It has been a few days since I came back from Xinjiang. The gorgeous autumn colors in northern Xinjiang, the vast Gobi desert, the populus euphratica that is proudly isolated and stubborn... There are also Tuva mutton hot pot, large plate chicken, pepper chicken, finger meat, sand Scrambled eggs with green onions, Ding Ding noodles, etc., still impact my vision and taste buds, making me unable to extricate myself.


Our original plan was to rent a car for a tour. After repeated consideration, we finally decided to ask the students to contact the local travel agency in Xinjiang. A 14-seater special car for 6 people (for comfort, it is too extravagant). Traveling in northern Xinjiang for 8 days, except for meals (big Some hotels include breakfast), others are arranged by travel agencies, and the group fee per person is 4932 yuan.


On September 17th, I originally caught the plane at 7:30 in the morning and arrived at Diwopu Airport at 11:45, but! As soon as I got on the Jingcheng Expressway, I encountered a car accident. I couldn’t move forward and couldn’t go back. I was stuck on the expressway for more than an hour. I was sure to miss the plane. I quickly communicated with the relevant departments to refund the ticket and change the ticket. I couldn’t understand the anxiety during the period. ah. After twists and turns, I rebooked the plane at 20:35 on the same day and landed at Diwopu Airport at 12:50 at night. Hey, a good day wasted at the Capital Airport, and all the original plans were ruined.

The neon lights in the night sky in Urumqi are flashing. Is it a wanderer who came to welcome the starry night?


Northern Xinjiang itinerary:

On September 17th, I picked up the airport in Urumqi and stayed at Yueban Xinghe Hotel in Urumqi.

September 18, Urumqi-Kokesuli-Koketohai, 510 kilometers, about 7 hours; live in Fuyun Jinfulai Hotel.

On September 19th, Fuyun - Colorful Beach - Burqin, 320 kilometers, about 6 hours; live in Burqin Sunshine Hotel.

September 20, Burqin-Hemu-Jiadengyu, 180 kilometers, about 4 hours; stay at Jiadengyu Soho Hotel.

September 21, Jiadengyu-Kanas-Jiadengyu, 3 kilometers, about 30 minutes; stay at Jiadengyu Soho Hotel.

On September 22, Jiadengyu - Devil City - Wuerhe Populus euphratica Forest - Karamay, 480 kilometers, about 8 hours; stay at the Blue Lake City Garden Hotel in Karamay.

September 23, Karamay-Salimu Lake-Jinghe County, 330 kilometers, about 4.5 hours; live in Jinghe Yuxin Hotel.

September 24, Jinghe-Dushanzi Grand Canyon-Urumqi, 420 kilometers, about 6 hours; stay at Yuebanxinghe Hotel in Urumqi.

September 25th, Urumqi-Tianchi, 100 kilometers, about 1.5 hours; live in Yueban Xinghe Hotel in Urumqi.

On September 26th, the return journey, everyone went back to their respective homes.

D1, plan to visit Keke Suli and Keketuohai. Because he came out late and was obsessed with Keke Suli, Keke Tuohai had to go back the next day. The delicate and swaying Gesang flowers, the graceful reeds swaying with the wind, the unknown birds that sometimes fly and sometimes enter the water, and the sparkling blue lake water constantly attract us to stop.

D2, due to the delay of the trip on the first day, we had to get up early and drive in the dark. From the beginning with the car lights on, there was a slight morning light, to the bright sun ahead, and the sun jumped out. When we arrived at Keketuohai, the scenic spot had just opened. Since we didn’t make a guide, we didn’t know much about Keketuohai. We went up the mountain with the crowd, took pictures in front of Shenzhong Mountain, and then followed the crowd down the mountain in a daze. We were not very impressed with Keketuohai. The driver, Master Zhang, said that Keke Tuohai is more beautiful than Keke Suli. I was still wondering, but I didn’t feel it. After I came back, I read other people’s travel notes. Apart from Shenzhong Mountain, Irtysh River at the foot of Shenzhong Mountain And the forest is the key point of Keketuohai, we inadvertently missed it.

Thinking about the colorful beach in the setting sun, Keke Tuohai started to hurry after a quick tour, and arrived at the colorful beach at around 6:50 pm. At this time, the colorful beach is crowded with people, and the viewing platform on the high place is even more densely packed with people. The favorable terrain has basically been occupied by professional photographers or photography enthusiasts. Squeeze a vacant seat, take a few photos from a condescending height, squeeze out again, and walk slowly along the plank road. The sun is gradually setting, and the bright sunshine reflects the colorful beach more and more colorfully. As far as the eyes can see, there are more than just colorful? This is clearly the color palette! Various layers and depths of yellow, red, black, brown..., the deep and shallow blue-green, gray-green and gold of the river water, plus the green and yellow forests on the river bank, I have to lament the creator's preference for northern Xinjiang . The Irtysh River separates the tidal flat and the forest into the north and south banks, forming a beautiful environment where half is flame and half is forest.






