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I believe that everyone has a grassland dream.
Riding on a tall steed, on the endless grassland, waving the whip, running freely towards the fiery red sunset in the evening.
Xinjiang's unique geography has also nurtured rich grassland resources and nomadic peoples. The Ili grasslands and the down-to-earth Kazakhs, the Altai Mountains and the valiant Mongolians, and the Pamir wetlands and the noble Tajiks and Kyrgyz are all examples of Xinjiang's grassland peoples.
If I were to ask which grassland in Xinjiang I like best, it would definitely be the Kalajun Grassland in Yili, Xinjiang.
Xinjiang has the Altai Mountains in the north, the continuous Tianshan Mountains in the middle, and the Kunlun Mountains + Arshan in the south. It is separated by China's two largest basins: the Tarim Basin and the Junggar Basin, and is known as "three mountains and two basins."
The Ili River Valley, nestled in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains, is surrounded on three sides by mountains and receives abundant rainfall. The perpetually snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains serve as a natural reservoir, where melting ice and snow converge into rivers that nourish and irrigate the vast oasis of the Ili River Valley. Ili, also known as the "Jiangnan of the Great Wall," boasts fertile land, abundant water and grass, and top-notch natural grassland resources. The Kalajun Grassland is a prime example of this.
Kalajun grassland location map
The Tianshan Grassland, a world natural heritage site, has many famous grasslands: Bayinbuluke Grassland, Nalati Grassland, Tangbula Grassland, Kalajun Grassland, Jiangbulake Grassland, Barkol Grassland... Kalajun Grassland is known as the "grassland in the sky, three-dimensional grassland".
The Kalajun Grassland has unique grassland flower fields, alpine snow-capped peaks, forest canyons, rivers and lakes, etc., which represent the diverse natural landscape of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. Coupled with the primitive Kazakh nomadic people, it is praised by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as "one of the rare high-altitude natural high-quality grasslands in the world."
Picture from the Internet
"Karajun" is a Kazakh word meaning "wild grassland on the mountain ridge." The gently sloping slopes at higher altitudes are covered in verdant grass, offering a wide view. In the distance, the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains stretch out, while at the foot of the mountain, spruce trees grow thickly. This is a rare three-dimensional grassland landscape in the world, and is also known as the "Tuscany of China."
Kalajun Grassland is also a typical "five-color meadow" grassland, growing hundreds of high-quality forage grasses. Every year when spring turns to summer, it is full of flowers, like a stretched colorful carpet, stretching all the way to the foot of the snow-capped mountains.
Picture from the Internet
"Eagles are singing in the sky, the dombra is playing melodiously, and the green grassland is so vast. That is the place I long for in my dreams."
The melodious songs of Kazakh herders drifted by, and the white yurts dotted the grassland, adding a touch of vitality. Kalajun perfectly embodies the three-dimensional grassland landscape of "grassland in the sky, forest at the foot of the mountain."
Picture from the Internet
The Kalajun Grassland's prime tourist season runs from mid-June to mid-September each year. Around 200,000 livestock from Tekes, Gongliu, and other counties migrate here to escape the summer heat and gain weight. Even the delicate breeding sheep of Gongnaisi flock here to escape the heat.
May and June are the most vibrant and colorful seasons on the Kalajun Grassland. The grasslands are ablaze with vibrant blossoms, a dazzling display of color, resembling a sea of flowers. The vibrant blossoms, dotted with white yurts, flocks of sheep scattered across the green carpet, the dark green primeval forests, the deep canyons, and the backdrop of a breathtaking blue sky, white clouds, and snow-capped peaks create a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Image from: Photography Network - Winter Sunshine
Picture from the Internet
From July to August, the Kalajun Grassland is awash in lush green, lushly covered with herds of cattle and sheep, and pastoral music emanates from their chimneys. The earth is covered in a green carpet, and the flocks of sheep resemble pearls scattered across a verdant canvas. The undulating terrain of the Kalajun Grassland creates a three-dimensional landscape, a classic example of a grassland from the sky.
Picture from the Internet
Image from: Tianya Traveler
In September, the autumn grass turns yellow, the gentle hills stretch out, and the emerald green grassland begins to exude a bleak air. Nomads begin their migration to winter pastures. In October, the snow begins to fall, blanketing the entire grassland in white, creating a vast expanse of snow. If you're lucky, you might even witness the nomads' grand spectacle of moving across the snow.
