The beauty of Xinjiang, the customs of the Western Regions, I yearn for it!
Knowing that the risk factor of travel during the epidemic is very high, and knowing that Xinjiang is not the most beautiful season at this time, but the epidemic situation is really frustrating, so I made up my mind to venture west.
Urumqi International Grand Bazaar is the largest grand bazaar in the world. I thought it was a religious holy place, but when I walked into the Grand Bazaar, I realized that it was actually a big market. "Bazaar" is Uighur, meaning market, Agricultural Market. Due to the epidemic, most of the merchants in the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar have not yet opened for business, and the market is not crowded with people, but there are still many people dancing enthusiastically wearing masks in the small central square. The Urumqi International Grand Bazaar, which has a strong western style, is indeed big enough. In terms of scale alone, it is enough to kill the super MAII in many metropolises.
The Hongshan Grand Canyon was originally the first stop in the plan, but when the destination was approaching, the staff informed that it was temporarily closed because it had not yet been developed. I had no choice but to divert to the Dushanzi Grand Canyon. As we approached, the sky began to snowflakes. I was the only car on the road. There are no tourists in the whole scenic spot, as if it was open for me alone. The Dushanzi Grand Canyon is long enough but not deep enough to shock me. I really want to walk on the Duku glass bridge between the canyons. The flyover skiing in the snow did not come true, which left me with a small regret.
The sky in Xinjiang is also like a child's face. When I left the Dushanzi Grand Canyon and went to the Kuitun toll station of the Lianhuo Expressway, the sky was already sunny, so I decided to continue on. The goal is Bole City, the capital of Bortala Prefecture. The next destination is Sailimu Lake to grab time. Sailimu Lake is called the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean, which means the lake on the ridge. From Bole City to Sailimu Lake, I chose to take Provincial Highway 304 and turn to County Highway 210. Walking on Provincial Highway 304, I saw snow-capped mountains in the distance, withered vegetation nearby, flocks of cattle and sheep, and camels. Horses accompany, don't have a scene. If Xinjiang in the most beautiful period was a beauty blogger, then Xinjiang at the moment is more like a girl next door without makeup, not stunning but pure. After entering County Road 210, the road gradually extended to the depths of the snow-capped mountains. At this time, the sky began to snowflakes, and the surrounding area was completely white. Going further in, the sky is clear, the sun is shining brightly, and the snow-capped mountains on both sides under the bright sun are towering and towering, which is too beautiful to behold. The snow on the way up the mountain is getting thicker and thicker, and I only drive a two-wheel drive SUV with ordinary tires. The wheels have slipped several times, and the last and most serious one has worn out a strong rubber smell. In desperation, I had no choice but to give up crossing the snow mountain, and asked a passing truck driver to help turn the car around, and then choose another way to Sailimu Lake.
Turn from County Road 210 to Provincial Road 304 and return to Bole City, and then go to Lianhuo Expressway from Bole City. Our original intention of pursuing Sailimu Lake remains unchanged. Continue along the Lianhuo Expressway for about 80 kilometers, and Sailimu Lake suddenly appeared in front of my eyes. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Sailimu Lake was covered with vast white snow, like a pair of beautiful eyes covered with a thick layer of snow. Thick white gauze, although I can't see clear lake water, green grasslands, and gorgeous wild flowers, Sailimu Lake in winter has given me the purest beauty, which is so innocent.
Staying at the Yili Hotel at night has a feeling of entering the deep, and when you get up and enter the garden in the morning, you find that the Yili Hotel does have a large courtyard. The ancient trees in the courtyard are towering, and there are Xinjiang poplars that have just sprouted, compound leaf maple, white elm, and white locust tree. There are also the first blooming apricot blossoms and the budding plum blossoms. Although everything has not recovered at this moment, there is also a feeling of deep courtyards and winding paths leading to seclusion.
Turgen Xinghua Valley and Nalati Scenic Area are the main destinations of my trip to Ili. Due to the epidemic, there are not many hotels and homestays in Nalati open to welcome guests. After a little twists and turns, I stayed at Chaxiang Lishe in Nalati. The owner of Chaxiang Lishe, Mr. Sun, is very hospitable and cooks dinner himself. Cooking home-cooked delicacies such as big plate chicken and Anhui fish stewed tofu, I don’t know whether it is the ingredients of the Nalati Grassland or Mr. Sun’s cooking skills, or both. In short, the meals that night are very delicious, rarely While drinking, I even drank a glass of white wine; the pumpkin porridge, steamed buns, spinach, and fried eggs the next morning were simple, but sweet and delicious. The room at Chaxiang Lishe is also very good, and the price is beautiful. For two meals and one room, Mr. Sun only charged me 220 yuan. I paid 300 yuan and said no change, and Mr. Sun insisted on giving me two yuan Great homemade soap. Nalati Tea Xianglishe is really good. I think if I have the opportunity to go again, I will definitely stay again. Of course, if you happen to be going to Nalati, I suggest you choose Nalati Tea Xianglishe, but If you go during the peak season, the price will definitely not be so low, but the price/performance ratio must be equally beautiful.
Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley has officially opened its doors to welcome visitors, but the grass is slightly yellow and the flowers are in buds. Coupled with the impact of the epidemic, there are few tourists in the scenic area. Climbing up the steps along the plank road into the valley, trees and patches of apricot blossoms gradually come into view. Although the grass is not green and the flowers are not in bloom, the beauty of the apricot blossom valley is still coming. When you reach the viewing platform on the top of the mountain, you can change the angle Looking at the snow-capped mountains in the distance through the trees and flower buds is another kind of plateau scenery.
The river valley grassland in Nalati Scenic Area is one of the four largest river valley grasslands in the world. The season when wild flowers and wild lilies bloom in the valley is the most beautiful time in the Nalati River Valley. Unfortunately, my trip is still early, and the wild lily on the grassland in the sky is still there. When it is not open yet, Kunlun Mountain cannot be climbed because the snow has not yet melted. Then drive on the river valley grassland and Panlong ancient road, watching cattle and sheep wandering, watching goshawks circling, overlooking the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains, walking in the snow to trace, exploring the historical sites of Wusun, sometimes praising the beautiful scenery, and sometimes sighing Wusun Rise and fall, linger in it, never let go.
Before entering Xinjiang, I originally planned to go from Nalati to the Turpan Basin via Bayingoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture and finally return to Urumqi. But when I arrived in Nalati, when I tried to use AutoNavi maps and other navigation, because the 217 National Road (Duku Highway) was closed, the walking route displayed by the navigation always needed to return to Urumqi by the original road. However, my subconscious mind told me that there should be a shorter way to go, so I specifically consulted Mr. Sun of Chaxiang Lishe the night before the trip. It happened that Mr. Li’s nephew had just returned to Nalati from Urumqi the day before, and they told I can follow National Highway 218 to National Highway 216 and then Provincial Highway 301 to Turpan via Bayingoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture.
Duku Highway (National Highway 217) has been publicly promoted as the most beautiful highway in China, but this time because it was closed all the way, I didn't have the chance to witness its beauty. But the beauty along the 218 National Highway is what I have seen with my own eyes. When I travel to the depths of the canyon, the ice and snow have just melted, the flowing water is gurgling, the dark green pine trees and the white snow are set against each other, and the red willows that can be seen at any time are like clusters of burning flames; At the top of the mountain, the national road winds and circles, and the land is covered with silver. When the goshawk hits the sky, there is a sudden surge of pride in the chest; after crossing the snow mountain and entering the grassland, the straight national road 218 is like a bright black long sword, which will life and death sweep the white snow into the grassland. The earth was split in two, and driving on the vast snowfield, I deeply felt what the earth is boundless.
Turning from National Highway 218 to National Highway 216, patches of red willow trees can still be seen beside the stream in the canyon. The snow cover on the mountains on both sides of the canyon is getting less and less, and the bare mountains are almost barren of grass. Vermilion, dark green, earth gray, etc., can be called a moving scene, and it seems to have entered a gallery of oil paints. The canyon is sparsely populated, and occasionally one or two low houses, a flock of sheep and a lonely shepherd can be seen. Every time we pass by each other, I feel an inexplicable loneliness in my heart. It's hard to say a word to someone.
Provincial Highway 301 was opened on the vast Gobi. The road condition is good but there are many large trucks. The vast Gobi makes me feel vast, desolate and lonely. I can’t imagine what kind of life it is to live in such a harsh environment. The famous Zhongtai Chemical Factory, piles of dead tombs, and a vast energy wind farm all remind me of one word - dedication!
Due to the epidemic, I failed to enter Turpan City during this trip, and I missed the "Maijia" Tuyugou. Naturally, I also missed the chance to see the "Girl of Osaka City" in the singing. It was early morning when I returned to Urumqi overnight. In view of the epidemic situation, I decided to leave Xinjiang and return to Shenzhen. Of course, I wanted to visit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum before I left.
Although only one exhibition hall of Xinjiang historical relics has been opened, this exhibition hall is the window I want to know about Xinjiang the most. It displays the history and territorial changes of Xinjiang from the Paleolithic period to the Qing Dynasty. There are Wusun, Yanqi, Loulan, Kuqa, Luntai, Cheshi, Gaochang, Qiuci and other historical relics of the ancient Western Regions, the treasure of the town hall of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum is a piece of brocade embroidered with "five stars out of the east to benefit China". Unfortunately, the exhibition hall There are no real objects on display, only pictures.
It is inconvenient to travel to Xinjiang during the epidemic, and the time is not the best season, so I had to bid farewell to Xinjiang in a hurry.
