Altay has returned, and I really don't recommend going in July to August. I just want to tell the truth.

🌿 Core itinerary: grasslands, lakes + starry sky + culture Budget reference: 2k-3k (peak season accommodation is the biggest expense!) Best season: June to September (20℃ cool weather ceiling🍃) Transportation: direct flight to Altay Airport✈️ or Urumqi high-speed train + carpool (about 6h)   🗓️ Day 1: Rush into the fairy tale grassland! 📍 Morning ✔️ Free fun at Ulungur Lake💧 ▫️ Head straight to the "Golden Coast" area! Jelly Lake + white salt flats for seaside-style photos 🍜 Lunch: Wild fish feast in Fuhai County🐟 (stir-fried dogfish + braised five-black fish) 📍 Afternoon ✔️ Sunset burning at Five-Color Beach🔥 (⚠️ Entry stops at 18:30!) ▫️ Enter the scenic area before 7 pm, head straight to the third viewing platform to shoot colorful hills + Irtysh River in one frame ▫️ Hidden spot: turn right 500 meters outside the scenic area for a free cliff (fewer people, wilder scenery!) 🌌 Overnight in Burqin: ▫️ Stroll Russian-style street🌉, drink kvass and eat grilled dogfish ▫️ Accommodation tip: choose Xiaocheng Story Hotel, terrace star-gazing is great value!   🗓️ Day 2: Enter the god’s reserved land 🚗 Depart at 7:00 straight to Kanas (buy tickets in advance for 230 yuan!) 📍 Highlights: ✔️ Horseback ride to Guanyutai🐎: ▫️ For low stamina, choose horseback riding (300 yuan/person) to save effort and get great shots ▫️ Climb to the top to see the panoramic view of Kanas Lake, worth 100 times more than taking a boat! ✔️ Hike the Three Bays Fairy Road👟: ▫️ Strongly recommend: hike from Moon Bay to Wolong Bay (3km boardwalk, fewer people and dense scenery!) ▫️ Insider tip: wait at Fairy Bay at 2 pm for rising mist🌫️ 🏡 Overnight in Hemu Village: ▫️ Stay in a cabin, choose the new village for quieter, old village is convenient for photos ▫️ Must-do: after 10 pm, go up to Harden viewing platform to shoot the Milky Way🌌 (even iPhones can take great shots!)   🗓️ Day 3: Be a Tuva for a day 📍 Early morning ✔️ Hemu sunrise sea of clouds☁️ (get up at 6 am!): ▫️ Horseback ride/hike up to Harden platform, watch morning fog engulf the village (wear down jacket!) 🎨 Morning ✔️ Birch forest sketching🎨: ▫️ Free forest at village entrance, bring drawing board + folding chair to instantly become an artistic heroine ✔️ Visit Tuva family🎵: ▫️ Drink salty milk tea and listen to sur music🎵 (50 yuan/person, avoid commercial performance spots) 🚌 Return trip: ▫️ Take the scenic area shuttle bus down the mountain before 12 noon ▫️ Surprise on the way: buy fresh yogurt curds in Chonghuer Town🍶 (10 yuan a bag, so sour it makes you frown!)   🚨 Blood and tears experience warning ✅ Sunscreen three-piece set: ice sleeves + face cover + sunglasses (UV rays are so strong you can’t open your eyes!) ✅ Pitfall prevention guide: ▫️ Ask fish prices clearly at Burqin night market before ordering!🐟 ▫️ Bargaining phrase for horseback riding in Hemu: "Can it be cheaper if several people go together?" ✅ Essential luggage: ▫️ Disposable bed sheet (you know the hygiene in cabins) ▫️ Mosquito repellent + warm jacket (15℃ temperature difference between morning and night!)   🔥 Must-eat: Altay city: No. 3 cold noodles (sour, spicy, and chewy) Burqin: No. 49 meatball soup (with oily flatbread, fragrant and intoxicating) Hemu Village: Earth hotpot (lamb + wild mushrooms, incredibly fresh)   💡 Final blunt words: Kanas scenic area shuttle buses are few❗️If staying in Hemu, pack light🎒 Bring enough cash! There is often no signal in the mountains📵