Growing up in the south, my impression of snow is still many years ago.
When I was a child in winter, as long as the weather forecast rain and snow the night before, I could always get rid of the difficulty of getting up to go to school in the cold winter the next day. I woke up early just to look out the window, whether it was white, whether the world changed overnight winter clothes.
Even just a little snow on the roof is enough to make me excited all day.




Whenever it snows and the weather is cold, parents will close the shop early. On the way home, my father always took my little hand and walked slowly, telling me to pay attention to my steps. In the distance, I heard the ding ding of hawkers selling hot tofu nao. When I looked up, the green pine and cypress leaves in the yard were already full Snow White, in just half a day, my little world ushered in the Christmas Eve in the fairy tale.





When I go to school, the anticipation of snow is to rub a snowball between classes and catch passing students off guard. My clothes are soaked and I don’t feel cold at all. Occasionally after class, I can receive a love letter in the bicycle basket. With a small yellow flower with snowflakes in it, I secretly took it home and hid in my room to read it, feeling warm all at once.
After that, there was no snow for many years, and the cold winter in my hometown brought only dampness and coldness, the kind of sticky, freezing cold to the bone marrow. Seeing the short icicles on the eaves, my mother said with emotion that her "dog teeth" were longer than this when she was a child.








I grew up looking forward to the snow, and I waited for the heavy snow in 2008. I was in college at the time, and a sudden ice storm resulted in high-speed freezing. Although it was less than an hour's drive, it was the only way I could get home. On the phone, I asked my father: What if the snow is heavy and the road is closed? Father said: I will walk from home to pick you up.
Later, after graduating and working, I came to the warmest south and never saw snow again.














Day0 Guangzhou - Urumqi, attractions: Urumqi Grand Bazaar, live in Urumqi.
Day1 Urumqi - Burqin, live in Burqin County.
Day2 Burqin - Hemu, attractions: Hemu Scenic Area, live in Hemu Village.
Day3 Hemu (stay in Hemu for one more day due to heavy snow closure), attractions: Hemu Scenic Area, live in Hemu Village.
Day4 Hemu — Kanas, attractions: Kanas scenic spot, live in Kanas scenic spot (transfer center).
Day5 Kanas, Attractions: Kanas Scenic Area (Sanwan, Kanas Lake), live in Kanas Scenic Area (transfer center).
Day6 Kanas - Burqin, attractions: colorful beach, live in Burqin County.
Day7 Burqin - Wuerhe - Guozigou Township, attractions: Wuerhe Devil City, Populus euphratica Forest in Wuerhe Township, live in Guozigou Township.
Day8 Guozigou Township - Horgos - Kuitun, attractions: Horgos Port, Sailimu Lake, Guozigou Scenic Area, live in Kuitun.
Day9 Kuitun - Turpan, attractions: Anjihai Grand Canyon, Osaka City Wind Power Station (passing by), live in Turpan.
Day10 Turpan, attractions: Flame Mountain Scenic Area, Tuyugou Grand Canyon, Kumtag Desert, live in Turpan.
Day11 Turpan — Urumqi — Guangzhou








At the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, it was the off-season of tourism in Xinjiang, and it was the first time that I took my parents to drive long distances. Considering the changeable road conditions in winter, I gave up Bayinbulak Grassland, Swan Lake and other scenic spots, and chose a relatively safe and conservative route. Go north from Urumqi, arrive at the Kanas Scenic Area, then turn southwest, transfer to Kuitun, arrive at Turpan from west to east, and finally return to the starting point. After eleven days, the classic self-driving route in northern Xinjiang was completed.




Xinjiang is the largest provincial-level administrative region in my country. It has a vast territory, and it takes four or five hours to travel by self-driving. It is a great challenge for drivers and passengers. Sometimes walking through the barren Gobi, you can’t see the slightest breath of towns for several hours; There is only a vast expanse of whiteness left, and the sky and the earth cannot be distinguished; of course, the most thrilling thing is driving on the ice after the snow has just melted. If the car slips slightly, it may fall into the abyss. What moved me was that the two elders gave us 100% trust, and there was no complaint in the whole process. The unexpected situations encountered one after another made me, the route planner, feel quite self-blame.





If Xinjiang in spring is an illustration with vivid colors, she in summer is a gorgeous and vigorous gouache painting, and in autumn she is a highly saturated and oily oil painting, then she in winter must be a pure and elegant ink painting . Filter out all the gorgeous colors, leaving only black, white and gray, or simple outline, or large-scale smudge, always in appropriate shades.





















Anjihai Grand Canyon

After enjoying part of the trailer, let's start with me and enjoy this magical scenery together.

Mr. R and I set off from Guangzhou and arrived in Urumqi first, while his parents flew from Changsha to join us. According to the original plan, we were able to meet in the afternoon of the previous day. Unexpectedly, we received a temporary flight cancellation notice, and there was no protected flight on that day. We had to change the booking until the next day, that is, the afternoon of the self-driving departure, so that uncles and aunts could arrive in Urumqi. The departure time was delayed by a full six hours.
In order to provide sufficient guarantee for the long-distance driving at night, we slept until the sun basked in our buttocks before going out to purchase dry food on the road.

Naan is a typical Middle Eastern food, with a hard texture and a single taste. This is my summary of Naan after many trips to the Middle East. Especially the just-concluded trip to Iran made me fear this food. But the naan in Xinjiang is different. It has already integrated the essence of our Chinese cuisine, and it has transformed into a delicious snack with a complete color and fragrance! There are a variety of flavors to choose from, such as sesame dumplings, rose dumplings, fresh meat fillings, and spicy dumplings. Of course, if I don't like spicy food, I prefer spicy dumplings.
In the cold winter, holding a steaming naan cake baked in a traditional brick oven, exuding a light flour aroma, biting off the crispy skin, the taste of spicy peppers instantly diffused between my taste buds, from From the palm of your hand to your stomach.






Sesame Nang is suitable for carrying around, and it is the first choice to satisfy hunger on long journeys.




Today, we agreed with the car rental company to pick up the car near the airport. After the simple handover procedures, this Kia 2WD urban cross-country will escort us all the way in the next ten days. We put our luggage in the trunk and stuffed it full of snacks, sufficient food, drinking water, and emergency medicine. If we only consider the hardships of the long-distance trek, our preparations are enough to make this journey seem quite safe. .


Let's go, the car quickly left the airport expressway, the buildings in the city retreated outside the car window, and gradually replaced by a desolate desert scenery. The gray Gobi sky is dotted with low and simple houses here and there. More than 800 kilometers of flat avenues, because there are so many electronic dogs along the road and incredible speed limits (the road surface of Yimapingchuan, sometimes the speed limit is 30-40, we have also met 20, at that time there was a kind of pull the door, get off The impulse to walk by car) is destined to be a long-distance and high-intensity trek that tests our physical strength and endurance on the first day.




I don’t know if it’s because we missed the harvest season of fresh fruits in northern Xinjiang, and there are no stalls selling fresh melons and fruits along the road.
At sunset, I finally met a fruit stand at a fork in the road.




