When we see the word Xinjiang, different images may come to everyone’s mind. Some people think of delicious grapes; some people think of the Flame Mountain in Journey to the West; The galloping south of the Great Wall; some people think of Huocheng lavender at the same latitude as Provence; some people think of the magical Duku Highway; some people think of the legend of the Kanas Lake monster; or the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean – Sailimu Lake ……Etc., etc! Well, indeed, in Xinjiang, this magical land that accounts for one-sixth of the country’s land, has too many fascinating cultural and natural scenery. Some people say that Xinjiang includes all the beautiful scenery in China and the world. Maybe it’s a bit exaggerated to say so, but, It is also true, it is indeed beautiful here, and only those who have visited the land of Xinjiang can tell what Xinjiang is like in their hearts!
Xinjiang has a vast territory, and the distance between points is very long. The distance between scenic spots and scenic spots is usually a one-day drive. We have traveled to many places. Self-driving has become a tourist habit. Some people say that driving by car will be very tiring, so I would rather choose a chartered car or join a group. I personally think that self-driving should be the best way to travel. There is no one. The greatest pleasure of self-driving lies in freedom. Traveling is the process of exploring strange places. It is a way to explore unknown journeys. A kind of throbbing mood. In fact, the best scenery of travel is on the road. If you like it, stop and take a look, feel it carefully, and maybe just quietly daze on the side of the road. That is also a way. I think self-driving is necessary. It’s such a mood and state. Think about it, if life is on such a journey, don’t you feel more comfortable and casual?
Number of people traveling: 3 people (me, my wife, my daughter)
Vehicle: Roewe W5, 14 models of Haoyu
Duration: 16 days
Mileage: 9170 kilometers
Fuel fee for the whole journey: 5285 yuan
Highway fee: 2579 yuan (ETC)
The total consumption in the whole process: about 38,000 yuan, among which the expenditure on accommodation and scenic spot tickets is the largest, and the price of scenic spot tickets in Xinjiang is relatively expensive.
road book
Check and maintain the car before traveling
Ready
On the first day, the trip was 1096 kilometers, and it took 13 hours to
stay: Warwick International Hotel, Bayannur City, deluxe business room, 387 yuan.
Came to Bayannur, a small grassland town, to rest and stay in a hotel. Of course, enjoying delicious food is essential.
Dinner at Bayannur
Day 2: Bayannaoer-Hami ( Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway ), travel time 1335 kilometers, 14.5 hours
accommodation: Hongxing Jianguo Hotel, Hami City, deluxe double double bed room, 568 yuan.
Although the driving distance is quite far today, the road conditions are good and there are few cars, so I basically cruised at a constant speed along the way.
There is a total of 350 kilometers in no man’s land. The Mazongshan service area is the last place where you can refuel. Don’t miss it.
When traveling by car in Xinjiang, you must pay attention to the fuel volume, try not to drop below half a tank of fuel, and it is best to fill it up at any time, because many gas stations in the service area are closed.
Journey all the way
Service area along the way
Thank you for your hard work, Big White Fatty
Jingxin Expressway
Horsehair Hill Service Area
Thank you for your hard work, Big White Fatty
no man’s land
Hami’s Dinner
Day 3: Hami-Turpan ( Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway-Shanghai-Huo Line ), 430 kilometers, 5.5 hours
Accommodation: Friendship Peak Holiday Hotel, Turpan City, business double room, 532 yuan.
From Hami to Turpan, passing through Huoyan Mountain and Grape Valley. Karez is in Turpan City.
Flame Mountain: Tickets are 40 yuan per person. Our family of three went in and took a few photos and fled quickly. It was too hot! It is said that more than 95% of tourists in this season cannot stay for more than half an hour.
Grape Valley: Tickets are 75 yuan per person. It’s just a village, full of villagers, soliciting customers to eat and selling various raisins.
Karez: Tickets are 40 yuan per person. The ancient underground culvert project, the inside is very cool.
Flame Mountain
Grape ditch
Karez
Day 4: Turpan-Tianshan Tianchi-Urumqi ( Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway-Tuwuda Expressway ), the journey is 355 kilometers, and it takes 5 hours
Accommodation: Southern Airlines Pearl International Hotel, Urumqi, business twin room, 668 yuan.
Depart from Turpan in the morning to Tianshan Tianchi Lake, after visiting Tianshan Tianchi Lake, return to Urumqi for accommodation.
Tianshan Tianchi: Tickets are 215 yuan per person, and battery cars are 10 yuan per person (one-way).
There is a Kazakh ethnic village inside, 70 yuan per person, watching song and dance performances.
Tianshan Tianchi
Dinner in Urumqi
Day 5: Urumqi – Sailimu Lake – Yining ( Lianhuo Expressway ), 688 kilometers, 8 hours
Accommodation: Yining Loncin International Hotel, business suite, 525 yuan.
Sailimu Lake: Tickets are 70 yuan per person. The scenery is beautiful and super cool. After a long time by the lake, it feels cold. There are few commercial developments, and there are no supporting facilities by the lake. Even the bathroom is a mobile type that is pulled by a car.
Passing the Guozigou Bridge from Sailimu Lake to Yining is very spectacular. I admire the wisdom and courage of the builders.
Sailimu Lake
Guozigou Bridge
Yining’s Dinner
Day 6: Yining – Nalati Grassland ( Lianhuo Expressway – Yiruo Line ), the journey is 279 kilometers, and it takes 5 hours
Accommodation: Nalati Air Grassland Hotel, family room, 868 yuan.
There are many speed tests on this section of the road, so pay attention to controlling your speed.
Nalati Grassland: Tickets are 300 yuan/person, and the time limit for tickets is 48 hours.
Nalati Grassland
Nalati’s dinner
Day 7: Nalati – Duku Highway – Kuitun ( Duku Highway ), 240 kilometers, 7 hours
Accommodation: Mayitake Hotel, business suite, 568 yuan.
I originally planned to go to Bayinbulak Grassland after visiting Nalati this morning. Due to the road collapse, I had to change my plan and go to Kuitun on the Duku Highway.
Duku Highway: Known as the most beautiful highway in China, it is well-deserved, with picturesque scenery along the way.
The temperature changes a lot along the way, the lowest temperature is only 7 degrees, so be careful to keep warm when you get off the car and take pictures. The road has many curves and sharp turns, control your speed and drive carefully.
There are many felt bags of Kazakh herdsmen along the way, and lamb skewers can be replenished at any time.
Duku Highway Monument
Duku Highway
Supplies lamb skewers on the Duku Highway
(to be continued)
