Kumtag Desert

"To love, to live, to get hurt" "My Altay" has imprinted the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas of Altay in many people's hearts, and has also given another possibility for life. The vast wilderness of Xinjiang seems to be able to accommodate the joys and sorrows of many people. Although everyone's life is not easy and smooth, nature seems to have such magic that can temporarily heal us, and then we set off again - Snow mountains, lakes, forests, grasslands, canyons, streams, summer flowers 🌲Summer is really suitable for going to Xinjiang, the summer in Xinjiang will refresh your cognition, and it's beautiful like the scenes in comics - ✅Recommended itinerary and route: Day1: Urumqi—Shanshan Kumtag Desert—Stay in Shanshan Day2: Shanshan—Tuyugou Scenic Western Region Architectural Area—Stay in Hejing Day3: Hejing—Nalati Sky Prairie—Valley Scenery—Stay in Nalati Day4: Nalati—Qiaxi—Stay in Tekes Day5: Tekes—Qiongkushitai—Stay in Qiongkushitai Day6: Qiongkushitai—Xiaota Luxury Trekking—Stay in Xiaota Day7: Xiaota—Guozigou Bridge—Sailimu Lake Scenic Loop—The Lonely Tower—Stay at Sailimu Lake Day8: Sailimu Lake—Stay in Urumqi - 🌲Recommended must-visit attractions in Xinjiang: Nalati + Qiaxi Forest + Qiongkushitai + Sailimu Lake - 💡Travel tips: 1. In addition to the large temperature difference between morning and evening in Xinjiang, there is also a large temperature difference in the mountains 2. The attractions in Xinjiang are far apart, so prepare some dry food. There may be no signal in some sections of self-driving, and the prices are higher if you stay in scenic areas. The hotels in the county are all around two to three hundred, and our trip cost about five hundred per person excluding airfare 3. Those who do not self-drive can consider finding a reliable leader to arrange the itinerary, if you need, you can ask me - The meaning of travel is not to tell others that I have been here, but that there was a story about me here. It lets me know that there are many ways to live life, you can have a wandering soul, the joy and innocence of a child, and also the courage to see the world's prosperity

The closest desert to a city in the world, with a desert on one side and an oasis on the other, and a bustling city not far away, this magical phenomenon can only be seen in Xinjiang, China! The sunset in the Kumtag Desert is very photogenic, it really makes for great pictures! Magnificent 🐫🐫 For friends who want to come over, it is recommended to arrive after 5 pm. In Xinjiang, the days are long, and the sun usually sets around 10 pm. This way, you won't have to endure the scorching sun in the desert for too long! Also, the sandstorms in the desert are really strong, so be sure to bring sunglasses! Protect your camera from the sand!

We visited Kumtag Desert near Turpan. We payed for the 600¥ option and got a 60minute Jeep ride and got to sand slide. It was such a fun experience and well worth the money!

The Kumtag Desert—the only desert in the world that connects with a city, is known as the 'Desert in the City.' Here, the city and nature blend together, the desert embraces the oasis, offering an adventure experience not to be missed. 🛑 Desert activities are diverse and exciting! From sand sliding to desert surfing, from camel riding to soaring in the sky with a glider, the Kumtag Desert offers a variety of entertainment options for every visitor. Whether you're looking for a thrill or a peaceful retreat, you'll find it here. 🚂 Departing from Urumqi, a desert adventure can be completed and returned within a single day, making it an excellent choice for a weekend short trip. 🚦 Transportation methods: - 🚄 Train: It takes only 1.5 hours from Urumqi to Shanshan North, followed by a 20-minute taxi ride to the desert scenic area, costing about 15 yuan. With frequent train services, it's convenient for tourists to arrange flexibly. - 🚗 Self-driving: Although it takes 4 hours one way by car, it is recommended to choose the train for a time-saving round trip. 🎟️ Tickets and transportation: - Admission: 30 yuan, available for purchase at the entrance of the scenic area. - Shuttle service: Offers Line 1 and Line 2 services, with varying prices. After the end of Line 1, you can continue on Line 2 for deeper exploration. 📸 Photography and outfit suggestions: 1️⃣ To capture the serene beauty of the desert, it's recommended to find secluded spots for a clean, simple background. 2️⃣ The light and shadow effects in the desert are mesmerizing; choose a clear day for better photography results. 3️⃣ Desert hiking can be physically demanding, but it's worth it for the magnificent views of the dunes. 4️⃣ Select locations with distinctive terrain to better showcase the desert's textures and lines. 5️⃣ Even with just a smartphone, you can capture the grandeur of the desert, while drones offer a unique perspective. 6️⃣ Outfit suggestions: Whether it's a flowing dress or trendy workwear, you can take photos with different styles in the desert. Don't forget to wear sunglasses to add a touch of fashion. 7️⃣ The desert has strong UV radiation, so take precautions against sunburn, and since the sand can be hot, it's not recommended to walk barefoot. 🌟 The Kumtag Desert, a place full of mystery and challenges! 🧭📷👣

