Discover the Colorful Charm and Millennial Vibes in the "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall"

Yining, this frontier town embraced by the Tianshan Mountains, is renowned as the "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall." In summer, lavender fields resemble a purple ocean; in autumn, layered forests transform into a long scroll of oil painting. Year-round, the town thrives with the vibrant blend of Uyghur, Kazakh, Russian, and other ethnic cultures. Free from big-city bustle, it offers a healing power with "scenery at every step and stories in every alley."

🏯 【Must-Visit Attractions: A Colorful Scroll Through Time】
1️⃣ Kazanqi Folk Tourism Zone – Uyghur Life in a Blue Fairy Tale
Highlights: The only pristine scenic area in northern Xinjiang centered on Uyghur culture. Across 120,000 square meters of streets and alleys, blue-and-white houses, handmade ice cream workshops under grape trellises, and jingling horse-drawn carriages create a living "One Thousand and One Nights" tableau.
Experiences:
🎠 Ride a "Six-Pole" Carriage: 50 RMB/person to explore the alleys while listening to the driver’s family stories, passing European-style buildings and century-old homes.
🍦 DIY Handmade Ice Cream: At Gulandanmu Ice Cream Shop (Lane 4, Liguang Street), customize your toppings—try the dried apricot and fig jam combo.
2️⃣ Liuxing Street – A Rare Hexagonal Cultural Symbiosis
Highlights: Designed in 1934 by a German engineer as a "garden city," six streets radiate from the central square, forming unique geometric aesthetics. Home to six ethnic groups including Uyghur, Russian, and Tatar, it’s hailed as a "living architectural museum."
Experiences:
🎶 Night Tour of the Accordion Museum: Alexander Accordion Collection houses 800+ antique accordions, with street performers often playing "Katyusha" at night.
🍜 Ethnic Food Crawl:
Gaxiangzi Fen Soup: Hui-style vermicelli soup with fried bread, simmered in a tangy tomato broth.
Tatar Yard Bakery: Napoleon cakes so flaky they crumble, perfectly paired with rose tea.
👗 Rent Ethnic Costumes: Linxi She Homestay offers Uyghur embroidered dresses (50 RMB/hour)—super photogenic against Russian-style spired buildings.

⚠️ 【Local Survival Tips】
1️⃣ Transportation Traps:
❌ Avoid unlicensed cars outside airports/stations; use DiDi or taxis (starting fare: 7 RMB).
🚗 Check brakes before driving to Sayram Lake—some slopes reach 30%.
2️⃣ Cultural Taboos:
🕌 No alcohol in halal restaurants; ask permission before photographing minorities.
👗 Cover hair and avoid shorts in religious sites.
3️⃣ Food Safety:
🍢 Choose skewers grilled over open flames; avoid pre-cooked ones (may be spoiled).
🥛 Handmade ice cream is for same-day consumption—don’t refreeze if melted.