2025 Qiongkushitai Village Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#discoverchina Qiongkushitai, located in Tekes County of Ili Prefecture, Xinjiang, China, is a highland pasture village hidden between snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands. The village is inhabited by Kazakh herders who have preserved their traditional way of life and rich ethnic customs, making it a truly special place to visit. In the summer, the area comes alive with herds of cattle and sheep and fields of blooming wildflowers. Visitors can ride horses across the grasslands or hike the classic trail from Qiongkushitai to Kuokesu Canyon (Kurdening), enjoying breathtaking views along the way. It's a perfect destination to feel free, relaxed, and deeply connected with nature.

#discoverchina Qiongkushitai is a highland pasture village nestled between snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands in Tekes County, Ili Prefecture, Xinjiang, China. Known as “China’s Little Switzerland,” it is incredibly beautiful. The village features expansive meadows, rolling hills, winding streams, and distant mountain ranges, creating a picturesque landscape full of untouched natural charm. Visiting Qiongkushitai is an experience you definitely won’t regret.

【Introduction】: Xinjiang Ili Spring Luxury Travel Photography Small Group! No backtracking, Xinjiang's spring is not only a visual feast but also a pilgrimage that awakens the soul. Travel should not be a hurried shutter sound, but a poetic journey that deeply integrates with the scenery using all five senses. Creating travel products with warmth, we have been dedicated to one thing for 10 years: making Xinjiang pure travel routes truly pure, with tangible details. Decoding the destination's genes, designing aesthetic routes, storytelling by the tour leader, local food and accommodation experiences... Every 0.1 point of accumulation will eventually transform into irreplaceable travel memories. After years of deep exploration in Xinjiang, the 1.66 million square kilometers of mountains and rivers have long been engraved in our genes. We spent 400 days polishing the routes. ⛺【Travel Tips】: Xinjiang Travel Throughout the Year November - Early March: Go to Kanas Hemu to see snow, ski, and build snowmen; go to Sayram Lake to see blue ice; go to Ili to experience a different snowfield scenery; go to southern Xinjiang to see glaciers and snow mountains. March - Late April: Go to Ili to see wild lilies breaking through the ice; go to southern Xinjiang to see apricot blossoms filling the branches; go to Turpan to experience the unique Flaming Mountains. May - June: Travel off-peak to avoid the crowds. Go to Ili to see large lavender fields, visit the hidden paradise of Kurdening, go to Nalati to see the grasslands, and go to Shata to see the snow-capped mountains and forests. June - August: There are so many places to visit during this time! Whether you go to northern or southern Xinjiang, there is plenty to see and do. The Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway are also open during this time, making it worth a trip. September - October: Go to Kanas to enjoy the golden autumn scenery; go to southern Xinjiang to see the thousand-year-old poplar forest. 🛬【Itinerary】: Recommended Route One: Day 1: Urumqi - S101 Danxia Landform - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Kuitun Day 2: Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Guozigou - Lavender - Yining Day 3: Yining - Yizhao Highway - Tianma Bath River - Zhaosu Day 4: Zhaosu - Shata Ancient Road - Tekesi Day 5: Tekesi - Qiongkushitai Day 6: Qiongkushitai - Aktaş - Tekesi Day 7: Tekesi - Kurdening - Xinyuan Day 8: Xinyuan - Nalati Air Grassland - Nalati Town Day 9: Nalati - Fairy Lake - Hundred Mile Gallery - Tangbula Day 10: Tangbula - Duku Highway - Urumqi Recommended Route Two: Day 1: Urumqi - S21 Desert Highway - Ulungur Lake - Altay Day 2: Altay - Ahe Highway - Hemu Viewing Platform - Hemu Day 3: Hemu - Kanas Lake - Guanyu Pavilion Kanas Scenic Area Day 4: Kanas - Kanas Three Bays - Five Color Beach - Burqin Day 5: Burqin - Urho Ghost City - Kuitun Day 6: Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Guozigou - Lavender - Yining Day 7: Yining - Yizhao Highway - Shata Ancient Road - Zhaosu Day 8: Zhaosu - Kalajun Grassland - Tekesi Day 9: Tekesi - Nalati Air Grassland - Nalati Town Day 10: Nalati Town - Duku Highway - Urumqi 🧡【Tips】: Bring necessary documents such as ID card, student ID (if applicable), and clothing. Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between morning and evening, so prepare long clothes, short sleeves, jackets, and windbreakers. Especially in mountainous or high-altitude areas, warm clothing is particularly important. Sun protection products Xinjiang has long daylight hours and strong ultraviolet rays, so be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. Other items You can bring a selfie stick, a small amount of cash, and some high-calorie snacks such as self-heating hot pot, beef jerky, and chocolate for emergencies. Time difference adaptation Xinjiang has a time difference of about 2 hours with inland cities such as Beijing. Tourists should be prepared to adapt to the time difference and adjust their schedules. Health preparation Prepare common medicines according to personal needs, such as motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, and band-aids. Maintain good eating habits and get enough sleep. Respect for customs Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic area, so respect local customs and cultural traditions, protect the environment and cultural relics, and be a civilized tourist. High-altitude preparation Some attractions in Xinjiang are located at high altitudes, and tourists may experience altitude sickness. Rest appropriately and drink plenty of water. Group travel suggestion It is recommended to travel with a group because Xinjiang's attractions are scattered. Self-driving may lead to fatigue and inability to fully enjoy the attractions. Transportation is inconvenient, so it is recommended to choose local tour groups or car rental services to avoid self-driving fatigue and getting lost.