Things to do in Shuanghe

Sayram Lake, the blue tears of the Atlantic Ocean, I will never forget the day Chenchen and I were so disappointed, but we got up early the next day and saw the pink and purple sunrise on the mountains. We will meet again someday!

Narat Grassland is quite beautiful, especially the aerial grassland, which is stunning. You can drive there; just buy a self-driving ticket. There are also shuttle buses. The area is quite large. Panlong Valley Road, however, was just average, not as beautiful as I expected. The river valley grassland was teeming with cattle and sheep, but since it was nearing autumn, the grass wasn't as green anymore. I happened to be there during a grassland music festival. There were no celebrities, and the audience wasn't large, but the park was very well organized. There were large, clean temporary restrooms, and plenty of police, so everything was orderly. The only downside was that the parking lot was a bit far from the concert venue, as the venue was quite large. Because it's relatively remote, there weren't that many tourists there.

Strange Stone Valley is filled with wind-eroded granite formations, each with its own unique shape, resembling a natural stone sculpture wonderland. Lacking extensive greenery for shade, the strong sunlight makes it a convenient spot for sightseeing; remember to bring sun and wind protection.

It was definitely the right choice to come! The scenic area is better than I expected. There are plenty of shuttle buses, and the area is so pristine – the air is fresh, there's lots of green grass, cattle and sheep graze freely, and the views are expansive. I didn't get enough of it!

Kuldning Scenic Area, located in Gongliu County, Ili Prefecture, Xinjiang, is known as the "Oriental Switzerland," where snow-capped mountains, spruce forests, and grasslands intertwine to create a picturesque landscape. Recommended attractions include the Qimengde Viewpoint, where a wooden boardwalk offers panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and spruce forests; the Ayousai Viewpoint provides views of the snow-capped peak of Kabanbay Peak; and the Ten-Mile Gallery features winding streams with dappled sunlight, creating a natural gallery effect. Summers are cool and pleasant, ideal for self-driving or camping. Tent campsites and wooden cabins are readily available within the scenic area, while wild fruit forests and ancient spruce trees add to the rustic charm, making it a secluded and less-traveled gem on the Ili route.

It's not far from the Duku Highway Museum. The ticket price is reasonable, and you can go in to see the unique landforms. The cliffs are like huge steps, covered with wrinkles that look like they were carved by a knife and axe, giving it a very cold and desolate visual appearance.

Bayinbuluke is definitely worth a visit. Besides swans, we also saw Siberian red-billed gulls at the Swan Sanctuary, and the interaction between the lambs and swans was particularly interesting. It's really cold up there, so be sure to dress warmly! The scenic area is much larger than I expected. From the entrance to the main attractions, even with no stops and a speed limit of 60 km/h, it takes about an hour, so be sure to allow plenty of time. The weather was exceptionally good the second time, and I wanted to go back in to watch the sunset. However, when I arrived at the scenic area at 6:30 PM, the staff said the sightseeing bus had already stopped running, so I unfortunately missed it. 🥲 If you want to see the sunset, be sure to check the last sightseeing bus time in advance. Also, if you're driving, after watching the sunset, drive slowly and carefully as it gets dark.

The grasslands of Xiata in August are very beautiful with snow-capped mountains and cattle and sheep. To visit the scenic area, you need to take a bus to the hot spring hotel and then transfer to an electric car to the transfer bridge and the general platform. After that, if you want to go to the flower platform, you need to hike about five kilometers to get a closer look at the snow-capped mountains. It is worth it.

We came to Zhaosu Wetland specifically to see the "Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River" performance. It was a cloudy day when we arrived, so we hadn't had high expectations. After driving in, we headed to the viewing platform, found a good spot, and waited for over 20 minutes before finally witnessing the spectacular sight of the Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River. Although the performance was short, seeing it in person was still quite breathtaking and very impressive. Afterwards, we drove around the Rainbow Bridge for a long loop. The roads were nearly empty, the scenery was beautiful, and it was a very pleasant drive.

Strolling along Yining's Liuxing Street, sunlight bathes the streets in an exotic atmosphere. Century-old alleys wind like poems, their blue walls and stained glass windows telling the story of time. Uyghur artisans strike bronze instruments, their clinking echoing through time. The aroma of baked buns fills the street corners, and the rhythm of hand drums awakens the dormant bricks and tiles. Every tile here is engraved with a story, and behind every carved wooden door lies a warm smile. The hexagonal streets and alleys, like blooming flowers, quietly embrace diverse cultures.