Complete Guide to Avoid Pitfalls in Qiaxi, Xinjiang! Includes 3 Routes + Photo Spots

Having been to Xinjiang 10 times, the "Wizard of Oz" feeling of Qiaxi still moves me. This practical guide will help you avoid detours! 📌 Key Information (Must Save) • Ticket: 30 RMB/person, student tickets half price (with ID) • Transportation: Self-driving is best! Public transport requires going to Gongliu County then carpooling (about 50 RMB/person) • Duration: Recommended to spend 1 day (9:00-21:00), after 6 PM the light is soft, perfect for shooting the grassland without backlight • Signal: No network deep in the scenic area, download offline maps and cache guides in advance • Parking: Free parking spots at key points like Swallow Bridge and viewing platforms; arrive before 10 AM in peak season to secure a spot 🚶 3 Routes (Choose as needed, don’t waste time) 1. Self-driving Off-road Route (Highly Recommended): Visitor Center → Swallow Bridge → Shimen Waterfall → Qiaxi Scroll → Tarim Grassland → Qiata Loop Return. You can cross water sections, many less crowded photo spots. I took amazing snow mountain and grassland photos on the loop that blew up my social feed! 2. Leisure Hiking Route: Swallow Bridge → Wooden Boardwalk → Popular Wooden Pile Bridge → Deadwood Forest Area. About 2 hours total, wear comfortable shoes, very cool in the forest, suitable for kids or those who get tired easily. 3. Lazy Check-in Route: Take the sightseeing bus (20 RMB/person) to Shimen Waterfall → Horseback riding (80 RMB/hour, price negotiable) to Qiaxi Scroll. Covers all key spots; ask the herders to guide you while riding to find hidden viewpoints. 📸 Photo Spots (Tested and Effective) • Qiaxi Scroll Viewing Platform: Wear white/light blue clothes, stand by the wooden fence with grassland and snow mountains as background, shoot horizontally for great depth • Spruce Gate: Stand between two dead trees, shoot with side light at 3 PM, tree shadows on you create a great atmosphere • Popular Wooden Pile Bridge: Shoot low, include flowing water, wooden piles, and forest reflections in one frame, add a small filter for a forest-style masterpiece 🍽️ Food & Accommodation Suggestions (No Pitfalls) • Accommodation: For experience, choose Swallow Bridge yurts (150 RMB/night, includes breakfast and dinner); for comfort, choose hotels in Gongliu County town (100-200 RMB/night, good conditions) • Food: Eat hand-pulled rice with meat (25 RMB/portion) and freshly grilled lamb skewers (5 RMB/skewer) in the Tarim folk area inside the scenic spot; bring some chocolate to replenish energy after horseback riding ⚠️ Pitfall Warnings (Hard-earned Experience) 1. Sedans and two-wheel drive cars should avoid the Qiata loop, many potholes can scrape the chassis 2. Bring a light jacket even in summer, temperature difference can be 15℃ between morning and night; last time I was so cold I borrowed a herder’s jacket 3. Don’t trample the grassland randomly; fenced areas are private herder land, respect local customs 4. Take your trash with you; there are few trash bins in the scenic area, protect this beautiful place