[2025 Zhaosu Attraction] Travel Guide for Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area (Updated May)

🐎Venture into the Western Regions' secret paradise! The jade ribbon at the foot of Tianshan Mountains unlocks an epic pastoral journey! Praised by "China National Geographic" as the "jade ribbon at the foot of Tianshan Mountains"! Snow mountains melt into jade, celestial horses gallop across the starry river This is the homeland of the Akhal-Teke horses and the "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall" that Zhang Qian glimpsed when he opened up the Western Regions! Glacier meltwater meanders like poetry across Zhaosu grassland, canola flower seas spread into golden oceans, and every breeze carries the fragrance of mare's milk wine and wildflowers 🌼 People say "Northern Xinjiang's beauty ends at the Ili River Valley," until you stand by the Jade River and watch thousands of horses crossing, their hoofbeats shattering cloud reflections— This is the ultimate romance of western Tianshan! 👉Save this 2-day-1-night secret itinerary now! 📍 Location: Zhaosu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 🎫 Tickets: Shata Ancient Path 80 yuan + shuttle bus | Tianma Cultural Park 75 yuan | Grassland Stone Figures free 🚗 Transportation Guide: ✈️ Fly to "Yining Airport" → 2.5-hour drive (Yizhao Highway, open only in summer) 🚙 🚌 Ili Prefecture Bus Station has 3 daily buses to Zhaosu (passing through Tekes River Nine Bends) 🚌 📅 Best seasons to visit: 🌟 June-July: Dual symphony of canola fields and purple perilla fields 🐎 July-August: Thousands of horses galloping at the Tianma Festival, Shata Glacier within reach 🍂 September-October: Golden grasslands, epic scenes of nomadic migration 🌸 Legendary Spots ❶ Shata Ancient Path 🛤️ The "Tang Monk's Ancient Path" that Xuanzang crossed on his journey west! Hike to the foot of Muzart Glacier and spot marmots peeking out with snow lotuses~ 🚶 Must-walk section: General Bridge → Flower Platform (4km easy hiking paradise), sunbeams filtering through spruce forests, marmots sitting in rows "scamming" for food 🐿️ ❷ Zhaosu Tianma Cultural Park 🏇 World-class Akhal-Teke horse base! Watch the spectacular "Horses Bathing in River" equestrian show, and book a ride on purebred horses across the grassland (800 yuan/hour)! ❸ Jade Lake (Karakul Lake) 🌊 Color-changing lake formed by Tianshan snowmelt! Milky blue in June, emerald green in August, deep blue in October—drone footage looks like gods spilled a palette 🎨 ❹ Grassland Stone Figures 🗿 Thousand-year-old codes of Turkic nomads! 11 mysterious stone figures stand amid canola fields, exuding ancient vibes in the twilight glow~ ❺ Million-acre Canola Flower Sea 🌼 World's largest continuous canola field! Ride horses through Studio Ghibli-like scenery in white dresses; by mid-July, purple perilla blooms into a purple galaxy 💜 ❻ Zhaosu Wetland Park 🦅 Birdwatching from wooden boardwalks! Black storks and demoiselle cranes skim the water; in winter, rime frost transforms rivers into ink paintings ❄️ 🐎 In-depth Pastoral Route 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟏: Horses and Flower Seas Fantasy Yining → Yizhao Highway (stop at Baishi Peak Observation Deck) → Photo shoot at Zhaosu canola fields → Watch horses galloping at Tianma Cultural Park → Stay in Zhaosu County (enjoy Kazakh-style dinner 🍖) 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟐: Glacier and Ancient Path Symphony Easy hike on Shata Ancient Path → Drone photography at Jade Lake → Explore Grassland Stone Figure site → Chase beautiful sunset at Zhaosu Wetland → Buy horse intestine and horse oil souvenirs before returning 🛍️ 🏇 Tianma Festival Special (mid-July) Thousands of galloping horses performance → Kokpar competition → Nighttime grassland starry music festival → Unlimited mare's milk wine 🥛 📌 Survival Rules ✔️ Traffic Alert 🚧 ✅ Yizhao Highway only allows vehicles with 7 seats or fewer; be careful when passing cars on cliff turns! ✅ Shata scenic area limits daily visitors to 3,000; arrive before 8:30 AM to enter smoothly! ✔️ Border Control Information 📄 ✅ Apply for a border permit at "Zhaosu Convenience Police Station" before visiting Shata Ancient Path! ✅ Check no-fly zones before flying drones (some areas require reporting, stay away from military horse farms!) ✔️ Accommodation Strategy 🏨 🔥 Luxury seekers should go for "Shata Hot Spring Hotel" with mountain views (1,500+ yuan/night) 💰 Budget option: "Zhaosu Horse Stable Homestay" with traditional Kazakh kang beds (300 yuan/night) ✔️ Taste Revolution 🍲 🍖 Must-try: horse meat narin, boortsog with ghee, wild mushroom soup with rice! 🥛 Challenge yourself with fermented mare's milk (add honey to reduce sourness)! 🚫 Avoid tourist trap "whole roasted lamb" - eating freshly slaughtered lamb at a herder's home is much better! 🌌 Secret Experiences ❶ Early Morning Horse Herder Photography 📷 Follow herders at 4 AM as they drive horse herds to water, capture backlit "horses bathing in river" with golden water splashes (500 yuan/session)! ❷ Ancient Path Stargazing Camp ⛺ With permission, pitch tents in Shata Valley and watch the Milky Way cascade down from Hantengri Peak 🌌! ❸ Kazakh Embroidery Workshop 🧵 Learn eagle feather pattern embroidery at "Wusun Embroidery Workshop" in Zhaosu Town and make your own coasters to take home (150 yuan/piece)! "When morning mist flows over horseback in Zhaosu, the Western Regions find their liquid interpretation" Here, hoofbeats are the grassland's rhythm, wildflowers are spring's messengers 🌸 Wait for horses bathing in the river, wait for a journey through ancient paths in the clouds, wait for an epic poem of nomadic civilization on the vast wilderness 🏔️

