The wildflower sea of the Shatuo Ancient Road is like stepping into a fairy tale!

If you come to Xinjiang, don't miss Shatuo. Walk along the ancient road of the valley. Even in the height of summer, the glaciers have not melted and the snow-capped mountains are still in front of you 🏔️
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📍[Things to Know Before You Go]
⏰ Best season:
- May–September: Wildflowers are everywhere and the snow-capped mountains have not melted (but there are more people than marmots during the summer vacation)
- October: The autumn colors are gorgeous, but you may encounter heavy snow and the mountains may be closed (instantly turning into the North in "Game of Thrones")

🎫 Tickets:
- Scenic area ticket: CNY 40 + shuttle bus: CNY 40 (you must take it, otherwise you will cry from walking)
- Hidden costs: Herdsman's motorcycle 🏍️: CNY 50/trip ("life-saving straw🌾" when you are exhausted)

🚶‍♂️[Classic Route PK]
🐎 Leisure Player Edition (1 day):
Scenic Area Gate → Hot Spring Hotel → General Bridge → Flower Terrace (light hike: 5km)
✅ Advantages: You can post on WeChat Moments and pretend you went to the Alps
❌ Disadvantages: You will be despised by real hikers

🐫 Hardcore Knight Edition 🎒 (2–3 days):
Shatuo Canyon → Shatuo Ranch → Foot of Muzart Glacier
✅ Advantages: Unlock the "Xuanzang Same Style Skin"
❌ Disadvantages: You may end up walking like "Iron Crutch Li"

🍖[Foodie Radar]
🏔️ What to eat in the mountains 🤔:
- Herdsman's nang + milk tea🥤 (CNY 5 will fill you up; the milk tea is so salty that you will doubt your life, but it is very addictive)
- Self-heating hot pot 🍲 (eat hot pot at the foot of the glacier; the neighboring hikers are so envious that they secretly take pictures)

🚗 Must-eat after leaving the mountain 🍽️:
1. Zhaosu hand pilaf 🫓 (the mutton is oily and the carrots are sweeter than first love)
2. Roasted buns (CNY 2/piece; the crust is so crispy that it can be used as a hidden weapon)
3. Kvas (Xinjiang version of honey 🍯 beer; after drinking it, you dare to roar at the snow-capped mountains 🏔️)

🏨[Accommodation Recommendations]:
📍Shatuo Hot Spring Hotel (CNY 200/bed; watch the snow-capped mountains while soaking in the hot spring)
📍Herdsman's yurt (CNY 100/person; experience the morning call service from the sheep 🐏)

📍Zhaosu County Hotel (CNY 150–300/room; has hot showers! Has Wi-Fi!)

💣 Lightning Protection Tips:
Don't believe the homestays that say "you can see the glacier when you open the window"; in reality, you need binoculars to see the top of the snow-capped mountain ⛰️

🚗[Transportation Guide]
✈️ Airplane:
- Fly to Yining → carpool to Zhaosu (4 hours, CNY 100/person)
- The driver will play "The Shepherd of Keketohai" on the way (forced listening of 3 times or more)

🚄 Train:
- Urumqi → Yining overnight train → early bus to Zhaosu (torturous but happy)

🚗 Self-driving:
- Navigate 🗺️ to "Shatuo Tourist Area"; the scenery along the way is so beautiful that you want to stop 100 times
- Be careful of the sheep crossing the road suddenly (they have more right of way than you)

🚗Tips:
"The Shatuo Ancient Road will give you three things:
✅ 100G of landscape photos in your phone
✅ 200 likes on WeChat Moments
✅ And a body that is about to fall apart

Remember to bring:
- Hiking poles (third leg)
- Lip balm (otherwise your mouth will crack from smiling)
- Trash bags (don't let Xuanzang laugh at our lack of quality)"