Kurdining | Complete Guide to the Secret Green Valley of Tianshan (2025 Latest Edition)

【Transportation Guide】🌲
🚗 For road trippers:
Yining ➡ Dunna Expressway ➡ Provincial Highway S316 (2.5h direct)
📍 Navigation: "Kurdining Nature Reserve" Middle Valley Entrance

🚌 Budget travelers:
Gongliu Bus Station shuttles (12:00/14:30/16:00)
💰 15 RMB = 1-hour Tianshan Corridor journey

✈ Flyers' option:
Chartered car from Yining Airport (3h direct, 4-person carpool recommended for savings)

🐎 In-park transport:
✔ Shuttle bus 30 RMB round-trip (must-buy deal!)
✔ Horseback riding 80-150 RMB/hour (Qimengde is a must-visit)

🏡 【Stay Amidst Scenery】🏡
✨ Luxury glamping:
Borry Camp (500-1200 RMB/night)
🌟 Wake to snow-capped views + stargazing hot pot experience

🛖 Cultural immersion:
Kazakh yurts (200-400 RMB/night, meals included)
🍖 Features freshly prepared hand-torn lamb!

🏨 Nearby hotels:
• Gongliu Spruce Hotel (400 RMB = 4-star comfort)
• Tekes Star Hotel (en route to Kalajun)

📸 【Must-Visit Spots】📸
🔥 TOP1: Qimengde Viewing Platform
360° panorama of snow peaks & forest! Epic morning mist shots

🏔️ TOP2: Kabanbay Peak
4,287m snow-capped summit encircled by spruces (bring telephoto lens)

🌳 TOP3: King Spruce Tree
300-year-old giant! Stunning canopy light play for low-angle shots

🥾 Hiker's picks:
✔ Ten-Mile Gallery (wildflower streams paradise)
✔ Tianshan Sleeping Buddha (sea-of-clouds stone Buddha wonder)

🍖 【Food Guide】🍖
🔥 Must-try:
1️⃣ Smoked hand-torn lamb ribs (caramelized crispy skin)
2️⃣ Horse meat naren (local favorite)
3️⃣ Wild strawberry noodle salad (summer exclusive!)

☕ Afternoon tea:
Bawrsak + salty milk tea (authentic herder experience)

🍲 Camp exclusive:
Starry sky hot pot (cookware provided)

🎒 【Packing List】🎒
✅ ID + student card (discounts)
🧥 Gear: Windproof jacket + hiking poles
📸 Photography: Telephoto lens (perfect for argali shots!)
💸 Cash: 50 RMB (no mobile payments in herder areas)

🗓️ 【Itinerary】🗓️
🏃‍♀️ One-day intensive:
AM: Ten-Mile Gallery → Honeybee Station
PM: Qimengde → King Spruce Boardwalk
🌄 Sunset: Cloud Meadow chase

🏕️ Two-day immersion:
Day1: Horseback trek + herder homestead visit
Day2: Sleeping Buddha + wild walnut oil shopping

⚠️ 【Pro Tips】⚠️
❄️ June-Aug: Mosquito repellent
🍁 Sept-Oct: Add fleece layer
📱 Download offline maps!
👟 Anti-slip hiking shoes mandatory
♻️ Protect the spruces - everyone's duty

⏰ Best seasons:
June-Aug: 20℃ summer retreat
Sept-Oct: Golden autumn photography

💰 Ticket info:
Adult 60 RMB + shuttle 30 RMB
(Winter half-price special!)

✨ Officially ranked among "China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Forests"! A dreamy combo of snow peaks❄️ spruce forests🌲 meadows🍃 - urbanites' soul sanctuary. Your guide is ready, now go!