






E22***58Gulandam Ice Cream Shop is a star shop in Liuxing Street, a famous tourist attraction in Yining City, Xinjiang. The shop is a century-old shop that specializes in handmade ice cream of various flavors. The ice cream in the shop is not very sweet, a bit like sorbet, but with a richer taste and flavor. The biggest feature is that there are many different self-service ingredients that can be added to the ice cream yourself.
Gulandam Ice Cream Shop is a star shop in Liuxing Street, a famous tourist attraction in Yining City, Xinjiang. The shop is a century-old shop that specializes in handmade ice cream of various flavors. The ice cream in the shop is not very sweet, a bit like sorbet, but with a richer taste and flavor. The biggest feature is that there are many different self-service ingredients that can be added to the ice cream yourself.
To be honest, the environment is nice and the taste is acceptable, but I think the price is a bit high. Some small alleys have the same taste of ice cream as this one, and you can enjoy it for only two or three yuan. The most important thing is that the employees' faces are full of "tired! tired! tired!" The employees I saw late on Sunday night can still be seen early on Monday morning. I asked around and rested for three or four hours!
⭕Kazanqi⭐⭐⭐⭐ There are many blue houses, which are very distinctive. There are some yogurt sellers, teahouses and shops renting ethnic costumes. ⭕Liuxing Street⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It is generally cleaner than Kazanqi, and cars are not allowed to enter after 7 o'clock. There are also many places to take pictures. ⭕Food ❶Gulandam Ice Cream: Many people buy the classic original flavor of 9.9, and then add various small ingredients by themselves. There are super many people in the Internet celebrity store, but the queue is quite fast. The ice cream is better than that of Hotan Second Street in Urumqi. Zaxiangzi Noodle Soup: It is not particularly delicious but not thunder. It is quite standard. 26 per serving, with side dishes, noodle soup (cabbage, jelly blocks, mutton), oil cakes, and flower rolls. ❷Hazina Pastry: Because we went late, there were not many pastries. I bought apricot jam and yogurt bread with a strong wind. Because I was full, I tried a bite of apricot jam bread and didn’t like it. It was too sweet... I will comment after eating the yogurt bread. ⚠️A restaurant I really like: Mijiti Fast Food Restaurant The pilaf and fried meat noodles there are super delicious (not in Kazanqi and Liuxing Street) I feel that there is no need to deliberately check in at Kazanqi and Liuxing Street. If you come here to take ethnic photos, then you can. There are many restaurants, so you have to choose carefully...
Strolling through the hexagonal streets, the melody of an accordion drifts from between the blue walls and colorful windows. Taking a bite of traditional ice cream, one can feel the vibrant atmosphere of a multi-ethnic community. "Does the sound of the bayan still echo in Liuxing Street?" When this lyric went viral on short video platforms, I finally stepped into this colorful neighborhood, known as the "Little Bagua of the East," on a bright September morning, encountering a fairytale Xinjiang. 🌟 Ten Years of Transformation: From Historic District to Model of Happiness Liuxing Street was built between 1934 and 1936, planned and designed by the German engineer Wassley. From an aerial view, six main streets radiate outwards from the center, forming a unique hexagonal street layout, affectionately known by locals as the "Little Bagua City." As the *Yili Daily* stated in its series of reports on "Yili in the Past Ten Years": "The transformation of Liuxing Street is a beautiful and harmonious scroll of happiness." This is not only an ancient neighborhood, but also a place where multiple ethnic groups live together and diverse cultures converge. The neighborhood is home to people from 13 ethnic groups, including Han, Uyghur, and Kazakh. The unique blend of their cultures creates a distinctive cultural landscape. 🔍 Escape the Mold and Experience Authentic Liuxing Street 1. Discover Hidden Music Corners • Besides the famous accordion museum, keep an eye out for impromptu performances by folk artists in the streets and alleys. In Liuxing Street, you can listen to multi-ethnic bands or visit the "Music Courtyard," where folk artists often play traditional instruments. • Tip: Head to the "Music Courtyard" on Friday evenings for special Russian folk dance performances with interactive elements. 