Travel notes on Xinghuagou, Fengyan Terraces and Jiabang Terraces in Yili, Xinjiang

Itinerary suggestions (7 days) 1. Day 1-2 Gather in Urumqi: Visit the International Grand Bazaar and Xinjiang Museum, adjust to the time difference, and taste local delicacies such as big plate chicken and red willow barbecue. 2. Day 3 Turpan Cultural Route: Karez, Huoyan Mountain Grand Canyon, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, and chasing the sunset in the Kumtag Desert in the evening. 3. Day 4 Anjihai Grand Canyon: Explore the undeveloped canyon wonders, pay attention to safety. 4. Day 5 Sailimu Lake: Tour the blue ice and swans around the lake, and drive to see the Guozigou Bridge. 5. Day6-7 Apricot Blossom Feast: Daxigou Apricot Blossom Valley, Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley (flowering period from late March to early April), paired with the ice-breaking wild lilies on the Nalati Grassland. Tickets and Fees Xinghua Valley: Ticket + sightseeing bus 40 yuan/person, special groups (military personnel, the elderly, etc.) are free of charge. Sailimu Lake: Interval fares are required, please refer to the public notice of the scenic spot for details. Kind tips 1. Sensitive to flowering period: Apricot blossoms only bloom for 7-10 days, so pay attention to the weather in advance. The peak flowering period is around April 2-8. 2. Equipment recommendations: windproof jacket, sunscreen, sports shoes (anti-slip shoes are required for Kurdning hiking). 3. Transportation: Yining Airport can fly directly to many places. It is recommended to charter a car or drive between scenic spots. Recommended nearby food -Urumqi: A Date on the Silk Road (creative Xinjiang cuisine), Loulan Secret Grilled (lamb skewers). - Yining: pilaf and handmade ice cream on Kazanqi Folk Street, and afternoon tea with apricot blossoms in the background on Begonia Road. Hotel Recommendation Urumqi: Choose Hilton for high-end and Four Seasons for value for money. - Yining: "Yining Grand Hotel" or homestay experience (such as Nalati Jinling Villa Hot Spring Hotel). Mood Notes When strolling in the Apricot Blossom Valley, the pink sea of ​​flowers and snow-capped mountains are intertwined, as if you have entered a medieval oil painting. The wild lilies on the Nalati Grassland break through the ice and bloom, and the shocking vitality forms a sharp contrast with the quiet blue ice of Sailimu Lake. Spring in Xinjiang is a symphony of wasteland and flowers. Fengyan Terraces in Ankang, Shaanxi Itinerary suggestions (2-3 days) 1. Day 1 Panoramic view of terraced fields: overlook the “fingerprint of the earth” from the Laojun Pass Observation Deck, visit the Qing Dynasty irrigation system, and take photos of the mirror-like terraced fields. 2. Day 2 Farming Experience: Participate in rice planting or rapeseed harvesting (seasonal), visit Cigou Village and listen to the century-old farming story. 3. Day3 Explore the surrounding areas: visit the ancient villages and tea gardens in Xuanwo Town, Hanyin County, and experience the cultural integration of the Qinba Mountain area. Tickets and Fees - Currently open to the public free of charge, some observation decks or experience projects may be charged (such as farm stay activities). Kind tips 1. Photography time: The best time to take photos is during the spring irrigation period (March-April) and the autumn rice season (September-October). 2. Respect the environment: Terraces are farming areas. Do not step on the ridges and take the garbage with you. 3. Transportation: Self-driving is the most convenient way, but there are many mountain roads so drive carefully. Recommended nearby food - Terraced field farm dishes: Stir-fried bacon with bamboo shoots, native chicken hotpot, all ingredients are produced in the terraced fields. - Xuanwo Town snacks: Hanyin rice cake, fern vermicelli, and local "village coffee". Hotel Recommendation - High-end experience: Luchaishan Jiyunhai Hostel (terraced field view room). - Value for money choice: Fengqi Inn (farmhouse, breakfast and dinner included). Mood Notes The terraced fields in the morning mist are like golden waves, and the picture of harmonious coexistence of farming wisdom and nature is moving. Having a meal with the villagers at the farmhouse and listening to Grandpa Wu tell about his family’s century-long farming history is like traveling through time. The beauty of Fengyan is not only a visual shock, but also a reverence for the millennium-old "water wisdom". 🌟Guizhou Jiabang Terraces Note: According to the search results provided, no relevant information about Guizhou Jiabang Terraces was found. It is recommended to refer to other reliable sources or local travel platforms for guides. Here are some general suggestions: Itinerary suggestions (3-4 days) 1. Day 1 Depart from Guiyang: Drive to Congjiang County and pass by Zhaoxing Dong Village to experience the ethnic minority culture. 2. Day 2-3 In-depth tour of the terraces: visit the core area of ​​the Jiabang terraces (Dangniu, Jiaye, and Jiache villages), and take photos of the misty terraces and stilt houses. 3. Day 4 Return: Visit Basha Miao Village (the last gun-carrying tribe in China) on the way. Travel Notes 🌟In the seventh episode "Our Fields" of "A Bite of China", the Jiabang Terraces were discussed for 8 minutes. The Chinese say: Live by the mountain, eat from the mountain; live by the sea, eat from the sea. This is not only an adaptation based on local conditions, but also the Chinese way of survival in accordance with nature. 🌟🌟🌟From ancient times to the present, this farming nation has carefully used every inch of land under their feet, and their activities of obtaining food and extraordinary wisdom are everywhere. ❤Congjiang County, Guizhou Province, is a mountainous area where the Dong, Miao and Zhuang ethnic groups live. People here have used glutinous rice as their staple food since ancient times, and nearly a hundred kinds of primitive glutinous rice are planted in the high mountain terraces. Far away from the hustle and bustle of modern civilization, the scattered villages are like isolated islands, hidden deep in the mountains. Tickets and Fees - Jiabang Rice Terraces: Free (some viewing platforms or villages may charge a sanitation fee). ❤Warm Tips 1. Best season: April-May during the irrigation period (mirror effect), September-October when the rice is golden. 2. Transportation: The mountain road is rugged, it is recommended to charter a car or join a tour group. Recommended nearby food Dong ethnic group sour soup fish, glutinous rice, and beef tripe hotpot (only the brave can try it). Hotel Recommendation Terraced field landscape: Yunhuan Secret Land B&B, Lianghuaju Inn. Summarize The guides for Ili in Xinjiang and Ankang in Shaanxi are detailed based on the search results. The Jiabang Terraces in Guizhou need to be searched separately due to missing information. Each destination needs to be planned in combination with seasonal, cultural and natural features in order to deeply experience its unique charm.