In September, follow our guide to Xinjiang to experience a visual journey that will remain unforgettable for a lifetime
foreword
Preface
I am a rather lazy person. I have visited many places, but I have never written a travelogue. Occasionally, I would look at the photos of my previous travels stored on my computer. I found them quite interesting. This time, it was my first time writing a travelogue. Because suddenly, I felt that this way was also very interesting. When I return from a trip, I would sort out my emotions and photos during the journey, make a record, and look back on it in a few years. I think it would be more interesting than just looking at the photos alone～
main body
OK, now let's get to the main point and start our 9-day, 8-night trip to the northern part of Xinjiang!
【Day 1】Day of Gathering in Urumqi
We set off from Hangzhou at around 9 o'clock in the morning and it took us over 7 hours to finally arrive at the Gekebo Airport in Urumqi. Today was the gathering day and also the day for free activities. We quickly took a taxi to the hotel where we were staying, checked in and then went out to look for food.
On the way to the hotel by taxi, I listened to the chef's recommendations and learned about many restaurants. While having lunch, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there was one nearby - Chaiwokebao Spicy Chicken.
【Xinjiang Big Chicken Curry】 is a must-order dish. I really want to recommend it to you! This one is especially delicious! Big Chicken Curry goes well with the white flour wrappers. When you finish eating the big chicken curry, you can ask for a white flour wrapper. The waiter will pour the white flour directly onto the big chicken curry and mix the sauce evenly before you eat it. The taste is amazing!
【Hui Min With Spicy Sauce】I ordered this dish simply because I couldn't understand the name. But unexpectedly, it turned out to be very delicious. It's actually an egg pancake filled with beef, but the taste is surprisingly good.
【Large Fish】Perhaps Xinjiang is a place where one can enjoy meat. The taste of the fish was okay, but not particularly outstanding. It was just average. However, the portion was quite generous.
After the meal, we went to the "Er Daqiao International Bazaar". "Bazaar" in Uyghur language means market.
The bazaar really has a wide variety of food. You might think that in Xinjiang, all you can get are grilled lamb kebabs. But that would be a big mistake! There are also grilled goat hooves, grilled goat intestines, grilled buns, and so on.
Of course, there will be delicious mutton pilaf as well!
【Day 2】Urumqi - Junggar Basin - Koksuuri Lake - Koktuo Lake
Today, I spent 8 hours sitting in the car and traversed the [Zhungeer Basin].
In the afternoon, we arrived at [Kokasuri Lake]. The sun was shining brightly and everywhere were safflower flowers.
【Day 3】Keketuohai National Geopark - Strolling through the Erqi River Gorge
Look out at [Shenzhong Mountain]
It is the season of the "mass migration of cattle and sheep". As you walk along the Grand Canyon, you can encounter the vast migrating herds everywhere, and the scene is truly magnificent.
【Day 4】The First Village in the Northwest - Bai Ha Ba
Today, we traveled along the China-Kazakhstan border road in the Altay region to visit the [Bai Haba Village]. Bai Haba Village is located at the border between China and Kazakhstan and is known as the first village on the border.
Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative. Throughout our journey, it was raining continuously, and we were unable to witness the beautiful starry sky of the first village on the border. However, after the rain, Ba Ha Ba has a special flavor.
On the way to Baheba, we encountered the migration of cattle and sheep again. This time it was different from the previous day. Yesterday it was the migration along the road, while today it was the migration on the grassland. The scene was even more spectacular.
The gentle drizzle mingled with the peaceful Bai Haba town. Here and there, a few tourists were strolling along the road. Occasionally, local people would ride horses past me.
The town after the rain is like a natural oxygen bar. The air is cool and fresh. The damp air also contains the fragrance of grass, and of course, there is an indistinct smell of cow dung 🤣
All of these are things that people who have lived in the city for a long time cannot feel. It's very comfortable!
【Day 5】A place in Xinjiang that you haven't visited yet - Kanas
Kanas began to enter autumn and its colors started to become rich and diverse.
【Kanas Three Bays】 - The Immortal Bay
【Kanas Three Bays】 - Moon Bay
【Kanas Three Bays】 - Longlong Bay
【Day 6】God's Reserved Land - Hemo Village
Hemu Village is like a secluded and secluded town. It took us about an hour by bus from the scenic area entrance to the village.
The weather in the mountains is highly unpredictable. It can be sunny one moment and rainy the next. One second it might be a clear blue sky, and the next second it could be a fierce storm with strong winds and heavy rain.
For dinner, we had a super filling local hot pot. Each of the 6 people spent 100 yuan. The pot was full of hot pot ingredients, including beef balls, lamb chops, chicken, and an unlimited supply of vegetables. It was delicious.
【Day 7】The No.1 Beach in the World - The Colorful Beach
The most beautiful water-facing Danxia landform - Colorful Beach
I had the chance to see the Danxia landform in Gansu Province before. It was a completely different experience from before. The Five-Colored Beach is located along the banks of the Irtysh River, complemented by the white birch forest on the opposite bank. The blue sky, white clouds and beautiful scenery are truly picturesque!
The Danxia landform under the setting sun looks even more like a spilled palette of red colors.
【Day 8】Millennium Standing Poplar Forest & Mysterious Gobi Devil City
Hualiang Forest - Living for a thousand years, it never dies; after death, it never collapses; and after collapse, it never decays.
I think if Kanas is one of the must-visit spots when coming to Xinjiang in autumn, then the area of red poplar trees is another one. The area of red poplar trees has almost become the symbol of Xinjiang.
In front of the vast area of poplar forests, we are really too small. To get good photos, it is recommended to wear brightly colored clothes. Otherwise, you will be completely lost in the sea of golden yellow 🤣
【Wulhe Devil City】One of the three most beautiful Yadan landforms in the world
Most renowned as the most magnificent rock badlands
I think some feelings cannot be captured by photos. The essence of traveling lies in using our eyes to discover the beauty of this world.
I used to often read stories about devil cities in mystery novels. But standing in a devil city in person is a completely different experience. Of course, it's not the terrifying and devouring kind described in the novels. Instead, it's the magnificent and boundless landscape, created by nature itself, without any trace of human intervention. In the face of nature, humans are just like ants, insignificant.
Summary
The fruits and dried fruits in Xinjiang are completely representative of the bold and rugged style of the northwest region. They are sold by the kilogram and the prices are extremely reasonable. Hami melons are currently in season, and you can enjoy sweet and affordable melons every day. The grapes are also extremely sweet.
Only when I came to Xinjiang did I realize that there are so many kinds of raisins, and each has a different flavor. It was quite an eye-opening experience.
The 9-day trip to the northern region has just ended. There's a touch of sadness and a little excitement. Xinjiang has always been something I've been longing to visit since college, but due to various reasons, I never had the chance. This time, I was somewhat surprised by the experience. Xinjiang is extremely safe and there are no riots as people usually imagine. I think friends who have concerns can simply put their minds at ease.
This time, I found that the time was too short and Xinjiang is so vast. I covered a total distance of over 2,000 kilometers, but only explored the northern part of Xinjiang. The southern part of Xinjiang is still an area of my unexplored territory. I'm a little looking forward to the next visit and hoping that the southern part of Xinjiang will bring me new surprises 😅