🌟Preliminary preparations - Documents: Bring your ID card and other valid documents. - Clothing: In summer, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and other sun protection items, as well as long-sleeved jackets; in winter, prepare down jackets, thick sweaters, non-slip shoes, and other warm clothing. - Items: Prepare sunscreen, moisturizing skin care products, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, and other commonly used medicines, as well as cameras, power banks, etc. 🚗Transportation Guide - Self-driving: Starting from Zhaosu County, navigate to "Gezhouba Jade Lake Scenic Area", drive along County Road 758, and the journey takes about 50 minutes. - Chartered car: You can find a regular chartered car service in Zhaosu County, which is convenient for arranging your itinerary freely. 🎫Ticket Information The ticket is CNY 30 per person, and the shuttle bus is temporarily free. 🏭Accommodation Arrangement - Inside the scenic area: There is Zhaosu Jade Lake · Muzi Tao Luxury Holiday Hotel, with a beautiful environment, where you can directly enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jade Lake. - Outside the scenic area: Zhaosu County has various hotels and homestays such as Ji Hotel, with a variety of choices, such as Qixi Homestay, with relatively complete surrounding facilities. ☑️Travel routes and methods - Observation deck: Climb the observation deck along the wooden plank road, where you can have a panoramic view of Jade Lake and the magnificent scenery of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and grasslands. - Stroll along the lake: Take a walk on the path by the lake, admire the clear blue water of the lake and the reflection of the snow-capped mountains, or find a quiet place to sit down and enjoy the peaceful time. - Grassland hiking or horse riding: You can go deep into the surrounding grasslands to experience the life of herdsmen, or contact local herdsmen for horse riding. The price is about CNY 80–120 per person. 😍Food recommendation - Featured dishes: Try Hui Muslim Ma Xu's stewed chicken with steamed buns, fried rice with Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers, wild mushroom soup and rice, etc. - Snacks and drinks: Taste special snacks such as roasted buns, yogurt, zongzi, and handmade ice cream.

[Opening]: Yili, Xinjiang is a place with its own "summer filter" ~ whether it is the snow-capped mountains in the sky, the lush forests nearby, or the grasslands full of wild flowers under your feet; they are enough to represent the fresh and cool summer. As long as your feet set foot on the grasslands of Yili, you will never want to leave. ① Dressing Guide👔 (⚠️The temperature difference between morning and evening in Xinjiang is huge, so you need to bring a thick coat even in summer) 🔸Average temperature in May: 13℃-24℃, mostly sunny and cloudy 🔸Average temperature in June: 19℃-29℃, mostly sunny and cloudy 🔸Average temperature in July: 21℃-31℃, mostly sunny and cloudy 🔸Average temperature in August: 19℃-29℃, mostly sunny and cloudy ②Xinjiang cuisine🍣 Naan pit meat, lamb skewers, roasted whole lamb, big plate chicken, spicy chicken, pepper chicken, naan, baked buns, pulled noodles, pilaf, fried rice noodles, etc. ③Itinerary accommodation🏨 Characteristic homestays, comfortable and light luxury hotels 🏨🉑 are available for selection! wait ⭕ Trip Highlights: ✔The itinerary is designed to be relaxed and reasonable, suitable for families, parents and friends to travel ✔Niche route, special gameplay, avoid aesthetic fatigue ✔Small group customization, one family per group, private travel ✔ Really pure play, no shopping, no sales, no fancy tricks ✔Travel agency fleet integration, signing of formal electronic contracts, guaranteed travel ✔ Equipped with a drone or SLR camera to record your wonderful journey

