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Before setting off, I scoured travel guides, and everyone advised me to "pack light," but I ignored them—my 26-inch suitcase was crammed full and couldn't be zipped up, and I also carried an extra bulky backpack. When I arrived in Xinjiang, I was shocked: half of what I packed was completely unnecessary, and I almost didn't have enough warm clothing! I learned my lesson the hard way; Xinjiang's winters are anything but simple, so pack light, not heavy. I've compiled this tried-and-tested checklist to help you avoid common pitfalls: I. Clothing: Layering is key to warmth; avoid piling on unnecessary clothing. • Upper Body: A thin, close-fitting thermal undershirt + fleece-lined thermal underwear as a base layer, a down vest in the middle for warmth, a nice sweater on top, and a thick down jacket or down coat on the very top. This is easy to put on and take off without looking bulky. • Lower Body: Thin thermal underwear worn close to the skin, with fleece-lined thermal trousers in the middle. Thick trousers or a thick skirt on top will also work, providing warmth without restricting movement. • Shoes: Pack two pairs! One pair of snow boots for snow, and one pair of non-slip sneakers for everyday wear. Don't just bring one pair and gamble on the weather. II. Accessories & Skincare: Don't overlook the details; Xinjiang's climate is incredibly harsh. • Warm Accessories: Hats, scarves, earmuffs, and gloves are essential. Your ears and hands will be freezing in the wind. Bring several packs of hand warmers; they can be used on your body and also on your phone case, as battery drains incredibly fast in the cold. • Sun Protection: Don't think you don't need sun protection in winter! Bring a visor hat (it also protects your head), and sunglasses as the glare from the snow will hurt your eyes. Choose a high SPF sunscreen; the UV rays are much stronger than you think. • Moisturizing Products: Xinjiang is extremely dry! Bring sunscreen, moisturizing cream, and body lotion. Stock up on several boxes of face masks; use one daily to prevent peeling. Also, carry lip balm to apply frequently to prevent chapped lips. III. Other Items: These "Small Items" Can Save You a Lot of Trouble • Thermos: The dry climate means you'll be drinking water constantly. Bringing a thermos ensures you have hot water anytime, which is more convenient and cheaper than buying bottled water. • Snickers Bars: The distances between attractions in Xinjiang are long, and travel time is often extended. Having some Snickers bars will give you a quick energy boost when you're hungry. • U-Shaped Pillow: Essential for long journeys. It allows you to comfortably nap, preventing neck pain. • Disposable Underwear: Difficult to dry after washing. Bring a few packs and throw them away after use—convenient and hygienic. • Portable Toiletries: Bring face towels, portable toothpaste and toothbrush, and slippers. While hotels are clean, you'll find your own comfortable. (I brought disposable bed sheets but didn't use them; choose according to your needs.) • Common Medications: Pack cold medicine and stomach medicine. Buying medicine in tourist areas can be inconvenient if you catch a cold or get an upset stomach. IV. Avoid These Pitfalls: 1. Don't Skip Moisturizing! Don't think that bringing face cream is enough. Face masks, lip balm, and body lotion are all essential, otherwise your skin will become so dry it will peel. 2. Don't Buy Things Randomly in Tourist Areas! Prices are generally higher than outside, especially for local specialties. Don't be fooled by "tourist area exclusive" offers. 3. Don't Be Greedy for Cheap Tours! Low-priced tours often have hidden costs. Be sure to carefully check before booking to avoid spending money and having a bad experience. Hopefully, this checklist will help you avoid packing a bunch of unnecessary luggage like I did. Traveling light will allow you to truly enjoy winter in Xinjiang!

8-Day Xinjiang Travel Guide | Explore Altay and Hemu: Witness the Winter Fairytale of Northern Xinjiang❄️ Winter in Altay, Xinjiang is truly breathtaking! Our 8-day trip, traveling from Urumqi to Burqin and then to Hemu, allowed us to fully experience this fairytale world of northern Xinjiang's winter. We recommend visiting between November and February, when the snowy scenery is at its most stunning.❄️ 🚗 Recommended Itinerary: Days 1-2: Urumqi ➡️ Burqin This is a long journey, so we recommend staying overnight in Burqin to relax and enjoy the local specialties of grilled fish and hand-pulled meat. Days 3-4: Burqin ➡️ Hemu Scenic Area 👉The fried pork noodles and shredded potatoes at Hemu Old Village Villa are a must! 👉 Be sure to visit the Hemu Viewing Platform in the morning for panoramic photos of the morning mist and the snowy village. We recommend staying at the Hemu Mountain and Sea Inn for a stunning setting and a bonfire party. Day 5: Day Trip to Hemu Ski Resort. This ski resort is more pristine than the ones in Urumqi, and the snow quality is excellent. Remember to book a guide in advance. Days 6-7: In-depth Tour of Hemu 👉Walk through the snowy village during the day and watch the sunset from the observation deck in the evening. 👉Be sure to try the hot milk tea and naan at the local B&B. Day 8: Return to Urumqi. You can buy some Xinjiang specialties at the Grand Bazaar. 🍖Food Recommendations: Hemu Old Village Villa: The signature Hemu Dapanji is delicious. Burqin Night Market: Lots of authentic snacks. Hemu Mountain and Sea Homestay: The Xinjiang breakfast is superb. 📌Tips: 1. Temperatures fluctuate greatly in winter, so be sure to bring plenty of warm clothing. 2. Sun protection is essential, as snow is highly reflective. 3. Chartering a car or joining a small group tour is more convenient; if driving on your own, be careful of snowy roads. 4. Prices in Hemu Village are high, so bring some snacks. 5. Book B&Bs in advance, as they tend to be fully booked during peak season. #XinjiangTravel #Altai #Hemu #WinterTravel #SnowPhotography