I was eating fresh and sweet grapes, and felt the precious warmth of the asphalt road in the northwest exuding under the sun. The dead branches on both sides were coated with orange clothes by the setting sun. It is the curling smoke rising from the farmhouse. The picture of the desert sunset is enough to attract us to stop and stop, but the sunshine time in winter is relatively short, we can't stay here for too long, so we have to keep moving forward.




Unknowingly, the night is getting darker. Through the sparse starlight, I can't see the scenery outside the window clearly. I only feel the undulating black shadows on both sides, like ghosts. I don't know whether I am crossing the Gobi desert or the wilderness at this moment. Finally, we can vaguely see the lighting of the smoke in the front, and the navigation shows the service area in front of us. The light in the dark night wakes us up and drives away the cold of the winter night, thinking that we can finally have a bowl of steaming cup noodles. . Just when Mr. R and I were about to toast to the moon, there was a urging from the big security guard: "Hurry up and eat, we are going to close the door." After saying this, he turned and left, leaving us with Wide-eyed and small-eyed: This is the first time I heard that the service area is closed! Sure enough, as soon as we stepped out of the security gate, several dim lights on the front lawn were extinguished impatiently, leaving only a gust of cold wind sweeping past us.
Arriving in Burqin simply, we were warmly received by the hotel's front desk lady and the security uncle, who waited for us to arrive even late at night. The heating supply in the room is sufficient, and the next morning will be the next morning after falling asleep.


The two characters "Hemu" have always been haunting in my mind. The first time I was deeply attracted by Xinjiang was a photo in a magazine, a small fairy-tale village in the golden autumn season, shrouded in misty morning mist, the leaves range from red to orange, with rich layers and gorgeous colors, very similar to a Vice oil painting.


In order to allow more time for this fairy-tale village, I decided to set off as early as possible. The journey of less than 300 kilometers took 7 hours, and the second half of the journey was full of tortuous mountain roads.



I got up excitedly before eight o'clock and started to wash and pack my luggage. We set off at 8:30, and when I opened the curtains, it was still dark outside. We set off in half an hour, and the sky was only dim. What is more important than filling your own stomach at this moment is to add enough oil to the car. This season, tourism in Xinjiang has entered the off-season, and some gas stations on the roadside have been closed. In order to avoid the embarrassment of insufficient fuel for long-distance driving, we will take the trouble to pass by every gas station as long as the fuel is less than half. Go to a petrol station. Why do I use the word trouble to describe it as simple as cheering up? I need to explain here. Everyone knows the high level of security in Xinjiang. When entering every shopping mall, hotel or even a pedestrian street, you must swipe your ID card to pass the security check. You will pass through security checkpoints from time to time along the way, which is relatively high risk. Not to mention the gas station. Before entering the gas station, the passengers of each car must get out of the car and wait aside. Only the driver is allowed to drive in after verifying his ID card. At the same time, the trunk of the car must be opened for inspection. Every time I refuel, I can only shiver in the cold wind, waiting for Mr. R to return with a full load. Only drivers are allowed to enter, so the convenience stores at gas stations are particularly deserted. I once wondered whether the people in Xinjiang are "not short of money" and these gas station convenience stores can survive.


We galloped cheerfully on the roads in northern Xinjiang, easily turned over small hills, and smoothly bypassed every turning section. The fuel tank was full and we were full of confidence. In northern Xinjiang, which has entered the early winter, we can only occasionally catch one or two trees with yellow leaves on the side of the road, which is full of withered yellow. After entering Habahe County, the colors on both sides of the road begin to brighten, and golden forests appear. . This sudden autumn made us decide to take a short detour to a birch forest scenic spot on the way.










The Baihuayuan Scenic Area is deserted, and there is only one car in the parking lot. The gate of the scenic spot is closed, and it seems that it is not in business.
Just as we were about to leave, I saw a security guard coming out, so I ran up to ask: "Master, hello, where can I buy the ticket?"
"No need to buy a ticket, just register your name and go in directly." The security guard led us to the security checkpoint. After the security check, we only need to sign our name and ID number. It turns out that there are such benefits in the off-season!
"Go straight down on the left hand side, you can reach the Haba River." The security guard kindly reminded.

Birch Forest Scenic Area




The park is not big, and the birch leaves have already fallen in this season, leaving only bare branches. The park is quiet, the ground is covered with withered and yellow leaves, which creak when stepped on. Walking along the path to the end, there is a clear creek passing through a small bridge. In a relatively open area, there are a few lonely log cabins. A house similar to a reception center is still hung with a sign welcoming the colorful autumn of XX Photography Association. The big red banners above seemed to show me that this place was once prosperous a few weeks ago.




After a short stop, we continued to set off and drove out of Habahe County. The scenery on the roadside switched back to the tawny Northwest scenery again. In the rolling mountains, although the grass and trees have long since withered and yellowed, there are still groups of cattle and sheep strolling leisurely among them. At this moment, I can imagine how romantic it would be when the pasture grass is growing lushly in summer. screen.





Sheep queuing to cross the road.


All the way to the north, in addition to the mountains on both sides, there are also the towering snow-capped mountains in front of us. After passing the Kanas Airport sign, we began to climb over the mountains in front of us. As the altitude rose, the snow began to thicken, and when we reached the mountainside, it had already started to snow heavily. The boundary between heaven and earth began to become blurred, and the scenery of the world began to disappear, leaving only a vast expanse of whiteness. We, who were still in late autumn a few minutes ago, broke into another season unexpectedly and started a winter journey.





The heavy snow fell, and the sky and the earth finally merged into one. This was the first time I saw such a snow scene. I couldn't bear the excitement. I stopped the car and laughed and played on the white-capped hillside by the road. Only black and white are left in the valley, which is as elegant and chic as an ink painting. We were attracted by the beautiful scenery, patronizing excitement, and did not consider the problem of driving after heavy snowfall.





















Vehicles continued to hover in the mountains, rising and falling, and the snow was getting bigger and bigger. We passed the warning station on the way, and a car was trapped in the snow waiting for rescue. We rolled down the window to ask the road ahead. We were relieved that the road was not closed. Mr. R drove carefully and slowly along the tracks left by the vehicle in front. After all, this was his first time driving in snow. The two cars in front were probably local drivers. They were still running fast on the snowy mountain road, and disappeared after a while. In the vast pure white ice and snow world, we are the only ones left. Thanks to Mr. R's superb driving skills, we were safely delivered to today's destination - Hemu.



At this time, it is hard to tell where the road is, and the boundary of the road can only be identified by the flying colorful flags on the edge of the cliff.







The small village is quietly located in the mountains. At this moment, snowflakes are quietly falling on the wooden roofs of every household in the village. The cattle and sheep in the yard seem to be used to such ice and snow. They stand quietly in the fence and enjoy the snow. Snow flakes fell and floated on their acquainted bodies.
Many B&Bs are closed during the off-season, so we were taken to another one, the one my aunt just took over, with relatively simple facilities. Our hut stood in the vast snow, and the heater inside the house felt that it was not warm enough. At this moment, we just wanted to wrap up in a quilt and stick it on the radiator to keep warm.



