Northern Xinjiang Travel Experience: Romance and Vastness of Western Regions’ Snowy Mountains and Grasslands

For travelers who love nature and exploration, Northern Xinjiang is an irresistible dream destination. This land located in northern Xinjiang, China, integrates various landforms such as snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, forests, and gobi. Every scenery here is like a gorgeous oil painting, and every experience will become an unforgettable memory. My Northern Xinjiang travel experience is not only a record of the scenery but also a practical exploration guide, hoping to help foreign friends gain an in-depth understanding of this magical land and feel its unique charm. Whether you enjoy hiking to appreciate natural wonders or love experiencing local cultural customs, Northern Xinjiang can meet your expectations.

First Encounter with Altay – Snow and City

My Northern Xinjiang journey started in the Altay region, which is known as the birthplace of human skiing and has unique charm whether in winter or summer. When I first arrived in Altay City, the early morning sun shone on Jiangjun Mountain on the edge of the urban area. The remaining snow on the mountain top and the greenery at the foot of the mountain formed a sharp contrast. The air was fresh and cool, making me instantly get rid of the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, I learned my first Northern Xinjiang travel experience: the beauty of Altay lies not only in its magnificent natural scenery but also in its vibrant life atmosphere. Walking on the streets of the urban area, you can see locals living in harmony with people of various ethnic groups. The markets are filled with fresh fruits, nuts, and special delicacies, such as sweet Hami melons, crispy nang (a kind of Xinjiang flatbread), and fragrant roasted buns, which are affordable and authentic in taste. If you come in winter, you must go to Jikepulin Ski Resort to experience the fun of skiing. The snow here is soft, and there are various ski trails, so both beginners and professional skiers can find suitable venues. In summer, you can hike on Jiangjun Mountain, enjoy the alpine meadows and wild flowers along the way, and stand on the mountain top to overlook the panoramic view of Altay City, feeling the harmonious coexistence of the city and nature.

Scenery of Kanas, Altay, Xinjiang

Kanas Lake – A Blue Palette Knocked Over by God

When I left Altay City and drove to Kanas Lake, the scenery along the way began to bring constant surprises. As the car drove into the mountainous area, the trees on both sides gradually changed from broad-leaved forests to coniferous forests. The green became more and more intense, and the air became more and more humid. When Kanas Lake appeared in front of me for the first time, I immediately understood why people call it a blue palette knocked over by God. The color of the lake water will show different tones with the change of light, sometimes clear light blue, sometimes deep sapphire blue, and sometimes with a touch of green, like a flowing gem. This is one of the most unforgettable scenery experiences in my Northern Xinjiang travel experience. To visit Kanas Lake, it is recommended to take a boat tour. You can feel the clarity and magic of the lake water up close from the lake surface, and also see the steep cliffs and dense forests on both sides of the lake. Occasionally, water birds such as egrets fly over the lake, forming a vivid natural picture. In addition, the Fish-Watching Platform on the west bank of the lake is also a must-visit place. Although you need to climb 1,068 steps, after reaching the top of the mountain, you can have a panoramic view of the entire Kanas Lake. The winding lakeshore is like a blue ribbon winding between the mountains, which is extremely magnificent. In the evening, you can go to the nearby Tuvan village to experience the local characteristic wooden houses, taste butter tea and milk wine, enjoy the unique matouqin (a traditional Mongolian musical instrument) performance of the Tuvan people, and feel their simple and warm ethnic customs.

Hemu Village – A Paradise in the Morning Mist

It takes about an hour’s drive from Kanas Lake to Hemu Village, which is known as a paradise. This village located deep in the Altai Mountains is one of the places where the Tuvan people live in concentration and is also a representative scenic spot combining humanity and nature in Northern Xinjiang. In my Northern Xinjiang travel experience, the early morning of Hemu Village is the most magical moment. In order to enjoy the morning mist scenery, I got up early specially. When the sky was slightly bright, thick morning mist rose in the valleys around the village. The white mist surrounded the pointed wooden houses, and wisps of cooking smoke curled up from the roofs. The distant snow-capped mountains glowed with a faint golden light in the morning glow, and the whole scene was like a fairy tale world. Walking along the boardwalk beside the village, there is a soft meadow under your feet, and a gurgling stream beside you. The stream is so clear that you can see the stones and swimming fish at the bottom. The Tuvan people in the village are very enthusiastic and will take the initiative to greet tourists. If you are willing, you can walk into their homes and listen to them tell the history and life stories of the village. It is recommended to stay in Hemu Village for one more day. During the day, you can ride a horse through the surrounding mountains and forests to feel the joy of the grassland herdsmen’s life. In the evening, sit on the lawn in front of the wooden house and enjoy the gorgeous scenery where the sun dyes the snow-capped mountains and grasslands golden red when the sun sets. At night, you can look up at the starry sky. There is no light pollution in the city here, so the starry sky is extremely bright, and the Milky Way is clearly visible, making it an excellent place for astrophotography.