Depart from Urumqi, Xinjiang, and explore Northern Xinjiang! This 8-day itinerary will take you to all the best sights. Come and discover the charm of this mysterious land! / 🚩Itinerary: Day 1: Departure 👉 Yining Depart from your city and arrive in Yining to start your Northern Xinjiang trip! Day 2: Sayram Lake Spend the day at the beautiful Sayram Lake and enjoy the stunning scenery. Day 3: Swan Spring - Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area Visit the mysterious Swan Spring, then head to Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area to experience the beauty of nature. Day 4: Wanghu Manor - Tekes - Karatohai - Kurdening Town Travel through Wanghu Manor, pass through Tekes, visit Karatohai, and finally arrive in Kurdening Town. Day 5: Kurdening Scenic Area Explore Kurdening Scenic Area and enjoy the unique scenery of Northern Xinjiang. Day 6: Nalati International Ski Resort - Nalati Scenic Area Ski at Nalati International Ski Resort, then visit Nalati Scenic Area for some leisure time. Day 7: Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area Visit Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area in Yili Old Town and experience the rich folk culture. Day 8: Yining 👉 Return End your Northern Xinjiang trip and return home from Yining. / 🎒 What to pack: 👚 Clothing: Bring a windproof and warm jacket, scarf, gloves, hat, and comfortable hiking shoes or boots. 🔧 Accessories: Bring a large backpack, power bank, hand cream, and moisturizing face mask. Don't forget sunscreen and a sun hat. 📇 Documents: Bring your ID card, cash, and train tickets and hotel booking information for a smooth trip. Remember to adjust your gear according to the weather and your personal needs! 🌞 / 🎉 Have a great Urumqi-Northern Xinjiang trip! Keep your passion for travel and get ready for your next adventure!

Want to visit Xinjiang for the New Year? Check out this detailed 8-day itinerary for Urumqi and Northern Xinjiang. Save it now! . 🛤️Itinerary: DAY 1: Arrive in Yining and start your Northern Xinjiang journey! Arrive in Yining from your departure city and get ready for an exciting journey in Northern Xinjiang. DAY 2: Sayram Lake Tour Spend the whole day at Sayram Lake and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the plateau lake. DAY 3: Birdwatching at Swan Lake - Explore Zhaosu Yuhu Lake In the morning, head to Swan Lake and get up close with the elegant swans. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Zhaosu Yuhu Lake Scenic Area. DAY 4: Relax at Wanghu Manor - Cross Tekesi - Stroll in Kalatohai - Arrive in Kurdening Town Enjoy a moment of tranquility at Wanghu Manor, then cross Tekesi, stroll in Kalatohai, and finally arrive in the picturesque Kurdening Town. DAY 5: Explore Kurdening Scenic Area Spend the whole day exploring the natural beauty of Kurdening Scenic Area and feel the mysterious charm of nature. DAY 6: Ski at Nalati International Ski Resort - Visit Nalati Tourist Scenic Area In the morning, enjoy skiing at Nalati International Ski Resort. In the afternoon, visit Nalati Tourist Scenic Area and admire the magnificent natural scenery. DAY 7: Stroll in Liuxing Street, Yining City Take a leisurely stroll in Liuxing Street, Yining City, and experience the unique charm and historical culture of the city. DAY 8: End the journey and return to the departure city End your pleasant journey in Northern Xinjiang and return to your departure city with fond memories. . Travel Tips: 🌨️The weather in Urumqi is cold in January, so bring enough warm clothes to enjoy the ice and snow scenery. 📸Kanas and Hemu Village are great places for taking photos. Don't miss the picturesque scenery. 🛍️Xinjiang specialties such as Hetian jujubes and paper-shelled walnuts are affordable and make great gifts for family and friends. 🎉Join the bonfire party in Hemu on New Year's Eve and experience a unique New Year atmosphere. 💡Adjust your schedule in advance to account for the time difference and enjoy the scenery of Northern Xinjiang to the fullest. . The Northern Xinjiang journey is a perfect combination of beautiful scenery and culture. Don't forget to leave your footprints and memories! 🌟

