions along the left. 🤫The car can be driven to the edge of the cliff (SUV recommended)
➡️Continue along the mining area road, there are many positions on the hillside where you can take big shots, no need for aerial photography, you can also go down to the bottom of the valley
➡️If you have plenty of time, it is recommended to watch a sunrise or sunset, the golden sunlight fills the entire canyon, super beautiful
🔖Tips
1. Bring a drone, the God's perspective can better experience the shock of the canyon
2. The scenic spot is under development, take advantage of it being free and more free to visit, hurry up
3. The wild spot currently only has simple protection, the cliffs next to the mining area road are more wild, be sure to pay attention to safety
4. The S101 Hundred Mile Danxia is worth a visit, it is recommended to include it in the plan
5. Kuitun food recommendation: Mingzhu Night Market Grilled Lamb Chops, Aini One Hand Grab
The treasure at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, 'the veins of the earth'—Anjihai Grand Canyon!
🏞️ Hidden in the vast lands of Xinjiang, there lies a masterpiece of nature—Anjihai Grand Canyon. It is not as well-known as other attractions, but it is this low profile that makes it a sacred place in the hearts of nature lovers.
🎨 Nature seems to have poured all its colors here. After billions of years of water erosion, the colors of the rock layers have dissolved into the river, forming a stream as colorful as ribbons, gently cutting through the earth, creating a vibrant oil painting.
🌄 From the sky, Anjihai Grand Canyon reveals its unique charm—'red mountains, dark cliffs, green peaks, and clear waters' reflect each other, offering a strong visual impact.
🕐 Best time to visit: From June to October each year, during the summer and autumn seasons. At this time, the climate is suitable, and the scenery is most enchanting.
🚗 Transportation tips: Depart from Urumqi, take the Lianhuo Expressway to the Shawan exit, then follow the G312 national highway westward, passing through Huanghe Road, Hongshan Road, and Buhong section, and you will arrive in about 3 hours.
📸 Must-visit spots in Anjihai:
1⃣️ Eagle Beak Cliff: This is the most dangerous and steep cliff in the canyon. Standing at a high point, you can have a panoramic view of the magnificent scenery of the entire canyon.
2⃣️ Sunrise and sunset: The golden sunlight sprinkles on the cliffs of the canyon, and at that moment, you will deeply understand what 'worthwhile beauty' means. (Don't forget to check the sunrise and sunset times in advance)
3⃣️ Perfect photo spot: On the Buhong section of the G312 national highway, turn left after the 5 km fork in the road from the scenic area and drive for 4 km, and you will find a perfect spot to photograph the canyon.
🌟 Travel tips:
①⚠️ Since the scenic area is not yet developed, there are only simple guardrails, so be sure to watch your step when visiting!
②🕶️ The summer sun is intense, so sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and sunglasses are essential.
③🛣️ The scenery along the Xinjiang highways is breathtaking, especially the S101 and the northern section of the Duku Highway. Consider adding them to your route planning.
④🤳 If you carry a drone, you will be able to capture even more stunning images.
You must definitely witness a sunset at the Anjihai Grand Canyon, a location featured in the movie 'Pegasus'
The moment I saw it with my own eyes, I was truly deeply moved! The majestic canyon terrain, the colorful rock cliffs, with red, brown, and yellow interwoven, it's like a natural giant mural, stunningly beautiful.
The best time to visit the Anjihai Grand Canyon is during the sunset and the hour before it, as well as the twilight after the sunset. If you come too early, the sunlight will be very harsh, and it will seem like a different place compared to the daytime, with the scenery looking spectacular but quite ordinary.
It is recommended to learn about the local weather and road conditions in advance and make thorough preparations. At the same time, it is also important to protect the environment and avoid littering.
Anjihai Grand Canyon
The Anjihai River is one of the four major water systems of Shawan. The upper reaches of the river are known as Bajian Ditch, which originates from the main peak of the Yilianhabiga Mountain. It bursts out of the Tianshan Canyon near Tonggute, like a horse breaking free from its restraints, rushing a thousand miles, thus forming a grand alluvial fan at the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. About seven kilometers north of Yuanxing Palace, the river cuts through the plain and hilly area, carving out cliffs and deep valleys, creating a rare geographical feature that combines plains, narrows, and deep gorges.
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Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
In this lifetime, one must drive on the S101 National Defense Highway
From Kuitun through Bayingou to Lujiaowan, Tangjiashimenzi, Kenswat Reservoir to Baili Danxia, and then to the geographical center of Asia, the connecting road here is the S101 provincial highway. The entire journey is free of charge, with landscapes ranging from grand canyons to grassland snow mountains, and then to the colorful Danxia landforms. It is yet another must-drive scenic avenue in one's lifetime. A full crossing requires preparing for an entire day.
Shihezinan Mountain Sceneic Area Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
The beautiful mountain scenery
During the leisure time of the holidays, away from the hustle and bustle of work, I decided to find a nice vacation spot. After doing some research in advance, I chose the well-known Shihezi Nanshan Scenic Area. I must say, the scenery here is truly magnificent, and I had a delightful holiday time here.
Provincial Highway 101, Xinjiang Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
In this lifetime, one must drive on the S101 National Defense Highway
From Kuitun through Bayingou to Lujiaowan, Tangjiashimenzi, Kenswat Reservoir to Baili Danxia, and then to the geographical center of Asia, the connecting road here is the S101 provincial highway. The entire journey is free of charge, with landscapes ranging from grand canyons to grassland snow mountains, and then to the colorful Danxia landforms. It is yet another must-drive scenic avenue in one's lifetime. A full crossing requires preparing for an entire day.
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