The sky gradually darkened, and we didn't eat lunch due to the rush. How could the snacks resist the peristalsis of the stomach for more than ten hours? Hungry, we urged R to come out quickly, but R was such a calm lady, she refused to leave no matter what, until it was completely dark and I could no longer take pictures, and then came out with the last wave of people before the scenic spot closed. Speechless.


D3, the "God's private land" that I have been longing for all the time - Hemu, here we come!

I have to first talk about the small city of Burqin, which is the cleanest and brightest city I have ever seen. The city is full of golden or green trees, blue or red roofs, white or yellow walls, and uncrowded and bright roads. The urban planning is very good, the vehicles are parked in an orderly manner, and people doing morning exercises are enjoying leisurely on the sidewalk. This is a delicate and pure small town, which amazes every passer-by.


On the way to Hemu, Master Zhang took us to a melon field, where there were sunflowers and cantaloupe. The sunflower disks had been cut down and placed on the stalks to dry. I ate a free and beautiful meal of white and green cantaloupe, and took away two plates of sunflowers (gifted by the landlord).

Gradually entering the land of Hemu, the colors along the road gradually become richer. The small wooden houses of the Tuva people and the leisurely foraging horses and sheep whizzing by on both sides of the road. Forget it, let’s take pictures after arriving in Hemu Village. At less than 2 o'clock, we finally came to Hemu. The sun at this time is a bit harsh on the eyes, and the ultraviolet rays are extremely strong. Please reapply sunscreen immediately, so as not to be too sunburned to pass the security check when you go home. Master Zhang didn’t follow us into the village. He asked us to get off at the village committee or the third stop. We didn’t remember clearly. We got off at the village committee. We followed Master Zhang’s instructions and went to the right. It doesn’t look like the guide After inquiring about the scenery, I should get off at the third stop, which is not far away, so let’s go on foot. Stepping on the Hemu Bridge, you can see the clear glacier melting water flowing in the Hemu River, and the colorful yellow birch forest mixed with unknown green trees stretches infinitely on both sides of the Hemu River. The Wa people's pointed cabins are scattered in this yellow-green, and the herdsmen lead their horses and walk in the birch forest, presenting a peaceful, quiet, colorful and pure picture. Under the eastern fence of my chrysanthemum picking, I can see the dream garden of Nanshan leisurely, shouldn't this be the scene?

It's a pity that I couldn't stay in Hemu Village, and I didn't have the opportunity to see the smoke rising from the Hemu Village. The picture of Hemu Village surrounded by morning mist can only be seen in a dream.


D4, Kanas - a must-see place for a trip to northern Xinjiang.

Jiadengyu is only 3 kilometers away from Kanas Scenic Area! We, who are gradually getting used to long-distance trekking, are a little surprised, why did we arrive so soon? ! There are too many tourists who come to Kanas to enjoy the autumn scenery. They line up at the door, take the bus, or take the shuttle bus. Under the sun, being surrounded by tourists and pushing forward is really not a pleasant feeling.


However, Kanas in September is definitely the king of autumn colors. As soon as September enters, various colors are crowned, and there are overturned palettes everywhere. All kinds of deciduous plants have accumulated a year's worth of skills, all of which are fully released at this moment, gold, chrysanthemum gold, amber gold... all kinds of gold roared in. If there is only gold, Kanas would be too monotonous and lonely. Fire red, crimson, and light red come to join in the fun, mixed in the middle of green and gold, and they are so eye-catching; there is also Kanas Lake, which is reluctant to give up its beloved. The blue and green of the lake glow with deep lake blue, grayish light blue, emerald green..., the white clouds floating in the blue sky are reflected in the emerald green and lake blue water, oh, I am fascinated up.


Sitting on the shuttle bus, greedy smokers have stunning views on both sides. They dare not blink for fear of missing it, and regret it. Take the shuttle bus directly to Guanyutai, climb 1068 steps, and you will arrive at Guanyutai. The landscapes around the Yutai are different. On one side, the emerald green Kanas Lake is surrounded by golden forests like a chain and passes through the foot of the Yutai; on the other side, snow-capped mountains, meadows, forests It is shining brightly, some people say, this looks like a Swiss style? I haven't been to Switzerland, so I can't comment in vain.

