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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Alar [2025]
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Kalajun National Park
4.6
/5
2816 reviews
7.7
Based on 11 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609997765295
Address: Tekes, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
360° view of Koksu Canyon
Glass deck overlooks canyon beauty
Saved by 167 users2239 positive reviews
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Friends, if I told you there's a place that can simultaneously package grasslands, forests, snow-capped mountains, and seas of flowers into a giant, three-dimensional painting, it would definitely be Kalajun! As a travel blogger who has explored all of northern and southern Xinjiang, my self-driving experience in Kalajun is absolutely my top choice for "grand and majestic" scenery—it's incredibly impressive!
This isn't just any ordinary meadow; it's a "three-dimensional garden in the sky," handcrafted by nature itself. Driving through it, you're not just getting a tourist attraction, but a whole mobile Windows desktop background!
🌟 My Peak Self-Driving Experience & Must-Have Highlights 🌟
1. The sensual curves of the "human grassland," an art form of light and shadow!
This is absolutely Kalajun's trump card! Along the route from [Flower Terrace] to [Falcon Terrace], you'll see rolling hills with lines so graceful they resemble a woman's body. Under the light and shadow of sunset, their fullness, smoothness, and vibrant beauty are a true geological wonder! This is no ordinary grassland; it's nature's most sensual and curvaceous art, its dynamism impossible for a camera to fully capture.
2. A Three-Tiered Landscape: A Continuous "Wow!" Driving Through!
The most amazing thing about Kalajun is its "three-dimensionality." Your gaze will involuntarily divide into three layers: in the foreground, a colorful carpet of wildflowers; in the middle, a continuous, dark green belt of snow-capped spruce trees; and in the distance, the majestic Tian Shan Mountains, crowned with snow. Driving along the road, these three layers of scenery simultaneously unfold before your eyes, an unparalleled sense of depth, every frame a masterpiece!
3. Hike at Falcon Terrace: Become a "Son of the Tian Shan"!
Park your car at the Falcon Terrace parking lot, and we strongly recommend that you pack light and walk along the boardwalk towards the snow-capped mountains. When you stand on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the magnificent scenery of the entire Kurdai Grand Canyon, a sense of vastness and supreme grandeur will arise spontaneously. This is also the best spot for capturing panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and canyons – you'll get amazing shots every minute!
🚗 Blogger's Exclusive Practical Tips (A Must-Have!):
• Route Selection: Kalajun is divided into "East Kalajun" and "Koksu Grand Canyon". If you have enough time, I recommend buying the all-area ticket for a more comprehensive view. If you can only choose one, I highly recommend the grassland route – the essence of the experience!
• Golden Time: Go in the afternoon! The soft sunset light is the perfect filter for the "human grassland," amplifying the beauty of the curves to the extreme.
• Clothing Suggestions: Wear white, red, or orange clothing; they will stand out against the green background. Be sure to bring a windproof jacket, as the weather in the mountains is unpredictable.
• Combined Itinerary: After leaving Kalajun, return to Tekes, the "Bagua City," and be sure to visit the night market for some barbecue – experience this magical city without traffic lights.
Concluding remarks:
Kalajun is not the delicate beauty of a young lady; it possesses a domineering, bold, and overwhelmingly powerful magnificence. With its extreme, three-dimensional landscape, it redefines your understanding of the word "grassland."
The moment I opened the car door and stepped into Kalajun, my breathing slowed. The grasslands stretched like a vast green velvet carpet, stretching from my feet to the foot of the snow-capped mountains at the horizon. Wildflowers, white and yellow, dotted the landscape, and shades of green undulated with the mountain's gentle waves.
Cloud shadows moved slowly across the velvety grassy slopes, like a silent film. Standing here, I could think about anything or nothing, simply feeling the vastness of the world, myself a part of this landscape. The wind brushed past my ears, carrying the scent of green grass and distant mountains. In that moment, all the noise in my heart was soothed.
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Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
4.6
/5
2190 reviews
7.5
From AED 20.63
Based on 13 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609977798838
Address: Mountainous area north of No. 1025, 217 National Road, Kuqa County, Aksu, 64 kilometers north of Kuqa County
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Fiery red mountains & unique valley
Canyon adventure through red mountains
Saved by 218 users1680 positive reviews
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This canyon is different in style from the Wensu Grand Canyon, and it's really fun. It takes over an hour to walk in and out. You can also take a car or ride a camel. It's actually not very far. It's very interesting! Worth a visit!
The Tianshan Mountains boast breathtaking natural wonders. Standing within the canyon and looking up at the rock walls, one sees spacious courtyards, massive rock domes, and narrow slits of sky.
The trail is pedestrian-friendly; no shuttle bus is needed, and the path is gentle, only about 2km long.
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Xinjiang Tianshan Tomur Scenic Area Grand Canyon
4.7
/5
750 reviews
7.1
From AED 18.00
Based on 7 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609976796105
Address: Near the 306 county road in the Kirgiz ethnic township of Bozidun, Wensu County, Aksu City
Recommended sightseeing time: 4–5 hours
Highlights:
Tomur Peak & Taklamakan Desert
Unique red sandstone formations
636 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The scenery is beautiful, but transportation is inconvenient. The platform for booking the shuttle bus is extremely complicated; I spent ages trying to figure out which route to choose, and there was no tutorial. In the end, I just chose the popular route below, which eliminates the need to select locations manually: Aksu-Tacun-Grand Canyon (I misunderstood that Tacun also stops there, but I was only going to the Grand Canyon, so this was the correct route). I also don't understand why the ticket QR code isn't displayed at the main entrance; you have to walk a long way from the boarding area to the back to scan it. The buses are infrequent and small, with only a few seats. There's a risk of not getting a ticket if you go at the last minute, and even if you do, the time allotted for sightseeing is very short. The four-hour visit felt rushed, with the entire trip consisting of fast walking.
