If you don't go to Xinjiang, you don't know the greatness of the motherland, and if you don't go to southern Xinjiang, you don't know the beauty of Xinjiang. Traveled around northern Xinjiang 5 years ago, when will the dream of southern Xinjiang be realized?
Every summer is the golden season for tourism in Xinjiang. The suitable climate, green fields, fragrant melons and fruits, and enthusiastic people attract tourists. In July 2020, the epidemic broke out in Xinjiang, followed by personnel control, which instantly froze the tourism industry in Xinjiang. Fortunately, after more than a month of fighting the epidemic, it was basically brought under control in late August. On September 2, it announced the restart of tourism in Xinjiang, and introduced many preferential policies to revitalize the tourism economy, attracting tourists from all over the country. First, there is no need for isolation or nucleic acid testing when traveling in Xinjiang, just temperature measurement and QR code scanning, and second, almost all scenic spots are free of admission. After the policy is clarified, pay attention to the air tickets immediately, and grab the last two "epidemic prices" on September 8. Spring Airlines Kashgar return to Shanghai (via Lanzhou) is only 660 yuan (1300 yuan after waking up in the afternoon, and 1730 yuan the next day), which is really timely! ,
On October 5, Spring Airlines flight 9c8865 took off from Shanghai Hongqiao at 12:45 and landed at Urumqi Diwopu Airport at 18:10. The students were warmly picked up from the airport and sent to the hotel for a rest. Choose to travel in the middle of the National Day holiday, and stagger the travel and return peaks. Relatively speaking, the passenger flow is small and the air ticket is cheap.
On October 6th, at 8 o'clock in the morning (the time difference between Xinjiang and the east is 2-3 hours), the driver, Master Li, came to pick him up at the hotel. This trip to southern Xinjiang chose a carpool tour on Ctrip, and travel by commercial vehicle, which is more convenient with fewer people. Only the fare and accommodation are included. During the post-epidemic period, ticket discounts are basically free, and meals are self-care to reduce gatherings. Out of Urumqi, head south all the way to Toksun County, then turn to the soil and go west on the high speed. The nearly 100-mile-long dry ditch between Tuksun County and Kumishi Town is a shortcut to cross the Tianshan Mountains. Dry ditch, as the name suggests, is a dry valley with "no water, no grass, and no birds fly". The soil and high-speed roads are divided into uplink and downlink lanes. The original landform is full of desolation and magnificence, with steep canyons, high mountains and deep ditches, and jagged rocks. The speed limit is 60-80 kilometers everywhere, and there are interval speed measurements. About an hour later, we successfully crossed the dry ditch and arrived in southern Xinjiang. The climate was obviously dry and hot.
All the way to the west, bypass Bosten Lake near Yanqi (5A scenic spot, missed due to time and season), turn south to Korla, the capital of Bayingoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, and take G218 National Road to Yuli County and turn into the county Road, arrived at the "Robu Village" attraction at about 4:00 p.m. The village covers an area of 72 square kilometers, with only more than 20 households. It is the most extensive village in the west. The Luobu people are one of the ancient ethnic groups in Xinjiang. "They don't grow grains, don't herd livestock, but live by fishing in small boats." Today, there are only a few Luobu people left in the desert. They maintain primitive living habits and are full of mystery. life color
Tourism was developed in 2001. This village is located in the Taklamakan Desert. The Tarim River flows through it. There are moving lakes and Populus euphratica forest. Now it has become a 4A scenic spot. Tickets are free during the post-epidemic period, and sightseeing tickets are 15 yuan. The parking lot of the National Day Holiday Scenic Spot is full. When entering the park, first take a sightseeing car to Amumu Square and change to a battery car to the Goddess Lake Scenic Area (of course, you can also cross the Tarim River and visit the Rob village directly). The battery car runs through the simple desert road, sometimes ups and downs, sometimes sharp turns, twists and turns, the driver is familiar with the road, and the passengers are amazed. Goddess Lake is a natural lake located in the desert. Various recreational activities have been developed nearby, including boating, sand paddling, camel riding, beach motorcycles, and delta wing flying. Of course, you can also stroll along the plank road by the lake to enjoy the Gobi desert and the afterglow of the sunset. Then take the battery car and get off at Dongsha Mountain, and go through the gate to the village of the Rob people, where there are lakes, Populus euphratica, and a display of the life of the Rob people. The car returns to the visitor center to end the tour. It was nearly 9 o'clock when we returned to the hotel in Korla, Pear City, and it was dinner time for the locals. Today, the whole journey is nearly 700 kilometers, and the hardest part is the driver, which is why Xinjiang tourists do not want to drive by themselves.