Sayram Lake – The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean

When leaving the Altay region and heading to the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, the must-pass stop is Sayram Lake. This alpine lake, known as the Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean, is another unforgettable scenic spot in my Northern Xinjiang travel experience. Located in the Tianshan Mountains, Sayram Lake is the highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. Its water comes from the melting snow of the surrounding high mountains, and the water quality is extremely clear, with a transparency of more than 10 meters. Standing by the lake, the lake water is so blue that it intoxicates people. The distant Tianshan snow-capped mountains serve as the background, and the lakeside is a vast grassland. Various colors of wild flowers bloom on the grassland, yellow, purple, pink, colorful, forming a sharp contrast with the blue lake water and white snow-capped mountains. The most recommended way to visit Sayram Lake is to drive around the lake. The circular lake highway is about 90 kilometers long, with multiple viewing platforms along the way, allowing you to stop and enjoy the lake scenery from different angles at any time. During the trip around the lake, you will find that the color of the lake water is constantly changing, from light blue to dark blue, and then to black blue, with different surprises in each section. In addition, you can also experience activities such as horse riding and archery on the grassland by the lake, interact with the local Kazakh herdsmen, and feel their nomadic life. If you have enough time, it is recommended to stay in a tent camp by the lake for one night. In the early morning, enjoy the sunrise on the lake. Watching the sun rise from behind the snow-capped mountains and dye the lake water and grassland golden yellow, the beautiful scenery at that moment will be unforgettable for your whole life.

Nalati Grassland – The Boundless Green of the Alpine Grassland

When you come to Ili, you can’t miss Nalati Grassland. This scenic spot, known as the Alpine Grassland, has become an indispensable part of my Northern Xinjiang travel experience with its vast greenery and unique landform. Located in the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains, Nalati Grassland has an average altitude of about 2,200 meters. It is named because of its high terrain, which makes it seem to be in the air. Walking into the grassland, what comes into view is boundless green. The grass grows lush and green, forming waves of green with the undulation of the terrain. Scattered on the grassland are white yurts, which are the homes of the Kazakh herdsmen. Groups of cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the grassland, and the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains in the distance are covered with snow all year round, forming a magnificent pastoral landscape painting. In Nalati Grassland, it is recommended to take the scenic spot’s sightseeing bus to the Alpine Grassland scenic spot. Stand on a high place to overlook the panoramic view of the entire grassland and feel the vastness and magic of nature. In addition, you can also experience special activities on the grassland, such as riding a horse to tour the grassland. Under the leadership of the herdsmen, you can walk along the paths on the grassland and enjoy the scenery along the way. Or you can participate in the herdsmen’s family banquet, taste authentic hand-grasped meat, roasted whole lamb, and Kazakh characteristic dairy products, listen to the herdsmen play the dombra (a traditional Kazakh musical instrument), and feel their enthusiastic and unrestrained national culture. In the evening, the sunset on the grassland is particularly beautiful. The sun shines through the clouds and sprinkles on the grassland, forming golden rays of light. Cattle and sheep return to the fold, and cooking smoke curls up from the yurts. The whole grassland presents a peaceful and harmonious scene.

