My WeChat Moments is blowing up! This isn't Switzerland, it's Xinjiang.
‼️A Guide to Visiting Altay, Northern Xinjiang (2025 Edition)
**1. Pre-Trip Preparations**
* **Best Time to Travel:**
* Summer (June–August): Lush grasslands, blooming wildflowers, and pleasant weather—perfect for escaping the heat.
* Autumn (September–October): Forests ablaze with color, a photographer's paradise.
* Winter (November–March): A silver wonderland, ideal for skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter sports.
* **Clothing Guide:**
* Summer: Large temperature differences between day and night. Pack short sleeves, long sleeves, a jacket, sun protection, a hat, and sunglasses.
* Autumn: Cooler temperatures. Bring warm clothing such as a down jacket, sweater, scarf, and gloves.
* Winter: Extremely cold. Prepare heavy down jackets, thermal underwear, snow boots, a hat, gloves, and other cold-weather gear.
* **Other Preparations:**
* Documents: ID card, driver's license (if renting a car), border pass (if visiting border areas like Baihaba).
* Medicine: Common medications like cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, and band-aids.
* Sun Protection: Sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizer.
* Other: Camera, portable charger, thermos, and rain gear.
**2. Transportation**
* **Airplane:** Altay Airport (AAT) has flights to and from Urumqi, Yining, Kanas, and other locations.
* **Train:** Altay City has a train station, but services are limited.
* **Bus:** Long-distance buses travel to Altay from Urumqi, Karamay, and other cities.
* **Chartered Car/Self-Drive:** Chartering a car or driving yourself is recommended for greater flexibility.
**3. Accommodation Recommendations**
* **Altay City:** Plenty of hotels in the city center at reasonable prices.
* **Burqin County:** Closer to Kanas, with better accommodation options.
* **Hemu Village and Baihaba Village:** Tuvan villages offering unique wooden house accommodations at higher prices.
* **Kanas Scenic Area:** Limited accommodation options within the scenic area, often at higher prices. Book in advance.
**4. Must-See Attractions**
* **Kanas Lake:** Known as a "fairyland on earth," with crystal-clear water, surrounded by mountains, and magnificent scenery.
* **Hemu Village:** A primitive Tuvan village with charming wooden houses, often shrouded in morning mist, resembling a fairytale world.
* **Baihaba Village:** One of the eight most beautiful towns in China, bordering Kazakhstan, with unique border scenery.
* **Five-Colored Beach:** Yadan landforms with vibrant colors, especially spectacular at sunset.
* **Koktokay:** A national geological park with diverse landscapes, including canyons, rivers, forests, and grasslands.
* **Ulungur Lake:** The second largest freshwater lake in Xinjiang, with beautiful lake and mountain scenery.
**5. Food Recommendations**
* **Lamb Kebabs:** A Xinjiang specialty, tender and flavorful.
* **Hand-Pulled Rice:** Rice cooked with mutton, carrots, and other ingredients, incredibly fragrant.
* **Big Plate Chicken:** Chicken stewed with potatoes, peppers, and other ingredients, a hearty dish.
* **Milk Tea:** Savory and delicious, a local staple.
* **Baursaki:** A traditional Kazakh snack, deep-fried dough, sweet and crispy.
**6. Itinerary Suggestions**
* **3–4 Days:**
* Day 1: Arrive in Altay, visit Five-Colored Beach, stay overnight in Burqin.
* Day 2: Travel to Kanas Lake, visit the Fish Viewing Platform, Moon Bay, and other attractions, stay overnight in Kanas.
* Day 3: Visit Hemu Village, stay overnight in Hemu.
* Day 4: Return to Altay, visit Koktokay on the way, and end the trip.
* **5–7 Days:** Add Baihaba Village and Ulungur Lake to your itinerary for a more in-depth Altay experience.
**7. Important Notes**
* Altay has significant temperature differences between day and night, so dress warmly.
* Some areas have high altitudes, so take precautions against altitude sickness.
* Respect local ethnic customs.
* Protect the environment and do not litter.
* Book accommodations and transportation in advance, especially during peak season.
**8. Travel Tips**
* Consider purchasing an Altay Tourist Pass for discounts on some attractions.
* Learn some basic Kazakh or Mongolian phrases to communicate with locals.
* Carry some cash, as electronic payments may not be accepted in some areas.