Jade Lake in Zhaosu, Xinjiang There is a secret about blue A heart-stirring emerald dream. 💎 📍Location: At the foot of Tianshan Mountain in Zhaosu County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 🚗Transportation: It is recommended to drive there by yourself. The scenery along the way will definitely make your trip worthwhile. Starting from Yining City, head west along National Highway G218, pass the beautiful Guozigou Bridge, and then turn onto Provincial Highway S237 to reach this secret place. 1️⃣ Beautiful scenery The picture was taken in December. Even on cloudy days, the color of the lake water in this scenic spot is not particularly ugly, not to mention on sunny days, the lake water is a noble sapphire blue. From the end of December to the beginning of January, the lake water slowly freezes over, showing a highly saturated blue, and the ice surface is very clean and clear, with ice bubbles! If you didn't see it at Sailimu Lake, you can still see it here. After the scenic spot ensures that the thickness of the ice surface is safe, you can go out on the ice to play. The visual effect of taking aerial videos must be amazing. It looks stunning from a distance when there is no ice, and it looks stunning up close when there is ice. In any state, the probability of stepping on landmines is very low. 2️⃣Snow-capped mountains across the lake Wow! Is there really no one mentioning this snow mountain? The first thing that attracted me to this scenic spot was not the lake! It's a snow mountain! I'll definitely be nominating it! View image I don’t think the dry grass on the ground, the houses in the distance, and the snow in the distance make the whole picture rich but not complicated. Instead, it is very high-end, with the temperament of the Alps. When I post the aerial video, you can feel the atmosphere of the wilderness. La! 3️⃣Geographic location It is very close to every county town, so no matter how you plan your itinerary for visiting Yili, it can be included. For example: Day 1: Pick up at Yining Airport - Kazanqi - Liuxing Street - Afternoon Tea & Dinner - Yining Day 2 Yining - In-depth Tour around Saihu Lake - Yining Day 3 Yining - Sunrise view on Yili River - Birch forest - Zhaosu Jade Lake - Tekes Day 4 Tekes - Watch the snow scenery and eat hot pot - Ride horses through the rime forest - Gather to watch the sunset - Qiongkushitai Village Day 5 Qiongkushitai B&B to see the golden mountain in the sun - snow activities - Kazakh herdsmen's family banquet - Qiongkushitai Village Day 6 Snowball fight and snowman making at Qiongkushitai - Swan Spring - Yining 💡Travel Tips: ✅Warm clothing: There is a big temperature difference between morning and evening, so tourists need to bring thick coats and other warm clothing🧥 ✅Camera: Remember to bring a camera 📷 to record every beautiful moment ✅ Comfortable hiking shoes: If you plan to hike in the grassland or snowy mountains, it is recommended to wear comfortable hiking shoes

Location: Yuhu Starry Sky Scenic Area, Zhaosu City Ticket information: Free, some ice experience items are at your own expense √ Opening hours: All day [Travel tips] 1. Xinjiang is very cold in winter, so it is recommended to wear thick clothes, down jackets, gloves, hats, earmuffs, and warm babies. 2. If you are driving by yourself, it is recommended to rent a four-wheel drive car. There are many ice and snow roads, and two-wheel drive cannot run. 3. You can bring some small props for shooting, such as red and blue scarves, lights, black umbrellas, etc., to shoot atmosphere blockbusters here!

It’s not that Northern Europe is unaffordable, but winter in Ili is more cost-effective💫 Here you can find the tranquility of Swan Spring🦢 and the silver-covered forest and snowfields of Kurdeninli. It is as stunning as Lake Baikal’s blue ice, with fantastic ice bubbles, white swans, ice flowers❄, and ice pushers You can even feel the winter nest life of Kazakh herdsmen after leaving the grassland🥨 Ili in winter is definitely underrated in its beauty🥰 . Why choose winter in Yili, Xinjiang❓ ✅Altay -40℃ VS Ili -10℃, the body temperature will be more comfortable ✅There will almost never be road closures due to heavy snow, so you don’t have to worry about affecting your itinerary. ✅Traveling in the opposite direction, the winter in Ili is very "deserted", a typical example of beautiful scenery with few people. ✅Compared with Altay, there are more free forests and snowy areas, and the landscape will be richer. . 🌈Itinerary plan D1: Pick up in Urumqi D2: Urumqi-Sailim Lake-Qingshui River D3: Qingshui River-Kazanqi-Swan Spring-Zhaosu D4: Zhaosu-Zhaosu Yuhu-Tex D5: Tex Kurdenin D6: Kurdenin-Dushanzi Grand Canyon-Kuitun D7: Kuitun-Tianshan Tianchi-Urumqi D8: Airport transfer to Urumqi . 📸Guide to taking photos and checking in ✅ Sailimu Lake Blue Ice The thick blue ice on the lake is like a fairy tale world, and you can also see the magical ice pushing scene~ ✅Guozigou Bridge Very spectacular scenery on the road, proving once again that good scenery is all on the road ✅Swan Spring Morning Mist Capturing the swans and rime in the morning mist is truly as beautiful as a fairyland ✅ Zhaosu Yuhu The blue ice surface of Yuhu Lake is different from that of Sailimu Lake. The wavy ice surface and the snow-capped mountains in the distance are very suitable for taking pictures. ✅Kurdenin The flying snow in the sky sprinkles on the hometown of snow-covered spruce trees, and the snowflakes dance in the wind like elves. . 📢Warm reminder The temperature in Yili is low in winter, so it is recommended to wear down jackets, thick sweaters, thermal underwear, etc., and pay attention to keeping warm from the cold. It is easy to encounter ice and snow in winter. It is recommended to choose a four-wheel drive or chartered car to ensure safety. Some attractions may be closed in winter, so be sure to check relevant information in advance . 🚙About us: ♦️Regular local first-hand travel agency, never abandon the group ♦️Senior staff have received professional training to ensure service quality ♦️We can handle all pitfall avoidance guides on the Internet, we only provide services ♦️No tricks in all trips, treat people sincerely ♦️Car rental, self-driving, chartered travel, and small group customization will help you unlock a different Xinjiang ♦️All itineraries are personally visited by us to ensure reasonable itineraries