Image from: Flying
The Kalajun Scenic Area is divided into four sub-scenic areas: [East and West Kalajun Grassland], [Kokesu Grand Canyon], [Central Tianshan Snow Peak], and [Forest of Nature].
【East and West Kalajun Grassland】
The grassland is divided into the West Kalajun Scenic Area and the East Kalajun Scenic Area. The West Kalajun Scenic Area features scenic bus stops such as Baihua Terrace, Wusun Summer Capital, and Yikesong. The East Kalajun area is the highlight of the grassland, with scenic spots including the Five-Flower Meadow, Flower Terrace, Kuerdai Forest Canyon, Sanji Planation Observation Deck, and Falcon Terrace. Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace are considered the most scenic spots.
【Kokesu Grand Canyon】
The Koksu Grand Canyon, known as the land art, has Crocodile Bay, the Grand Canyon, the Human Grassland, the Little Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, etc. Here, you can also take a boat tour and go rafting adventure.
【Zhongtianshan Snow Peak Scenic Area】
The Zhongtianshan Snow Peak Scenic Area has an altitude of over 1,000 meters and rises to over 3,950 meters. Following the winding plateau mountain roads, you can reach the foot of the snow-capped peaks that remain capped year-round. The scenic area is currently under development...
【Tianlai Forest Scenic Area】
The Tianlai Forest Scenic Area is home to a dense, primeval forest of tall, snow-capped spruce trees, marking the concentrated distribution and origin of the Tianshan spruce. The dense, lush forest belt stretches like a lush green belt across the alpine grasslands, reaching heights of 300-400 meters. The scenic area is currently under development...
Flower Terrace is the best place to enjoy flowers on the Kalajun Grassland. There are buttercups, wild rapeseed, primroses, dandelions, and many other unknown wildflowers here, which is why it is called the Five-Flower Meadow.
Every May and June, the Flower Terrace blooms profusely, ushering in its most colorful season. Different wildflower species bloom at different times, and large fields of yellow and purple flowers are common in June and July.
When we arrived at the Flower Terrace and climbed a gentle, colorful slope, our view suddenly opened up: towering mountains stretched out in the distance, and nearby grasslands were covered with wildflowers. In this boundless natural grassland, we truly experienced a pure land on earth, a paradise on earth.
The yellow wild buttercup, a perennial herb with rich and vibrant colors, is the most common wildflower on the Kalajun grasslands, blooming in patches like a yellow carpet.
Picture from the Internet
Image from: Team Leader-North Latitude
The Kazakh people have preserved the ancient custom of falconry. They obtain food by training falcons to hunt wild animals on the grasslands, and it has now become an amateur hobby for them.
As the name suggests, Falcon Terrace is where they train falcons on the Kalajun grasslands. We strolled across the grasslands, heading toward the snow-capped mountains, overlooking the spectacular "Level 3 Planation Surface" and forested canyons. Of course, if you're interested, you can also take a horseback ride, where flowers bloomed along the way and eagles circled overhead.
Picture from: Team Leader-Axin
Image source: Liu Lingbo
"Where can the Wusun's homeland be found? The herders point to the distant Ili River." The Karajun Grassland is also known locally as "Hanzhai Liao," meaning the King's Grassland. The Wusun people established the renowned Wusun Kingdom in the Ili River basin. Herders lived wherever the water and grass graze, and the Wusun king would annually travel between his winter and summer capitals with his people. During the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the newly emerging Rouran power in the north grew powerful, forcing the Wusun south to the Pamir Plateau, where they gradually disappeared from official historical records. Since then, historical references to the Ili River basin have referred solely to the "former Wusun land."
"My family married me to a faraway place, to the King of Wusun in a foreign country." It is said that the Wusun horse that the King of Wusun sent to the Han Dynasty when he proposed marriage was selected at the horse racing meeting on the Kalajun grassland.
The Wusun summer capital is now the living area of the Kalajun grassland. It has a flat terrain and open business opportunities, making it an ideal place to live.