After some thought wrestling in the hut, we decided to go out and have a look.
I naively thought that snow boots were only for snowy days, so I changed them on purposely, and I was glad I packed them. The furry inner liner protects the feet and can really resist the cold. Not long after I walked out, my legs became colder and colder, as if I was stepping on icy water with bare feet. I pulled out my legs from the snow to check, only to find that the buckets of the snow boots had already been filled with snow. Some of them were melted by my body temperature and flowed down. No wonder there was a feeling of walking on ice. The condition of Mr. R who wears outdoor boots is not much better than mine. We just wore high-top shoes like this. We filled the shoes with snow like shovels as we walked. Before we even walked out of the courtyard, our limbs were cold, which was the most chilling feeling. It was so cold that I had to run back to the house and stick it on the heating pad to bake.


Eventually we decided to send drones to go far away instead of us. I wanted to report to the police station honestly before flying the drone, but the snow was so heavy that it was difficult to even walk out of the courtyard, so I gave up.


Hiding under the eaves to operate the drone, flying over the neat rows of small wooden houses in the village, instead of us to go to the distance that we can't reach; after the wheels pass by, black curves are rolled out on the white road, winding and extending On the far side of the mountain, the undulating pine trees on the mountain are all covered with snow, and the pure white snow is piled up together, like the hometown of Santa Claus.


However, in the low temperature environment, the batteries of mobile phones and drones are consumed too quickly. Of course, our hands are even more unbearable to the cold. After a while, they become numb and the operation is not smooth.


Before dinner, we only dared to walk in the yard and enjoy the snow. It was getting late at that time, and with the heavy snow, the surroundings showed a magical silver-grey color, which was quite like Winterfell in the song of ice and fire. This kind of fantasy feeling was only gained by accident when I looked back at the photos that night. The process of shooting was so cold that I was numb, and I didn't even have the heart to observe the surrounding environment. The next day, after the clearing of the snow, I could no longer find such a magical picture. This is our first time to shoot snow, and we are inexperienced and slightly regretful.



TIPS:
1. It is best to go to the local police station for record before operating drones in Xinjiang.
2. It is best to wear boots or shoe covers in the snow.
3. For aerial photography in snowy weather, pay attention to the battery level at all times, especially the battery level of the mobile phone. We have encountered the situation that the mobile phone freezes and shuts down several times, so we have to fly blindly to recall the drone.

What woke us up today was not the beautiful scenery of the snowy day, but the coldness. The room’s insufficient heating was suddenly interrupted in the early morning. Here it is.


Hemu

The little milk dog in the yard runs happily in the snow with its owner.


Today's original plan was to go to the Kanas scenic area. I called the homestay there in the morning, but no one answered. Although I can't be sure whether the road conditions are good or bad, I looked at the knee-deep snow in front of me, and then looked at our two-wheel drive in the yard. Half of the body of the small car was covered with snow, thinking it was impossible to drive out, so I decided to change to another hotel and stay for one more day.
The hut last night was really not enough to resist the cold, and my voice was hoarse and I couldn't speak when I woke up in the morning. The new hotel sent a pickup truck to pick us up. The 5-minute journey took about 20 minutes. Even the four-wheel-drive pickup truck was stuck in the snow and couldn’t drive. The driver had to get off the car and shovel the snow manually. I was very glad that I made the decision to stay an extra day. Later, the driver brother told us that all the roads out have been blocked. If the snow stops tonight, there will be snow plows to open the road tomorrow morning. As long as the weather improves tomorrow, the road will be smooth soon.




With some luggage, I moved to Taoyuan Villa, just like the name - a warm outdoor Taoyuan in the world of ice and snow. The whole room is made of wood, and the walls are made of large logs, which is visually full of warmth. The room is equipped with floor heating, take off your shoes and sit on the ground, looking out the window, the snow is still floating, but at this moment we don't have to be afraid of the cold.



In the afternoon, the snow really stopped, and the sky seemed to have been cleaned, changing from grayish blue to a beautiful and highly saturated blue.
Pushing open the door, there are several big dogs rolling and playing in the snow in the courtyard. I was afraid that they would be cold, so I called them into the house. The dogs just stood at the door very politely, refusing to move half a step inside.


You can reach the Hemu River within a few steps outside the house. Cross the Hemu Bridge and walk uphill, the viewing platform is not far ahead. Two big black backs accompanied us to the depths of the forest like guards. Occasionally, they jumped up to me like a child and begged for a hug. The big head threw me directly into the soft snow, which didn't hurt at all.


Hemu bridgeHemu River






The more we went up, the thicker the snow on the road. We hadn't been trampled on, and we couldn't see a little bit of the road. We didn't dare to take risks, so we had to retreat.






The dog took a photo with Mr. R with an aggrieved face, how reluctant he was.



At this time, the snow on the main road of the village had partially melted. Mr. R proposed to go to the previous hotel and drive our car stuck in the yard.
The original store owner had already helped to create a road out of the yard from the back of the car. With the help of their family, the car drove out smoothly. When we were cheering and successfully rescued the car, we fell into the snow nest again at the small slope where it merged into the main road. Mr. R tried to back up, put on the gas, backed up again, and then put on the gas, going back and forth several times, nothing happened. There was no sign of movement, but a burning smell.
"My God, won't it catch fire?" I began to worry that the car would be scrapped just after the self-driving started.
Mr. R quickly turned off the engine and got out of the car to check. He guessed that it was caused by the tires slipping in situ and friction with the ice surface at high speed to generate heat. So I went back to the hotel to borrow a snow shovel. The shopkeeper saw me coming back, and without waiting for me to speak, he came out with the shovel to rescue us without saying a word. Finally escaped from this ice nest. After thanking you, we drove back to Taoyuan Villa smoothly.

At this time, the sun at dusk finally broke through the clouds and sprinkled on the snow-capped mountains in the distance, shining on the whole village. We welcomed the long-lost sunshine, leaning on the car, watching the snow that was slowly melting, and optimistically planned the temperature at noon tomorrow. At the highest point, leave for Kanas.







The most unmissable scenery in Hemu is the morning fog. The sky had cleared up during dinner the day before, so I made an appointment with Mr. R to get up early today to watch the morning fog.
I wrapped up two down jackets, put on gloves and a hat, and armed myself like a clumsy polar bear. Before departure, I specially brewed a large pot of hot cocoa. On a cold morning, holding a pot of hot drink in hand and watching the sun rise in the distance is so wonderful.




It was only slightly bright at eight o'clock, and with the help of the faint light reflected by the surrounding snow, we walked slowly up the mountain cautiously. The big wolfhound who accompanied us yesterday came out again.




When we got to the top of the mountain, the sun just revealed a ray of light from the distant mountain top. I set up a tripod for a sunrise time-lapse.
I proudly showed off to Mr. R: "Look, the tripod liberates my numb hands, are you envious?" I walked on my cold feet and kept rubbing my unconscious hands. The black dog ran past my tripod mischievously, and with a bang, the mobile phone tripod fell into the snowdrift. While stopping these mischievous troublemakers, I picked up my mobile phone and started working again. Before he had time to continue to be proud, the phone shut down and went to sleep because he couldn't bear the severe cold.










