Since 2022, I have been locked down at home for 3 months. Looking back on those days when I just left, the trip to Xinjiang last year is still vivid in my mind:
17 days, nearly 6,000 kilometers of road, snake-like walk
Two ports: Khunjerab Port, Horgos Port
Four canyons: Wensu Grand Canyon, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Anjihai Grand Canyon
Four lakes: Baisha Lake, Karakule Lake, Xiaolongchi Lake, Sailimu Lake
Four grasslands: Nalati Grassland, Qiaxi Grassland, Kalajun Grassland, Xiata Grassland,
Four old cities: Kashgar Old City, Tekes Bagua City, Kuqa Old City, Yining Kazanqi,
Seven highways: Panlong Ancient Road, Tasha Ancient Road, Duku Highway, Provincial Highway 101, G314, G217 Desert Highway, G30 Lianhuo Expressway
Six regions: Kashgar region, Kizilsu Kirgiz region, Aksu region, Bayingoleng region, Yili region, Bortala prefecture, Changji region
Itinerary overview
6.13:D1 Kashgar Ancient City CZ6998 Shanghai - Kashgar 09:00-17:25 (Transit Urumqi) Accommodation (Vatica Hotel - Kashgar Old Town)
6.14: D2: Kashgar ancient city stroll
6.15 D3: Kashi - Karakoram Highway - Oytak Red Mountain - Baisha Lake - Karakul Lake - Muztag Peak - Taheman Wetland - Ta County, Suta County
6.16 D4: Ta County - Hongqirab Port - Panlong Ancient Road - Waqia Township - Xiabandi Reservoir - Ta County, Suta County
6.17 D5: Ta County - Tasha Ancient Road - Return to Kashgar
6.18 D6: Kashgar - Wensu · Aksu - Wensu Grand Canyon (Tumur Grand Canyon, Tianshan Mountains), Wensu
6.19 D7: Wensu - Aral - Shaya County (bypass part of the Ahe Highway Desert Highway Section) - Kuqa - Kuqa Old Town - Kucha Ancient City, Kuqa 6.20 D8: Kuqa - Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Size Longchi - Duku Highway South Section - Bayinbulak - Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends, Su Bayinbulak
6.21 D9: Hejing County - Xinyuan County - Nalati Air Grassland - River Valley Grassland, Sunalati
6.22 D10: Nalati - Gongliu County - Tarim · Qiaxi Ring Road
6.23 D11: Qiaxi-Salimu Lake, stay in Sailimu Lake yurt
6.24 D12: Sunrise at Sailimu Lake - Guozigou Bridge - Huocheng Lavender - Horgos Port - Kazanqi - Yining, Yining
6.25 D13: Yining - Looking at the human grassland from a distance - watching the Grand Canyon - Qiong Kush Terrace, Su Qiong Kush Terrace
6.26 D14: Qiongkushi Terrace - Human Grassland - Crocodile Bay of Kuokesu Grand Canyon - Kalajun Grassland - Bagua City - Tekes, Su Tekes
6.27 D15: Tekes - Zhaosu - Shata Ancient Trail Hike - Zhaosu, stay in Zhaosu
6.28 D16: Zhaosu - Tekes - Kuitun (the northern section is not open, detour around Lianhuo Expressway), Kuitun
6.29 D17: Kuitun - Shihezi City - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Baili Danxia - Urumqi, Urumqi
6.30 CZ6998 Urumqi - Shanghai 11:15-16:05
Preparation before departure: Duku Highway/Yizhao Highway/Tasha Ancient Road/101
1. Duku Highway
The most important part of the Great Ring Road in Xinjiang is: Duku Highway (National Highway 217). It took 10 years to build this highway alone, and 168 road-building fighters gave their lives. This road was selected by "China National Geographic" as "the landscape avenue running through the backbone of Tianshan Mountain". Although it is closed for 7 months a year, it allows you to see snow mountains, grasslands, canyons, stone forests, forests, lakes, glaciers, and deserts at the same time. , mountain flowers and other scenery.
Due to the severe weather and heavy snow on the road from Nalati to Dushanzi, the opening time of Duku Highway is uncertain every year. Therefore, many people waited at the Dushanzi base camp one month in advance. The following are the opening time records in recent years: 2017: May 30, 2018: June 21, 2019: June 5, 2020: June 13, 2021 July 4.