Here you can not only experience the customs and folkways of the Hasaka people, but also see the sunrise, sunset and starry sky. China-TravelNote is committed to exploring niche beauties and specially arranges a one-night stay on the prairie to fulfill everyone's dream of the prairie and starry sky.
At sunset, the rays of light penetrated the thick clouds, giving the entire grassland a mysterious and lazy atmosphere; after tasting the Kazakh delicacies prepared by the hostess, we strolled along the grassland with friends, looking up to see the starry sky; we woke up from the yurt in the early morning, breathed the freshest air of the grassland, and watched the sun slowly rise from the east.
"May the roof of your yurt be high, the smoke from cooking stoves be straight, and the threshold of your yurt be solid." This is a common blessing phrase used by the Chinese Kazakh people. This seemingly simple blessing phrase about the yurt reveals the rich symbolic meanings contained in the roof, smoke from cooking stoves, threshold of the yurt, etc.
Image from: Jumping Marceau
On a clear night, the stars are shining brightly. You can sit quietly in front of the yurt and look up to see the starry sky. It is very suitable for friends who like star photography.
The human body grassland will subvert your perception of grassland. The grassland is no longer vast and boundless, but can also be three-dimensional and dynamic.
Because of its undulating mountains and beautiful curves, which are very similar to a woman's body, graceful and charming, it is called the human body grassland.
The best time to take photos of the human grassland is when the sun is about to set. Against the backlight, the edges of the grassland will diffract into a golden edge, which has a unique charm.
Image from: Team Leader-Hongcha
The Koksu River meanders through the vast valley floor of the Grand Canyon, forming a winding river shape as the riverbed winds along. Like a dragon passing through the valley, it twists and turns forward, creating the scene of "Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns".
There is also a legend about the Little Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns. A beautiful fairy in the sky passed by here and was attracted by the beautiful scenery of Koksu. She stopped to admire it among the colorful clouds. Accidentally, a colorful silk on her body fell down and fell into the canyon, drawing a graceful curve and turning into a colorful river, forming the current Little Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns.
Image from: Team Leader-Hongcha
It is named because the grassland mountain looks like a crocodile at the bottom of the valley. The cliffs are steep and the terrain is dangerous. When the weather is clear, you can see the river water in three colors: milky white, emerald green and emerald green.
Picture from the Internet
The Koksu Grand Canyon originates in the central Tianshan Mountains, formed by the interaction of rock layers deposited over millions of years through geological movements and meltwater from the Tianshan mountains. From a distance, the canyon boasts distinct steps and towering cliffs. The emerald green contrasts with the blue sky and white clouds, creating a unique and harmonious beauty.
Image source: Liu Lingbo
The Kazakh people, also known as the "People on Horseback," speak Kazakh and believe in Islam. They are primarily distributed in the Tianshan grasslands of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Muli Kazakh Autonomous County, Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County, Urumqi City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, and Aksai Kazakh Autonomous County in Gansu Province, adjacent to Xinjiang.
The Kazakhs are an ethnic group characterized by grassland nomadic culture. Their clothing is convenient for riding and has strong ethnic characteristics. Their national costumes are mostly made of sheepskin, fox skin, deerskin, wolf skin, etc., reflecting the living characteristics of mountain grassland ethnic groups.
Picture from the Internet
Picture from the Internet
Kazakhs call several households an Awul. Awul consists of blood-related families who live in adjacent pastures, cooperate in production, and migrate together.
A yurt is a simple, portable home that can be moved from one habitat to another throughout the seasons. It provides shade during the day, moisture at night, wind and rain protection, ventilation, and is easy to move, typically taking it all apart and assembling it in just 30 minutes. The yurts of wealthy families feature painted lattices and embellished with carved bone and silver ornaments.
Picture from the Internet
The Kazakh diet is closely linked to their nomadic lifestyle and mainly consists of tea, meat, milk, and pasta. In their daily diet, they can go a day without vegetables, but they cannot go a day without tea.
Kazakh dairy products are mainly made from goat's milk, cow's milk, horse's milk, and camel's milk. As the saying goes, "Milk is the grain of the Kazakhs," which shows the importance of dairy products in Kazakh food.