The snow that condenses on the boardwalk in the morning is like the thin wings of a butterfly.


At this time the sun had risen completely, although it was a pity that there was no morning fog, and I couldn't see the picture of the sun covering the smoky small village that I had been looking forward to in my mind, but on the snow-covered roofs of the low wooden houses at the foot of the mountain, Start to accumulate light slowly, and the hazy morning is like a fairy tale kingdom in winter. Standing on the top of the mountain for a while, the exhaled water vapor immediately frosted the hair tips around my cheeks. I confidently raised the "hot cocoa" in my hand to signal that I should do it first. Mr. R looked at my face full of happiness and contentment, and the next second he became extremely ferocious—that pot of hot cocoa had already turned into cocoa smoothie! Although I usually only drink cold drinks, at this moment, cold drinks are a fatal blow to my extremely cold body. "I'm going down the mountain, I miss the warm cabin." I looked aggrieved.




Going up the mountain is easy and going down is difficult, especially on snow-covered roads. Halfway up the mountain, in the village not far from the foot of the mountain, blowing smoke is spreading from every household. People wake up from their sweet dreams at night, and a new day starts with a hot breakfast. The village is slowly surrounded by fireworks, which is exactly what I want.
I took Mr. R's hand and shouted excitedly: "Look, look, it's foggy!"
Mr. R replied calmly: "That's artificial fog. They thought there would be no morning fog today, so they made some blowing smoke to satisfy you." But I finally fulfilled my thoughts before leaving.







The cows also rushed out to bask in the sun.



The snow on the trees has almost fallen.



The snow piled up on the stone slabs by the river formed hemispherical shapes one after another, like the houses of the elves on the land, which is really lovely. The sun penetrates the branches covered with ice crystals, refracting dazzling seven-color brilliance, and a faint cloud of mist rises from the Hemu River. Every sense in my body is carefully capturing the never-before-seen feeling that passes me by at every moment; I try to open my eyes, trying to remember every picture in front of me, the warm and dazzling sun shining on my bare skin There is a little tingling on the ground, and the feet stepping on the snow have already turned into a pair of popsicles. Being in nature, welcoming the beautiful morning, everything is just right.









The icicles on the eaves just melted and dripped from my eyes, crystal clear and pure like angel's tears.



Warm up in the house, the sun becomes brighter, and we are once again convinced that the good road conditions at noon will allow us to reach the Kanas scenic spot smoothly. We just walked a few hundred meters along the track of the wheels, and there was a small uphill in front of us. We happened to be facing the passing car. I moved a few steps to the side, but I didn't want the car to get stuck in the snowdrift next to me and couldn't get out. The other three people in our car got down to push the cart. Mr. R stepped on the accelerator desperately, but there was no sign of coming out. In desperation, Mr. R and uncle waited in place, and my aunt and I went back to the hotel to borrow a shovel. When we rushed back with the shovel on our shoulders, we found that the car was gone!
At this time, Mr. R called and told us that the car had been towed up, and they were waiting for us not far away.
Back in the car, I heard Mr. R describe the situation in detail: When we were struggling to find a shovel, they came across a car driving from Hunan. We are in good condition, look at us, the snow chains we bought on the Internet suddenly broke off on the road the day before yesterday, and we don’t have snow tires, so we can’t go to Kanas now, so we just want to get out of the mountain smoothly today..." In the car The ladies in the shop interjected indignantly: "It's all our little friend's fault for being greedy for cheap and buying the worst fake and shoddy products!" Everyone was joking with each other about each other’s misfortunes. A police car stopped beside them. After understanding the situation, the special police took out tools to hook our car. Get dragged out soon. Before leaving, the special police did not forget to ask Mr. R: "Young man, don't think about others, think about yourself!"





Our car continued to gallop on the snow (some road sections are ice). Although the road conditions were worse than we expected, we had just escaped from the predicament. The beautiful scenery of ice and snow makes me feel very happy. The good times did not last long, and the comfort was less than ten minutes. The car slid halfway uphill in a continuous uphill position. Mr. R stepped on the accelerator. In addition to the burning smell and the harsh sound of the wheels grinding on the ice, The car showed no sign of moving forward. According to the usual practice, the other three people in the car got out of the car and tried to push the cart, but the ice was too slippery for them to stand still, let alone push the cart vigorously. Pushing the cart failed, Mr. R began to try to reverse the empty cart and then go up with the gas pedal, but every time he drove to a large area of ​​ice, he failed.



At this moment, there seemed to be a telepathy, and without any help, the police car that helped just now suddenly appeared in the white snow in front of him. We are like a lost person who has been trapped in the desert for a long time and sees the white camel that guides the way, seeing the dawn of hope.

It was the first time in my life that I got in a police car, and it was very impressive. I watched the special police in front of me personally demonstrate how to help us drive the car up the steepest uphill road. Rent a two-wheel drive."
"No, no, no, it's not the car's problem. It's my kid. I'm not brave enough. Get on the accelerator. Don't slow down. Don't stop. . After helping us out of trouble, the special police drove non-stop to another place where people in need of help.


Sure enough, after mastering the essentials, the road ahead is smooth.





Of course, we no longer dare to be careless. Every time we go uphill or make a sharp turn on the ice, everyone is in fear. There is still a thin layer of snow left on the ground after the snow plow operation. After a small amount of friction from the tires of passing vehicles and the impact of rising temperatures, some of them have slipped away. Snow tires cannot fully function on such a smooth ice surface. At this time, the uphill can only rely on power and inertia, but the steering wheel in snow is not easy to control, and the car is worried about the car when turning sharply on the winding mountain road. Flying off the cliff out of control, for Mr. R who has no snow driving experience and only drives a two-wheel drive urban small off-road, the difficulty can be imagined.





At the intersection of the half-mountain roundabout in the Hemu and Kanas scenic spots, we were once again in trouble on the Banpo due to the slippery ice and insufficient vehicle power. The situation was even more critical at this time. There were steep cliffs on one side and towering rocks on the other. There were still several large trucks full of stones stuck on the mountainside due to road conditions. I wondered where I should go to seek help. Several men and women got off a minibus in the scenic area behind me. One took the driver's seat, and the rest pushed the cart with us. Our car escaped smoothly again.




We tremblingly walked through the 160-kilometer winding mountain road, and there were picturesque scenery everywhere outside the car window. Four hours later, we finally arrived at the Kanas scenic spot --- Jiadengyu National Forest Park. Without the prosperity of the peak season, almost all hotels, restaurants, supermarkets are closed. The roof and in front of the yard were covered with thick snow. It was hard to find a supermarket that was still open. After buying some dry food, we didn’t dare to stay for a long time. Take the center.