On October 7, leave Korla for Kuqa after breakfast. Kuqa is the end of the Duku Highway, which is a scenic road passing through the Tianshan Mountains. Many self-drivers live here every summer. It is closed from October to May due to heavy snow closures, and this section of the road has been closed to traffic a few days ago. We visited the mysterious Grand Canyon at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains (free of charge, scan the code to enter), also known as the Kyzylia Grand Canyon. Kyzylya means "red cliff" in Uighur. The canyon is composed of reddish-brown giant mountains, which look like clusters of burning flames under the blue sky and white clouds. Entering through the open valley mouth, walking through the reddish-brown mountains, sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, the bottom of the valley is fine and flat, with towering stone walls on both sides, looking up, the rock texture is clear, strange peaks and rocks, in various poses and with different expressions. The total length of the canyon is five kilometers, and the tourists are getting less and less as we go in, so I will stop here.
On October 8th, the original itinerary included the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves in Baicheng. Although the ancient grottoes built in the 3rd century have high historical and cultural value, I have little knowledge and little research, so I gave up this point and went straight to Aksu. Get off at Aksu Wensu Industrial Park at high speed, and take the county road to Tuohemu Grand Canyon Scenic Area (tickets are free, 60 yuan for a sightseeing car, such as a four-wheel drive car, you can drive by yourself for a fee). This Grand Canyon has a wider range and extraordinary momentum. Only a small amount of safety repairs have been done, and it is completely original. To enter the scenic spot, you must take a sightseeing jeep in the scenic spot and go directly to the source of life in No. 1 Valley. Then follow the guide to climb up the red cliff along the simple path, and go all the way to see the scenery. The red cliff body has been eroded by rainwater, and has various shapes and colorful appearances. Climbing high and looking far, under the blue sky and white clouds, the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and the red rosy clouds in the near, are exquisite, majestic, desolate and beautiful, just like a western blockbuster. Going down the suspension bridge to the exit of the valley, there is a sightseeing bus to return (there are also No. 2 and No. 3 valleys, except for young and strong explorers, few people set foot in them). There are two Populus euphratica trees in Taniguchi, which are called the two heroes of Populus euphratica.
On October 9th, turn from west to south, from Aksu via Alar City, enter the Tak Makan Desert and go to Hotan. Today there are three roads across the Taklamakan Desert, this section is the west line, about 450 kilometers. There are deserts on both sides, no birds and beasts, only tenacious Populus euphratica. There will be a simple service rest area every 100 kilometers or so on the highway. Driving on the empty desert road, marvel at the great pioneering work of road construction, the once dead desert is now open. On the boundless desert road, relaxing is also prone to fatigue, and it is easy to slip into the desert on the side of the road if you are not careful, and you can only wait for a large car to be towed.
Cross the desert and arrive at the northern foot of Kunlun Mountains, Hotan City, an important town on the southern edge of the desert. First, visit the king of walnut trees, a walnut tree more than 600 years ago, with a height of 16 meters and a crown diameter of 20 meters. Although the trunk is hollow, it still bears more than 6,000 fruits every year. 3A-level scenic spot, it takes 20 minutes to go around, but the ticket is 25 yuan. This is the only scenic spot that charges for this trip in southern Xinjiang, helpless! There are many vendors selling walnuts, walnut kernels and walnut-cut cakes on the street at the entrance of the scenic spot. I really know how to make money by taking advantage of the scenery. Of course, I can buy some to eat at home or give away. Hotan is an important town in southern Xinjiang. It is said that the night market is booming, but its reputation is not good. I don’t buy anything, so I don’t go there. I rest early.
On October 10, leave Hotan for Kashgar. Passing through Yecheng and Zepu. I didn't know where Zepu was at first, but because a Uighur female student went back to her hometown for an internship, the journey was very hard! I just paid attention to Zepu, where there is a 5A scenic spot "Jinhuyang National Forest Park", and now it is the season of watching and tasting Populus euphratica. So I discussed with Master Li and stopped by. Navigate down the expressway from Yecheng West, and take the national road and county road for more than 40 kilometers to reach the scenic spot. It is located in the national forest park on the alluvial plain of the Yarkand River, surrounded by water on three sides, with pleasant scenery. The scenic spot is free, and you can go around the park by purchasing a battery car for 20 yuan. Many scenic spots can get off at any time to browse. The scenic spot is rebuilt from a forest farm, there are fewer tall and sturdy Populus euphratica, and the leaves are not yet deep yellow, so the scenery is average. The scenic spot is relatively large, with Populus euphratica on the water surface and a king tree of Populus euphratica, but there are no thick poplars and dead stumps. The park also develops horse riding, children's amusement, catering and other projects. Among them, there is an exhibition of "The Long Years" rebuilt from the housing of the educated youth who jumped in the queue, and there is also a "Jinhuyang Tourism Culture Festival Food Competition" in Changshou Village (that is, the farmhouse), where various agricultural specialties are displayed. Products, ethnic meals, ethnic crafts. Xinjiang is a good place, with many and good agricultural products, abundant and cheap fruits, such as roasted whole lamb, roasted whole fish, roasted pancakes, and baked buns, which can be purchased on-site and taken with you, or you can enter the farmhouse to eat and drink on the spot. We also bought two baked buns to try out. Then leave the park and return to the expressway to Kashgar City to stay at the hotel.
