Barkol Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Mingsha Mountain Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Camel ride in the desert
Getting There - You can type in Crescent lake if you're taking a Didi, take a taxi, you can drive yourself or go with a tour group.
Attractions - The scenic are is beautiful. You can enjoy the experience of the desert on the back of a camel, take a helicopter ride, four wheeler or with a buggy ride. You can just climb up the sand hill and enjoy the view from the top.
Hotels - There are hotels in close proximity of the desert. You can even experience glamping in a tent in the desert...definitely worth the experience.
Food & Restaurants - There's food places like KFC at the entrance.
Shopping - There's lots of shops at the entrance where you can buy clothes, souvenirs, snacks amd drinks.
#passionpassport #silkroad #summervacation #gooutside #desert #camelride #dunhuang
Gansu Dunhuang | Comprehensive Guide to Mingsha Mountain + Lightning Protection Tips
🔛 Kicking off the third stop of the Northwest Grand Loop: Dunhuang
Be sure to experience the majesty and vastness of the desert's lone smoke rising straight up and the round sunset over the long river at Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang.
🚌 Transportation:
Taxi in the city is about 10r
Bus No. 3 is 2r
Self-driving 🈶 large parking lot 🅿️
🎫 Ticket:
Adults 110/person
Students half price (need to present relevant documents at the ticket window to purchase)
💯 Warm reminder:
1. It is recommended to use the central gate 🚪 as it is closer to camel riding + Crescent Lake, and there is no need to take a sightseeing bus.
2. Tickets are valid for three days! Swipe your ID card 🉑 to enter directly.
🐫 About camels
1. The camel ride is an additional charge of 100/person, approximately five kilometers for about 40min, and queuing is required during peak season.
2. There will be a rest halfway, and the camel guide will ask if you want to take photos, charging 20 for photos taken with the tourist's phone, which you can refuse.
3. Riding camels to watch the sunrise 🌅 in the morning requires an additional fee of 20/person.
✅ About dressing:
1. Be sure to wear hole shoes to Mingsha Mountain, you will thank me when you come back!
2. Wear red or black clothes, they are very photogenic~
⚠️ Pitfall avoidance guide:
1. Decide on shoe covers based on your needs, shoe covers are 5r at the entrance of the scenic area, 20r inside
2. There are many travel photography shops at the entrance of the scenic area, be sure to compare prices.
3. For those watching the sunset, it is recommended to come early, queue up at 6 o'clock + climb up, and it's about sunset time, coming at 7 o'clock may be too late, and you'll miss the sunset.
4. There are a lot of melon 🍈 and watermelon 🍉 sellers at the entrance, all 10 for three boxes, but the box sizes vary, so open your eyes 👀 and choose the big boxes to buy.
5. If you come during the day, be sure to do a good job of sun protection, with sunglasses 🕶️, sunscreen, etc.
6. Climbing the sand is really tiring, 🉑 climb the wooden ladder + step on the footprints of others, it will save a lot of effort.
7. Bring water 💧, you must bring it, it will be very thirsty after a long time in the desert.
8. If you want to stay until dark, be sure to bring a thick piece of clothing.
💁🏻♀️I am Wan'er, for more Northwest loop strategies, see the collection ⬇️
Mingsha Mountain | Listen to the camel bells and find the nectar in the desert
In the overlapping desert, there is a crescent-shaped spring water. As long as you climb the top of the desert, you can see the whole picture of the Crescent Moon Spring. .
Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring are mythical places in my heart. The clear spring water surrounded by sand mountains is incredible, but it actually exists in this land of Dunhuang.
Walking through a desert, you can approach the Crescent Moon Spring. There is a lush green plant growing on the Crescent Moon Spring. The wind caresses the water surface and the grass tip. It feels like a afternoon in a small park.
Crescent Moon is an antique pavilion. This picture is like a mirage in the desert, but this mirage is real.
