[Ultimate 5-Day Guide to Altay, Xinjiang - Spring & Summer Special]

Fewer crowds, beautiful scenery! Skip the fall and winter peak seasons and have the grasslands all to yourself. June wildflower seas + September yellow birch forests, photos look filtered naturally. Perfect shooting locations from "My Altay," the ultimate healing destination. Transportation Guide ✈️Main Transport: Fly to Urumqi → 1h connecting flight to Altay (or overnight train) 🚗For Self-driving: Recommend renting a car in Urumqi (SUV preferred), enjoy the S21 Desert Highway 🌼 Must-Visit Attractions [One] Kanas Lake (Open May-October) Emerald green lake water in summer! Boat tours/boardwalk hiking Hidden tip: Catch the morning mist for "lake monster" photos (photographers' secret spot) [Two] Hemu Village (June dandelion sea) Stay in Tuva wooden houses, see the Milky Way with naked eyes Horseback ride to "Beauty Peak," crossing streams and grasslands [Three] Five-Colored Beach (Rush during sunset!) Yardang landform + Irtysh River, like a spilled palette in golden light 📸 Wear white dresses for stunning contrast photos [Four] Keketuohai (Not actually a sea!) Hike Sacred Bell Mountain Canyon, spot marmots/falcons National Geological Park, geology enthusiasts' paradise 🍉 Foodie Tips Must-try: Altay cold-water fish (grilled pike!), homemade yogurt chunks Hemu Village breakfast: butter tea + jam with leba bread Warning: Fruits are expensive in scenic areas, buy in city centers instead 💡 Travel Tips ⚠️ May still see snow, bring windbreaker + light down jacket ⚠️ Long distances between gas stations when driving (must fill up in Burqin) ⚠️ Respect nomadic culture, don't step on pastures without permission 📅 My 5-Day Itinerary D1: Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Burqin (night market by the river) D2: Burqin → Five-Colored Beach → Hemu Village (stay in cabin) D3: Hemu morning mist → Kanas Lake → Fish-Viewing Platform (stay in scenic area) D4: Kanas Three Bays hiking → Baihaba Village (Northwestern China's first village) D5: Keketuohai → Return ✨ Travel Bonus Horse racing festival on grasslands in June! Join Kazakhs in kokpar Send postcards from Hemu Post Office, the only one with Tuvan language postmark