| Kumtag Desert: A solitary smoke in the vast desert aligns with the long river as the setting sun forms a perfect circle.⭐️ A half-month journey through Northern Xinjiang took me around a great loop, covering thousands of miles. The pristine snow of the Tianshan Mountains, the colorful beaches carved by the Irtysh River, the paradise of Kanas, the tranquil starry sky and sunrise at Sayram Lake, the evening howls of the Ghost City, the boundless grasslands of Bayinbuluke, the lonely smoke over the desert of Shanshan... A year has passed, but the longing for those magnificent landscapes remains. ⭐️ As one of China's eight great deserts, the Kumtag Desert is located at the southern end of the ancient city of Shanshan in Turpan, stretching over eight hundred miles. 'Kumtag' in the Uyghur language means 'sand mountain'. It was once known as the Sand River, a place without birds in the sky, beasts on the ground, or vegetation, and with an extremely harsh natural environment. ⭐️ Standing at the edge of the desert, one side reveals an endless sea of sand, while the other side is an oasis-like city. This is one of the rare deserts in the world that is in close proximity to a city. For thousands of years, the Kumtag Desert and Shanshan County have met at the southern end of the old city, never moving northward or encroaching upon the city even by half a step. 'The sand does not advance, the green does not retreat, and the people do not relocate.' It is truly a miracle in the history of desert control. ⭐️ In the afternoon, start climbing the dunes under the scorching sun, with feet on the burning yellow sand, struggling to ascend the hill to watch a sunset. ⭐️ I suddenly recall a line from 'Ashes of Time' by the recluse Ouyang Feng in the desert town: 'People always have to go through a process. When you see a mountain, you want to know what's on the other side. I really want to tell him that you might find nothing special after crossing over, and you might feel that this side is even better.' ⭐️ Having watched too many martial arts films in my youth, I have too many indelible emotions about the vast deserts filled with yellow sand, the bamboo forests fraught with danger, and the remote peach blossoms... There are just too many lingering sentiments. Tips: Ticket price: 30 RMB per person, sightseeing train 30 RMB per person (includes round trip). Entertainment activities include sand sliding, camel riding, desert surfing, etc. It is recommended to enter the scenic area after 5 pm to avoid the severe heat and to pay attention to sun protection and hydration.