Driving along the Kanas River, passing Tuojing Bay, Huajiao Valley, Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Shenxian Lake, and Yaze Lake are all just a glimpse. We plan to stay in the scenic spot for two nights. These scenery can be enjoyed slowly, and the top priority Is to find a warm foothold.
In the off-season, many homestay owners go down to spend the winter, and only the first-level homestays are open all year round.




When I first arrived in the old village of Kanas, it was quiet and peaceful. The locals who occasionally passed by on the road, and a few stray dogs, strolled in the evening, and all living beings coexisted harmoniously here.


The location of Butterfly Villa is superior. It is next to the parking lot of the police station, surrounded by several small supermarkets and restaurants that are still open, and adjacent to the Kanas River. The heating supply is very sufficient. At one point during the night I was woken up by the heat.



At night, I lay contentedly on the soft bed, remembering a text "Who is the cutest person" I learned when I was studying. When I was young and ignorant, I lacked strong patriotism, and I never understood how pure and noble a soldier is. Until this time in Xinjiang, after experiencing the extremely cold and harsh environment, how hot and kind thoughts flowed. We can successfully escape from Hemu to Kanas today, thanks to this group of cutest people.
Kanas in the off-season is quiet, most of the hotels and restaurants are closed, and the roofs are covered with thick snow, which makes it feel like no man’s land. Only the particularly eye-catching lights of the police station give us enough sense of security. When you walk into a small shop, you will pass by a few policemen with guns on their waists. Their faces are blackened and red by the scorching sun in the northwest. I can only see from their immature eyes, Only then can we tell their real ages. Those big boys are only in their early twenties, and they enthusiastically recommend to me which spicy flavor is the best. They have been stationed at the border of the motherland for a long time, and they must have tasted every snack, so they They have the most right to speak, and they are also the cutest people who deserve our respect the most.


TIPS: 1. All buses in the off-season section will stop operating, so private cars are allowed to enter.

2. There is a gas station at the entrance of Jiadengyu, with sufficient fuel reserves, and there is no gas station further inside.

3. When renting a car in winter, remember to ask the store to put on snow tires. For safety reasons, vehicles without snow tires are not allowed to enter the mountain.




The transfer center is the closest to Shenxian Bay, so today we chose to come to Shenxian Bay to enjoy the morning mist.





The sun has not yet risen, and layers of thick fog are floating between the lake and the woods, quite like the feeling of flying through the clouds and fog in a fairyland.



At around nine o'clock, a warm red halo began to appear in the sky.




In the early morning, we were the only group of tourists here, and out of nowhere came a dog with long hair covered in ice scum, gray and black hair, and a burly and handsome dog. The dog is clingy and always wants me to play with him, and he will carefully take the biscuits I handed him,


I don't know how it will survive this long and severe winter.


I took pictures on the plank road, and the dog accompanied me.


When I came here again at noon, he immediately ran over to welcome me from afar, wagging his tail cheerfully.
When I was writing this travel note, it happened that the incident of stray dogs in Hangzhou broke out on the Internet. In my eyes, there is an invisible mirror standing in the world. How you treat others, other objects, creatures, and the natural world, they will give you feedback with the same attitude. Instead of complaining about the indifference of the people around you, the danger of stray animals, the harsh environment, and the injustice of the world, it is better to calm down and reflect on how you used to face them. This is probably a causal relationship in a broad sense, right?









As the sun comes down, the mist gradually dissipates, and the warmth returns to the earth.























Division of labor and cooperation, one to fly the drone, the other to take pictures, cooperate tacitly :)




Under the sunshine for two consecutive days, the road from the B&B to Shenxian Bay has not seen any snow. Unexpectedly, the road to Wolong Bay is still icy. At an uphill position, the vehicle skidded on the ice and stopped halfway up the slope. Mr. R, who already had some experience, reversed the car calmly and gave the accelerator again. Finally, he passed smoothly. The road conditions in the back section became worse and worse, so we dared not Going forward in the adventure, I only visited the classic Sanwan in Kanas, and then went back.
Kanas Scenic Area has built a long wooden plank road. In spring, summer or autumn, it is worth spending a whole day along the wooden plank road along the river, through the jungle, and to the grassland where wild flowers are blooming, slowly feeling the body and mind and nature. into one.













Drawing lessons from the previous few days, the road conditions are what we care most about before we set off. When applying for the border defense permit, I learned that the mountain road to Baihaba Village is rugged, and our two-wheel drive off-road vehicle is difficult to reach, so we gave up. The only thing that can be reached at this moment is Kanas Lake, so we can leisurely bask in the sun by the lake.




Kanas Lake is so quiet that there are no ripples, reflecting the holy snow-capped mountains and dark green forests in the distance. The lake is so clear that it is hard to believe that this is the birthplace of the legend of the water monster. Such a beautiful place should be a mermaid.




To set off my quiet art, Mr. R danced enchantingly.














On a moonlit and starry night, there was a warm cabin where we leaned on each other, laughed carefreely, and enjoyed the rare tranquility that is rarely found on weekdays.




TIPS: 1. To go to Baihaba Village, you need to apply for a border defense certificate, which can be done at the police station of the transfer center.
2. If conditions permit, please rent a four-wheel drive. Only four-wheel drive vehicles can drive freely in the snow and reach Baihaba Village in the northwest frontier.




Before fleeing the ice and snow, seize the last half-day opportunity to have close contact with the white snow. Compared with Sanwan, the morning fog of Kanas Lake is not detrimental. The lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Even when the sun has risen after nine o'clock, the surrounding area is still not favored by the sun.









The sun passed through the clouds and mist, and flowed vividly on the emerald green lake, as colorful as the original dream.






The fog flowed quickly on the gray-blue lake, and finally a beam of light lit up the pine forest in front of me, and the chill and the mist on the lake were gradually dispelled.




In a corner that has never been visited by anyone, the white snow covered on the grass is so pure that there is no trace of impurities. Under the sun, it reflects colorful colors, and the dazzling colors are scattered all over the snow, as if it has been spread on the ground at random. However, they are different from long-lasting diamonds, they are more precious when they come, and when the sun becomes more brilliant, they disappear silently and become a pool of the most common stagnant water.









We still choose to start at noon when the road conditions are the best. We are about to leave this ice and snow kingdom and look for the tail of autumn in the south.








I looked out the car window carefully, trying to remember every subtle trace of winter.




After a few days of devil experience in the snow, Mr. R has been able to calmly handle every slope or sharp turn on the ice. We have successfully returned to the starting point where we started to climb the snow mountain five days ago, when the snow mountain only appeared in the rearview mirror. In the middle, everyone in the car breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, some of the gears of the newly replaced snow tires before departure had been worn out, and they could no longer stand the toss.






Have fun in the last acre of snow.



Familiar patches of golden yellow finally began to appear in sight, swaying in the breeze, and we returned from winter and began to look for the tail of autumn.