And this trip, we started from Southern Xinjiang to Northern Xinjiang, also because of the climate: Southern Xinjiang is warmer, and it enters summer earlier than Northern Xinjiang. If you have plenty of time, play from south to north, with the scent of apricot blossoms in April in Turgen, chasing nine suns with nine bends and eighteen bends, basking in the sun in Nalati where wild flowers are blooming, and picking a handful of rapeseed in Zhaosu Finally, in the Anjihai Grand Canyon, experience the first taste of the soup that welcomes the opening of the Duku Highway. If it is going backwards, it is likely that you will need to experience the scorching heat and various extreme convective summer weather in southern Xinjiang, which will increase the risk on the road.
2. Yizhao Highway:
This is a 122-kilometer-long horizontal "V"-shaped Tianshan angle road that crosses Wusun Mountain. It is also the fastest way from Yining to Zhaosu. There are towering limestone mountains, green forests and lush meadows on Wusun Mountain. The highest peak can reach an altitude of 3,400 meters. Some road sections (such as Baishi Peak) seem to hang vertically on the cliff side of the mountain, which is very thrilling. This design also has the role of national defense emergency. Compared with Duku Highway, Yizhao Highway has shorter opening hours every year due to weather restrictions. Like last year in 2021, it will only be open for 50 days.
3. Tasha Ancient Road:
This ancient road has not been opened to the public for tourism so far, only sporadic tourists have come here, but it is comparable to Bingchacha and 318. Asphalt roads, cement roads, dirt roads, sand roads, stone roads, dead end roads, landslide roads, and water-damaged roads can be seen everywhere. Master Xuanzang once described this ancient road in this way: "Go east to the east hill of Congling Mountain, climb Weiling Mountain and cross the valley; The road, starting from Datong Township towards Shache, the road condition is not so good, full of sand and gravel, it can be said to be a fighter jet in the washboard road.
And the so-called dirt road is almost cut out from the rocky mountain. The driveway is very narrow. When driving on it, the roof of the car is almost close to the edge of the rock, and beside the road is the Yarkant River and steep cliffs. When passing, we must pay attention to falling rocks and landslides.
With the construction of reservoirs along the way, the road is likely to be submerged and will cease to exist. Therefore, if you have the opportunity, you must go there as soon as possible to experience it for yourself.
4. Provincial Highway 101:
Provincial Highway 101 is also called the National Defense Highway, from Urumqi to Duku Highway's Kursale. It is the Tianshan Highway (now abandoned) built in the 1960s to prepare for famine and prevent Soviet revisionist attacks. It is only more than 1 hour away from Urumqi. hour drive. The scenery along the way includes: colorful mountain canyons formed by earthquake fractures and wind erosion zones; Danxia landforms in the shapes of camels, lions, tigers, general soldiers, monkeys, caves, etc.; Circle; Hutubi Queergou comes from the spectacular reproductive worship petroglyphs of the Wusu era more than 2,000 years ago; the geographic center of Asia; Ziniquan Town known as the Xinjiang Alps; wildflower paradise Antler Bay Summer Ranch; Bayingou Ranch among the mountains .
Route reference: Urumqi → (G216) Xishan Farm Fork (18 km) → S101 Line → Xishan Farm Farm → Sulfur Ditch → Enter Tianshan → Santun River Reservoir Fork → Shitizi Kazak Township, Hutubi County → Kangjia Shimenzi Rock Painting → Shihezi Ziniquan Sheep Farm → Bayingou Town, Wusu City (311 kilometers from Xishan Farm to Bayingou Town) → Dushanzi District, Karamay City (18 kilometers) → - Expressway Back Urumqi (256 km)
The best viewing period is from the end of May to June, so bring your camera and aerial camera and set off at any time! In addition, pay special attention to the fact that there are many forks on this road that are very wide, and it is easy to go wrong, so don't turn off the navigation.
Pre-departure preparation: border defense certificate
Xinjiang has a vast territory and is adjacent to the borders of Tajikistan , Afghanistan , Pakistan , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan and other countries. Therefore, scenic spots in these border areas need to be arranged in advance to avoid being persuaded to return at the checkpoint.
1. Common scenic spots that require border defense certificates are as follows:
(1) Northern Xinjiang: Keketuohai Scenic Area (Irtysh Grand Canyon, No. 3 Mine Pit), Kanas Scenic Area (Baihaba Village), Baisha Lake
Scenic spots, Horgos port.