On October 11, after breakfast, I went to the driving school in Kashgar to apply for a border permit. People in Xinjiang must apply at the place of household registration, and people outside Xinjiang can apply on the spot in Kashgar. There is a team, there are individuals, there are many people, and we waited for an hour and a half! Then follow the G314 National Highway to Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County (abbreviated as Tajik County). Shangta County on the Pamir Plateau is located in the westernmost part of China. The end of the G314 National Highway is the famous Khunjerab Port. The journey from Kashgar to Ta County is about 300 kilometers long and takes about 6 hours. Along the way, there are Red Mountain known as the Flaming Mountain, the Liusha River described in "Journey to the West" - Baisha Mountain, Karakule Lake and other scenic spots, and what is even more exciting is the three "fathers of icebergs" that are covered with snow all year round. (Mustagh Peak 7546 meters, Gongger Peak 7649 meters, Gongger Nine Peaks 7530 meters). The blue sky, white clouds, snow peaks, grasslands, lakes, and Populus euphratica reflect each other and make people intoxicated. The weather on the plateau is changeable. This part of the wind is very cold, and the other part is sunny. As the altitude rises and the temperature drops, put on all the warm clothes you brought. It was nearly 6 o'clock when we arrived in Taxian County, and now Taxian County is building the Pamirs 5A tourist area. Buy a sightseeing car at the tourist center for 20 yuan (free tickets) to enter the scenic spot. The scenic spot consists of three parts: the ancient stone city, the Jincaotan Wetland and the National Wind Valley Garden (the original folk song and dance performance was stopped due to the cold weather). After nearly two hours of sightseeing, I stepped out of the scenic spot at 8 o'clock and it was still bright!
On October 12, the altitude of Taxian County was about 3100 meters, and the accommodation conditions were average. Ta County is also the last county-level village and town leading to Pakistan. A China-Pakistan Friendship Road in the town leads to the Khunjerab Port for nearly 100 kilometers, and it keeps going uphill until the altitude is more than 5,000 meters. The movie "Guest from the Iceberg" was filmed on this place, so there are many portraits, sculptures and advertisements of the movie in the town.
It snowed in the Pamirs last night! Fortunately, the road is not yet icy, which does not affect the driving of vehicles. Originally planned to go to the Internet celebrity check-in point Panlong Ancient Road (also known as Panlong Ancient Road) today, but it was closed due to the weather! I found information from the Ta County Tourism Commission on October 3 that only the lower section of the Panlong Ancient Road is open for 3 kilometers, so I have already come here and must go to find out. So turn into County Road 613 in front of Quman Public Security Inspection Station in Taxian County, pass Xiabandi Reservoir, pass Congling Tunnel, turn right and go downhill to cross the bridge, take County Road 614 towards Mayang, passing Kaneryang Village (folk song The birthplace of "Why are the flowers so red?", then go to Xiabuzikala Village (you can navigate by this target) and turn right to see the Panlong Ancient Road.
The car was stopped at the bottom of the Panlong Ancient Road, and I didn't have the chance to check in on the Internet celebrity road in person, so I could only look at the road and sigh. There are more than 600 S-curves on this 75-kilometer road, and many curves exceed 180 degrees or even 270 degrees. It can be compared to the 72 turns of the Nujiang River and the 24 turns of the Jinglong River. From the videos or photos taken by netizens, they are quite shocking! If you can visit here in person, or take a ride, it will be even more exciting and blood-boiling. This section of the road is now in good repair. In 2019, the new asphalt road surface is very smooth. The plateau weather is helpless, the mountain is closed by heavy snow, and it is closed in winter. Looking up, there are layers of roads in the distance, circling up, and the top of the mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist, and you can't see the end. Take beautiful photos in front of the Internet celebrity road, leave regrets, bring thoughts, and turn around and go back the same way. This section of the journey is nearly 150 kilometers back and forth, and it takes half a day, but this trip is worth it! In the lower Pamirs, the weather is erratic. This section is sunny, and the other section is snowy. Especially when crossing the Uruk Rewati Daban section, the snow on the roadside is nearly 10 cm thick, and accidents occasionally cause vehicles to lie down on the road beside. After passing through the tunnel and arriving in Kashgar smoothly, the trip to the Pamirs came to an end.