| Zhaosu Yuhu Lake. 🌈 Today, I must share with you a breathtakingly beautiful place—Zhaosu Yuhu Lake Scenic Area. ✨ 🌊 The lake water here is like a palette overturned by nature, constantly changing colors with the seasons and weather. Sometimes it's grayish-blue, sometimes azure, sometimes dark green, and sometimes milky white. Each color is mesmerizing, as if you've entered a dreamy fairy tale world. 💙 ❄️ Yuhu Lake in winter has a unique charm, with the lake surface frozen, creating a stunning ice bubble spectacle. The bubbles trapped in the ice layer are like gems embedded in crystal, dazzling and brilliant. 😍 🌳 The scenic area is surrounded by green mountains and lush vegetation, with fresh air that makes you want to take a few extra breaths. It's also a paradise for water birds, with various adorable birds frolicking on the lake surface, making every photo a masterpiece. 📷 💖 The best time to visit is from May to October each year, when the lake water is at its most beautiful. Currently, the scenic area is free of charge, which is fantastic! However, some facilities within the scenic area may charge fees. 🚗 Transportation is convenient, and you can drive or hire a car to get there. It's about 45 km from Zhaosu County. ⚠️ When you visit, be mindful of the high altitude. Be sure to protect yourself from the sun and keep warm, and avoid strenuous exercise and overexertion. 💕 Come to Zhaosu Yuhu Lake and experience the charm of nature! 💞

Yuhu Lake in Zhaosu County is a high-altitude lake located in Kaxiagaer Town, Zhaosu County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Features of Yuhu Lake: - Beautiful scenery: The lake presents a unique blue color, which changes under different weather and light conditions, and is very beautiful. - Surrounding environment: Surrounded by mountains, there are dense forests and grasslands on the mountains, which is a natural oxygen bar. - Tourist resources: In addition to enjoying the lake view, you can also go hiking, horse riding, camping and other activities.

