Tekesi, an underrated treasure city!

📍Tekesi｜An underrated treasure town, a complete 2-day 1-night deep travel guide

Tekesi, a small town famous for its Bagua layout, is not only a transit stop but also a perfect blend of local life and natural beauty. Avoid the crowds and spend 1-2 days unlocking its hidden experiences, feeling the exotic charm and the romantic collision with the grasslands!

🌆 Must-visit spots in town｜A blend of local life and culture

📍 Li Street: Xinjiang-style folk street

• Experience: Stroll through seven alleys lined with painted walls, Kazakh handicraft shops, and unique guesthouses. Recommended to shop for fridge magnets, ethnic costumes, or sit under a century-old tree and enjoy a cup of Kazakh milk tea.

• Tip: Fewer people and beautiful light in the evening, perfect for shooting exotic style photos.

📍 Taiji Altar: The panoramic center of Bagua City

• Experience: Climb to the viewing platform to overlook Bagua City, with its eight main streets extending like a maze. Drones must be registered at the city center police station (free), offering stunning aerial views.

• Ticket: 20 RMB, open 9:00-20:00.

📍 Prosperous Huajiang · Bagua City Night: Xinjiang’s version of “Tang Dynasty Never Sleeps”

• Experience: Starting at 20:00 every night, 27 types of performance art take place along the 566-meter street (such as “Girl Chase” equestrian show, Kazakh song and dance), with 66 lamp posts symbolizing Bagua, paired with local snacks (roasted buns, yogurt zongzi) and a cultural market.

• Tip: Free admission, busy on weekends, recommend arriving by 19:30 to secure a spot.

🌿 Nearby hidden gems｜Pristine rural slow life

📍 Atqabis Village: A poetic dwelling of fields and snow mountains

• Experience: 9 km from town, cycle or walk through fields with views of Bagua City and snow mountains together. Recommended to stay at “In the Fields Guesthouse,” experience Kazakh yurts, milk cows, make naan bread, and enjoy a bonfire under the stars at night.

• Highlight: The guesthouse owner can customize private routes (such as the wildflower valley behind the mountain, herders’ migration observation points).

📍 Explore secret spots · Countryside villages: High-end guesthouse clusters

• Experience: Combining accommodation, cafes, and organic farms, with wooden fences, scenic bathtubs, and sunset viewing platforms, ideal for families or couples. Offers horseback riding, fruit picking, and Kazakh culture classes.

• Tip: Book one month in advance during peak season, great value in off-season.

🏞️ Surrounding grasslands｜Private recommendations with fewer people and beautiful scenery

📍 Aktas Maiden Peak: Locals’ hidden “Little Karamay”

• Experience: Ticket 75 RMB (includes shuttle), vehicles under 7 seats allowed. Core area flower sea viewing platform, cloud stage (free shows at 12:00/16:00), horseback riding (80 RMB/hour) through pine forests, camping at dusk to watch the Milky Way.

• Tip: Wear white or red dresses for better photos, bring a windbreaker (large temperature difference at the summit).

📍 Qiongkushitai: Free fairy tale forest

• Experience: 90 km from town, scenic mountain roads along the way. Upon arrival, ride horses through the ancient Wusun road, wooden houses, streams, and spruce forests create a scene like a Studio Ghibli animation, perfect for hiking lovers.

• Tip: Limited accommodation in the village, recommended to stay in Tekesi and make a day trip.

• Experience: Ticket 160 RMB (full area ticket 275 RMB including Kuokesu Canyon), hike the “Human Grassland” to Falcon Platform, or take a boat tour of the canyon. Wildflowers bloom everywhere in June-July, enter before 9:00 to avoid crowds.

• Tip: Bring your own food, dining prices are high inside the scenic area.

🍜 Food map｜Taste of Tekesi

• Mabaikai Lai Specialty Lamb Chop and Hand-pulled Noodles (Li Street shop): 60 RMB per person, tender lamb chops, rich soup base.

• Gulandamu Ice Cream: 9 RMB original flavor, 11 RMB with jam, century-old shop using fresh milk.

• Aizhiyuan Pastoral Restaurant (Aktas Village): Kazakh hand-pulled meat, boersak with milk tea, 50 RMB per person.

🚗 Itinerary suggestion｜Classic 2-day 1-night route

Day 1: City tour

• Morning: Shop for souvenirs on Li Street → Aerial photography at Taiji Altar

• Afternoon: Bagua City Museum (learn about I Ching culture) → Horse riding in countryside villages

• Evening: Watch performances at Bagua City Night + night market barbecue

Day 2: Grassland secret spots

• Morning: Horse riding and camping at Aktas Maiden Peak

• Afternoon: Hiking Karamay Grassland (or day trip to Qiongkushitai)

• Evening: Return to Tekesi, buy specialties (black honey, snow lotus)