On October 13th, the 7 days and 6 nights carpool tour in southern Xinjiang ended last night. Master Li and other group members returned today. Spring Airlines Kashgar returns to Shanghai on the first, third, fifth, and third days, so set aside a day to go shopping in Kashgar, and also adjust and rest. Kashgar is the westernmost prefecture-level city in China and an important city on the Silk Road. After breakfast, take the taxi to the first stop, Xiangfeiyuan. The Xiangfeiyuan, which was expanded from the tomb of Xiangfei, has become a large garden showing the Uyghur ethnic customs. As the saying goes: look at the scenery in northern Xinjiang, and the customs in southern Xinjiang. Due to the high proportion of ethnic minorities such as Uyghurs in southern Xinjiang, ethnic characteristics are more intense. Entering the park is just in time for the 11 o'clock "Xiangfei Welcome" song and dance performance (four performances a day, after the epidemic period, you can get in with your ID card), and after watching, enter the Happy Xiangfei Garden "Xiangfei's Home" to watch the second show "Uyghur Traditional Ethnic Wedding". After the cheerful wedding performance, tourists and audience can take photos with the actors. Beautiful Uyghur girls and handsome guys are very enthusiastic and casual. They are both beautiful and free of charge. It is a scene of national unity and fun. Then you can visit the exhibition of Uyghur life in the Fragrant Concubine Garden, from wedding to life, from etiquette to objects, for a comprehensive understanding. Then step into the Fragrant Concubine Garden, where there are clusters of flowers and green grass. There are statues of Concubine Xiang and Qianlong, Concubine Xiang playing butterflies, and concubine Xiang's love tree and ancient trees (it is said that Concubine Xiang was downloaded before going to Beijing more than 250 years ago, but now it is dead). At the end of the garden is the tomb of Xiangfei, which is actually the cemetery of Xiangfei's family (Uyghur customs, after the death of a woman, she must be moved back to her ancestors for burial. After Xiangfei passed away, she was moved from Beijing to Kashgar for burial). On the side of the park, there are also early mosques, gatehouses and other historical sites, as well as Kashgar old bazaar sculptures and modern shopping spots. The Fragrant Concubine Garden is the most recommended tourist attraction in Kashgar. It has both performances and legends. It can not only understand the ethnic customs but also enjoy the garden scenery. Not only the performers are dedicated to their duties, but also there are free explanations by Uighur guides during the tour (it is said that the usual tickets The full price is 198 yuan, but compared to its services, it is still worth the money).
Before going out of the park, I lived in the second stop, Kashgar Old Town, which is a 5A-level scenic spot. Residents still live in the old city, with communities, primary schools, mosques and hospitals, as well as merchants, restaurants and inns. The urban area is quite large, divided into east and west. Let’s enter from the east gate (the east gate is well repaired and suitable for taking pictures), and walk along the street. The avenue is clean and tidy, with clear guidelines and many merchants; Longitudinal models. Let's pass through the city and go out from the west gate to Jiefang North Road, the main road in the center of Kashgar. There are many merchants on both sides, and it is very lively. Cross Jiefang North Road and you will arrive at the Id Kah Mosque, which is the largest mosque in China and the most influential mosque in Kashgar. Tourists can enter the park with their ID cards (it is free during the post-epidemic period, and the ticket for the ancient city of Kashgar is usually 45 yuan, and they can enter the temple with a ticket). The square in front of the mosque is quite large, and there are Kashgar citizens relaxing here, as well as children feeding pigeons in the square. There is also the west area of the old city behind the mosque, so we didn't go deep into it. Just eat in the halal restaurant on the street, mutton pilaf, mutton skewers, mutton soup, cheap and delicious!
On October 14th, return today, and buy souvenirs near the hotel in the morning. Xinjiang is really a good place, with rich products and sweet melons and fruits. On the way, from Korla pears, to Aksu apples, from Hotan dates, to Kashgar red pomegranates, eat all the way. But fruits are perishable, and the luggage is limited, so you can't bring more, you can only buy less. In the afternoon, I took a taxi to Kashgar Airport and waited for the flight. Due to the delay of the previous flight for nearly an hour, the journey from Kashgar, the westernmost city of the motherland, to Shanghai on the coast of the East China Sea was more than 5,000 kilometers, with a stop in Lanzhou, and the flight took nearly 7 hours. It's midnight.
Southern Xinjiang has a vast territory, diverse topography, beautiful scenery, rich specialties, stable society and harmonious ethnic groups. There is bound to be great potential for tourism in Xinjiang, and tourism in southern Xinjiang will surely become a new tourist hotspot.