Nalati Grassland

Bayanbulak – The Spectacular Sunset of the Zigzagging Kaidu River

Driving from Nalati Grassland to Bayanbulak Grassland, you have to pass through multiple ridges of the Tianshan Mountains. The road is winding and steep, but the scenery is extremely magnificent. Bayanbulak Grassland is the second largest grassland in China, located in the basin in the middle of the Tianshan Mountains. The grassland has a flat terrain and abundant water and grass, making it one of the most important pastures in Xinjiang. In my Northern Xinjiang travel experience, the sunset of the zigzagging Kaidu River in Bayanbulak is the most shocking natural wonder. The zigzagging Kaidu River refers to the unique landscape formed by the meandering flow of the Kaidu River on the grassland. The river is like a silver dragon, winding and twisting on the green grassland, and finally flows into Bosten Lake. In order to enjoy the spectacular sunset, I arrived at the viewing platform on the high ground of the grassland in advance, and there were already many tourists gathered on the viewing platform at this time. As the sun gradually sets, the color of the sky keeps changing, from light orange to deep red, and then to purple red. The surface of the Kaidu River also presents different tones with the change of the sky’s color. When the sun is about to sink below the horizon, the sunlight passes through the bends of the river and forms multiple reflections of the sun on the water surface. This is the famous wonder of nine suns, which is extremely spectacular and amazing. In addition to the zigzagging river, the Swan Lake Scenic Area on Bayanbulak Grassland is also worth a visit. This is a national swan nature reserve. Every spring to autumn, a large number of swans come here to inhabit and breed. Tourists can watch the elegant postures of swans from a distance on the bird-watching platform. On the grassland, you can also experience the fun of staying in a yurt at night. The grassland at night is extremely quiet, with only the sound of the wind blowing the grass and the barking of dogs in the distance. Looking up, you can see the sky full of stars, as if within reach.

Turpan – The Passion and Ancient Charm of the Fire State

The last stop of my Northern Xinjiang journey was Turpan, known as the Fire State. Different from the coolness of other areas in Northern Xinjiang, its unique hot climate has created its unique natural and human landscapes, and also added a different color to my Northern Xinjiang travel experience. Turpan is the location of the lowest point on land in China. The temperature here is extremely high in summer, with the highest temperature reaching more than 40°C, but the scenery here is full of charm. Karez is one of the most representative human landscapes in Turpan. It is a unique water conservancy project created by the ancient people of Xinjiang. It diverts the melting snow water from the Tianshan Mountains into the urban area and farmland through underground channels, solving the local irrigation and drinking water problems, and is known as the Underground Great Wall. Walking into the Karez Scenic Area, visit the underground channels and reservoirs, and listen to the tour guide talk about the construction history and working principle of Karez, you can’t help but be convinced by the wisdom and diligence of the ancient working people. In addition, the Grape Valley in Turpan is also a must-visit place. It is rich in various varieties of grapes. Every time the grapes are ripe, the valley is shaded by green trees, and the grape vines are wrapped around the shelves. Clusters of crystal-clear grapes hang on the branches, which are sweet and delicious. In the Grape Valley, you can also visit the vineyards, experience the fun of picking grapes, and taste various special foods made from grapes, such as raisins, grape juice, and wine. The Flaming Mountain in Turpan is also a famous scenic spot. The mountain is reddish brown. Under the scorching sun, the rocks become hot and red, like a burning flame, which is very similar to the description in Journey to the West, making people feel the magic and grandeur of nature.

A Worthwhile Journey to the Western Regions

At the end of my Northern Xinjiang journey, my heart is full of reluctance and emotion. The magnificent scenery, unique culture and enthusiastic folk customs of this land have all left a deep impression on me. My Northern Xinjiang travel experience is not only a record of the scenery along the way but also a deep love for this land. Northern Xinjiang is like a colorful treasure box, and every time you open it, you will have different surprises. Here, there are the snow-capped mountains and coolness of Altay, the blueness and magic of Kanas Lake, the morning mist and tranquility of Hemu Village, the clarity and grandeur of Sayram Lake, the greenery and vitality of Nalati Grassland, the sunset and shock of Bayanbulak, and the passion and ancient charm of Turpan. Whether you like natural scenery or human landscapes, love outdoor exploration or enjoy leisure time, Northern Xinjiang can meet your needs. For foreign tourists, Northern Xinjiang is an excellent window to understand the ethnic minority culture and unique natural landscapes in western China. The people here are warm and hospitable, the scenery is picturesque, and the transportation and accommodation are becoming more and more convenient. If you are planning a journey full of surprises and experiences, then Northern Xinjiang is definitely a choice that lives up to your expectations. I believe that everything here will become an unforgettable memory in your life.