Picture from the Internet
In Kazakh daily life, "Bata" (a word of blessing) is ubiquitous and uttered constantly. There's even a proverb: "Rain turns the earth green, and bata makes heroes." So, when visiting Karajun, you can greet locals with "Bata" to express friendship.
The main Kazakh folk instruments include the dombra, khubuz, and sbuzihe. The dombra is particularly popular among the Kazakh people. It is often made of birch and other materials, with goat intestine strings. Traditionally, the dombra had two shapes: a shovel and a ladle. Now, new folk dombras have emerged that blend these two styles.
The various musical instruments of the Kazakh people are easy to carry and play, and their songs are widely popular.
Picture from the Internet
Picture from the Internet
The brave Kazakh people have a traditional horseback game called "grabbing sheep." It's said that this game first developed in the Altai region, and today, all Kazakh herders still carry it on.
There is a local proverb: "Wrestling shows strength, and grabbing sheep shows courage." Grabbing sheep is not only an exciting horse game played by Kazakh herders, but also a contest of strength and courage.
Image from: Flying
The sheep-grabbing event is usually held during festivals. On that day, the majority of herders, regardless of gender, age or status, all wear festive attire, joyfully come to the designated location, habitually and consciously standing in a large circle to watch.
There are three main forms of sheep-grabbing: one is a two-person competition, where each person grabs one end of the sheep and fights fiercely to grab it. Whoever grabs the sheep wins. The second is group-grabbing. In the old days, each tribe formed a group and competed with other tribes. The winner brought glory to the tribe. The third is group-grabbing. A sheep is thrown to the ground by the host. Whoever grabs it without being snatched away and can also throw it to a certain family's tent is the winner.
Image from: Flying
We recommend purchasing a panoramic tour package (covering both the Koksu Grand Canyon and Kalajun Scenic Areas). Enter from the Bulaq Gate of Kalajun Scenic Area, take a scenic bus to East Kalajun, and visit Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace along the way. After disembarking, hike to the canyon's edge to admire the magnificent piebald forest and three-level flatlands. You can also bring your own food for a picnic at Falcon Terrace. Then, take a scenic bus across the Kalajun grasslands to the cable car station.
The cable car crosses the majestic Kuerdai River to the Koksu Grand Canyon Scenic Area. Take the scenic shuttle bus to visit Crocodile Bay and walk along the plank road to the first platform for the best photos. This round trip is the same route. Then, take the bus to the Koksu Grand Canyon and visit the Human Grassland (Small Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns). Then, take the scenic shuttle bus to the pier and depart the Koksu Grand Canyon Scenic Area by boat.
Image from: Jumping Marceau
If you arrive at the scenic area in the afternoon, it is recommended to visit the Koksu Grand Canyon Scenic Area first, visit Crocodile Bay, Koksu Grand Canyon, and Human Grassland (Small Nine Bends and Eighteen Bends), and experience yurt accommodation in the Kurdai River Folk Park or Wusun Summer Capital at night, which is convenient for taking pictures of the sunrise, sunset and starry sky.
The next day, we'll explore the East and West Kalajun Scenic Area, explore the Five-Flower Meadow Flower Terrace, and stroll across the grasslands until we reach the Falcon Terrace on the edge of the Kalajun Grand Canyon, overlooking the "Sky Grassland" and the "Level 3 Planation Surface." We can also enjoy a picnic on the grasslands. Two days is plenty of time to fully explore the Kalajun Grassland.
Image from: Photography Network - Winter Sunshine
If you want to fully enjoy this beautiful scenery, then hiking through the Kalajun Grassland is the best way. It is recommended to cross from the Kalajun Grassland to Qiongkushitai Village.
The hike is approximately 20 kilometers long and takes about 7-8 hours. It's recommended to bring your own dry food (no supplies are available along the way). First, you'll cross the Kalajun Level 3 platform, overlooking the three-dimensional grassland and dappled forest. Nearing the edge of the Kuldai River Gorge, you'll encounter a steep descent (approximately 2-3 kilometers, with heavy gravel, so proceed with caution). Descending into the Kuldai River Gorge forest, you'll pass through a forest of snow-capped spruce and fir trees. A picnic is possible in the valley along the way. After crossing the Kuldai River, you'll enter the more pristine Qiongkushitai grasslands. Stopping and starting along the way, you'll feel like walking through an oil painting. After crossing Feimaliang (the best viewpoint along the way), Qiongkushitai Village, nestled at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, suddenly appears before your eyes. Marvel at the hidden wonders of this idyllic paradise hidden deep within the Tianshan Mountains. Stay overnight at a Qiongkushitai pastoral homestay.
