A Secret Journey at the Foot of the Tianshan Mountains

Gongliu 2 Days 1 Night Travel Guide | A Secret Journey at the Foot of the Tianshan Mountains
Day 1: Prairie Pastoral Song + Forest Secret
Morning: Kuerdening Scenic Area

09:00-12:00 Drive or charter a car to [Kuerdening] (60 km from the county seat, about 1.5 hours by car). This is the core area of the Tianshan Heritage Site. Hike along the wooden plank road to the "Kabanbay Peak Viewing Platform," where the snowy spruce and wildflowers frame a scene like a Windows wallpaper!

Lunch recommendation: Have a bowl of rich milk tea and hand-pulled lamb at a Kazakh herder’s home inside the scenic area (about 50 RMB per person).
Afternoon: Qiaxi Prairie

14:00-18:00 Drive 40 minutes to [Qiaxi Prairie], ride horses through the valley (about 80 RMB/hour). From June to August, the prairie looks like a green ocean, and the chance to spot marmots is very high!

Dinner & Accommodation:

19:30 Return to Gongliu County, go to [Kuergan Food Street] to eat roasted buns and belt noodles;
Stay overnight in a prairie starry sky room (recommended "Qiaxi Yunding Camp," book in advance, about 400 RMB/night).

Day 2: Canyon Light & Shadow + Pastoral Poetry
Morning: Tarim Forest Park

08:30-11:30 Explore [Tarim Canyon], hike 3 km along the stream, ending at "Fairy Lake." The Tyndall effect when sunlight passes through the canyon is stunning (a must for photographers).

Lunch: At the canyon entrance, try wild black mushroom stir-fried meat at "Tarim Farmhouse."
Afternoon: Diehu Park & Return Trip

13:30-15:00 Return to the county seat to visit [Diehu Park], shaped like a butterfly, perfect for reflection photos. Local honey is sold by the lake (30 RMB/jar);
15:30 On the way, visit [Walnut Valley] to pick wild walnuts (autumn only).

Transportation Tips:

Best by self-driving (about 6 hours from Urumqi);
If no car, join a local one-day tour group (about 200 RMB/person).

Seasonal Highlights:

May: Pink sea of apricot blossoms in the valley;
September: Apple picking (Gongliu is the "City of Apples").

Estimated total cost: about 800 RMB/person (including fuel/charter).
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