2. Explore Undiscovered Shops • In addition to the popular ice cream shops, Liuxing Street also boasts unique shops like the King of Thorn Fruit Ice Cream Shop and Mary's Art Cafe, waiting to be discovered. • Tip: Strolling into those charmingly decorated courtyards without prominent signs often leads to delightful surprises. For example, at No. 25 Liguang Street, Ma Jianjun has transformed his home into a popular café and afternoon tea restaurant. 3. Experience Hands-on Activities of Intangible Cultural Heritage • The intangible cultural heritage experience center in the area is particularly lively. Here, visitors can make jam by hand, experience making dombra (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), and prepare balm, among other activities. • Tip: Gulenar Yimiremizi, a representative inheritor of the Yining municipal-level intangible cultural heritage projects of fruit leather and jam making, is in charge of the jam making project in the experience center. Here, each intangible cultural heritage project has a manager and instructor; you can experience the skills and buy the finished products. 4. Discover the Best Time and Angle for Taking Photos • Best time to shoot: Early morning or evening. Liuxing Street is tranquil in the early morning, with people enjoying a pleasant time accompanied by the sound of accordions. The soft light in the evening is perfect for taking photos. • Tip: Don't just focus on the main street. Side alleys and courtyards often have a more lived-in feel and are easier to capture unique photos. The vibrant colors of Liuxing Street act as a natural filter, making it perfect for travel photography. ⚠️ Important Tips to Avoid • Closure Information: The Accordion Museum is closed every Monday. Please keep this in mind when planning your trip. • Accommodation Booking: During peak season, guesthouses in the area are almost always fully booked. It is recommended to book 7-15 days in advance. • Itinerary: The liveliness of Liuxing Street extends from day to night. At night, Liuxing Street is brightly lit and even more romantic. It is recommended to experience the night view at least once. • Local Etiquette: Please respect the customs and traditions of the local ethnic minorities and dress and behave appropriately in public places. ✨ Travel Reflections During my day in Liuxing Street, I strolled from dawn till dusk, watching the sunlight move across the colorful walls, listening to laughter in different languages, and tasting the unique flavors of various ethnic cuisines. Here, there are no hurried tourists, only travelers who slow down. "Everything here is just right." As a local elder said, "The charm of Liuxing Street isn't in any particular attraction, but in the atmosphere of the entire area." If you also want to escape the hustle and bustle for a while, why not stay in Liuxing Street for a few days? Here, every corner holds a surprise, and every encounter is a story. --- 💫 Save this guide, and I look forward to meeting you in Liuxing Street! ✨ Follow me to unlock more off-the-beaten-path experiences in Xinjiang! #YiliYiningLiuxingStreet #XinjiangTravel #LocalEthnicCulture #LocalFood #OffTheBeatenPathsEvenLocalsDontKnow #HealingTravel #HolidayGetaway #AppleScent
¥12,000 per person, 4 people, ¥50,000 for a 4-day, 3-night trip to Urumqi | A complete guide to off-the-beaten-path destinations, high-end experiences, and authentic cuisine Itinerary Overview Duration: 4 days, 3 nights Number of Participants: 4 Total Budget: Approximately ¥50,000 (¥12,500 per person) Style: Luxury in-depth travel | Natural scenery + cultural experiences + high-quality accommodation + authentic cuisine Day 1: Arrival in Urumqi × First impressions of the city × Night market festivities Afternoon: Arrive at Diwopu Airport → Check into a 5-star hotel in the city center Recommended Hotel: Conrad Urumqi (Top floor of Guomao Building) High-altitude view room, overlooking the city night view, first-class service Cost: 2 rooms × 2 nights = ¥6,800 Evening: Climb Hongshan Park for panoramic views Free attraction, visit the landmark "One Cannon Success" fortress Watch the sunset over Bogda Peak, snow-capped mountains and city in the same frame Night: Stroll and take photos outside the International Grand Bazaar + Dinner at Consulate Alley Consulate Alley is a local favorite food street! Must-try list👇 Ailijiang Hotan Bald-Headed Barbecue: Lamb skewers with a perfect balance of lean and fatty meat, incredibly fragrant with charcoal grilling ¥35/skewer Abula's Kitchen: Hand-pulled rice with yogurt, authentic Uyghur flavor ¥48/serving Gulandam Ice Cream: Rose-flavored handmade ice cream, rich and creamy ¥18/cup Dinner for four: Approximately ¥400 💡Tips: The Grand Bazaar is heavily commercialized; it's recommended to just take photos and not shop. Consulate Alley is the real soul of the place! Day 2: A Day Trip Through the Heart of the Tianshan Mountains × Sayram Lake Highlights Depart at 7:00 AM → Chartered car to Sayram Lake (approx. 