The hiking is quite strenuous with many ups and downs. It is recommended to go with a professional outdoor tour group. There will be horses to carry the luggage, so you can hike lightly, be familiar with the route, and your safety is guaranteed.
Image from: Jumping Marceau
Image from: Jackal
★ Season★
Each season has its own charm, but the grassland flowers are at their peak from mid-May to mid-June. From late June to late August, the cattle and sheep are fat and the grass is green, and you can enjoy delicious fruits and beef and mutton.
Weather
Kalajun Grassland has a lot of moisture and changeable weather with occasional thunderstorms. The grassland is more refreshing and transparent after the rain, and you may also see wonders such as rainbows and haloes. Please prepare rainproof equipment and choose suitable hiking shoes.
★ Tickets ★
The ticket for the East and West Kalajun and the shuttle bus is 140 yuan per person, the ticket for the Koksu Grand Canyon and the shuttle bus is 155 yuan per person, and the pass is 275 yuan per person. It is highly recommended to buy the panoramic tour pass.
★ Scenic Area Entrance★
There are two entrances to the Kalajun Scenic Area. The Visitor Center is the main entrance. Bulaq is the entrance to the Kalajun Grassland, located 15 kilometers east of the Visitor Center. If you purchase a combined ticket, it's recommended to enter through the Bulaq Gate.
★ Transportation within the scenic area★
The cable car and boat tour are one-way only. This means that after taking the cable car from the canyon to the grassland area, you won't be able to take the cable car back down to the main entrance. Instead, you'll exit the grassland area at Bulaq and take the scenic shuttle bus back to the visitor center. Shuttle buses operate from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, so be sure not to miss the last bus.
★ Photography Core Point★
Human grassland: The best time to shoot human grassland is in the evening, shooting the grassland curve in the backlit environment. Photography enthusiasts are advised to stay in the scenic area for easy shooting.
Flower Terrace: The best time to take photos at Flower Terrace is in the morning, when the sunlight shines on the snow-capped mountains on the grasslands, creating rich colors and ever-changing light and shadow.
If you arrive at the scenic spot in the morning, it is recommended to visit the East and West Kalajun first. If you arrive at the scenic spot in the afternoon, it is recommended to visit the Koksu Grand Canyon first, stay overnight, and visit the East and West Kalajun the next morning.
★ Recommended flower viewing spots ★
The sea of flowers is basically all in Dongkalajun, including the Flower Platform, Falcon Platform and the Third-Level Yi Platform.
Transportation
It is about 30 kilometers away from Tekes. You can take the scenic area special bus from Tekes County East Bus Station (usually only operates during the peak season). The special bus can go directly to the Bulaq Ticket Station. The ticket is about 35 yuan.
Private vehicles are not allowed to enter the scenic area. You can only take the sightseeing bus within the scenic area. The sightseeing bus will first circle the West Kalajun Scenic Area and then go to East Kalajun. The one-way journey takes about 1 hour.
The Kalajun Grassland is enough for a day or two of fun, but there are many other places worth visiting nearby: Qiongkushitai, the northern entrance to the Wusun Ancient Road and a key post station on the ancient Silk Road; Tekes Bagua City, where grassland culture, Wusun culture, and Manas culture converge; and Zhaosu, the hometown of Chinese heavenly horses and a pastoral pasture on the Tekes River. Below are some detailed introductions:
Southeast of the Kalajun Grassland lies Qiongkushitai Village, an undeveloped, pristine village nestled against the mountainside. Designated a "Famous Chinese Historical and Cultural Village," it boasts nearly all wooden structures, including many traditional Kazakh nomadic houses from the 1950s and 1960s. This remains the only well-preserved wooden architectural complex in the Ili River Valley.
There are large tracts of pine trees here, with layers of mountains growing towards the snow-capped mountains. The Hasaka herdsmen in northern Xinjiang work from sunrise to sunset, and everything looks pure and beautiful, as if it is a paradise.
