12.1/12.2 Qiongkushitai Kurdining Sailimu Lake Sunrise and Sunset

Qiongkushitai and Kurdining have very similar landscapes, so it is recommended to choose one. Qiongkushitai requires crossing three big mountains, the journey is longer and more difficult, while Kurdining has better road conditions and is easier to reach. The landscapes both feature seasonal snow-capped mountains + forest grasslands + snowy spruce ridges. Visiting Qiongkushitai requires an extra day, while Kurdining does not. 🌳 Route 1 12.1 Yining city walk 12.2 Yining Qiongkushitai 12.3 Qiongkushitai Tekes 12.4 Tekes Sailimu Lake loop 12.5 Second visit to Sailimu Lake Yining 12.6 Yining ✈️ 🌳 Route 2 12.1 Yining city walk 12.2 Yining Kurdining Tekes 12.3 Tekes Sailimu Lake loop 12.4 Second visit to Sailimu Lake Yining/Bole 12.5 Yining/Bole return trip 🌟 Route design ideas 1️⃣ The weather at Sailimu Lake in winter is unstable, so the visit is split over two days to cover both sunrise and sunset. Even if the weather is bad, you will see at least one. 2️⃣ Qiongkushitai is a longer and more exploratory trip, so an overnight stay there is necessary. 3️⃣ Kurdining in winter only opens the middle valley, with just one route. Whether horseback riding or not, it can be completed in half a day. 4️⃣ Adding Bole/Yining for the return flight considers different people's 🎫 tickets, offering more flexibility. 5️⃣ Either 12.1 or 12.2 works, as long as you can make it on 12.2. 6️⃣ 2-4 people 👯‍♀️, easy, comfortable, and free.