Breathtaking Places That Will Leave You Speechless!!!

April Off-peak Travel Guide: 10-Day Journey Through Northern Xinjiang's Fairytale and Southern Xinjiang's Culture (Including Exclusive Photo Spots and Tips) 💥Core Route: D1-4: Northern Xinjiang Wonderland (Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Kanas → Hemu) D5-7: Ili Apricot Blossom Route (Nalati Grassland → Apricot Valley → Qiaxi) D8-10: Southern Xinjiang Cultural Route (Kashgar Old City → Pamir Plateau → Taxkorgan) 🚗Transportation: ▫️Northern Section: Car rental in Urumqi (7-seat SUV about ¥600/day), bypass via G218 as Duku Highway is closed ▫️Southern Section: Private car in Kashgar (4-person business vehicle about ¥800/day) ▫️Flights: Urumqi → Yining (around ¥500 in April), Kashgar → Urumqi (around ¥400 in April) 🌟[Northern Xinjiang] Where Ice Meets Flowers 📍Sayram Lake (before April 15) 🎫Ticket: ¥144 (48-hour self-driving pass) 🌿Must-do: - Blue Ice Cracks: Photograph ice patterns from 7:00-8:00 (East Gate) - Swans in Snow: Feed swans at Bird Watching Platform (9:00-10:00) - Stargazing Camp: Haixi Prairie RV Camp (includes astrophotography guidance, ¥580/night) 🍜Food: Highland Salmon Hot Pot (Yuyue Restaurant in scenic area, ¥120/person) 📍Kanas (April off-season) 🎫Ticket: ¥100/3 days (includes Hemu, Baihaba) 🌿Must-do: - Fairy Bay Morning Mist: 8:00-9:00 ink painting shots (drone aerial) - Fish Viewing Platform Sunset: 19:00 summit overlooking frozen lake (shuttle bus ¥20) - Hemu Starry Sky: Photograph Milky Way at Harden Viewing Platform (Settings: ISO3200, 30s exposure) 🏨Accommodation: Hemu Century Old House (¥400/night, breakfast included) 📍Nalati Grassland (after April 20) 🎫Ticket: ¥95 (Sky Grassland + Valley Grassland) 🌿Must-do: - Nomadic Home: Horseback riding through lily fields (¥150/hour) - Snow Lotus Valley Trek: Pristine forest exploration (guide required, ¥200/person) 🍜Food: Nalati Town Little White Apricot Restaurant (Mutton stewed in apricot skin soup, ¥60/person) 🌸[Ili Apricot Blossom Season] Secret Paradise 📍Turgen Apricot Valley (peak bloom April 15) 🎫Ticket: ¥40 + shuttle bus ¥30 🌿Must-do: - Viewing Platform No.3: Telephoto shots of flowers with snowy mountains (10:00-11:00 front light) - Swan Lake Secret Spot: Navigate to "Swan Lake Basin," mirror-like water reflections (16:00-17:00) 🚗Transport: 2.5-hour drive from Yining, or hire car (¥400/day) 📍Qiaxi Forest Park (April hidden gem) 🎫Ticket: ¥30 🌿Must-do: - Qiaxi Panorama: Spruce and snow mountains from viewing platform (12:00-13:00 overhead light) - Mareltas Waterfall: 1-hour hike to falls (wear waterproof shoes) 🏛️[Southern Xinjiang] Western Region Cultural Tour 📍Kashgar Old City (open all day) 🌿Must-do: - Opening Ceremony: 10:30 Western Region dance at East Gate (arrive 30 minutes early) - Id Kah Mosque: Witness thousand-person prayer on Friday (12:30-13:00) - Grand Bazaar Night Market: Grilled eggs, lamb trotters, pomegranate juice (¥30/person) 🏨Accommodation: Kashgar Old City Licheng Hotel (¥300/night, near night market) 📍Pamir Plateau (border permit required) 🎫Ticket: White Sand Lake ¥40, Muztagh Ata ¥45 🌿Must-do: - White Sand Lake: Drone shots of "Blue Eyes" (11:00-12:00 side light) - Panlong Ancient Road: 600 bends photo spot "Today I walked all life's curves" - Taheman Wetland: Highland pasture under snow mountains (18:00-19:00 sunset) 📸[Photography Equipment Essentials] 1. Telephoto lens: 70-200mm for wildlife/mountains 2. Graduated ND filter: Balance sky and ground exposure 3. Waterproof camera bag: For northern rain/snow 4. Tripod: Essential for astrophotography 🍜[Food Map] ▫️North: Altay cold-water fish, Nalati wild mushroom noodles ▫️Ili: Six Star Street yogurt zongzi, Qiaxi mare's milk wine ▫️South: Kashgar baked buns, Taxkorgan yak hot pot ⚠️[Tips to Avoid Pitfalls] 1. Border permit: Apply in advance at hometown or Urumqi (free) 2. Clothing: 20℃+ temperature difference in April, layer clothing (t-shirt + shell jacket + light down) 3. Road conditions: Duku Highway opens June, use G218 in April 4. Shopping: Dried fruit market bargaining tip: halve price then ask for 20% off 5. Cultural etiquette: Remove shoes at mosques, no short skirts 💰[Budget Reference] - Transportation: ¥3,000/person (including flights + car rental) - Accommodation: ¥1,500/person (budget) - Tickets: ¥800/person - Food: ¥1,000/person - Total: ¥6,300/person