Image from: Tunan
Image from: Tunan
Qiongkushitai Village is where the essence of humanities lies. The road to Qiongkushitai is also where you can see the essence of the Tianshan grassland scenery. Along the way, you can encounter nomadic peoples, herds of cattle, horses and sheep. It is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Image from: Flying
Transportation: Qiongkushitai is approximately 90 kilometers from Tekes County. There's only one bus a day, and you can catch one at the Black Bazaar. You can also share a ride or charter a car. The roads here are all mountainous and in poor condition, and the bus ride up the mountain takes about six hours.
Image from: Flying
Note: The road to Qiongkushitai is very rugged and winding, so be prepared for motion sickness. Drivers must pay attention to safety and drive carefully, and remember not to drive while tired. The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains is large, and it can be very cold at night, so be sure to keep warm.
Image from: Flying
Tekes County in Xinjiang is famous for its Bagua layout, a city without traffic lights where it is easy to get lost.
Legend has it that the Bagua City of Tekes was first laid out by Qiu Chuji, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen Taoism during the Southern Song Dynasty. At the invitation of Genghis Khan, Qiu Chuji, a Taoist monk from Changchun, traveled to the Western Regions. Passing through the Tekes River Valley, he was struck by the natural beauty of the mountains and rivers and so constructed the Bagua City. The streets were constructed and named based on the layout of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) from the Book of Changes. The eight main streets, Qian, Li, Kan, Kun, Zhen, and Gen, radiate at equal distances and angles from the Eight Trigrams. The Bagua City is circular in shape, and its streets resemble a labyrinth, interconnected by paths and streets. The city is rich in folk customs, rich in history and culture, and boasts beautiful natural scenery.
Image from: Flying
Image from: Flying
☆Off the street
Li Street is located at the southern end of Bostan Street in Tekes Town, Tekes County. It is composed of six ethnic groups, including Kazakh, Han, Hui, Uyghur, Mongolian, and Kyrgyz. It preserves the existing residential courtyards to the greatest extent possible. It is a multi-ethnic cultural street block integrating Wusun culture, Silk Road culture, grassland culture, and I Ching culture. It has now become a beautiful landscape in Tekes County.
Picture from the Internet
☆Food
Tekes Food Street is 100 meters southwest of Azati Street 24.
Naan Pit Barbeque: Selected lamb is marinated with over a dozen seasonings and spices, including eggs, turmeric, pepper, cumin, salt, and premium flour. It's then braised in a naan pit. It's crispy and golden brown, tender and delicious, with an excellent texture.
Recommended shop: Shepherd Farmhouse, Bostan Street, Fourth Ring Road, Tekes County
Picture from the Internet
2. Lamb chops and noodles: Select the best ingredients of lamb chops, supplemented with carrots, potatoes, ginger, salt and other ingredients, stewed over high heat until the soup is delicious, pour the soup and meat on the cooked thin and evenly thick hand-pulled noodles, and sprinkle with tomatoes, coriander, and diced onions. The soup is fresh, the meat is tender, fragrant but not greasy, and it is endless aftertaste.
Recommended shop: Food Street, outside the Third Ring Road, Ma Bai Kailai's special lamb chops and sliced pork
Picture from the Internet
3. Secret lamb shank bones/lamb tendons: Made from carefully selected lamb leg bones (including bone marrow), lamb tendons (including bone marrow), and braised with a secret sauce, supplemented with onions, coriander, etc. It has bright colors, rich aroma, chewy taste, smooth bone marrow, and is extremely nutritious.
Recommended shop: Lao Bing BBQ Bar, next to Wanbang Hotel, within the Second Ring Road, Kuobu Street
Picture from the Internet
☆Hot air balloon, Ferris wheel
You can also take a hot air balloon ride and a Ferris wheel ride in Tekes. The Ferris wheel is advertised as offering a panoramic view of the entire Bagua City. Hot air balloon rides are available in Tianlu Town, Tekes. Phone numbers are 099-6828888 / 099-7765293
Zhaosu County, home to the ancient Wusun Kingdom during the Han Dynasty, is home to the world-famous Ferghana horses. Five horse breeds are now native to Zhaosu County: Ili, English Thoroughbred, Kyrgyz, Ardennes, and German Warmblood, with over 60,000 Ili horses in the county.
