The round-trip flight distance from Shenzhen to Urumqi exceeds 7,000 kilometers; our car only made a shallow loop in Northern Xinjiang, exceeding 3,000 kilometers. A 10,000-kilometer trip to Xinjiang can only be a glimpse, making people marvel at the vast territory of our country. The beautiful scenery of Xinjiang far surpasses what can be captured in the camera lens. If you haven’t decided where to go during National Day, perhaps the beautiful Xinjiang is also a good choice.
The first stop, the time difference without a time difference in Urumqi
When traveling to Xinjiang, most people choose to fly directly to Urumqi. Arriving in Urumqi close to 11 PM, the summer days here are very long, and it’s just when the night falls and people’s nightlife begins. Although there is no time difference set, it’s practically no different from flying abroad. For us just arriving from the Beijing Time Zone, it took some time to adapt. We bought some seasonal grapes on the street, which tasted sweeter than those we had eaten before, perhaps enhanced by the impression of Xinjiang. Accommodation: Urumqi
The second stop, experiencing the taste of kebabs in the "City of Fire"
The next morning, we took a car to Turpan, known as the "City of Fire", located 190 kilometers away. The drive takes 3-4 hours, which is quite close for Xinjiang. Turpan Basin in summer is as enthusiastic as fire, and any temperature below 40 degrees should be considered "cool". Flaming Mountain stretches for over 100 kilometers, formed by a mixture of reddish sand, conglomerate, and mud, without a single blade of grass. From a distance in the sunshine, it looks like flames burning.
From 2 PM to 4 PM, the camera showed a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius, while the surface temperature on Flaming Mountain should exceed 60 or 70 degrees, and occasionally even exceed 80 degrees, capable of melting the soles of shoes. If you get slightly exposed to the sun, your skin immediately feels like meat being grilled. Adding some cumin to season it would make a great meal addition.
After climbing up to the viewing platform, the entire mountain was unobstructed. Only by using sunglasses, sunscreen clothing, and sun umbrellas could we barely walk in the sunshine. My companions joked that this was a purely natural "dry sauna". After visiting Karez Well and Grape Valley on the way back to Urumqi, both Karez Well and the vineyard are considered unique features of Xinjiang. However, most vineyards have turned into shopping venues. Although various Xinjiang products can now be purchased online, there is always an irresistible urge to buy on-site. Of course, if you don’t want to shop, taking pictures and tasting grapes are also good choices.
Accommodation: Urumqi
The third stop, overlooking the Bogba Snow Peak from the "Fairyland on Earth"
The Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area is only an hour’s drive from Urumqi. Departing from Urumqi, it can be considered as the first stop on the Northern Xinjiang loop route. Tianshan is not only a scenic area but also a geographically significant divider in Xinjiang: South of Tianshan is Southern Xinjiang, and north of it is Northern Xinjiang. Tianchi Lake is located in the central area of Tianshan, and it takes 50 minutes to drive up the winding mountain road from the entrance of the scenic area. If it weren’t such a hot day, and if we had the time, hiking in would have been a pleasure. If it’s summer, it would be quite a torture, and you can try to challenge yourself.
At the foot of Mount Tianshan, the scenery along the way was very beautiful, with babbling streams, tall mountain pine and cypress trees, and wildflowers blooming. The breeze blew, causing the Tianchi Lake to shimmer with waves. From near to far, the color of the water varied from shallow to deep, presenting different shades of green and blue. The mountains surrounded Tianchi Lake in layers, and in the distance, the snow-capped Bogda Peak was bright and eye-catching under the sunshine. This is also an inhabited area of the Kazakhs. Perhaps we didn’t go at the right time, or perhaps we didn’t encounter snowfall.
Accommodation: Beitun City
Fourth Stop: The Weather Changes in "God’s Back Garden"
After a long journey on National Highway 216, and climbing seven hills slowly in torrential rain, we finally arrived at the Kanas Scenic Area in Northern Xinjiang. Large meadows were covered with a large group of sheep and cows with big tails leisurely grazing. The vast grassland was dotted with white yurts of Kazakh herdsmen, resembling small mushrooms from a distance. The mountains were shrouded in clouds and mist, resembling the appearance of gods, which is why it is called the "God’s Back Garden". Fortunately, the rain stopped shortly after we arrived at the scenic area. Soon after, the sun came out, and the temperature rose, immediately transitioning from autumn to summer mode.
During the peak season, the Kanas Scenic Area adopts a circulating shuttle bus mode. After purchasing tickets and shuttle bus passes, tourists can take the shuttle buses unlimited times within the scenic area to travel between various classic attractions. We chose to take the bus directly from the starting point to the final destination, going straight to Kanas Lake for the boat tour and then visiting the beautiful scenery of the three bays on the way down the mountain.