Attraction tips
How to take a photo of a circle of friends in the public attractions? Mingsha Mountain Photo Guide
Mingsha Mountain has very small and soft sand. Compared with the sand on the beach, it is very dry. There are also special shoes and roads for walking. Be careful and compare. Admire this magnificent sunset on the high hillside. The best thing to watch in Mingsha Mountain is sunset time. It will be almost sunset at around 8:00 pm, so it is more appropriate to reach the top of the dune around 7:00. There are two types of photos on the sand dunes. One is the photo with the sand dunes. The most suitable clothes are red skirts. The people who are photographed can turn circles, play sand, or even just sit and shoot good films. The other type is the silhouette of the sunset. For the silhouette, it doesn't matter what you wear. As long as you have a good weather, you can shoot. As for what action to take, you can refer to our shot, or Baidu. There are many good silhouettes on the Internet.
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Barkol Lake Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
The blue here is unique to Xinjiang—Lake Barkol, an encounter that comes unexpectedly
Hidden in the vast embrace of Xinjiang lies a little-known gem—Lake Barkol💧. Imagine, this is not just any ordinary lake; it's more like a secret café meticulously arranged by nature, inviting you for a rendezvous between your soul and the beautiful scenery. Here, there's no need to queue, no noise, just you, the water, and boundless tranquility. Reeds sway gently on the side, whispering pastoral greetings🌾, while the fiery red sunset, like a warm painter, gently sketches a tender smile on your cheeks🌞.
🕒Secret Business Hours: 8:30 to 18:00, free admission🎉
🚗Self-driving Guide: Drive towards Lake Barkol, where the scenery along the way is the best navigation🧭
🌟Unique Highlights: A swath of sky so intoxicatingly blue, a canvas of gold stretching to the horizon, and the mysteriously named mirabilite mines and salt fields, make up the most unique landscape here. A gentle breeze, like nature's tenderest embrace, tells you that the blue here is unique to Xinjiang, a treasure only found in this world💎.
📸You in the Lens: Dress in the outfit that resonates most with nature, deep blue, passionate orange, pure white, let the colors dance in front of the camera, merging with the vastness of Lake Barkol.
👉Attention, friends from the south! Xinjiang's dryness might make every cell in your body cry out for moisture💦. Remember to bring enough water, moisturizing products, and even eye drops, to keep yourself hydrated throughout the journey. For those driving, brew a pot of hot tea in a thermos🍵, as Xinjiang's weather is as changeable as a child's face; a hot drink warms your heart and your journey.
🚧Parking Tip: With beautiful scenery ahead, safety comes first! Find a suitable place to park, don't let a beautiful moment turn into a dangerous memory.
🍖Food Guide: Xinjiang's beef and mutton feast is the pride of the livestock industry🐮. Lamb skewers are a must, but don't forget, yogurt and seasonal fruits are your best companions, making your taste buds' journey even smoother🍊🍉.
Waste sorting is everyone's responsibility. Please take your beautiful memories with you and leave the trash in the bins, so that our footprints remain only in our hearts, not on the ground🌍.
Xinjiang Hami Off-the-beaten-path Free Attractions | Barkol Lake
Barkol Lake is a lesser-known attraction located in Hami, Xinjiang🏞. Few people🙍🏻♀, exquisite. If I were to describe it in words, I think Barkol Lake💧 is like a natural coffee shop☕. Sitting in it, sipping a cup of coffee☕, looking at the lake not far away, the waves are sparkling; the reeds🌾 by the side are swaying, quiet and friendly; the fiery sunset🌞 afterglow, reflected on the face, enjoying the warmth.
🕙Opening hours: 8:30-18:00
🎫Ticket price: Free
🚗Transportation strategy: Barkol Lake Scenic Area🏞
💫Highlights: Here is the endless blue💙, here is the vast golden💛, here are many unspeakable vegetation🌿, and there are also beaches composed of mirabilite mines and salt fields. In the gentle breeze, feel the pure natural blue, this is the blue that can't be found in the many beautiful scenery in Xinjiang, the blue of all beings!
📷Photography suggestions
Dress: Clothes👚 can be brighter, such as the blue🔵, orange🟠, white⚪ in nature, the big scene will blend well
Equipment: The camera📷 can choose medium and long focus, I use 5D3+50mm, assisted by mobile phone and drone. For those who are not afraid of weight, you can bring a longer focal length (85mm or above), shooting birds and people is also good👍.