☆ Zhaosu Western Region Tianma Cultural Park
It is currently the best and most standardized international grassland ecological racecourse in Xinjiang, and a popular destination for tourists from both within and outside Xinjiang to enjoy grassland sightseeing, experience folk customs, and ride horses. Tianma Cultural Park is an ideal venue for professional equestrian sports, training, and competitions, and is also an ideal choice for experiencing equine culture and relaxing vacations.
The park includes the Tianma Museum, Tianma Cultural Park, racecourse stands, stables, training circles, etc. You can see grassland yurts, experience Kazakh folk customs, and provide world-famous horse exhibitions and Ili riding horse experience services.
The Tianma International Tourism Festival is held around July every year, featuring equestrian competitions, as well as food tasting, local specialties shopping, and local performances.
Tianma Cultural Park ticket price: 40 yuan/person
Scenic area opening hours: 09:00-17:00
Image from: Photographer Lao Bing Bu You
☆ Xiata Ancient Trail
The Xiata Ancient Road is a dangerous and strategic route on the ancient Silk Road. Due to the complex terrain, high mountains, rapids and glaciers in the canyon, crossing this canyon is very dangerous and challenging. It is called the "Xuanzang Road" in the outdoor community. It is 120 kilometers long and is a shortcut from Yili to southern Xinjiang.
The Xiata Ancient Road Gorge is flanked by towering mountains, green grasslands, lush jungles, and silvery snow-capped mountains, all of which are in full view. We recommend a light hike to experience the beautiful scenery (round trip along the original route, about 16 kilometers in total, takes 5-6 hours, the scenery is stunning, the road is flat, and you can also walk less and return early). Heading towards the Muzart Snow Mountain, you can stroll along the grassland trails, which are dotted with wild flowers, cattle, sheep, streams, and often see adorable marmots, making it feel like walking into the garden of the gods.
Adult tickets are 60 yuan and zone tickets are 40 yuan.
Image from China-TravelNote tour leader
☆ Flower sea and countryside
Because Zhaosu grassland has a vast terrain and the climate is more suitable for growing crops such as rapeseed and sunflower, the endless sunflowers, rapeseed flowers and sage have become a beautiful scenery in Zhaosu.
Against the vast green background, large patches of brilliant yellow rapeseed flowers and sunflowers are inlaid, like a huge oil painting painted on the sky. The land of Zhaosu is like a "magic palette", with continuous snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Best flowering period:
From mid-June to late July, rapeseed flowers and perilla are more abundant
There are more sunflowers from mid-July to mid-August
Image from: Yuyang
Perilla flower picture from: Mo Sheng Leng
☆ Yizhao Highway
In Xinjiang, there's a road you'll discover once you travel it, not just a battle against time, but a journey through color. This is the Yili-Zhaosu Highway. From Yining to Zhaosu, the scenery rivals that of the Duku Highway! In July, Yili belongs to Zhaosu. Every July, when the rapeseed blossoms bloom, the Zhaosu Plateau is awash in beauty.
The Yizhao Highway is a section of the ancient Silk Road's "Gongyue Road." Passing through Yining, Chabuchaer County, and Zhaosu, the 150-kilometer route crosses the Angerlet Pass (3,000 meters above sea level) in the Wusun Mountains. The road is steep, with many bends and steep paths, flanked by cliffs and deep ravines. However, the scenery is breathtaking, offering a sense of travel above the clouds, more than just scenic spots. It's considered one of Xinjiang's most challenging yet beautiful roads, rivaling the Duku Highway in both its steepness and grandeur.
Tips:
Note: The road is generally open to traffic from June to October; and only vehicles with 7 seats or less are allowed to pass.
Image from: Photography Network - Solo Dance on the Needle
If Bayinbuluke is magnificent and Narat is beautiful, then Kalajun is handsome.
When you have been to Kalajun, you will understand that if there is a pure land on earth, it must look like Kalajun.
This is a good place to calm down and cultivate your mind. You can stroll in the meadows and mountains where wild flowers are in full bloom, just like what was described in poems thousands of years ago: flowers bloom on the roadside and the poets slowly return, singing along the way.
Attached is a special topic on Xinjiang for your reference and selection.