This was my second visit to Kanas. During the first visit, it rained heavily, so I barely got to see Kanas Lake. This time, the rain wasn’t as intense as the first time, and I even took a boat tour on Kanas Lake. I felt that Kanas Lake was as blue as the sea and really vast. Many people thought that the one-hour boat tour wasn’t worth over a hundred yuan, but I really enjoyed it. The wind, carrying high concentrations of oxygen, blew, eliminating all fatigue.
Sitting in the car, we enjoyed the scenery of Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Shenxian Bay in the sunshine, with the blue water resembling a jade belt. Unfortunately, it started raining when we went downhill. Without sunlight, the three bays lost their color and became grayish, with a strange shade of blue. The temperature dropped sharply, so we quickly put on fleece-lined jackets and rain jackets. We lost interest in sightseeing and took a few casual photos with a compact camera. It was quite regrettable. I will definitely come again next time.
Accommodation: Jiadengyu
Fifth Stop: Which is More Beautiful, the Colorful Beach or Sunflowers?
After leaving the Kanas Scenic Area, we headed to the Colorful Beach in the Burqin area. The Colorful Beach is located on the north bank of the Irtysh River. Due to years of erosion by the river and strong winds, it has formed a悬崖-like Yadan landform with various colors and shapes. Footpaths and viewing platforms have been built within the scenic area to protect the terrain and landforms.
I’ve seen the Colorful Beach photographed by many people, and it’s truly breathtaking. Perhaps it was because of the cloudy weather during our visit, with insufficient sunlight, so the Colorful Beach looked better in real life than in photos.
Near Colorful Beach, there are also many sunflower fields. In July and August, you can catch the blooming season. Stop and take in the endless sea of yellow flower disks swaying in the wind. The vast sea of flowers seems even more spectacular than Colorful Beach. Sometimes I think the scenery on the way to the scenic area might be better than the scenic area itself.
Accommodation: Burqin
Sixth Stop: Ghost City
Urho Wind City, also known as Ghost City, is a place where nature has sculpted strange-shaped hills with wind and drought. From a distance, lions, peacocks spreading their tails, battleships, and other shapes stand tall among them; up close, it is desolate, making one marvel at the wonders of nature.
When I first visited Ghost City, there was no scenic area at that time. Our driver took us there, and it was a vast expanse of land with sand and soil blowing in the wind, making a roaring sound. It felt like a demonic realm.
Nowadays, the scenic area has cemented roads and sightseeing buses. However, it lacks a sense of desolation. The Ghost City scenic area is located within the Karamay oil production area in Xinjiang, and you may smell petroleum in the air. Nature and development are always intertwined. I hope that sustainable development can be achieved in balance.
Although Ghost City has undergone significant changes and now attracts many tourists, I miss the desolate area that was unvisited a dozen years ago. However, today’s Ghost City is still a place worth visiting in Xinjiang and an excellent spot for photography. If you have the time to wait for sunrise or sunset, you’re bound to get great photos. If you’re on a group tour like us this time, it’s all up to luck.
Accommodation: Karamay City
Seventh Stop: Salimu Lake, the Sapphire of the Plateau
The entire scenic area is divided into six functional zones: the lakeside scenery tour area, the grassland nomadic customs area, the ecological landscape conservation area, the swan and other rare bird habitat protection area, the comprehensive tourism service area, and the original ecological environment preservation area. If you drive, you can choose to circle the lake for 60 kilometers, stopping at different viewing points to see different scenery.
When I first visited, there were no green grasses or flowers, and I even swam in the lake. The cold season made me feel like it wasn’t as good as a lake in the mainland. This time, I discovered its beauty. If I had the time, I would really enjoy a slow, circular lake tour.
Accommodation: Yining City
Eighth Stop: Nalati Grassland
Nalati Grassland is located in the Ili River Valley, with abundant rainfall throughout the year and fertile water and grass, making it a famous summer alpine pasture. According to Chinese Geographic Magazine, this is where the Kazakh people, a nomadic ethnic group, reside. If you have enough time, be sure to experience the joy of horseback riding around the grassland. Nalati is easily accessible by car, and you can also fly to Nalati Airport to save travel time. After visiting Nalati Grassland, we flew directly back to Urumqi and then to Shenzhen.
This eight-day group tour was purely to accompany my family and kill time. The photos were also taken by my family with a compact camera, so they may not look as beautiful. If you’re finding it hard to decide on a travel destination, why not visit Xinjiang and experience the scenic beauty of this borderland at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Perhaps you’ve been to Xinjiang before, but such a vast land will still make you want to visit again, or even more times.
Xinjiang Travel Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456