The trip to Ili starts and ends in Yining City, forming a loop. The most beautiful scenery is in Tekesi and Zhaosu. The self-drive route is as follows: Yining - Tekesi Bagua City - Kalajun Scenic Area - Kuoketireke Village - Kaxiagar Township - Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area - Xiata Tourist Area - Zhaosu - Yining. Except for the start and end points, other places belong to the jurisdictions of Tekesi and Zhaosu. Although traveling in the vast Xinjiang, where the distance between scenic spots can be hundreds of kilometers, our journey was leisurely arranged, with stops and rests, covering only a small circle but enjoying the ultimate beauty of nature. Perhaps only Xinjiang people can have such a luxurious trip. During this trip, two whole days were spent on the road, and these two days became the essence of the entire journey. Probably because Tekesi and Zhaosu are full of beautiful scenery, there are too many places that can be circled as scenic spots, so many free scenic spots are left for travelers to roam. On the third day of the trip, we headed from Tekesi to Xiata. Following the advice of fellow travelers, we added Kuoketireke Village and Kaxiagar Township to our navigation, as there were no planned scenic spots for that day. We chose a slightly time-consuming route with a try-it-out attitude. Thus, we crossed the cloud-covered grasslands, passed through villages with rolling wheat waves, and saw Kazakh houses with blooming flowers in front of their doors. The Yuhu Scenic Area is very close to Kaxiagar Township, just on the way to Xiata. We took a detour and saw the small Kanas Lake. Facing the green, winding lake between the Tianshan Mountains, we sat down and enjoyed a cup of authentic American coffee. This moment of modern life in the deep mountains and forests, a short rest during a long journey, is so unique that it will always linger in my mind. The fame of the Yizhao Highway is now as high as that of the Duku Highway. On the winding mountain road from Yining to Zhaosu, there are often car queues several kilometers long. Fortunately, we traveled in the opposite direction, from Zhaosu to Yining, which was much better. Moreover, this direction is more friendly to non-professional drivers because it is on the mountain side, not the cliff side, making it feel safer psychologically. The downside is that there are fewer stopping points, so whenever there is a place to stop, be sure to stop and enjoy the great scenery. After all, you can only catch a glimpse while driving. Coming out of the homestay in Zhaosu, even before getting on the Yizhao Highway, the roadside scenery was already breathtaking. On both sides of the road, golden wheat fields extend to the distant green mountains, with snow-capped peaks either floating with clouds or shining with golden light. The most beautiful section of the Yizhao Highway is near Zhaosu, especially from Wild Wolf Valley, Swan Valley to Baishi Peak. This section of the road is basically at an altitude of 4000 meters, shuttling between the peaks. Turning a corner, you see a vast alpine meadow, and another turn reveals a barren giant stone peak. Kalajun was rated as the most three-dimensional grassland by "China National Geography" magazine, and I call it the most photogenic grassland. Under the light and shadow, the grassland, sheep, shepherds on horseback, blue-green slopes in the shadows, continuous tan peaks, and wandering white clouds are arranged in an orderly manner, with layers of colors, without a trace of clutter or excess, as if it were a carefully designed photo shoot by a photographer. Unfortunately, we missed the most beautiful season of blooming flowers in June. Xiata is a scenic spot with polarized reviews. If you encounter rainy days, the muddy roads, cloud-covered peaks, and cold wind and rain will naturally make the experience very bad. Fortunately, the weather was kind to us. It rained the day we stayed in Xiata Town, and the weather forecast predicted moderate rain the next day. I was already inclined to retreat, but unexpectedly, the next morning was sometimes cloudy and sometimes sunny, just right for hiking. By 4 pm, when we left the scenic area, it was raining heavily in the mountains. Therefore, it is recommended to enter Xiata in the morning, and it is even better if you can get a self-drive ticket early. To enter the scenic spot, first take the shuttle bus, then the electric car (not included in the ticket, need to buy separately). Shortly after the electric car starts, you will see the Muzart Glacier. After that, whether riding a horse or walking, you will always be heading towards it. Looking at the nearly 7000-meter-high Khan Tengri Peak from a distance, it looks like an eagle spreading its wings or a sitting Maitreya Buddha. Although it is high above, overlooking all beings, it feels very close, perhaps because in front of it is the river formed by Tianshan snow water, the vast grassland nourished by the river, and colorful flowers. Here is the accommodation information. The homestays and hotels we stayed in were all good and highly recommended. 1. Tekesi Our Courtyard. The homestay is very new, with a fresh and fashionable design style, equipped to a 4-star standard. The central courtyard is suitable for sitting and chatting. It is just off the street, making it convenient to walk around Bagua City. The breakfast shop "Qianyuan Backyard" recommended by the homestay is excellent, especially the zucchini pie, which is the best breakfast I had in Xinjiang. At the "Pomegranate Blossom" restaurant, we had extremely delicious lamb chops. 2. Xiata Huizhiyun Homestay. The homestay looks like an American motel from the outside, equipped to a 4-star standard. The homestay is 1 kilometer away from the Xiata Scenic Area, making it quite convenient. 3. Zhaosu Gongyue Homestay. The homestay is very new, with large rooms equipped to a 4-star standard. The whole house has excellent smart control. From the corridor on the second floor, you can see the snow-capped mountains. If you get up early, you can also see the golden mountains at sunrise. It is an excellent resting place between Yining City and Xiata. You can stay here and enter Xiata early the next day. 4. Yining City Jiangu Hotel. The hotel is newly opened, very new, with large rooms and a great location, a 15-minute walk to Liuxing Street. Travel Tips for Scenic Spots 1. Kalajun can be self-driven. Just navigate to the self-drive entrance to buy tickets. Once inside, the self-drive route signs are very clear, so you don't have to worry about taking the wrong route. If you don't take the cable car to Kuokesu Grand Canyon, don't drive to the Kuertai cable car station, because the corner of Kalajun Lake you see there is not beautiful. Just exit the scenic area directly from the exit. 2. Xiata Scenic Area can be self-driven, but the daily quota is limited. Some tourists go to the scenic spot entrance to grab tickets as early as 6:30 in the morning. Most tourists take the scenic area transportation, shuttle bus + electric car to the transfer bridge, General Bridge. Horse riding tickets are bought at the General Bridge, directly riding to the Flower Terrace. The round trip is 240 yuan, and the one-way trip to the 4th Kara House is 120 yuan. It is about 2 kilometers from the 4th Kara House to the Flower Terrace. It is recommended that elderly people ride horses back and forth because the hiking route is rugged and muddy, making it quite strenuous. Of course, the purpose of riding a horse in Xiata is to save effort. If you want to find the feeling of galloping, you will be greatly disappointed because the horse trail is mostly gravel and muddy roads. To ensure the safety of tourists, the horse owners usually lead the horses slowly, and their speed is even slower than walking.

On the Yili loop, at Zhaosu Yuhu, who understands the joy of seeing beautiful scenery! The beauty of Yuhu really needs to be seen in pictures; words can't describe that kind of stunning view~ The legendary filming location of Jackie Chan's movie is here, I'll go support it when it releases! The hotel where I stayed had a great environment, and the staff's service was very nice. I even met a celebrity and took a photo together. Now the scenic area also offers camping, horseback riding, and other activities~ Horseback riding on the grassland, light wild riding, different routes will give you different riding experiences.

