Located in Nileke County, Ili, Xinjiang, the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery stretches about 50 kilometers along Provincial Road S315. It is a natural masterpiece where the Kashgar Valley and the Tianshan Mountains intertwine. Known for its undeveloped, free-access, and pristine wild scenery, it is hailed as the "Hidden Crown of Xinjiang’s Grasslands."
🌄 1. The Essence of the Hundred-Mile Gallery’s Beauty
1. Three-dimensional scenic corridor, a new view at every step
· Symphony of snow mountains and valleys: The Kashgar River runs through the canyon, flanked by snow-capped ridges and lush spruce forests. In the distance, the year-round snow-covered Mengketedaban Pass (3,495 meters above sea level) reflects in the river, creating a vertical landscape belt of "white snow on the peaks, green forests on the slopes, and clear water in the valley."
· 113 ravines of secret wonders: Each ravine offers unique scenery, such as the primeval forest and streams of Bear Ravine, and the hot spring stone forest of Bulong Ravine, with hidden marvels in every gorge.
· Seasonal color shifts:
· Summer (June-August): The grasslands bloom into a "Monet garden," with purple primroses, golden buttercups, dark green wheat fields, and sky-blue flax fields interwoven, like a spilled palette;
· Autumn (September-October): The poplar forests turn golden, framed by snow mountains, resembling a golden fairy tale.
2. The symbiosis of culture and nature
· Millennia-old pastoral trails: The Mengket Ancient Road (a westward migration route of the Wusun people during the Western Han Dynasty) and the abandoned Duku Highway ruins bear rusted signposts telling tales of history.
· Pastoral life scenes: Cattle and sheep leisurely graze the meadows, Kazakh costumes add color, and smoke curls from nomads’ yurts. Visitors can experience nomadic culture by milking mares and baking naan bread.
🗺️ 2. Complete Travel Guide
🚗 1. Transportation and Routes
· Navigation:
· Start at "Bee Town," end at "Qiaorma Martyrs Cemetery," traveling entirely on Provincial Road S315 (free of charge).
· Enter from the west turnoff of the Qiaorma section of the Duku Highway, or from Yining via G218 turning onto S315 (about 3.5 hours).
· Best self-driving times: Early morning or evening for soft light and less traffic; allow extra time for livestock migration season (September) traffic jams.
📸 2. Must-Stop Photo Spots
Location Features Photo Tips
Hundred-Mile Gallery Viewing Platform Overlooks the entire Kashgar Valley with a 3D composition of snow mountains, spruces, and grasslands Shoot at sunrise or sunset with a telephoto lens to compress space; after rain, capture the misty "fairyland."
Fairy Lake Entrance Alpine lake reflecting snow peaks, surrounded by wildflowers (horseback or hiking required) Use low angles with flowers in the foreground; wear light-colored dresses for photos; shoot reflections on the right lakeside grass (pay locals 10 yuan cleaning fee).
Mengket Ancient Road Newly opened secret spot in 2025, featuring stone forests, rapids, snowfield hot springs, and deadwood at Heavenly Lake Use wide-angle for layered stone forests; soak feet in hot springs with snow mountains as background; in autumn, use telephoto to capture golden poplar forests.
Bear Ravine Free primeval forest area with streams through pine woods, occasional marmot sightings Use slow shutter speed for silky water effects; wear bright clothes to stand out against green background.
Three Grassland Interior Bridges Hydropower station bridge, water monitoring station bridge, and Welcome Pavilion bridge (the only three drivable entrances deep into the grasslands) Shoot sunset "cloud gallery" at Welcome Pavilion; capture herding cattle and sheep at the hydropower station bridge.
🛣️ 3. Classic Itinerary Recommendations
· One-day highlights:
Bee Town → Hundred-Mile Gallery Viewing Platform (1h) → Fairy Lake horseback riding (3h) → Bear Ravine light hiking (1.5h) → Qiaorma Martyrs Cemetery (pay tribute to road-building heroes).
· Two-day in-depth:
Day 1: Full Hundred-Mile Gallery + Mengket Ancient Road (stay overnight in Bee Town yurt);
Day 2: Fairy Lake + Bulong Hot Springs (soak in natural sulfur springs).
🍯 4. Unique Experiences
· Culinary journey: Try freshly baked naan and Tianshan black honey in Bee Town (buy directly from roadside beehives); enjoy hand-pulled lamb in Qiaorma Town.
· Pastoral life: Stay in grassland yurts (about 200 yuan/room), drink Kazakh milk tea, and stargaze at the Milky Way.
⚠️ 3. Key Precautions
1. Season and Weather
· Best period: Late June to August (peak wildflower season), avoid afternoon thunderstorms in July and August.
· Large temperature differences between day and night: Use sun protection during the day (strong UV), and bring a windbreaker or light down jacket for the night; carry rain gear for sudden showers.
2. Transportation and Safety
· Road conditions: Provincial Road S315 is narrow; during livestock migration season (September), expect cattle and sheep blocking the road, slow down; the latter part of Mengket Ancient Road is gravel, caution for sedans.
3. Environmental Protection and Avoiding Pitfalls
· Leave no trace: No trash bins in the scenic area, carry out all garbage; avoid trampling grasslands.
· Nomad fees: Entering deep grassland areas or taking photos may incur a 5-10 yuan "grassland maintenance fee," ask in advance.
💎 Summary: The beauty of the Hundred-Mile Gallery lies in its untamed wildness—driving through meadows of gold and green, watching cloud shadows dance on snow peaks, and hearing the Kashgar River roar through rocky crevices. It has no fences, no entrance fees, only its most original form, waiting for you to resonate with your soul at some bend in the road.
Appendix: Scenic contrasts under different weather
☀️ Sunny: High color saturation, ideal for layered landscape shots;
☁️ After rain: Misty like ink paintings, often with rainbows;
❄️ First snow (late September): Golden autumn and snowy peaks in one frame, a rare spectacle.
Post by Henry~Brooks97 | Aug 17, 2025