It was too early to arrive at the colorful beach. A kind driver next to us advised us not to go in so early and stand there blowing in vain. We had to be respectful rather than obedient. We sat in the car with him and chatted, the sun was getting weaker and weaker. The golden hour of photography in his eyes is obviously coming to an end, and it is difficult to refuse the other party's kindness. In the end, the most beautiful moment of the colorful beach in the eyes of the driver is actually when there is only a little afterglow left in the sun, hanging in the air like salted duck eggs. Let everything go as it pleases, I have learned to get used to it slowly when traveling, accept and deal with the unexpected episodes during the journey, no moment can be recorded with a camera, these pictures can pass through my eyes and remain in my memory, my words middle.
After a short shooting, we soon returned to Burqin County. At this moment, we urgently need a big meal to suppress the snow horror of the previous few days.



Back at the hotel where I stayed in Burqin, the lady at the front desk recognized me and asked in surprise, "Where did you go? How did you come back? I thought you turned back when it snowed heavily that day!"
"No, we finished the itinerary as planned, but stayed in Hemu for one more day." I replied proudly.


The food street in Burqin is probably the most deserted food street I have ever seen, and most of the stores are closed. But it was enough to satisfy our desire for a full meal. The large mutton chops on the table can also provide a good meal for stray dogs on the street.


TIPS:
Colorful Beach is well lit in the morning, suitable for shooting, but backlit in the afternoon, the conditions are not good, and the light is soft near sunset, which is especially good for shooting at this time.




Most self-driving travelers will choose today's terminal in Wuerhe or Karamay. On the vast Gobi, the Populus euphratica forests of different shapes must be more dreamy under the embellishment of the starry sky. However, the position of the center of the Milky Way in winter is too high, and it coincides with the full moon period, which has lost the good conditions for shooting the stars. After discussing, we tried to drive 1040 kilometers from Burqin to Guozigou Township, which just made up for the day we stayed in Hemu due to heavy snow.




Leaving Burqin, bid farewell to the cold, the surrounding scenery is getting more and more barren, and it takes a long time to meet a small village, but the mobile phone signal is getting better and better. When I approach Karamay, I can finally receive a stable 4G. I have experienced a whole week of low-speed network We have finally returned to the era of modern information technology.



The car passed through the outskirts of Wuerhe, and the typical Yadan landform appeared on the roadside. Due to years of wind and rain erosion, nature left layers of small hills on the surface. These rocks have strange shapes and are often visited by great winds. Rolling up the yellow sand all over the sky, the sky and the earth are gray, no trace of life can be seen, only the horrible howling of the wind can be heard, like a demon descending, so it is called the Devil City. But now, among these piles of rocks, there are already oil field production wells lined up, with thick smoke billowing from the chimneys, and the factory is in full swing. The scene of a booming large-scale production has nothing to do with horror. "Karamay" is the transliteration of Uighur "black oil". Here, like a mountain spring, what gushes out of the ground is not water but oil. This oil field scenery has been continued to the south.








From a distance, you can see the "Devil's Eye" sign on the gate of World Devil City. Since Mr. R and I have already visited Yadan Devil City, the only thing that attracts us now is the continuous golden reeds beside the road and strange shapes. dead wood.






The online guide mentions that there is a large Populus euphratica forest near Devil City, which can just make up for the regret that we failed to go to Southern Xinjiang, but the location of this unpopular attraction is unknown and cannot be found on the map. Just passing a checkpoint, the police pointed out the direction for us. Not far from Wuerhe Township, a large Populus euphratica forest appeared in the sand on both sides.












In northern Xinjiang in early winter, the leaves of Populus euphratica have already fallen, and only a few plants are still covered with golden leaves standing firm in the wind, as if they are the last gift left to us in autumn.










The light at dusk is gentle. Looking down from the sky, the Populus euphratica forest casts uniform shadows on the earth. They are heroically rooted in the northwest desert, guarding the hometown of generations.





After a hasty meal, it was not too late and we had plenty of energy, so we finally decided to go to Guozigou Township overnight.


Guozigou Township is not a transit point for regular tourists. I contacted the owner of the local yurt in advance and said that I wanted to stay at his house tonight, but the journey was too long and the arrival time was relatively late. The boss told me that their mountain viewing yurts are closed in winter, and if you don’t mind, you can stay in a farmhouse in the countryside. For us, a clean and warm bed at night during the trip is enough, the view is secondary.




In the middle of the night, we finally approached our destination. We could vaguely see the continuous snow-capped mountains on both sides of the road. We were quite tired from the long-distance driving. We received a message from the boss, asking if our journey was going well. I replied: We're almost there. The boss was worried that the navigation would be inaccurate, so he temporarily picked us up at the intersection on an electric car.
We followed the small electric and turned into the alley. The boss pointed to the iron gate next to it and said, "This is it."
Push open the gate, pass through the front yard, and there is a one-story house. The hall is in the middle of the house, and the living rooms are on the left and right sides of the hall. There is a stove in the middle of the living room. The big kang with flowery blankets, the top of the kang is decorated with fruit posters, a typical northern farmhouse pattern.
After entering the house, the boss learned about our general itinerary for tomorrow and began to help us plan the optimal route. After half an hour, he felt that the route was inappropriate and needed to get up early. Afraid that we had already fallen asleep and would not be disturbed, this man from the Northwest kept wandering around our door. Just as Mr. R came out to pick up the luggage on the bus, he grabbed Mr. R and re-drawn the route for us, and happily told us that we could have a good rest tonight. get up early.
In fact, coming so late and making people wait all the time is already enough trouble, it is really embarrassing. The boss didn't mean to complain about us at all, and he kept feeling: "You guys are really trustworthy. After all, it's so late and you're still trustworthy.
Go through the longest journey and welcome the most simple waiting.




It was the first time for Mr. R and I to sleep on a large kang, and we were excited to lay down a soft cushion and lie on it, covered with a thick cotton quilt. Mr. R said that day was the most peaceful and comfortable night of sleep during the whole trip, maybe It was the warm big bed that gave him enough freshness and comfort, or it was the exhaustion of the horses and horses today and the long-distance driving that made him extremely tired.




TIPS:
1. Navigate to Wuerhe Township, enter Wuerhe Township, and soon you will see the sign, follow the sign to the depths of the village, and soon you will see a large Populus euphratica forest.
2. It is an unconventional self-driving transfer station in Guozigou Township. It is best to confirm the accommodation before departure. During the peak season, you can live in a yurt on the top of the mountain, and there are a few farmhouses in the village during the off-season.




Before eight o'clock, the boss had already gotten up early and was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen. A large bowl of hot milk tea, white rice porridge, boiled free-range eggs, steamed thick noodle steamed buns, served with two side dishes, one meat and one vegetarian, quite appetizing. It is said that the milk quality in Xinjiang is good. Today I finally drank my favorite freshly brewed milk tea. It is not like our daily sweet milk tea. The light salty taste combined with the thick milk taste does not feel inconsistent at all. Before leaving, I bought a bag of apples picked from my own tree. The yellow skin is sweet and slightly sour, which is my favorite taste.




Saying goodbye to the boss family, we embark on today's journey. Guozigou is located in the west of Xinjiang, the temperature is warmer, and the roadside is full of autumn scenery. I was pleasantly surprised to catch the tail of autumn inadvertently.