After many years, I have come to the beautiful Xinjiang once again. The summer in Yili is as beautiful as Hayao Miyazaki's animations, frame by frame, step by step, all so touching. This time, a 7-day trip was arranged, which was enjoyable, free, and happy. DAY1: Urumqi—Turpan—Kumtag Desert Coming to Turpan to feel the hottest sun, the uniform red brick and mud buildings, the cultural streets with strong Western Region style, eating the sweetest watermelons in Turpan in summer, running freely in the desert, the fine soft sand, leaving footprints with every step, the stacked sand sea in the distance, the blue sky, and the intermittent small green plants in the sand sea complement each other, creating a picturesque scene. DAY2: Turpan—Flaming Mountains—Shihezi 1. The story of Journey to the West has accompanied me since childhood. Visiting the scenic spot, I personally experienced every scene in the drama, so real and yet so dreamy. I never thought that one day I could be so immersed in the scenes of the master and disciples' journey to the West from TV dramas and storybooks, fulfilling a small childhood dream. 2. I've heard of Shihezi University, and this is my first visit to Shihezi, a lively city with a sense of life. By chance, I arrived on June 1st, and had some beer with friends at yue pub, listened to the live singing, and spent a special Children's Day together. The happiness among friends is just that simple. DAY3: Turpan—Duku Highway—Tangbula Fairy Lake 1. Lucky baby, I caught up with the opening of the Duku Highway. This year, Duku opened early, and I was shocked by the natural landscapes along the way. The Duku Highway is indeed a masterpiece of nature, and the martyrs sacrificed their wisdom and hardworking hands to fully present this natural magic and beauty for us to stop and admire, inspiring awe. 2. Tangbula Fairy Lake, my friends rode horses up the mountain, and we caught a small hailstorm, which was a unique experience in life. DAY4: Narat—Valley Grassland—Sky Grassland Driving into the scenic area was really cool. The valley grassland of Narat is so beautiful, with snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, blue sky, and sunshine—all the good elements of travel gathered in one day. Cattle, sheep, and horses running freely, nature showed us a series of vivid and dreamy paintings, the green grassland, the snow-capped mountains with unthawed snow on the distant peaks shining in the sunlight, showing their beauty. Under the sunset glow, the freely running horses were so unrestrained and handsome. At this moment, I felt that this trip was worth it, and I was happy. DAY5: Narat—Kazanqi—Six-Star Street The blue of Kazanqi is its unique signature, the healing blue. Taking photos against the blue walls and red and blue windows, super photogenic. Of course, what surprised me even more was Six-Star Street, with lots of delicious food. Different from Kazanqi, its windows and walls are blue, green, and red, with more colorful and diverse colors, making it more suitable for checking in and taking photos. DAY6: Sayram Lake The last tear of the Atlantic, a dazzling pearl, the azure blue lake water, driving on the road of Sayram Lake, I exclaimed how beautiful it was. The colorful words of this world are not enough to praise it. It is so pure and beautiful, like a dignified and calm lady, like a cute and exquisite girl, like an elder quietly telling stories about it, peaceful and beautiful, loved and cherished. DAY7: Anjihai Grand Canyon The fractured canyon area still deeply shocked me. This place is suitable for drone photography to capture the grandeur of the canyon. Just like that, the 7-day journey covered only a small part of Xinjiang. The last time I came to Yili, I also visited Kanas and Bayinbuluk, with the same surprises that remain in my mind and heart. I really love this land so much. Xinjiang is truly worth checking in countless times. Its beauty needs every stopping person to experience and feel with their heart. The distance is far, but it's worth it. Accommodation: Narat Liao Xin Homestay Turpan City Boutique Home Hotel Cuisine: Narat Mr. Chen's Small Restaurant Yining City Qing Zhi Kou Xinjiang Cuisine Valley Secret Roast Flaming Mountain Famous Yellow Noodles Barbecue

The Kumtag Desert is connected to the city and is known as the 'Desert in the City'. The setting sun sprinkles golden light on the sand grains, making the contours of the dunes more gentle and layered. The natural curves of the sand mountains and the patterns left by the wind are traces of nature's breath. The changing lines are clear between light and shadow without being deliberate, as smooth as chocolate. Come into the desert and feel the tenacity of the wind and sand and the miracle of life. 📍Address: 999 Park Road, Shanshan County, Turpan, Xinjiang 🚗Transportation: 1️⃣🚄Train Take a direct train from Urumqi to Shanshan North, 1.5 hours, and then take a taxi directly to the entrance of the desert scenic area 2️⃣🚘Self-drive or chartered car It takes about 4 hours to drive from Urumqi 🎫Ticket: Scenic area ticket 30 🛵Shuttle bus ticket: Line 1️⃣ 30, Line 2️⃣ 35 Line 1️⃣ goes directly from the entrance of the scenic area to , about 10 minutes Line 2️⃣ goes from to , stopping at a sand sculpture area in between (you can get off the bus to take photos and then get back on), the whole journey of Line 2️⃣ is about 30 minutes 🎏Attractions: 🏜️Climbing sand mountains The vast expanse of yellow sand 🐫Camel riding Camel riding in the Kumtag Desert is a highlight. Riding a camel through the desert is like traveling through time and space, back to the ancient Silk Road 🎫: 80 🚙Off-road vehicle surfing Feel the real speed and passion with the velocity of a racing wind 🎫: 160