2.5 hours drive) Recommended vehicle: 7-seater Buick GL8 minivan (including driver) Cost: ¥1800/day (including fuel and tolls) Morning: Enter the lake from the South Gate × Explore the East Lake Ring Road Entrance fee + shuttle bus: ¥145/person × 4 = ¥580 Must-see spots: * **Dianjiangtai (Commanding Platform):** Overlooking the blue ice lake surface, like a jewel box spilled by God * **S-curve Road:** A perfect spot for drone launches, perfect for stunning photos * **Swans Enjoying the Water:** In summer, you can see wild swans resting there. Lunch: Luxury Picnic Experience by the Lake Pre-order the 【Lakeside Picnic Basket】 (provided by local guesthouse) Includes: Cold cuts, fruit, naan bread, yogurt, hot coffee pot Serves 4 ¥320 Afternoon: Stroll along the West Lake Grassland + Capture the golden sunset through the cave. Return at 4 PM, stopping en route at the Guozigou Bridge viewing platform. The bridge spans the canyon, shrouded in mist like a fairyland. Evening: Return to Urumqi and check into SameAgain Art B&B (Boutique Design). Independent courtyard room, blending Uyghur elements with modern aesthetics. Cost: 2 rooms × 1 night = ¥2600 Day 3: Explore Nanshan Pasture × Kazakh Family Visit × Stargazing Dinner Morning: Drive to Nanshan, Urumqi (approx. 1 hour). Destination: Baiyanggou Dabancheng Windmill Array + West Baiyanggou Waterfall. Entrance fee: ¥45/person × 4 = ¥180. A 30-minute hike leads to the waterfall; the stream is crystal clear. Noon: Kazakh herder family visit experience (advance booking required). Location: Private pasture deep in the Juhuatai Grassland. Includes: Tasting freshly brewed milk tea and handmade baursak (fried pancakes); trying on ethnic costumes for photos; watching dombra performance & Children's Horse Riding Experience Cost: ¥800/person × 4 = ¥3200 (Includes lunch of hand-pulled lamb and braised chicken) Evening: Private Dinner Under the Grassland Stars Customize a "Grassland Candlelight Dinner" with the assistance of the guesthouse. Steak + Roasted Lamb Chops + Red Wine + Projection Movie "Tales of Tianshan" Immersive atmosphere, photographer follows for 1 hour. Cost: ¥2200 Evening: Return to SameAgain Guesthouse for rest Day 4: Cultural Immersion × Free Shopping × Return Trip Morning: In-depth visit to Xinjiang Museum (Free) Three must-see treasures: Loulan Beauty Mummy Bronze Age Sun Tomb artifacts Ancient Silk Road map and sand table A guide is recommended (¥150/hour) for a more immersive experience. Lunch: Final feast – Silk Road Feast Recommended restaurant: Loulan Secrets · Western Regions Theme Restaurant Retro and mysterious ambiance, waiters in ancient costumes serving dishes Must-try: Roasted Bun Platter ¥68 Spicy Chicken Platter ¥98 Milk Tea and Potsticker Combo ¥36 Goji Berry and Rose Cake ¥28 Four-person budget: Under ¥600 Afternoon: Free time to purchase souvenirs Recommended places: Friendship Shopping Mall or Hualing Market Dried Goods Section High-value souvenir list👇 Ruoqiang Red Dates ¥80/jin Aksu Paper-shelled Walnuts ¥65/jin Snow Lotus Oral Liquid (compliant health product) ¥280/box Handmade Embroidered Pillow ¥198/each Budget control: Get gifts for the whole family under ¥2000 Evening: Head to the airport, ending the perfect trip ✅ Cost Summary (Total: ¥49,880) Item Cost Airfare (Round-trip Economy Class, from Mainland Cities) ¥12,000 Hotel (Conrad 2 nights + SameAgain 1 night) ¥9,400 Chartered Car and Transportation ¥1,800 Attraction Entrance Fees + Shuttle Bus ¥760 Dining (including a special main meal + picnic + stargazing banquet) ¥8,200 Special Experiences (family visit + stargazing banquet + photography) ¥6,200 Museum Guided Tour + Miscellaneous Fees ¥300 Souvenir Purchase ¥2,000 Emergency Fund ¥9,200 (can be saved if unused) 🌟 Travel Tips Best Season: June-September, stable weather, lush grasslands Clothing Suggestion: Short sleeves + sun protection clothing during the day, add a windproof jacket or light down jacket in the morning and evening Safety Tips: Urumqi has excellent public security, no worries about traveling at night Language Communication: Mandarin is widely spoken, most young people can speak it This trip is not just about seeing the scenery, but also a dialogue with the soul of Western China. Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, songs, and the warmth of everyday life. Spending ¥50,000 will give you memories you'll never forget for four years. If you also want to escape the city and listen to the wind at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, then add Urumqi to your next travel bucket list. 📍Are you ready to go?