Things to do in Hejing

Bayinbuluke is definitely worth a visit. Besides swans, we also saw Siberian red-billed gulls at the Swan Sanctuary, and the interaction between the lambs and swans was particularly interesting. It's really cold up there, so be sure to dress warmly! The scenic area is much larger than I expected. From the entrance to the main attractions, even with no stops and a speed limit of 60 km/h, it takes about an hour, so be sure to allow plenty of time. The weather was exceptionally good the second time, and I wanted to go back in to watch the sunset. However, when I arrived at the scenic area at 6:30 PM, the staff said the sightseeing bus had already stopped running, so I unfortunately missed it. 🥲 If you want to see the sunset, be sure to check the last sightseeing bus time in advance. Also, if you're driving, after watching the sunset, drive slowly and carefully as it gets dark.

A scenic spot located in the Bayinbuluke Scenic Area, with a winding river, it is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Watching the sunset and sunrise here are both very popular spots. Because of the refraction of the river, you can take a magnificent photo of nine suns here, but even if you take a casual photo, it is quite unique. It should be reminded that there are a lot of mosquitoes in mid-July, and it is almost difficult to endure long-term viewing. If you must go, you must prepare the corresponding equipment.

The famous "Swan Lake" in Bayinbuluke is the only swan nature reserve in China. It is an alpine wetland lake with an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters. The continuous snow-capped mountains and icy peaks around it form a natural barrier for the Swan Lake.

Huangmiao Yong'an Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist Lama temple located at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains in Baluntai Town, north of Hejing County, about an hour's drive from the county seat. The Baluntai River flows behind the temple. The environment is serene, with mountains and water, lush greenery, and a humid climate with cool summers. It was built during the Guangxu era by the 12th prince of the Torgut tribe who returned east. It served as a place of worship and gathering for Mongolian herders in the Yanqi Basin during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period. After visiting Bosten Lake during the National Day holiday, I took the Haowushun Road to visit the temple. After exiting the Urumqi-Wuwei Expressway, I took National Highway 218 to Baluntai Town, and then drove a little further in. The road was paved and in good condition, although there were many winding mountain roads. The parking lot in front of the temple is large, and a cluster of yellow buildings comes into view. I visited the museum, the lecture hall, and the prince's summer palace. In the courtyard, there is a grafted Bodhi tree brought back from India, with a very large canopy. There were quite a few people celebrating National Day, but it wasn't noisy; the atmosphere was quite nice.

The scenery is great, cost-effective and worth going, but the road is not easy to walk

There are very few people in the Panchen Valley scenic area, so you don't have to squeeze with the crowds and can enjoy super VIP treatment. The service staff are beautiful and enthusiastic. The sea of ​​flowers has not yet fully bloomed, but it is already very beautiful. It is said that it will be even more beautiful in early July.

Kaidu River is also a very famous river. The direction of the entire river is exactly opposite to what we usually see in the eastern region. It flows from east to west. It is really a journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Were you inspired by this at that time?

Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains truly lives up to its legendary reputation as a fairyland on earth! However, getting to the scenic area is highly dependent on the weather. The shuttle bus takes you up the mountain, and upon arriving at the lakeside, you're instantly awestruck. The crystal-clear lake rests serenely amidst the mountains, with the majestic Bogda Peak standing tall in the distance, surrounded by a vast forest of spruce trees. The snow-capped mountains, the lake, and the blue sky frame each other—a breathtaking panorama that needs no filter. Strolling along the lakeside boardwalk, the air is fresh and invigorating. You can also take a boat trip on the lake for a closer look at the scenery. The scenic area is clearly marked and well-equipped, combining natural beauty with the mythical significance of the Queen Mother of the West. The mountain breeze soothes all travel fatigue, making it a must-visit destination when in Xinjiang.

Narat Grassland is quite beautiful, especially the aerial grassland, which is stunning. You can drive there; just buy a self-driving ticket. There are also shuttle buses. The area is quite large. Panlong Valley Road, however, was just average, not as beautiful as I expected. The river valley grassland was teeming with cattle and sheep, but since it was nearing autumn, the grass wasn't as green anymore. I happened to be there during a grassland music festival. There were no celebrities, and the audience wasn't large, but the park was very well organized. There were large, clean temporary restrooms, and plenty of police, so everything was orderly. The only downside was that the parking lot was a bit far from the concert venue, as the venue was quite large. Because it's relatively remote, there weren't that many tourists there.

There were so many people visiting during the National Day holiday. 90% of the grapes had already been harvested; the remaining 10% were quite unique. However, the sightseeing bus service was extremely chaotic, with pedestrians everywhere and no order whatsoever.