After getting down from Guanyutai, take the shuttle bus again. Considering that at noon, there must be no dense fog, and the misty fairy air of Shenxian Bay must not be experienced, so I abandoned Shenxian Bay and went straight to Moon Bay, and then walked along the plank road along the lake from Moon Bay Wolong Bay. Moon Bay, the classic place of Kanas, when the dark blue reverse "S" shape Moon Bay is accompanied by layers of colorful jungles in front of you, it is really hard to walk, let's take a crazy shot! Walking on the plank road, one scene at a time, the scenery is different, and the pictures taken are classics. Even if the mobile phone is stuck, I can’t stop wanting to take every scene home, so I will do whatever I want. Come back, let's shoot wildly!

On D5, check in Wuerhe Populus euphratica Forest and Devil City.

Maybe it's because of the character of the six of us. In the past few days in northern Xinjiang, the sun is shining and the sun is shining brightly every day. When Master Zhang took us to the Populus euphratica forest in Wuerhe, the white scorching sun shone unobstructed on the Populus euphratica forest. It already looks a bit dry, and it is estimated that it will be powdered by hand. I love Populus euphratica, not only for his autumn colors and sky, but also for his tenacity. I admire his stubborn spirit of standing proudly for a thousand years and not falling for a thousand years. For some reason, as soon as I entered Populus euphratica forest, the melody of "Standing and Waiting for You for Three Thousand Years" lingered in my mind for a long time.

When we came out of Populus euphratica forest and arrived at Devil City, the sun was still fierce. Riding on the shuttle bus, various pictographic mounds or sand dunes that have been weathered will flash backwards in the sound of cameras in the hands of tourists. As for the rumbling wind, howling ghosts and wolves, devil couples, etc., they are just legends, legends, you know . Devil City is one of the main oil fields in Karamay City. Red and yellow kowtow machines are neatly and orderly distributed in the scenic area. It was too hot and sunny, so we went out without stopping too much in Devil City.

Later, at our request, Master Zhang took us to the "gem beach" near Devil City. Haha, everyone picked up a lot of stones of different sizes. Can you find treasures? No matter what the result is, it can be regarded as an experience.


D6, plateau lake - Sailimu Lake. On that day, the sky was gloomy and gray, and the surface of Sailimu Lake, which should have been blue or green, now appeared silver-gray. But this does not affect our mood. The snow-covered Tianshan Mountains, yellow meadows, slightly short but very bright purple flowers, grass pavilions by the lake, and the sound of waves hitting the shore make me feel good. The shooting technology has improved, and I have taken a series of photos that I am more satisfied with. I feel a sense of accomplishment.

D7, Dushanzi Grand Canyon.

Not long after getting out of Yuxin Hotel in Jinghe County, I encountered a large cotton field on the road, got off the car, and went back to being a cotton farmer!

Satisfied, I picked a few flowers of cotton and boarded the car. Before I got on the highway, I encountered a large vineyard again. I got out of the car and asked, and the on-site picking was only 5 yuan per kilogram! These ladies felt as if they didn’t need money, and picked up the scissors and snapped them. If there were no sober people, we probably would have been working in the vineyard all morning.

Dushanzi Grand Canyon is a scenic canyon formed by the sloping plain in the southwest direction of Dushanzi cut by the turbulent melting water of Tianshan glaciers. The desert grassland is dotted with cold-resistant and barren-tolerant plants such as Stipa and Artemisia. The glass plank roads and cable bridges in the scenic area add a little vitality to the slightly lonely Dushanzi Grand Canyon.

This is the upright and kind master Zhang Dehai who gives us the direction and escorts us


D8, Tianshan Tianchi and Grand Bazaar (haha, we fought for it, thank you Master Zhang).

The 25th should be the most relaxing day of the whole itinerary. Tianshan Tianchi is only 100 kilometers away from the urban area of ​​Urumqi, and it takes less than 2 hours to drive there. It may be that you are relaxed, or you may be tired, and you don't want to get up in the morning. Departing from the hotel at 9 o'clock, I experienced the traffic congestion in Urumqi, and it was okay.

Personally, I feel that Tianchi is more famous than it actually is, but in Xinjiang, which has a vast territory and is scattered all over the Gobi desert, there is such a pool of clear water, set against the blue sky, white clouds and snow-capped mountains, surrounded by green firs, white birches and sumac, it is also a good place to go. Walking on the plank road around the lake, facing the cool breeze, listening to the melodious bells of Tiewa Temple not far away, the tired heart calmed down.