If you don’t go to Xinjiang, Urumqi·Xinjiang, you don’t know how big China is, and if you don’t go to Ili, you don’t know the beauty of Xinjiang. If you like the scenery of grassland and river valleys, just close your eyes and enter Yili~ The 8 days and 7 nights guide to the Yili Small Ring Road is here~ We don’t want to look back, Xinjiang is really big, so we only chose niche attractions, play in depth, don’t be greedy for too much, don’t want to 🏞️ You are on the road every moment, slow travel is the way to go Really travelling! Choose the Ye Luxury Hotel for accommodation, it’s comfortable and the scenery is great! You might be cheated if you take advantage of it! Car model selection: The space capsule Iveco model is used throughout the journey, suitable for family travel, travel with best friends, and a few people all riding in the same car~ 🏞️The most attractive thing is the hotels in the scenery. I sleep until I wake up naturally every day. I really want to travel to Xinjiang for these hotels. Stay in the hotels in the scenery. You don’t have to go out and you can enjoy the scenery~ Features of Scenic Hotel Youtu Wild Luxury Camp: Open Tangbula by lying down, with boutique B&Bs, RVs, starry sky rooms, tents... Each step brings you beautiful scenery~countless cattle and sheep, and feel the gifts of nature~ 🏞️Zhaosu Yunbao Ranch Camp: A comprehensive ranch that combines Zhaosu’s natural scenery, county culture, high-yield breeding, and modern tourism. The camp has a horse theme as its core, with parent-child pastures, wild rides, equestrian teaching, regular horse racing, and grassland entertainment... Don't rush when you stay here, enjoy and play slowly~ Zhaosu Muzi Tao Yeshe Camp: Located on the bank of the beautiful Jade Lake, surrounded by magnificent mountains and verdant forests. The air here is fresh and the scenery is beautiful. The wooden house hotel is built with natural wood, retaining the original texture and natural colors, providing a unique living experience~ Huocheng Youyuan Shanyejian B&B: Enjoy a slow life, lie comfortably in the room and look at the scenery of Tianshan Mountain, and you can see the beautiful scenery when you open the window! The environment of the room is also excellent, and the supporting facilities are very complete. , once you come, you don’t want to leave. ~ Sailimu Lake Chaoke Starry Sky Camp: The most outstanding feature in the camp is the Muyun Star Observation Cabin. Lying on the bed and looking through the iconic sloping glass roof, you can realize the dream of counting stars while lying on the bed. Itinerary reference Depart → Urumqi Urumqi→[Dushanzi Grand Canyon]→[Northern Section of Duku Highway]→Tangbula Grassland (6.5H drive) Tangbula→[Horse riding to Fairy Lake (3 hours round trip)]→[Baili Gallery]-[Tianshan Flower Sea Scenic Area (Lavender)]→Zhaosu (drive 4.5H) Sleep until you wake up naturally →[Zhaosu Wetland Park] →[Xiata Scenic Area (Muzar🏞️Special Glacier)] → Zhaosu Yuhu Lake (2H drive) Sleep until you wake up naturally → [Yizhao Highway] → [Liuxing Street Travel Photography] → [Huanghuang Village Music Festival] → Huanghuang Village Landscape B&B (6H drive) Sleep until you wake up naturally → [Passing through Guozigou Bridge] → [Sightseeing around Sailimu Lake (self-driving)] → Stay at Sailimu Lake Starry Sky Camp (2H drive) Sleep until you wake up naturally → [Sailim Lake Highway (self-driving)] → Urumqi (6.5H drive) Urumqi→Warm home

Originally, Xinjiang Zhaosu Yuhu Lake was not part of the itinerary. My husband said we could drive there to take a look, and after seeing Yuhu Lake, it was truly more beautiful than expected! The weather wasn't very good, but the color of Yuhu Lake doesn't change just because it's cloudy~ It's that kind of super beautiful color ~It's great for taking photos~ The accommodation environment is good~ and there are also activities like horseback riding and camping in the scenic area that you can experience!

🌈 Zhaosu Jade Lake, also known as the 'Color-changing Lake', is a magical lake hidden in the belly of the Tianshan glaciers. Throughout the four seasons, due to different lighting, the lake water displays various colors, hence the nickname 'Color-changing Lake'. Jade Lake is a high-altitude lake in the mountainous area of Zhaosu County, Xinjiang, at an elevation of 2200 meters. The lake water changes its hue with the seasons and weather, such as turning a cyan-gray when the ice and snow melt, with clear waters and a deep blue color. The entire lake surface presents a rare blue ice appearance, which is incredibly beautiful

