You must go to Xinjiang at least! A date with the mountains and rivers

"Life is a wilderness, not a track", so I plunged into Xinjiang. This journey was like entering a scenic blockbuster movie, every frame was so beautiful that it made people speechless! 🏞️【Check-in at attractions】 📍Sailimu Lake: The largest alpine pearl in Xinjiang, known as the "last tear of the Atlantic Ocean". The lake is as blue as a gem and is surrounded by mountains and green grasslands. Driving along the lakeside road, you will be overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery along the way. You can have close contact with the lake water at the waterfront, or overlook the entire lake from the Dianjiang Terrace. At sunset, the golden afterglow shines on the lake, making the waves sparkle and it is breathtakingly beautiful. 📍Nalati Grassland: It is truly a grassland in the sky, with snow-capped mountains, forests and grasslands complementing each other. Taking the local train and going deeper into it, it feels like walking into the animation world of Hayao Miyazaki. You can also experience horse riding, galloping freely on the grassland, and feel the wind whistling in your ears. Lying in the yurt at night, the starry sky is within reach. 📍Kanas Scenic Area: a mysterious and charming place! Wolong Bay, Moon Bay and Shenxian Bay are connected to each other, and the lake water presents different colors as the light changes. Hike on the plank trail, shuttle through the primeval forest, and occasionally encounter squirrels jumping. Climbing up to the Fish-Watching Platform, you can have a panoramic view of Kanas Lake. When the forest is dyed in red, the red leaves all over the mountains and the azure blue water complement each other, like a fairyland. 📍Hemu Village: A settlement of Tuva people, with log cabins scattered around and smoke rising from the chimneys. Climbing up to the observation deck in the early morning, the village shrouded in morning mist looks like a dream. The sunlight shines through the clouds, giving the village a golden edge. Here, time seems to slow down, making it a perfect place to be in a daze. 📍Duku Highway: This is a scenic avenue that can be called "the most beautiful highway in China". It is only 561 kilometers long and condenses half of the beautiful scenery of Xinjiang. Along the way, you can appreciate various landforms such as Gobi deserts, mountain canyons, forest grasslands, snow-capped mountains and lakes. It seems as if you have traveled through four seasons in one day. However, the Duku Highway is only open from June to October each year, so you should plan your time in advance. 🍱【Food Exploration】 🍗Xinjiang big plate chicken: a must-try delicacy! Tender chicken, soft potatoes, and chewy belt noodles, mixed with rich soup, every bite is super satisfying. The portion is huge, suitable for sharing with many people. 🍖Grilled lamb skewers: Freshly cut and grilled lamb, sizzling with oil, sprinkled with cumin and chili powder, the aroma is fragrant, take a bite, it is tender and juicy, with no smell of mutton at all. 🥟Pilaf: Carrots, lamb, raisins and rice are perfectly blended, shiny and glossy. When you take a bite, the aroma of meat, rice and fruit are intertwined, fragrant but not greasy. 🍨Yogurt Zongzi: The sour and sweet yogurt paired with the soft and glutinous Zongzi has a rich taste and is a great way to relieve greasiness. Remember to drizzle more honey before eating. 🚗【Transportation Guide】 Xinjiang is a vast region with long distances between scenic spots. Self-driving is the best way to travel around. You can arrange your itinerary freely and stop at any time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can also choose to charter a car or join a local tour group, but be careful to choose a formal and reliable one. Some scenic spots require you to take a shuttle bus to visit. 💡【Tips】 1. There is a 2-hour time difference between Xinjiang and the mainland, so the working and sleeping hours are later. Restaurants usually start to get busy around 8 or 9 in the evening. 2. The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are very strong, so you must take sun protection measures and bring sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, etc. 3. In ethnic minority areas, you must respect local customs and habits, such as dressing appropriately when entering a mosque. 4. When driving on the Duku Highway, pay attention to road conditions and weather changes. Some sections have many bends and steep slopes, so drive carefully. Xinjiang is a place you want to visit again once you’ve been there. Its magnificence and tenderness can only be experienced in person. If you also yearn for freedom and distant places, then come to Xinjiang. The mountains, rivers, lakes, grasslands and forests here are waiting for you!