The International Grand Bazaar is a place that every visitor to Urumqi wants to see. This is the world's largest bazaar (or farmer's market), and is the "window of Xinjiang", "window of Central Asia" and "window of the world", which embodies the rich ethnic culture and regional culture of the Western Regions. The inner buildings are mainly in Islamic architectural style, and earthy yellow is the main color. The shops on both sides of the street are hung with many small ornaments and handicrafts with ethnic characteristics, and the eye-catching big bazaar has attracted the attention of most tourists. Uighurs, Kazakhs, Han and other multi-ethnic groups gather together to sing and dance, enjoying a beautiful life of great national unity, great material wealth, and social stability and order.

After leaving the Grand Bazaar, let Master Zhang send us to the Hualing Grand Market to start shopping for gifts. After the sisters swept morels, nuts and raisins, they returned with satisfaction.

The autumn tour in northern Xinjiang has ended, and I have experienced a lot:

One is the strict security checks in Xinjiang. Whether you are staying in a hotel, entering a scenic spot, or going to a market, you have to go through security checks. What’s more, you need to go through security checks when you go to restaurants and bathrooms. When refueling a vehicle, everyone except the driver must wait at a distance and are not allowed to refuel. station; the airport inspection is more strict and careful. This is very good, to keep Xinjiang safe and everyone safe.


The second is the strict speed limit in Xinjiang. Except for some congestion in the urban area of ​​Urumqi in Xinjiang, other road conditions are very good. Most of the time, on the wide roads, only our car is driving, but the vehicle dashboard shows 4 or 50 mph. Even on expressways, the speed limit for 14-seater cars 80 miles, for an impatient person like me, it is simply a torment. In addition, the vehicle comes with a rest reminder. Every time a certain number of kilometers is driven, the car will remind you that it is time to take a rest, and the rest lasts for half an hour. Understandable, everything is for safety.


Third, the ID card for Xinjiang tourists is very important. Needless to say, accommodation, tickets for scenic spots and shuttle bus tickets, all need to provide ID cards, and the real-name system is implemented for ticket purchases. It can be said that in Xinjiang, without an ID card, it is difficult to move an inch.


The fourth is the way of dressing like peeling onions in Xinjiang. The temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is large, especially in Kanas scenic area, where the temperature in the morning and evening is more than 15 degrees lower than that at noon. Peel off layer by layer. Putting on the clothes of the four seasons in one day actually feels pretty good.


The fifth is the food that I have to mention when I go to Xinjiang. The delicious Tuva lamb hot pot, with its tender meat and delicious soup, is the most delicious lamb I have ever eaten, bar none. Scrambled eggs with scallions, emerald green scallions with browned eggs, not only eye-catching in color, but also great in taste. The amount of chicken in the big plate is really large, there are two whole plates, served with strong hand-rolled noodles, oh, satisfied. Although the pike in Burqin Food Street Night Market is a bit expensive, it is not eaten every day anyway, and it is okay to be extravagant once in a while. In addition, mutton kebabs, meatballs, pilaf, mutton, Ding Ding noodles and other delicacies satisfied my taste buds and satisfied my stomach that was short of meat at the beginning. The strong sunshine and large temperature difference in Xinjiang have bred melons and fruits with extremely high sugar content in Xinjiang. After tasting the cantaloupe and grapes in Xinjiang, it is estimated that eating melons and fruits in the mainland will be enough.

The Tuva mutton hot pot with fine meat and soup is the best mutton hot pot I have ever eaten, bar none.


The pike in Burqin Night Market is fresh and steamed. It is very delicious, but it is a bit expensive.

Xinjiang has a vast territory, and there are too many places worth visiting, such as Bayinbulak, Nalati Grassland, Kalajun Grassland, Duku Highway, Kashgar in southern Xinjiang... In order to enjoy the autumn colors in northern Xinjiang, we set off a little later A little later, the Duku Highway has been closed, the flowers and plants on the grassland have been harvested and bundled, and the most beautiful season of the grassland with blue waves and blooming flowers has been missed. Southern Xinjiang, which mainly focuses on cultural tourism, will plan separately next time; Kashgar in southern Xinjiang has XWL, WANGC, and LP stationed there. After this trip, we will miss the trip to Kashgar.


Because I love to travel, I am often on the road. It goes without saying that traveling is harder than staying at home. It's a good day at home, but it's difficult to go out for a while, that's what I'm talking about. But I still obsessively enjoy the pain and joy of travel, and regard travel as a belief, and have been on the pilgrimage...


October 2, 2019