Breathtaking Places That Will Leave You Speechless!!!

April Off-peak Travel Guide: 10-Day Journey Through Northern Xinjiang's Fairytale and Southern Xinjiang's Culture (Including Exclusive Photo Spots and Tips)

💥Core Route:
D1-4: Northern Xinjiang Wonderland (Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Kanas → Hemu)
D5-7: Ili Apricot Blossom Route (Nalati Grassland → Apricot Valley → Qiaxi)
D8-10: Southern Xinjiang Cultural Route (Kashgar Old City → Pamir Plateau → Taxkorgan)

🚗Transportation:
▫️Northern Section: Car rental in Urumqi (7-seat SUV about ¥600/day), bypass via G218 as Duku Highway is closed
▫️Southern Section: Private car in Kashgar (4-person business vehicle about ¥800/day)
▫️Flights: Urumqi → Yining (around ¥500 in April), Kashgar → Urumqi (around ¥400 in April)

🌟[Northern Xinjiang] Where Ice Meets Flowers
📍Sayram Lake (before April 15)
🎫Ticket: ¥144 (48-hour self-driving pass)
🌿Must-do:

- Blue Ice Cracks: Photograph ice patterns from 7:00-8:00 (East Gate)
- Swans in Snow: Feed swans at Bird Watching Platform (9:00-10:00)
- Stargazing Camp: Haixi Prairie RV Camp (includes astrophotography guidance, ¥580/night)
🍜Food: Highland Salmon Hot Pot (Yuyue Restaurant in scenic area, ¥120/person)

📍Kanas (April off-season)
🎫Ticket: ¥100/3 days (includes Hemu, Baihaba)
🌿Must-do:

- Fairy Bay Morning Mist: 8:00-9:00 ink painting shots (drone aerial)
- Fish Viewing Platform Sunset: 19:00 summit overlooking frozen lake (shuttle bus ¥20)
- Hemu Starry Sky: Photograph Milky Way at Harden Viewing Platform (Settings: ISO3200, 30s exposure)
🏨Accommodation: Hemu Century Old House (¥400/night, breakfast included)

📍Nalati Grassland (after April 20)
🎫Ticket: ¥95 (Sky Grassland + Valley Grassland)
🌿Must-do:

- Nomadic Home: Horseback riding through lily fields (¥150/hour)
- Snow Lotus Valley Trek: Pristine forest exploration (guide required, ¥200/person)
🍜Food: Nalati Town Little White Apricot Restaurant (Mutton stewed in apricot skin soup, ¥60/person)

🌸[Ili Apricot Blossom Season] Secret Paradise
📍Turgen Apricot Valley (peak bloom April 15)
🎫Ticket: ¥40 + shuttle bus ¥30
🌿Must-do:

- Viewing Platform No.3: Telephoto shots of flowers with snowy mountains (10:00-11:00 front light)
- Swan Lake Secret Spot: Navigate to "Swan Lake Basin," mirror-like water reflections (16:00-17:00)
🚗Transport: 2.5-hour drive from Yining, or hire car (¥400/day)

📍Qiaxi Forest Park (April hidden gem)
🎫Ticket: ¥30
🌿Must-do:

- Qiaxi Panorama: Spruce and snow mountains from viewing platform (12:00-13:00 overhead light)
- Mareltas Waterfall: 1-hour hike to falls (wear waterproof shoes)

🏛️[Southern Xinjiang] Western Region Cultural Tour
📍Kashgar Old City (open all day)
🌿Must-do:

- Opening Ceremony: 10:30 Western Region dance at East Gate (arrive 30 minutes early)
- Id Kah Mosque: Witness thousand-person prayer on Friday (12:30-13:00)
- Grand Bazaar Night Market: Grilled eggs, lamb trotters, pomegranate juice (¥30/person)
🏨Accommodation: Kashgar Old City Licheng Hotel (¥300/night, near night market)

📍Pamir Plateau (border permit required)
🎫Ticket: White Sand Lake ¥40, Muztagh Ata ¥45
🌿Must-do:

- White Sand Lake: Drone shots of "Blue Eyes" (11:00-12:00 side light)
- Panlong Ancient Road: 600 bends photo spot "Today I walked all life's curves"
- Taheman Wetland: Highland pasture under snow mountains (18:00-19:00 sunset)

📸[Photography Equipment Essentials]

1. Telephoto lens: 70-200mm for wildlife/mountains
2. Graduated ND filter: Balance sky and ground exposure
3. Waterproof camera bag: For northern rain/snow
4. Tripod: Essential for astrophotography

🍜[Food Map]
▫️North: Altay cold-water fish, Nalati wild mushroom noodles
▫️Ili: Six Star Street yogurt zongzi, Qiaxi mare's milk wine
▫️South: Kashgar baked buns, Taxkorgan yak hot pot

⚠️[Tips to Avoid Pitfalls]

1. Border permit: Apply in advance at hometown or Urumqi (free)
2. Clothing: 20℃+ temperature difference in April, layer clothing (t-shirt + shell jacket + light down)
3. Road conditions: Duku Highway opens June, use G218 in April
4. Shopping: Dried fruit market bargaining tip: halve price then ask for 20% off
5. Cultural etiquette: Remove shoes at mosques, no short skirts

💰[Budget Reference]

- Transportation: ¥3,000/person (including flights + car rental)
- Accommodation: ¥1,500/person (budget)
- Tickets: ¥800/person
- Food: ¥1,000/person
- Total: ¥6,300/person