Hidden Fun on the Duku Highway! Unlocking the Secret Realm of Tianshan Stone Forest with Kids

Every time I travel with my kids, I want to find a less crowded and fun place. This time, driving on the Duku Highway, I finally found it—the Tianshan Stone Forest! So few people come here, only 0.1%, no commercial hustle and bustle, just grasslands, stone forests, and snow-capped mountains. Spending a whole day here with the kids felt like a healing experience for both body and mind～

📍Address: Tianshan Stone Forest, Hejing County, Bazhou, Xinjiang
(Starting from Bayinbuluke Town, drive 41 km to reach the original scenic area entrance on the Duku Highway. The route is full of grassland scenery, and the kids will keep asking, “Mom, when will we get there?” building up the excitement)

🎫Cost: Free! The abandoned scenic area charges no fees
(Traveling with kids can be costly, so free access here is a real treat. You can spend the money on kids’ snacks and accommodation, which is more worthwhile)

📷Parent-Child Photo Guide (every scene is photogenic):
1️⃣Cabin + Stone Forest (P2): The idle wooden cabin on the grassland has a great atmosphere. Let the kids lean against the cabin pillar holding a small wildflower, parents shoot from the front with the stone forest as the background, creating a fresh and beautiful picture.
2️⃣Vast Grassland + Stone Forest (P1, P10, P11): The small hill behind the cabin is easy to climb. Walk up slowly with the kids, stand on the slope to see a vast grassland, have the kids spread their arms wide, and take a photo “embracing the grassland” full of energy.
3️⃣Grassland Tire Tracks + Stone Forest (P12, P13): On the way to the boardwalk, there are tire tracks on the grassland. Let the kids sit on a stone by the roadside, parents shoot from a higher angle to capture the tire tracks extending toward the stone forest, creating a strong sense of depth.
4️⃣Close-up of Stone Forest (P3, P4, P5, P8, P9, P16): The wooden boardwalk is very flat and easy for kids to walk. Walk into the stone forest, have the kids stand between two stone pillars, parents shoot from the side to highlight the uniqueness of the stone forest and the cuteness of the kids.
5️⃣Snow Mountain + Stone Forest (P6, P7, P14): Definitely bring a drone! Flying up can capture the stone forest and Tianshan snow mountains in one frame. At sunrise or sunset, the snow mountains turn golden, and the kids will excitedly jump and say, “The snow mountain is golden!”
6️⃣Mountain Road + Stone Forest (P15): The downhill road before entering the village looks like the ancient Panlong Trail. Park the car safely, let the kids stand by the roadside, and parents take a photo of the kids with the mountain road and stone forest, a meaningful travel memory.
7️⃣Snow Mountain + Road (P17): The pothole road before the mountain road is rough but the scenery is amazing. Stop to take a photo of the snow mountain and road, kids can hold a small toy standing beside, recording this special journey.

🚘Detailed Self-Driving Route (no getting lost with kids):
Step 1️⃣: Navigate to “Tianshan Stone Forest” to the original scenic area entrance (on Duku Highway, 41 km from Bayinbuluke Town). Make sure to fill up the gas tank in town before departure; there are no gas stations on the way, don’t take risks.
Step 2️⃣: Drive 47 km on asphalt road, no speed checks, takes about 0.5-1 hour. The road is smooth, kids can play puzzles in the car, and you’ll arrive quickly.
Step 3️⃣: After reaching “Kuike Wusu No.1 Bridge,” start driving 25 km on a pothole road. Drive slowly, it takes 1.5-2 hours. To avoid kids feeling uncomfortable from bumps, bring a small pillow for them.
Step 4️⃣: After entering the village and seeing the “Tianshan Stone Forest” introduction sign, follow the main road, cross the bridge, and enter the grassland for about 1.5 km. You’ll see herders’ yurts along the way, kids will curiously ask, “Do they live here?”
Step 5️⃣: On the grassland, only tire tracks remain. Drive 1.8 km to the gravel riverbed. The tire tracks are not obvious here, so switch to four-wheel drive mode, aim for the tire track entrance on the opposite bank, and drive slowly and safely. Kids won’t be scared.
Step 6️⃣: After crossing the riverbed, follow the tire tracks on the dirt road for 2 km. Stop when you see a small house; this is the wooden boardwalk starting point. After parking, let the kids stretch their legs.
Step 7️⃣: Wander freely on the wooden boardwalk. If the kids get tired, find a stone to sit and rest, enjoy the scenery, no need to rush, relaxed and comfortable.
✨Recommended to drive a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle or SUV. We drove a Tank 300, very stable throughout, perfect for traveling with kids.

🏨Accommodation Recommendation (top wild luxury hotel):
There is no accommodation near the stone forest. We recommend staying at the “Tianshan Grassland Wild Luxury Hotel” in Bayinbuluke Town, about 41 km away, around 1 hour by car. The hotel is built on the grassland with standalone villas. Rooms have large windows, so you can lie in bed at night and watch the stars. There are special parent-child rooms with children’s beds, picture books, and toys, kids won’t want to leave once inside. In the morning, you can take a walk on the hotel’s grassland, breathe fresh air, watch herders grazing cattle, then enjoy a rich breakfast before heading to the stone forest, very comfortable.

📌Travel Tips with Kids:
·Only mobile signal is available along the route, and it’s unstable. Download offline maps in advance, and download kids’ favorite songs and cartoons to avoid boredom on the road.
·There are no shops around the stone forest, so bring enough drinking water and food, such as self-heating noodles, fruits, and snacks, so kids can eat promptly when hungry.
·The Mongolian herders in the village are very friendly. Although most don’t speak Chinese, you can communicate with gestures. Teach kids to say “hello” to the herders to develop their social skills.
·The temperature difference between day and night is large. Dress kids in a 3-in-1 outdoor jacket with a thin sweatshirt inside. Take off the jacket when it’s hot at noon and put it back on when it’s cold at night.
·Don’t let kids step on the grassland pasture. Bring a portable trash bag to collect and carry out all garbage, teaching kids to protect nature.
·There are many wildflowers on the grassland. Don’t let kids pick them randomly. Tell them to protect flowers and plants, cultivating good environmental habits from a young age.
·Bring a small shovel and magnifying glass so kids can observe insects and plants on the grassland, making the trip more interesting and meaningful than just taking photos.