Hemu, Xinjiang | Complete Guide to Unlocking the "God's Backyard" (Including Secret Map)

| Complete Guide to Unlocking the "God's Backyard" (Including Secret Map). ❄️ First Impressions of a Fairyland on Earth ❄️ This Tuva village hidden in the folds of the Altai Mountains 🌲 has been praised by National Geographic as "China's Top Ten Secret Places." The log-built wooden houses dance with the birch forest 🍂, and the smoke from cooking fires in the morning mist resembles the breath of gods ☁️. The local Tuva people still maintain the nomadic tradition of "grazing clouds at sunrise, drinking milk wine at moonrise" 🐎. From May to September, wildflowers bloom across the fields; in October, the forests turn vibrant; and in winter, it transforms into a kingdom of ice and snow ❄️. Every season is like a fairy tale theater 🎭! 🚗 Travel Tips: By Plane ✈️: Land at Altay/Kanas Airport, then a 2.5-hour car ride to reach Self-driving 🚙: About 10 hours from Urumqi, witnessing the magical transition from desert to oasis along the way Shuttle Bus 🚌: Environmental buses are required within the scenic area (first bus at 9:00 / last bus at 20:00) ✨ Seven Must-Visit Spots ✨ ❶ Cloud Viewing Platform ☁️ (Upgraded from the original Harden Platform) 🌅 Must visit at dawn! Recommended to depart at 5:30 to secure a spot, use a telephoto lens to capture the wooden houses waking up in the morning mist, tripod + gradient filter for stunning time-lapse shots 📸 🌌 At night, it becomes a starry sky theater; in summer, the Milky Way stretches across the sky, and in winter, you can photograph star trails dancing with the lights of the wooden houses ❷ Birch Maze 🌳 A 3-kilometer secret stretch along the Hemu River, recommended to wear a light-colored long dress + woven straw hat 👒. The golden tunnel in September-October is breathtaking, and the naturally formed "heart-shaped hole" in the tree trunks is a must-shoot spot for couples 💘 ❸ Eagle Valley 🦅 Every day at 15:00, herders perform traditional eagle training, and you can experience feeding with a leather glove (50 RMB/session). In winter, you can witness the thrilling scene of fox hunting in the snow! ❹ Beautiful Peak Twin Secret Spots ⛰️ ▫️ Small Beautiful Peak: 3-hour round trip on horseback, crossing meadows full of wild lilies (150 RMB/horse) ▫️ Big Beautiful Peak: 6-hour hike to visit nomadic families, experience fresh milk milking + handmade cheese dumpling making 🥛 ❺ Century-old Wooden House Museum 🏚️ 12 existing 19th-century wooden houses with full mortise and tenon structure, the special moss layer on the roof acts as a natural air conditioner. Listen to an 80-year-old Tuva elder play the Chuur (reed flute) 🎵 ❻ Hongbas Grassland 🌿 In June, a sea of purple sage flowers; in September, golden waves of wheat. Recommended to rent ethnic costumes (30 RMB/set) for stunning pastoral photos. Join the bonfire party at dusk and learn the Black Horse Dance 🔥 ❼ Hemu River Rafting Secret Spot 💦 A 3-kilometer gentle waterway (120 RMB/person), with birch reflections on both sides like Monet’s paintings. Recommended to go in the afternoon with good lighting, bring a waterproof bag to capture the scenery on both banks 📷 🎪 In-depth Experience Guide 🎪 🐎 Horseback Crossing: 3 classic routes ① Hemu - Jiadenyu (25km/6h) through primeval forest ② Beautiful Peak Loop (15km/4h) overlooking the entire village ③ Snowfield Exploration (winter only) experience horse-drawn sleigh 📸 Photography Guide: Golden hours: 1 hour after sunrise + 1 hour before sunset Classic spots: Northwest corner of the viewing platform / East side of Hemu Bridge / 3rd bend of the birch forest Recommended gear: 70-200mm telephoto + 16-35mm wide-angle, ND filter essential 🍖 Taste of Hemu: Must-try three treasures: dried meat pilaf 🍚 | pine nut roasted bread 🥖 | wild mushroom hotpot Visit a herder’s home: 80 RMB per person to experience hand-pulled meat + salty milk tea + milk wine set 🏡 Accommodation Guide: ▫️ Popular wooden houses: century-old houses (book 3 months in advance) ▫️ Best for stargazing: Cloud Inn (with panoramic skylight) ▫️ Cost-effective option: Birch Forest Inn (5-minute walk to the viewing platform) ⚠️ Pitfall Tips ⚠️ ❶ Temperature difference up to 20℃ between morning and evening, layering is safest ❷ Book accommodation 30 days in advance for July-August ❸ Respect Tuva customs: don’t step on door thresholds / don’t point fingers at eagles ❹ Recommended to carry cash (some areas have weak signal) When the morning mist weaves a veil over the wooden house peaks 🌫️, and the eagle flute echoes in the valley 🦅, this northern Xinjiang secret is writing poetry with millennia of time. Bring this comprehensive guide to encounter the purest starry sky, the sweetest sleep, and the deepest stirrings of your soul ✨