⚠Suggestions
People from the south or other regions really feel very dry when they come to Xinjiang! From the mouth to the eyeballs are dry, it is recommended to bring enough drinking water and moisturizer on the road, and even some eye drops with moisturizing effects;
Whether you are a health-conscious person or not, it is also recommended to bring a thermos cup on the self-driving road, add some hot tea water before leaving the restaurant, the temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is large, it is very comfortable to drink when you are thirsty or cold;
When you encounter beautiful scenery and stop the car, pay attention to observe the road conditions and choose a safe place;
There is a lot of beef and mutton🐮🐑 in Xinjiang, it is recommended that everyone eat more yogurt, fruit🥭🍎🍉, to help digestion;
Protect the environment, take away the garbage, please everyone can love the earth together d🌍.
There are often animals appearing on the road, please be careful to avoid.
Balikun Ancient City Scenic Area Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Spring Festival travel guide to Xinjiang
Guide | Suggestions for traveling to Xinjiang before and after the Spring Festival |||Note: The following itinerary is suitable for those who have a holiday within 7 days, low budget, 👩❤️👨expect a slow-release vacation (not a special forces hot walk), 🚗the mode of transportation in Xinjiang is car rental or chartered travel;
Itinerary suggestion:
☑️D1:
🚄✈️Hami Station (Hami Airport)→Hami Hotel (rest and supply)→Hami Museum (Mukam Heritage Center)→Huiwang Mansion→Huiwang Tomb→Aletun Old Street (coffee, barbecue and other petty bourgeoisie experiences)→Hotel
🎇Highlights: First impression of Xinjiang, understanding the development history of Hami and Xinjiang
☑️D2:
Hotel breakfast→Songshutang (the snow-covered grassland has animals such as cattle and horses, the pine tree layer of the northern foot of Dongtianshan is stacked, you may encounter the sunrise over the golden mountain; there is also a ski resort, if interested, you can participate in skiing activities)→Balikun County Hotel (lunch)→Fairy Temple (Dizang Temple)→Qing Dynasty Granary→Songfeng Academy→Balikun Museum→Balikun Ancient City→Food Street Dinner→Hotel
🎇Highlights: Gobi, canyon, strange mountains and rocks, pine forests, Gobi animals and plants, snow mountains, various attractions in Balikun Ancient City Scenic Area
☑️D3:
Hotel breakfast→Balikun Lake (lunch)→Guai Shi Mountain Scenic Area (don't climb high if there is snow)→Jingxin Expressway→Qitai County Hotel (about 300 kilometers from the service area of Guai Shi Mountain Scenic Area, about 2.5 hours)→Qitai Hotel Dinner
🎇Highlights: Snow mountains, lakes, strange mountains and rocks and other desolate, magnificent, lofty geological features
☑️D4:
Hotel breakfast→Jiangbulak Scenic Area (lunch in Banjie Gou Town about 3 kilometers from the tourist center of the scenic area, only here in winter, there are many farmhouses at the entrance of the scenic area in summer and autumn)→Hotel dinner
🎇Highlights: Gobi, snow mountains, forests, canyons and other natural landscapes
☑️D5:
Hotel breakfast→Urumqi Hotel (about 200 kilometers from Qitai County, about 2.5 hours)→Hotel lunch→Hongshan Park or Shagou→International Grand Bazaar (compare prices for shopping needs)→Hotel dinner
🎇Highlights: Silk Road culture, products, special catering, etc.
☑️D6:
Hotel breakfast→Tianshan Tianchi→Hotel dinner
🎇Highlights: Canyons, lakes, Gobi and other magnificent landscapes
☑️D7:
Hotel natural wake up meal→Urumqi Station or Urumqi South Station (both have bullet trains)→Return to the warm home
👉Planning reasons:
The first stop in Hami is relatively close, the time is short, and the cost is low, including time cost;
The temperature is close to the Hexi Corridor in Gansu, while Urumqi and Altay are colder, and it is easier to adapt gradually;
The living habits of Hami are close to the mainland, and it is easy to adapt quickly when entering Xinjiang for the first time;
The itinerary route has relatively less snowfall to avoid safety accidents such as snow accumulation in popular tourist spots such as Sailimu Lake and Altay;
The whole journey from Hami to Urumqi is about 800 kilometers, with an average of 150 kilometers per day for six days, which is easy to release;
The beautiful scenery of the whole Xinjiang has similar lines;
Hami Dongtian Shan Bingxue Amusement Park Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
At the foot of the ice and snow world, when I went to Hal Bing, I didnt go to a little regret, but this time I made up for it.
