Travel Guide to Korla City, Xinjiang
Korla City, located in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, boasts rich natural landscapes and human history. Here is a detailed travel guide to help you plan an unforgettable trip to Korla.
I. Must-Visit Attractions
Bosten Lake
The largest freshwater lake in the interior, with breathtaking water scenery.
Self-driving route suggestion: Starting from Korla, navigate to Jinshatan Tourist Center, and choose the left-turn self-driving route for a smoother journey.
Scenic spots around the lake: Luoxia Bay, Jinsha Island Viewing Platform, Fishing Boat Singing Evening Post, Haixin Mountain, etc.
Swan River Scenic Area
A great place to observe swans, where flocks of swans fly south to southern Xinjiang to spend the winter every year.
Photography Tip: Prepare a medium to long telephoto lens to more easily capture the beautiful figures of swans.
Tiemen Pass
Located 8 kilometers north of Korla, it has a long history and retains ancient charm.
Ticket Price: 8 yuan/person, visit the Fort Gate and General’s Tower, feel the weight of history.
Bayingolin Museum
A great place to understand local history and culture, open for free, bring your ID card.
Exhibition Hall Distribution: First floor: Bayingolin Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall; Second floor: Loulan Historical and Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall; Third floor: Eastward Return Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall
Lop Nor Village
Explore the Lop Nor people’s culture and feel the beauty of the interweaving of desert and oasis.
Address: No. 53, Forestry Bureau, Bayinxi Road, Korla, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture
II. Special Tourism Routes
1-day tour route
Red Cultural Tourism Route: Korla Baipo Park → Tiemen Pass Xinzu Museum → Tiemen Pass Museum, etc.
Eastward Return Travel Route: Bayingolin Museum → Eastward Return Tower → Dragon Mountain → Licheng Grand Bazaar
2-day tour route
2-day bullet train tour: Bosten Lake + Lop Nor Village, starting at 1080 yuan.
3-day tour route
3-day in-depth car tour: Bosten Lake + Lop Nor Village + Tiemen Pass, starting at 550 yuan.
Day 1: Hongyan River Scenic Area and Museum Tour, enjoy leisure time and feel the historical and cultural heritage.
Day 2: Bayanbulak Grassland Exploration, observe swans, visit Barunkure Temple, wait for the sunset beauty of Nine-Bend and Eighteen-Turn River.
Day 3: Tiemen Pass and Food Tour, visit the Fort Gate and General’s Tower, taste Xinjiang cuisine.
4-day tour route
4-day bullet train tour: Lop Nor Village + Luntai Tarim胡杨林 + Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves + Tianshan Grand Canyon, starting at 2380 yuan.
III. Travel Tips
When driving around Bosten Lake, make sure your vehicle has over 200 kilometers of fuel, as there are no gas stations for nearly 200 kilometers around the lake.
When taking photos of swans at Swan River Scenic Area, feeding them will make them happier to eat and easier to capture natural and vivid scenes.
When visiting the Prefecture Museum of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, remember to bring your ID card for free admission.
I hope this travel guide can help you better plan your trip to Korla and enjoy a wonderful time!