Along the Mengtuke Ancient Trail, enjoy the magnificent scenery of Xinjiang all the way

🛠 The Mengtuke Ancient Trail is located in Nileke County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. It is an ancient trail full of historical heritage and natural beauty.
☀️ The starting point is near the Tangbula Grassland in Nileke County, and the endpoint is Dushanzi or Wusu. It crosses the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, passing through Mengtuke Gorge, Wulansadek Lake, and Kuitun River.
🌻 The total length is about 70 kilometers, with a regular hike taking 4-5 days. The highest point, Menketing Daban, is about 3,495 meters above sea level. Some sections require wading through water and climbing scree slopes, making it a medium to high difficulty hiking route.
🐒 It was once one of the ancient migration routes of the Wusun people and later became a pastoral route for herders, holding profound historical and cultural value.
🌍 There is the glacial lake Wulansadek Lake, with blue-green water and scattered dead trees around; the red rock walls of Mengtuke Gorge contrast beautifully with the rushing waters of the Kuitun River; along the way, you can also view the snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains. In summer, wildflowers bloom on the grasslands, creating picturesque scenery.

🚗 Transportation Guide 📢:
1️⃣ You can start from Urumqi, take the Lianhuo Expressway to Kuitun, then continue along the Duku Highway. The total distance is about 550 kilometers, taking 8-10 hours;
2️⃣ You can also start from Yining, drive along National Highway 218, about 200 kilometers, approximately 4 hours by car;
3️⃣ Or start from Nileke, head towards Tangbula Grassland, about 100 kilometers, about 2 hours by car.
✅ Ticket Information 📢:
The self-driving car fee is 200 yuan per vehicle (up to 5 passengers). For more than 5 passengers, an additional 40 yuan per extra passenger is charged; the shuttle bus in the scenic area costs 30 yuan per person.

🌟 Must-visit Attractions:
Including the Ten-Mile Gallery, Gate of Heavenly Lake, valley streams, snow mountain streams, natural hot springs, and the secret realm of Heavenly Lake.
🛌 Accommodation and Dining:
1️⃣ There are Kazakh yurts available for accommodation within the scenic area, allowing you to experience authentic Kazakh life;
2️⃣ Outside the scenic area, there are many guesthouses, such as Ancient Trail Guesthouse and Ancient Trail Mountain Front Guesthouse. There are no commercial areas inside the scenic area, so you need to bring your own food and drinking water. If staying at guesthouses outside the scenic area, you can dine at their restaurants and taste Xinjiang specialty cuisine.
‼️ Notes:
💥 The weather is changeable, so be prepared for cold and rain. The Kuitun River has rapid currents, so wading requires caution; some sections have no signal, so it is recommended to carry satellite communication devices; this is an undeveloped area, so take all your trash with you and do not damage the vegetation.👌