Those who have been to Xinjiang and suffered, a word of caution to those who are planning to go.
“You haven't seen China until you've been to Xinjiang, and you haven't seen Xinjiang's beauty until you've been there in April.” In April, the ice and snow in Xinjiang begin to melt 🌨, and the earth recovers 🌱. There is both the magnificence of silver-clad snow and the vitality of spring. It is like a gorgeous picture slowly unfolding. Come and start a wonderful 48-hour trip!
📍Day 1: Encounter Sayram Lake and explore the wonders of the alpine region
1️⃣ Sayram Lake
Stepping into Sayram Lake is like breaking into a dreamlike fairyland. In April, there are still large areas of ice on the lake. The blue lake water and the white ice surface complement each other, like a huge two-tone gem 💎. Strolling along the lake, the ice makes a crisp sound under your feet. The cold wind blows, but it does not diminish the shock in your heart. The distant snow-capped mountains undulate, shining silver in the sunlight, forming a beautiful picture with the lake and ice.
📸 Photo Tips: Stand on the edge of the ice lake, with the clear ice surface, blue lake water, and majestic snow-capped mountains as the background. Wear bright-colored cold-proof clothing, open your arms, and capture the moment of embracing this sacred scenery, showing your boldness and love for nature 😃; or squat down, gently touch the ice edges, focus on the crystal ice patterns and the reflected mountain shadows, and capture the wonderful picture from a micro perspective, freezing this dreamlike moment.
2️⃣ Guozigou Bridge
Adjacent to Sayram Lake, Guozigou Bridge is like a giant dragon spanning the valley. Driving through it, the bridge meanders and soars into the clouds. Overlooking the bridge, the canyon is deep and the streams are gurgling. In April, the vegetation in the valley is just beginning to turn green, intertwined with the cold bridge and the exposed mountains, presenting a beauty that combines strength and softness. Stop and admire this architectural miracle from various angles, and feel the perfect fusion of human wisdom and natural power.
3️⃣ Qingshuihe Town (Evening)
In the evening, come to Qingshuihe Town. The town is not big, but it has a different kind of life. Find a local restaurant and try the special Kazakh cuisine. The hand-grabbed mutton is fresh, tender, and juicy, paired with soft and glutinous naan. One bite is full of Xinjiang flavor 😋. After dinner, with the twilight, feel the tranquility and peace of the town.
📍Day 2: Ride the Nalati Grassland and enjoy the vitality of spring
1️⃣ Nalati Grassland
In the morning, head to Nalati Grassland. In April, the grassland begins to turn green, like a layer of tender green carpet laid on the earth. The snow-capped mountains are still white, contrasting with the new green grassland, forming a unique landscape of a "three-dimensional grassland." Ride a horse and stroll on the grassland, with the breeze blowing on your face, listening to the sound of horse hooves, as if traveling back to the nomadic era of living by water and grass.
📸 Photo Tips: Ride on horseback, with the vast grassland and snow-capped mountains as the background. Wear light riding clothes, hold the reins, make a galloping posture, and capture the dynamic and energetic moment, showing your yearning for freedom; or lie on the soft grass, with the blue sky, white clouds, and distant yurts as the background, close your eyes and smile, and capture a comfortable and leisurely picture, freezing this beautiful moment.
2️⃣ Apricot Flower Valley (a unique beauty limited to spring)
Leave Nalati Grassland and go to Apricot Flower Valley (if time and transportation permit). April is the season when apricot flowers are in full bloom. The apricot flowers all over the mountains and plains are like pink clouds falling among the mountains. The breeze blows, and the petals flutter like snow. Walking into the apricot forest, the fragrance of flowers is overflowing, as if you are in a paradise. Find a place where the flowers are dense, squat down, sniff the flowers, and take artistic and fresh pictures, freezing this spring-limited beauty.
3️⃣ Yining City (Dinner)
In the evening, return to Yining City. The city is brightly lit and bustling. Go to the food street, where all kinds of Xinjiang specialties are gathered, such as roasted mutton skewers and big plate chicken, which are fragrant. Find a popular stall to sit down, enjoy the food, and reminisce about the Xinjiang trip in the delicious food, drawing a perfect end to this 48 hours 😃.
🏨 [Accommodation Recommendation]
It is recommended to stay near Sayram Lake or in Yining City. There are lakeside homestays around Sayram Lake, where you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves and wake up to a beautiful lake view in the morning; Yining City has convenient transportation, diverse accommodation options, and is convenient for purchasing supplies and resting, preparing for subsequent trips.
🚗 [Transportation Tips]
Xinjiang is vast, and transportation is mainly by self-driving or chartered car, which allows you to flexibly enjoy the scenery along the way; there are also some long-distance buses, but there are relatively few departures. There are sightseeing buses in many scenic spots, such as Sayram Lake and Nalati Grassland, which are convenient for sightseeing.
💬 [Murmur]
In April, Xinjiang has both sacred and tranquil alpine lakes, vibrant grassland flower seas, mouth-watering delicacies, and colorful folk culture. Humming a ditty and stepping into this city, a short 48 hours will surely make you intoxicated and forget to return. Come to Xinjiang and start a spring fantasy trip!