The harvested wheat field leaves a piece of golden wheat stalks, the trunk is straight, and the branches and leaves are mostly orange-red, occasionally mixed with a little dark green. Floating in the fields is exactly the scenery of autumn fairy tales in my mind.




The scene in front of me fascinated me, and I strongly asked Mr. R to stop and let me take a picture. Mr. R couldn't help me, so he stopped the car in the emergency lane and told me not to exceed one minute! I happily jumped out of the car, took out the camera, and before I could press the shutter, the unremarkable young man on the side of the road who had been bowing his head and playing with his mobile phone came to me.
"What happened? I'm from the police."
"Uh...we have a little problem with our car." I didn't want to be dragged to the police station, so I could only falter and lie.
"What's the problem?" He cast his eyes on Mr. R.
"Well, the water tank is out of water, add some glass water."
"Oh, go faster then."
"Okay... let's do it as soon as possible!" We cooperatively took out a large bottle of glass water from the trunk, and dripped a little into it. After all, we didn't have time to read the instructions and didn't know how to use it.
In fact, the water tank did bottom out at that time, but we didn't know it yet. When I was about to wipe the windshield that day, I realized that the water tank was completely empty. I comforted myself that Mr. R did not lie, only I was the bad guy who lied.
After "Near Death", I was left in the car and sighed: Why are all the beautiful scenery on the highway!




















The first stop today is Khorgos Port, a legendary commercial port that crosses the border between the two countries. Those who have a passport can directly enter the business area. It doesn't matter if you don't have a passport. You can apply for a pass for 20 yuan with your ID card.




The business district is not as prosperous as I imagined. The so-called cross-border is more like a gimmick. You still need to apply for a visa to go to Kazakhstan.




But I think Mr. R should still remember this place, after all, he stepped on a minefield in the food court of the Trade City.
That day, Mr. R, who was hungry, saw the big white and fat buns in the picture and decided to stay for Chinese food. What a basket of "steaming" beef buns (heated up in the microwave and served), just looking at the appearance, I have already felt the crit of the buyer's show.
Mr. R ate two in a row with relish, and I looked at the large, gleaming white object in the filling and asked, "This bun is delicious? What is the white diced object?"
"Well, that's right. That's an onion. Would you like some onion?" I hated the smell of meat for a while, so I refused decisively.
In the end, he laughed at his uncle's wontons, which were so small, that his basket of five big buns was more affordable. But Auntie couldn’t resist Mr. R’s temptation, took a bun and bit it, I saw the expression on her face changed from a stretched smile full of joyful anticipation, to a heavy twist in an instant, “There are no onions in this, the whole body is full of fat , It's too unpalatable..." Mr. R must have burst into tears when he knew the truth, because he never ate any fat since he was a child.




Leaving Horgos Port, head straight to Sailimu Lake, the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean.


Mr. R's inner pain was probably healed by the scenery of Sailimu Lake.
Saihu Lake in early winter has not yet frozen, and the lake surface presents a fresh azure blue against the backdrop of the sky. The withered yellow meadow by the lake is patchwork with the blue of the lake water, and the cold and warm complement each other perfectly. The heavy snow a few days ago left the distant mountain tops with distinct layers, white snow, and brown rocks. The afternoon sun just shone on the distant mountains, and the colors were bright and warm.




The scenic area has begun to put a large number of camping cars. When the spring is warm and the flowers are blooming, you can take a walk along the plank road by the lake during the day. In the beautiful lake and mountains.






















Exit from the Sailimu Hunan Gate, turn right at the fork in the road and you will arrive at the Guozigou Scenic Area. There are many parking areas along the way, and there are also wooden plank roads built along the mountain for tourists to appreciate the magnificent figure of the Guozigou Bridge from different angles.




In order to find the best shooting spots for the Guozigou Bridge, we stopped and stopped all the way, and accidentally turned into a closed B&B. When we tried to turn back from the small slope, the car got stuck in the mud and couldn't get out. It was the pushcart again, and Mr. R kicked the accelerator to go down, splashing a lot of mud and water, they rotated at high speed, and finally fell on me who couldn't dodge in time. With the experience of getting out of trouble on the ice, it is easy to drive out of the quagmire. The windows and windshield of the car were not spared, and they were all splashed with mud. The small off-road vehicle, which had a white and fresh appearance, has been devastated by us.










After climbing down from the top of the mountain, we drove onto the expressway, and we started heading east all the way. The destination tonight is Kuitun City.








As an emerging industrial and commercial city in the Northwest, the brightly lit appearance finally has the atmosphere of the city. After passing the security checkpoint, we finally entered the city!
I pointed to the twinkling tower-shaped building with the words "KTTV" hanging in front of me and said curiously: "This KVT looks amazing. It's VVIP, and its KKTV!"
"That's what Kuitun TV means..." Mr. R didn't know whether to laugh or cry.




TIPS: 1. A valid certificate is required to enter the Khorgos Port. Passport holders can directly enter the business area. It doesn't matter if you don't have a passport. You can apply for a pass with your ID card for 20 yuan.

2. There is also a national scenic spot next to the business district, which charges 30 yuan, and you can only watch a boundary marker (slightly pitted) from a distance.

3. Come out from the Sailimu Hunan Gate, turn right at the fork and you will arrive at the Guozigou Scenic Area, which is the best place to watch the Guozigou Bridge.

Anjihai Grand Canyon


Sleep in and get up and check out, the first rain we encountered in Xinjiang is floating in the sky. The air was washed clear by the rain, and the whole city was moistened. Today's first stop is the unpopular scenic spot Anjihai Grand Canyon. This scenic spot has not yet been developed, so you don't need to pay for tickets. It is easy to find the location on the map.


Just left the urban area, there are various factories and coal mines on both sides of the road, the air is filled with gray smog, and occasionally a thin puppy runs past, such an environment is depressing. In stark contrast to the deep and open canyon, walking on the edge of the cliff to see the whole picture of Anjihai Grand Canyon is suddenly enlightening. Being here, I feel the insignificance of human beings even more.





I don't know who overturned the palette of a great artist and dyed the canyon with the right shade of color? This picture scroll hidden in the depths of the cliff makes people can't help but marvel at the uncanny craftsmanship of nature.























Just as we were about to leave, a big dog sprang out. It seemed a little afraid of strangers. I handed it some baked naan, and it came over greedily.
Then he took a few steps back and didn't dare to go forward. It took a long time to go back and forth before he dared to go forward to take the food. When we started the vehicle to leave, it ran back to see us off. I have always liked getting along with animals. They have talking eyes, pure hearts, and intelligent minds. Most importantly, they know what gratitude is.










I came across a group of camels on the side of the road by chance. Those cute guys were drinking water in a shoal. You raised your head to look at it, and I lowered my head to drink water. It was very funny. Of course, the most interesting thing is when the camels are running. It is hard for you to imagine that these desert boats can run so fast on a flat road. The two humps and every muscle on the body are shaking together.