I remember the last time I went to the Temple of Heaven was still very small, the impression was already blurred, but here I saw a snow-covered Temple of Heaven.
Every ice sculpture is crystal clear and beautiful.
The door of the world of ice and snow. Ice sculpture is really beautiful.
The darkness of Xinjiang, even in the winter, it will be dark after 7 o'clock in the evening.
At about 4:30, the trip to Tianshan Tianchi ended, and it began to go to Urumqi. It took about an hour to reach the hotel where I lived.
Dongtian Mountain Sceneic Area Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Spring Festival travel guide to Xinjiang
Guide | Suggestions for traveling to Xinjiang before and after the Spring Festival |||Note: The following itinerary is suitable for those who have a holiday within 7 days, low budget, 👩❤️👨expect a slow-release vacation (not a special forces hot walk), 🚗the mode of transportation in Xinjiang is car rental or chartered travel;
Itinerary suggestion:
☑️D1:
🚄✈️Hami Station (Hami Airport)→Hami Hotel (rest and supply)→Hami Museum (Mukam Heritage Center)→Huiwang Mansion→Huiwang Tomb→Aletun Old Street (coffee, barbecue and other petty bourgeoisie experiences)→Hotel
🎇Highlights: First impression of Xinjiang, understanding the development history of Hami and Xinjiang
☑️D2:
Hotel breakfast→Songshutang (the snow-covered grassland has animals such as cattle and horses, the pine tree layer of the northern foot of Dongtianshan is stacked, you may encounter the sunrise over the golden mountain; there is also a ski resort, if interested, you can participate in skiing activities)→Balikun County Hotel (lunch)→Fairy Temple (Dizang Temple)→Qing Dynasty Granary→Songfeng Academy→Balikun Museum→Balikun Ancient City→Food Street Dinner→Hotel
🎇Highlights: Gobi, canyon, strange mountains and rocks, pine forests, Gobi animals and plants, snow mountains, various attractions in Balikun Ancient City Scenic Area
☑️D3:
Hotel breakfast→Balikun Lake (lunch)→Guai Shi Mountain Scenic Area (don't climb high if there is snow)→Jingxin Expressway→Qitai County Hotel (about 300 kilometers from the service area of Guai Shi Mountain Scenic Area, about 2.5 hours)→Qitai Hotel Dinner
🎇Highlights: Snow mountains, lakes, strange mountains and rocks and other desolate, magnificent, lofty geological features
☑️D4:
Hotel breakfast→Jiangbulak Scenic Area (lunch in Banjie Gou Town about 3 kilometers from the tourist center of the scenic area, only here in winter, there are many farmhouses at the entrance of the scenic area in summer and autumn)→Hotel dinner
🎇Highlights: Gobi, snow mountains, forests, canyons and other natural landscapes
☑️D5:
Hotel breakfast→Urumqi Hotel (about 200 kilometers from Qitai County, about 2.5 hours)→Hotel lunch→Hongshan Park or Shagou→International Grand Bazaar (compare prices for shopping needs)→Hotel dinner
🎇Highlights: Silk Road culture, products, special catering, etc.
☑️D6:
Hotel breakfast→Tianshan Tianchi→Hotel dinner
🎇Highlights: Canyons, lakes, Gobi and other magnificent landscapes
☑️D7:
Hotel natural wake up meal→Urumqi Station or Urumqi South Station (both have bullet trains)→Return to the warm home
👉Planning reasons:
The first stop in Hami is relatively close, the time is short, and the cost is low, including time cost;
The temperature is close to the Hexi Corridor in Gansu, while Urumqi and Altay are colder, and it is easier to adapt gradually;
The living habits of Hami are close to the mainland, and it is easy to adapt quickly when entering Xinjiang for the first time;
The itinerary route has relatively less snowfall to avoid safety accidents such as snow accumulation in popular tourist spots such as Sailimu Lake and Altay;
The whole journey from Hami to Urumqi is about 800 kilometers, with an average of 150 kilometers per day for six days, which is easy to release;
The beautiful scenery of the whole Xinjiang has similar lines;
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Popular Restaurants in Barkol