Primitive Forest Luxury Experience

Kuerdening, Xinjiang: The Green Wonderland Deep in the Tianshan Mountains, an Absolutely Stunning Secret Realm! Stroll through the sea of spruce trees and encounter the most pristine poetry of the Tianshan Mountains In the southeastern mountainous area of Gongliu County, Ili, Xinjiang, lies a secret realm known as the "Most Beautiful Green Valley of the Tianshan"—the Kuerdening Scenic Area. This World Natural Heritage site, with its unique natural landscapes and pristine beauty, is waiting for you to explore. Kuerdening Essential Travel Guide 🚗 Transportation and Tickets · Ticket: 60 RMB per person (peak season), self-driving vehicles can enter the scenic area for free. · About a 3-hour drive from Yining City; about 1.5 hours from Gongliu County. · The scenic area has a one-way road; enter from Zhonggou and exit from Donggou. 📸 Must-See Attractions 1. Qimengde Viewing Platform: The scenery here resembles scenes from "Heidi and Grandpa," and it is the essence of Kuerdening. Hike along the wooden plank road, flanked by lush spruce forests and sprinkled with fairy-tale wooden cabins. In the distance stands the magnificent snow-capped Kabanbay Peak. It is recommended to visit in the morning when the light is soft and front-lit for better photos. 2. Ayusai Viewing Platform: From here, you can overlook the spectacular S-shaped mountain road, with Kabanbay Peak snow mountain seemingly within reach. It’s an excellent spot to capture both the snow mountain and forest in one frame. 3. Ten-Mile Gallery: The first stop after entering the scenic area, with towering spruces on both sides of the road, lush green grass, wildflowers everywhere, and the Kuerdai River gently flowing like a slowly unfolding landscape painting. 4. Spruce Forest Hiking: Kuerdening boasts the largest area of Xueling spruce forest in Asia. Walking through the forest, sunlight filters through the branches creating dappled shadows, the air is fresh and filled with the scent of pine needles, as if taking a natural forest bath. 💡 Practical Tips · Accommodation Options: You can choose to stay in a Kazakh yurt inside the scenic area (about 200-400 RMB/night), with snow mountains visible right outside the door and a dazzling Milky Way overhead at night; or return to Gongliu County for accommodation with more complete facilities. · Food Experience: Try a bowl of freshly brewed milk tea at a herder’s home, rich in creamy flavor; then enjoy some local grilled lamb skewers with authentic taste. · Travel Preparation: Mountain weather is changeable with large temperature differences between day and night, so bring a jacket even in summer. UV rays are strong, so be sure to take sun protection measures. The beauty of Kuerdening lies in its primitive and simple natural atmosphere, in the harmonious picture woven by snow mountains, forests, grasslands, and streams. This "Green Valley of the Tianshan" quietly interprets the magnificence and diversity of our motherland’s mountains and rivers. So, what is the true meaning of travel? Is it to find your original self in another place, or to finally understand the belonging of your heart in the vast world? Feel free to share your stories and insights in the comments.