Travel Guide to Guozigou in Yili, Xinjiang?
Guozigou, as the natural gateway to Yili, attracts numerous tourists with its magnificent natural scenery and rich historical culture. Here is a detailed travel guide to help you better plan your trip.?
1. Basic Overview?
Location: Guozigou is located 40 kilometers northeast of Huocheng County, Yili, Xinjiang, and is a famous canyon passage leading north to Sayram Lake and south to the Yili River Valley.?
Total length: 28 kilometers?
Climate: It has a continental climate, with spring, summer, and autumn being the most suitable seasons to visit.?
Tickets: Some information mentions that tickets are free.?
, but some information also indicates that the ticket price is 15 yuan per person, with no charge for vehicles.?
It is recommended to check for the latest information before traveling.?
2. Natural Scenery?
Canyon landscape: The towering peaks and winding valleys in Guozigou form a magnificent panorama. Songshutou in the valley is the highest point of Guozigou, offering a breathtaking view of the entire valley.?
Waterfalls and rivers: The valley boasts mountain waterfalls cascading down from the sky, resembling suspended white silk, which is very spectacular. Meanwhile, the Yili River, the largest inland river in Xinjiang, also flows through here, adding more vitality and vigor to Guozigou.?
Wildlife: Many wild animals and birds, such as hares, foxes, wolves, bears, wild boars, and red deer, roam in the dense mountains, forming a very elegant natural zoo.?
3. Historical Culture?
Silk Road throat: In ancient times, Guozigou was the throat of the Northern New Silk Road connecting China to Central Asia and Europe, known as the ‘Iron Pass’, with a profound historical and cultural heritage.?
Cultural landscape: Many historical relics and cultural landscapes are preserved within the valley, such as traces of the mountain tunnels dug during Genghis Khan’s western expedition, allowing tourists to feel the weight of history while enjoying the natural scenery.?
4. Travel Suggestions?
Best viewing time: The best viewing period is from May to September, especially beautiful in spring and summer. At this time, the nearby scenery features lush green grasslands, with magnificent snow-capped mountains in the distance, earning it the nickname of ‘Little Switzerland’.?
Accommodation options: There are various accommodation options near Guozigou, including Jinding Hotel, Longling Mountain Villa, etc. Staying in Guozigou is the best choice for visiting Sayram Lake, as there are only three hotels at the east gate of Sayram Lake scenic area, which are often fully booked during peak seasons. Guozigou, located near the south gate of Sayram Lake, offers more convenient accommodation.?
Recommended shooting spots:?
Jinding Mountain: Climbing up Jinding Mountain, you can enjoy a magnificent view of various green forest belts ranging from tender green to dark green layered on the ridge. It is also the best location to photograph Sayram Lake.?
Guozigou Bridge: As a landmark of Guozigou, the sunset scenery of Guozigou Bridge is a must-see.?
The hill near the first viewing platform: Driving for about 5 minutes from the first viewing platform will take you to a hill with a signal base station and a small tower, which is a great spot for taking first-person-view videos.?
Precautions: Parking and taking photos on the bridge are prohibited. If you want to capture the main tower of the bridge, you can sit in the front passenger seat and snap a photo, or choose to take the national highway after exiting the expressway.?
5. Transportation Guide?
Self-driving route: It is recommended to travel by car for the best experience. Departing from Urumqi Diwopu Airport, follow the G30 Lianhuo Expressway and drive about 560 kilometers for approximately 6.5 hours to reach Guozigou.?
Guozigou, with its unique natural scenery and rich historical culture, has become a must-visit tourist attraction in the Yili region of Xinjiang. I hope this travel guide can provide useful reference for your trip.?