Kuitun is about 420 kilometers away from Turpan. Driving on the highway close to Urumqi, you can see the white snow on the Tianshan Mountains.


wind power station

Continue to the west of Urumqi, passing through the Osaka City Wind Power Station, and get off the expressway from the exit of the Xinjing Expressway near the Chaiwopu Overpass, and the viewing platform of the power station is not far away. At dusk, against the background of the large sunset glow, it is magnificent.


Grand Canyon

TIPS: The Anjihai Grand Canyon has not yet been developed, and there are no protective measures on the edge of the cliff. Be sure to pay attention to safety when taking pictures.

The melons and fruits growing here are happy, every cell of them is loved by the sun, so they are extraordinarily sweet.


I was probably attracted by the raisins in Turpan.
I thought that the bazaar opposite the hotel must be selling dried fruits everywhere, but after going in today, I found that the desolation can be compared with the Urumqi Grand Bazaar. It was not easy to see a few stalls selling fruit. The price is not cheap, but the security here is very strict. At the entrance, two security guards are wearing armor and holding explosion-proof shields, standing back to back, always alert to every move of the people around them. move.


I failed to buy raisins at the Bazaar as I wished, and I searched carpet-like stalls selling dry goods all the way, but I got my wish at the fork of the expressway (Xinjiang’s expressways are very special, some have not been completely closed, and some places even I can still cross the road and make a U-turn.) Mr. R carefully avoided the passing trucks, and was about to find a suitable place to stop and let the greedy me out.
At this time, the traffic police came over, not accusing us of parking at random, but shouting to Mr. R in standard Xinjiang Mandarin: "Young man~ you are too timid~ your eyes are big, you are so timid, don't look left and right, Just drive forward boldly~" This is the second time that Mr. R was "educated" by the police uncle for being "cowardly".


I was attracted by the piles of raisins in front of me, and I was about to express my feelings to Mr. R, but he didn't follow. I went back to the parking lot to look for him, opened the car door, and I caught him at the scene of a "crime". I was enjoying the fresh grapes I bought this morning alone, and said aggrievedly, so as to comfort his wounded heart after being educated by the police.


Mr. R was caught stealing food






Most people's impression of Turpan is the Flame Mountain of Journey to the West, so the Flame Mountain Scenic Spot has become a must-see attraction for tourists to Turpan. The Flame Mountain scenic spot is divided into two, one is a large scenic spot, you can climb to the top of the mountain along the trail, and the other is a small scenic spot a few hundred meters ahead, where there are thermometers and several sculptures. In my opinion, the small scenic spot is probably the worst scenic spot, not one of them. That's not where Journey to the West was filmed. Continue to drive forward, and you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the surrounding landforms are more stunning than the scenic spots, and the real scene is right ahead.




There is a clear stream flowing happily in the barren desert, and a hut specially used for drying grapes stands beside the stream, and the wonders of nature are displayed in front of people in the form of a desert oasis.




A simple small tent was built on the roadside viewing platform to sell fresh melons and fruits. These cantaloupe were brought over by the grandfather himself.


Mr. R, does this cantaloupe have enmity with you?








This journey has been coming and going in the wind and rain, thank you for our drones!


After eating the melon, we walked forward and accidentally passed a scenic spot under construction. Since the entrance fee is exempted, we naturally have to go in and take a look.



The mud house in the desert, the oasis of flowing water in the desert; few tourists visit, so quiet that it seems that they do not exist on the map, encountering them is probably the ultimate pleasure of my travels.












Turpan


Returning to the fork in the road not far from the Flaming Mountain Scenic Area, we plan to go to the Tuyugou Scenic Area.


Passing by the local village, the bustling lunch market, this is what we like about the market!




The naan is appetizing, sprinkled with cumin and chili flakes.




Pass through the front of the village and soon arrive at the Tuyugou Scenic Area.




Due to time reasons, we did not enter the village, but chose to overlook the entire Mazha Village from a hillside not far away.








On the way from Tuyugou Scenic Area to Kumtag Desert, we have been driving along the Tuyugou Grand Canyon. From the top of the mountain to the bottom of the valley, we can truly experience the magnificence of the desert canyon up close.















In the Tuyugou Grand Canyon, I was not willing to use the drone, thinking that all the power must be reserved for the Kumtag Desert. I don't want to be told at the security check at the desert gate that drones cannot be used inside. With the full battery of the drone in my arms, I feel helpless that the hero is useless.







Before coming to the desert, I didn’t do my homework in detail to check the strategies. I only heard the staff at the ticket office say that it was 3-4 kilometers away to walk in. I thought that the sun would set soon, so I chose to take a sightseeing bus. In fact, the terminal of the sightseeing bus is just a station with amusement items. After going around the winding road, I found that the gate is not far behind. Since this place is a tourist concentration area, the surrounding sand dunes are full of footprints and the arc is not perfect. It is really suitable for shooting the undulating sand dunes along the way of the sightseeing car.




Although I couldn't take beautiful photos, I experienced a dune leap. Sit in the front row, feel the whistling of wind and sand, feel the impact of speed and passion.











TIPS: Drone aerial photography cannot be used in the Kumtag Desert.

On the last day of returning to Xinjiang, I would like to buy more raisins and preserve my memory of Xinjiang through taste. The front desk of the hotel recommended us to Dongjiang Wholesale Market. This is indeed the market of my dreams, with a complete range of varieties and reasonable divisions, ranging from fresh vegetables to dried melons and fruits.



If you are lucky enough to taste fresh mare's milk, there is no other grape in the world like it.



Apples are not retailed, and we can only get them wholesale in whole boxes. With our hands full of fresh grapes and dried fruits, we had no choice but to give up.








From Turpan to Urumqi, you will pass through this salt lake, and you can get off at the high-speed fork.




Wild geese migrating in "people" formation.




Urumqi is the starting place for our self-driving. Compared with other places in Xinjiang, the attractions are much inferior. The only thing that attracts us is probably the Grand Bazaar.
On the day we arrived first (the day before the self-driving started), we specially "stand" for an hour and a half near the airport to the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar. After a long flight, my stomach has already been emptied. Although I am tired, the thought of the delicious food in the Grand Bazaar makes me feel excited. In our impression, Bazaar must be a paradise where local snacks gather. Although the occasional snacks along the way always attract my attention, R keeps reminding me not to eat too much, and I can only watch when I get to the bazaar. For the bazaar of our dreams, we retained 80% of our combat power. When we arrived, we found that there was only a souvenir market for tourists. This probably overturned my understanding of the Grand Bazaar.




TIPS: It is recommended to go to Turpan Dongjiang Wholesale Market to purchase dried or fresh fruits. The price is affordable and the variety is complete.

After driving 1040 kilometers, we returned to Urumqi, the starting point. You can still clearly see the Tianshan Mountains from the plane. I have seen this scene several times this year, but I am just a passer-by. I finally have the opportunity to savor her.

The end of a journey is not the end of my story. I am still moving forward, encountering unknown scenery.


Travel is a colorful page in my book, occasionally turned out from memory, it exudes charming light, fragrant smell, ups and downs sensory experience.




Traveling is a beautiful dream I wove for myself. I am immersed in the time of exploration on the road, and hope that I have the ability to continue it.