(2) Southern Xinjiang: Taxi Kurgan, Uqia Irkeshtan Port, Muji Crater, Yecheng
2. The place of household registration or the police station/scenic spot in Xinjiang can handle it free of charge. The difference is that the former can be issued with one pass (all domains); the latter can be used at fixed points in the region.
3. Border defense permits can be applied for individually, or jointly by a group of families/companions
4. ⚠️Special attention: There are many border defense certificates processed at the place of household registration that cannot be specific to certain areas in Xinjiang. For example, Muji Township involved in this trip, it is best to apply in Xinjiang. Also pay attention to the expiration date.
Pre-departure preparations: clothing, daily necessities, medicines, etc.
Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night, and you will encounter changeable weather when you take the Grand Ring Road. Therefore, even if you go to Xinjiang in June, which is the most suitable time for travel, you must prepare clothes for all seasons.
1. Clothes: Basic standard equipment: quick-drying clothes + short T-shirt + sunscreen ice sleeves + waterproof assault underwear + fleece liner / warm clothing + hiking shoes (waterproof sports shoes) + sun visor
ps: I personally think that umbrellas are not as effective as raincoats or jackets, especially when hiking. But almost every chartered car will be equipped with an umbrella. Guess what is the function?
2. Daily use: sunscreen, baby warmer, facial mask, thermos cup
3. Drugs: rhodiola, diarrhea medicine, cold medicine, motion sickness medicine
If the itinerary involves the Pamirs, in order to prevent high reactions, Rhodiola should still be taken, and it is best to start taking it half a month in advance. Because the mountain roads in the plateau area are relatively winding, and there are frequent frosts in June, many people are prone to colds, diarrhea and high fever during the fatigue of traveling. I drink water by myself, and there are simpler ways such as pills.
Pre-departure preparation: chartered car/self-driving
Taking the Grand Ring Road, unless you are an experienced driver with great driving skills, or you have plenty of travel time, it is easier to choose a chartered car. Otherwise, it will not be so enjoyable to go to play after a long drive (especially the scenic spots that require hiking).
In addition, along the way, you will encounter road sections that are prone to landslides, such as the Tasha Ancient Road and the Yizhao Highway; Ta County, where the mountains were blocked by heavy snow overnight; detours caused by the epidemic or any special reasons, no skills and strong endurance can’t be controlled of.
Chartered cars are generally calculated according to the package price. Taking this 16-day itinerary as an example (Kashgar-Urumqi), a seven-seater Buick GL8 commercial vehicle costs 18,000 yuan (including seat insurance, driver's board and lodging allowance), and the cost You can discuss payment in installments with the driver.
A good car charter driver, in addition to being familiar with the road conditions and driving, must also be able to play. The driver who was lucky to meet this time also brought his own drone to help you take pictures and videos. He even gave us enough advice on the location of the accommodation. If there is nothing wrong, he will give us big watermelon and mutton. He will make a fuss with us. , very worry-free and reliable.
ps: Such an open-mouthed itinerary will also include the empty fare, so remember to pay more attention when making inquiries. In addition, there are many sections of the Great Ring Road in Xinjiang that only allow cars with 7 seats or less to pass. If there are many people traveling, it is recommended to separate a few more cars to avoid the trouble of being unable to pass.
Pre-Departure Preparation: Ticket Price Raiders
In Xinjiang, there are many scenic spots that will offer fare discounts for the provinces that have been aided by the local area.
Pre-departure preparations: special delicacies, fruits, milk
1. Milk:
How can you not drink milk when you come to Xinjiang? In addition to the milk of local brands in Xinjiang, the milk of many Construction Corps is also very good.
The following are some brands I have tried, you can also try: Xiyuchun, Australian Niu Da
2. Aksu apple, old Han melon 10 yuan/kg, Kuqa small white apricot
3. Special delicacies: Kuqa Big Nang & Nang Pit Meat, Yining Sheep Soup Powder (Sour Soup), Kashi Pigeon Soup (It will be more oily, and the soup can be added unlimitedly), Dushanzi Mutton Sour Soup Ququ, Dapan Chicken, mutton pilaf, spicy fried rice noodles (with or without soup, the main difference is the thickness of the sauce), baked buns
