The following is the travel guide for Karajun in Tekes, Xinjiang:?
1. Basic Information?
Location: Karajun Grassland, Tekes County, Xinjiang?
Features: Beautiful alpine grasslands, Koksu Grand Canyon, Nine-Bend Eighteen-Turn River, Kuerdai Forest Grand Canyon, etc.?
2. Transportation Methods?
Self-Drive:?
Starting from Urumqi, enjoy the changing scenery from Gobi Desert to mountains along the way. It takes about five hours to arrive at Karajun Scenic Area.?
Enter the grassland tour from the East Gate and the canyon tour from the South Gate. Self-drive tickets need to be purchased in advance, and there is a daily limit of 500 vehicles with less than 7 seats.?
Public Transportation:?
After arriving in Tekes County by coach, take the scenic area shuttle bus at the East Bus Station. The ticket price is about 35 yuan, and the shuttle bus generally only operates during peak seasons.?
3. Travel Routes and Activities?
Short Self-Drive Trips:?
Suitable for tourists with limited time, allowing them to visit the main attractions of Karajun Grassland, such as Five-Flower Meadow and yurts.?
Hiking Routes:?
Small Loop Route: Suitable for hiking beginners, the entire route lasts 4 days and 3 nights, with about 18 kilometers of hiking each day. The scenery is beautiful and the difficulty is moderate.?
Grand Loop Route: Praised by hikers as the ‘Beautiful Hiking and Photography Route of Tianshan Mountains’, the entire route is 70~110 kilometers long and takes 6~8 days, passing through various natural landscapes such as grasslands, flowers, and forests.?
Photography and Horseback Riding:?
Karajun Grassland is a paradise for photographers, where you can capture the magnificent grassland scenery and the leisurely life of cattle and sheep herds.?
Horseback riding is another way to experience Karajun Grassland. You can ride freely along the hiking routes or across the grassland.?
4. Notes?
Tickets: The ticket price for the grassland is 160 yuan per person, and the ticket price for the Grand Canyon is 100 yuan per person. Tickets need to be purchased in advance.?
Climate and Equipment: Karajun has a high altitude with changeable weather. It is recommended to bring a lightweight down jacket and outdoor three-piece set (windbreaker, fleece-lined jacket, and quick-dry base layer). Hikers need to prepare high-cut waterproof hiking shoes and trekking poles.?
Safety Tips: Some sections of the hiking routes are relatively primitive with varying levels of difficulty. Friends without experience must follow professional organizations and must not go alone.?
5. Accommodation and Dining?
Accommodation: You can choose to camp or stay in local yurts to experience the grassland atmosphere?
Dining: Local specialty dining options are available, such as mutton kebabs and hand-grabbed rice, allowing you to taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine.?
Hope this guide can help you better plan your trip to Karajun in Tekes, Xinjiang!?