When I first encountered Hemu Village 8 years ago🏡, it was a pure paradise! No crowds of tourists🤳 No bustling commercial streets Just tranquil birch forests and small wooden houses with curling smoke❄️ Visiting Hemu now is a completely different experience...too commercialized [Sweat] Address: Hemu Hanasi Mongolian Ethnic Township, Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang 🎵Booming sound 🛍️Crowded with shops 👨👩👧👦Tourists are shoulder to shoulder It's truly a love-hate relationship! You'll regret it whether you visit or not🤦‍♀️ But! But! If you can: 🌄Wake up at 5 a.m. ☔️and it happened to rain the night before Then congratulations! 🎉 You've unlocked the most beautiful way to experience Hemu: A fairytale village shrouded in morning mist 🏡 The mirror-like reflection of the Hemu River 🌫️ A fairy-tale-like birch forest 🍂 This limited-time view is only for early risers! (P.S.: The best time to view the fog in summer is between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM) #XinjiangTravel #HemuVillage #AltaiTravel #NorthernXinjiangSecrets #TravelPit-AvoidanceGuide

Don't be fooled into going to Hemu by traffic! This place is seriously not worth the trip! 😅 My biggest impression of the trip from Altay to Hemu was this: It's not as good as the Ahe Highway or the wild scenery beyond the scenic area. This place is completely hyped up by influencers! The commercialization is beyond imagination, with tour groups everywhere, and the prices are ridiculously high. The only thing that really impressed me was the incredibly bright full moon! It looked like a little sun hanging in the sky, but this beauty has nothing to do with Hemu itself! My overall impression was: Too many people! There were tour buses and tourists everywhere, making it difficult to find a quiet spot for photos. 🏨Accommodation recommendations: None, because they're expensive, the rooms are small, and they're seriously out of value. ⚠️Practical tips: 1. There's really no need to make a special trip to Hemu! Unless you're just passing through. 2. There's no need to stay in Hemu; it's like shutting the door on the dog and getting ripped off. 3. The best time to see the moon is around the 15th day of the lunar calendar. To summarize: Instead of wasting time in Hemu, spend more time in Kanas or go horseback riding in Baibaha. It's seriously over-marketed! #XinjiangTravelAvoidGuide #HemuRealExperience #XinjiangSelf-DrivingTour #TravelMistakeRecord #BurqinTourism

Driving toward the deepest reaches of the skyline, the road stretched beneath my wheels like a stubborn scar. When a boundless green wave suddenly came into view, I knew—I had arrived at the grassland. A Prelude to the White Birch The towering birch forest, the grassland's guardians, stands at the edge of the wilderness. Its trunks are silvery white like quenched moonlight, its branches interwoven into a dome, filtering specks of light like fragmented gold. As the wind blows through, the forest whispers, as if ancient shamans were chanting the poetry of nature. I press my palm against the wrinkles of the bark, feeling the vitality surging through its veins—they have stood here for centuries, witnessing horses' hooves crushing beacon smoke and carrying hawks' wings as they pierced the sky. Yurts and Pastoral Songs Beyond the hills, the grassland opens up. Pearl-like flocks of sheep and herds of brown cattle float across the green carpet. They lower their heads to graze on grass roots, their tails swaying leisurely, like notes dancing on the strings of the earth. In the distance, white yurts dot the landscape, their domes like frozen clouds descending into the mortal realm. As we approached, smoke curled upwards, tinged with the aroma of milk. An old herder, his bronze face etched with wrinkles, emerged from the curtains. He offered a bowl of warm milk tea, "Dear guest from afar, the grass and water of the grassland will remember your footsteps." His smile held a kindness richer than butter. The Gift of Yunxiao Peak Trekking to the end of the grassland, Yunxiao Peak suddenly loomed. This massive peak, capped with snow, stands like a boundary marker, shouldering the territories of four countries: China, Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. As we climbed, stubborn wildflowers emerged from the cracks in the rock, their purple petals and yellow stamens radiating against the chill of the glacier. Reaching the summit, the world suddenly opened up: a sea of ​​clouds billowed beneath us, and the mountains and rivers of the four regions unfolded like a patchwork map. The wind whipped the prayer flags into a rustling rustle, and the densely woven scriptures on the colorful fabrics became a tangible prayer: may the mountain spirits remain immortal, may the human world be boundless. A Sudden Enlightenment in the Dusk On my way home, I encountered a horse herd. The herders galloped, their robes stained a crimson gold by the setting sun, their neighs shattering the twilight. I suddenly understood that the grandeur of the grassland lies not in the "picturesque" scenery but in the "riverlike" flow of life: the white birch trees root themselves in silence through the years, the herders write of freedom through their migrations, and the solitary Yunxiao Peak heals the earth's rifts. The saying "a worthwhile journey" is that nature teaches us to let go of our ambition to measure the world and instead, with humility, become a comma in the poem of creation.