My WeChat Moments is blowing up! This isn't Switzerland, it's Xinjiang.

‼️A Guide to Visiting Altay, Northern Xinjiang (2025 Edition) **1. Pre-Trip Preparations** * **Best Time to Travel:** * Summer (June–August): Lush grasslands, blooming wildflowers, and pleasant weather—perfect for escaping the heat. * Autumn (September–October): Forests ablaze with color, a photographer's paradise. * Winter (November–March): A silver wonderland, ideal for skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter sports. * **Clothing Guide:** * Summer: Large temperature differences between day and night. Pack short sleeves, long sleeves, a jacket, sun protection, a hat, and sunglasses. * Autumn: Cooler temperatures. Bring warm clothing such as a down jacket, sweater, scarf, and gloves. * Winter: Extremely cold. Prepare heavy down jackets, thermal underwear, snow boots, a hat, gloves, and other cold-weather gear. * **Other Preparations:** * Documents: ID card, driver's license (if renting a car), border pass (if visiting border areas like Baihaba). * Medicine: Common medications like cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, and band-aids. * Sun Protection: Sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizer. * Other: Camera, portable charger, thermos, and rain gear. **2. Transportation** * **Airplane:** Altay Airport (AAT) has flights to and from Urumqi, Yining, Kanas, and other locations. * **Train:** Altay City has a train station, but services are limited. * **Bus:** Long-distance buses travel to Altay from Urumqi, Karamay, and other cities. * **Chartered Car/Self-Drive:** Chartering a car or driving yourself is recommended for greater flexibility. **3. Accommodation Recommendations** * **Altay City:** Plenty of hotels in the city center at reasonable prices. * **Burqin County:** Closer to Kanas, with better accommodation options. * **Hemu Village and Baihaba Village:** Tuvan villages offering unique wooden house accommodations at higher prices. * **Kanas Scenic Area:** Limited accommodation options within the scenic area, often at higher prices. Book in advance. **4. Must-See Attractions** * **Kanas Lake:** Known as a "fairyland on earth," with crystal-clear water, surrounded by mountains, and magnificent scenery. * **Hemu Village:** A primitive Tuvan village with charming wooden houses, often shrouded in morning mist, resembling a fairytale world. * **Baihaba Village:** One of the eight most beautiful towns in China, bordering Kazakhstan, with unique border scenery. * **Five-Colored Beach:** Yadan landforms with vibrant colors, especially spectacular at sunset. * **Koktokay:** A national geological park with diverse landscapes, including canyons, rivers, forests, and grasslands. * **Ulungur Lake:** The second largest freshwater lake in Xinjiang, with beautiful lake and mountain scenery. **5. Food Recommendations** * **Lamb Kebabs:** A Xinjiang specialty, tender and flavorful. * **Hand-Pulled Rice:** Rice cooked with mutton, carrots, and other ingredients, incredibly fragrant. * **Big Plate Chicken:** Chicken stewed with potatoes, peppers, and other ingredients, a hearty dish. * **Milk Tea:** Savory and delicious, a local staple. * **Baursaki:** A traditional Kazakh snack, deep-fried dough, sweet and crispy. **6. Itinerary Suggestions** * **3–4 Days:** * Day 1: Arrive in Altay, visit Five-Colored Beach, stay overnight in Burqin. * Day 2: Travel to Kanas Lake, visit the Fish Viewing Platform, Moon Bay, and other attractions, stay overnight in Kanas. * Day 3: Visit Hemu Village, stay overnight in Hemu. * Day 4: Return to Altay, visit Koktokay on the way, and end the trip. * **5–7 Days:** Add Baihaba Village and Ulungur Lake to your itinerary for a more in-depth Altay experience. **7. Important Notes** * Altay has significant temperature differences between day and night, so dress warmly. * Some areas have high altitudes, so take precautions against altitude sickness. * Respect local ethnic customs. * Protect the environment and do not litter. * Book accommodations and transportation in advance, especially during peak season. **8. Travel Tips** * Consider purchasing an Altay Tourist Pass for discounts on some attractions. * Learn some basic Kazakh or Mongolian phrases to communicate with locals. * Carry some cash, as electronic payments may not be accepted in some areas.