After seeing the flower seas, grasslands, green slopes, and snow mountains of Xinjiang, it seems that something is missing—"the lake". But in April in Yili, it's a bit difficult. Seeing Director Zhang constantly making phone calls, we must go to Shao Su! It will definitely make up for the regret of not seeing the lake. Zhao Su Jade Lake is a high-altitude lake full of mysterious colors and beautiful scenery. It is crystal clear and nestled in the hinterland of the Tianshan glaciers, at an altitude of about 2200 meters, surrounded by vast and magnificent snow mountains and grasslands. It is like a huge gem set between the grand canyons. Not many people know about Jade Lake, and even fewer have visited. Free but with limited numbers is the norm for Jade Lake. As soon as the car entered the valley, a Tiffany blue came into view. The color of this lake is so special, rich and naturally fresh. It's so unrealistically beautiful that even filters wouldn't dare to enhance it like this; the sapphire color is so stunning. Zhao Su Jade Lake has an abundant water source, which comes from the Tianshan Muzarte Glacier and the rain from the sky. The glacier squeezes and grinds into white fine powder mixed within the ice layer. When the glacier melts, a large amount of milky meltwater enters the valley and then flows into Jade Lake. After these powder grains settle, the water of Jade Lake, under the influence of microorganisms and the environment, presents different colors in different seasons and weather conditions, adding to the mysterious color and charming allure of Jade Lake. The color of Jade Lake changes strangely throughout the four seasons. In early spring, the water is milky white; entering early summer, it turns light blue, and in the peak of summer, it becomes dark green; after autumn, the water is azure blue, until the end of October when the lake freezes, Jade Lake turns into a piece of 'gentle white jade'. The regular seasonal changes in the color of the lake water are extremely rare in the world, hence Zhao Su Jade Lake is also known as the 'Color-Changing Lake'. Unexpectedly, the ice had melted early this spring, the mountains were turning green, and the lake, which is up to 90 meters deep, was so dazzling under the warm sunlight on the calm surface. Today we have chartered the place again, for 2 hours, only our car on the several kilometers of canyon lake surface. Spread out around us are the residences of Kazakh herders, along the way, we only see the heroic posture of herder women riders and hear the clatter of horse hooves. The car kept driving upstream of Jade Lake, the Milk River washed down from the glacier was rushing through the valley, gradually turning green and slowing down, and the sheep were leisurely grazing by the river. In the afternoon, surrounded by mountains, Jade Lake, with the backdrop of the highland blue sky and white clouds, reflected the sunlight and clouds, changing with the clouds in the sky, the alternating light and shadow of the mountain colors under the sunlight, ever-changing, dazzling and colorful. Everyone who has had the fortune to visit Jade Lake is captivated by its purity; it is a gift from heaven. The mountains in front of us are tall and the water is long, with light clouds and a gentle breeze. There's a saying that goes well: Guard a clear lake, quiet a lifetime of illusions, witness a lifetime of beauty.

From the perspective of a traveler, in Xinjiang, Tibet, as well as western Sichuan, and some areas of Qinghai and Gansu, because they are on the plateau, many rivers and lakes exhibit an incredible blue. One reason is that the sky is more transparent at high altitudes, and the colors are better. When the weather is clear, the rivers and lakes reflect the sky, and they appear as pure and azure as the sky itself. Another reason is that many rivers and lakes on the plateau are close to snow-capped mountains and glaciers, which is also one of the reasons for the beautiful colors. There is also a reason that these rivers and lakes near snow-capped mountains and glaciers are relatively deep. If the color itself is quite blue, then the deeper the water, the bluer it becomes. For example, the deepest part of Yuhu Lake near the Aheya Glacier Snow Mountain in Zhaosu, Xinjiang, is about 90 meters. The deepest part of Chongba Yongcuo near the Himalayan mountain range glaciers in Kangma, Tibet, is also about 60 meters. Rivers generally flow through many regions, and the natural environment and depth of the water vary, so the color of the same river is different in different regions. The lakes we commonly see in cities are about 20 meters deep at most, and ordinary lakes are only a few meters deep, so there is a difference in water color. This is our intuitive feeling when traveling to different regions and lakes. Picture 1–6 is Yuhu Lake in Zhaosu, Xinjiang Picture 7–9 is Chongba Yongcuo in Kangma, Tibet

Known as the 'Hometown of Heavenly Horses', Zhaosu presents a different visual effect in winter. Visiting Zhaosu in winter, you must not miss the sight of heavenly horses trotting in the snow. The herdsmen drive the steeds to gallop on the snowy field, the horse hooves stir up the flying snow fog, presenting a magnificent scene of thousands of horses galloping in the snow, which is incredibly shocking to the viewers! How beautiful can the lake water in Zhaosu be in winter? Yuhu gave the answer! Arrived at Yuhu at 5 pm, the leader said this is the most beautiful time of the day, the sunshine on the golden mountain and Yuhu echo each other, it's really heart-stirring! The boundless deep azure, when it appears before your eyes, it makes me addicted at first sight, quietly falling asleep in a pool of blue star river.

🚗🚗🚗Travel itinerary: Day1: Xinjiang International Bazaar Day2: Sailimu Lake → Guozigou Day3: Gezhouba Yuhu Scenic Area Day4: Xata Tourist Area → Tekes Bagua City Day5: Qiongkushitai Day6: Duku Highway → Bayinbuluke Scenic Area → Dalongchi Tourist Scenic Area → Xiaolongchi → Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon → Kuche Palace Day7: Jiaohe Ancient City → Turpan Library Day8: Kumutage Desert Day9: Diwopu International Airport