Highly recommended! The landscape features a unique reddish hue, so wearing a mask or scarf is advisable as there's a lot of dust inside the scenic area. Driving in is also highly recommended; it costs 200 yuan per car and offers more freedom than park vehicles. You can stop and take photos whenever you see a beautiful view – perfect for great shots. The best time to visit is in the afternoon when the sun is shining brightly, to witness the magnificent colors of the Grand Canyon.
No.
4
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King Palace In Kuqa
4.1
/5
1595 reviews
7.0
Based on 11 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609977210013
Address: Kuqa, Aksu, Xinjiang, China, 842000
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
40,000 sq ft with exhibits
Qing-era Uyghur prince's residence
1043 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Once in Kuqa, a visit to the Kuqa Palace is a good option. It opens at 10:00 AM, and the opening ceremony begins at 10:30 AM. At the end, visitors are invited to dance together, and it's packed. Learn about the palace's history, take photos with the princess, and enjoy the beautiful gardens and a section of the ancient city wall. I highly recommend the freshly ground coffee, which is affordable and delicious.
When you come to Kuche, visiting the Kuche Palace is a must. While learning about the history and culture, you can also feel the ancient charm of Kuche. The building is very beautiful and many collections are on display. However, the princess and the princess were not at home that day, which was a bit regrettable.
No.
5
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Zhaosu Wetland Park Scenic Area
4.3
/5
446 reviews
6.8
From AED 20.63
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609996024789
Address: 17 kilometers from 758 County Road, Zhaosu County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Tour 3 wetland stops
Summer "Pegasus River" performance viewing
364 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We all came here to watch the Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River. There seemed to be about a hundred of them running majestically, but the distance they ran was quite short, only six times in total. They were so fast at grabbing sheep that the show was over just as we reached the front of the performance venue.
It's very nice. After watching the Tianma Bathing in the River performance, you can go to the Tianma Cultural Park through the Rainbow Bridge. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you can also watch equestrian performances and various famous horses for free, which is worth the ticket price.
No.
6
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Daolang Tribe
4.4
/5
272 reviews
6.5
From AED 23.20
89.7 km from downtown
Phone +8609976716777
Address: Yumandiankou, Awati County, Aksu City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Experience national intangible cultural heritage
Unique & spectacular ancient forest
179 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The theme is poplar trees and their spirit, and it tells the story of a group of primitive spiritualists who, amidst religious conflict, remain steadfast in their faith. The scenery is beautiful and well worth a visit. The entire tour takes about seven or eight hours. We spent five hours exploring, but still missed some attractions. It's perfect for family outings, with a botanical garden and zoo within the complex. Tickets are affordable.
I didn't expect to get a surprise. It was free. The scenic area is still worth visiting. There was a city opening ceremony and performances. There was a large poplar forest. It was a pity that I came a little early and it was not yet yellow.
No.
7
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Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area
4.6
/5
141 reviews
6.4
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8613629995000
Address: 伊犁哈萨克自治州昭苏县
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
A color-changing lake in the hinterland of the Tianshan glaciers
Experience Xinjiang horse culture with a lakeside ride
130 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Yuhu Lake is surprisingly beautiful, but also relatively secluded, so it's not a busy place for self-driving cars.
Many areas within the scenic area are still under development, which slightly impacts the scenery.
The scenic area's observation deck is a bit small, with only a few cars parked, which can easily lead to traffic.
I heard it is an artificial reservoir, but it is really beautiful. The color of the lake water is different in different locations. The facilities inside are not very complete. After seeing the lake, driving along the road inside is also a scenic line. You can also rest and eat by the lake, which is very comfortable. The car is 100/car and 30 per person. Children are half price and seniors over 65 are free. It is good. If the facilities are more complete, more people will come. The service of the staff is also good.
No.
8
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Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest Park
4.2
/5
499 reviews
6.3
From AED 20.58
Based on 3 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8618899010128
Address: Bayinguoleng Mongolia Desert Autonomous Prefecture Luntai County South Desert Highway
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
Wooden walkway & poplar trees
Admire ancient poplar in oasis
302 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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We shared a car from the entrance of Luntai Bus Station to the Populus euphratica forest. The car drove directly into the scenic area, arriving at 12:30 PM. The driver took us to various photo spots, helped us take pictures, and spoke with a strong Henan accent. He even told jokes along the way, creating a wonderful atmosphere! We were so glad we hired a car; otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to see everything in this huge park! The scenery is beautiful and definitely worth a visit!
When talking about poplar trees, most people might first think of Ejina in Inner Mongolia. But did you know that 90% of my country's poplar trees are in Xinjiang, and 90% of Xinjiang's poplar trees are located in the Tarim Basin and along the banks of the Tarim River in southern Xinjiang?
"Living for three thousand years without dying, standing for three thousand years after death, and remaining undecayed for three thousand years after falling," the poplar is a precious tree species that can naturally form forests in the desert and Gobi. It not only protects the Gobi Desert with its unique and varied forms but also adds an immortal beauty to the barren landscape.
No green leaves, no crown. Withered trunks, strange postures—some standing tall, some fallen, some like frenzied dancers—are scattered haphazardly across the barren land.
No.
9
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Kuche Temple
4.3
/5
407 reviews
6.2
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609977688145
Address: Pahatabazza Road, Kuqa County, Aksu Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Second largest mosque & center
Dome 50.8 ft shows Western architecture
286 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The Kuqa Grand Mosque is now a tourist attraction. It no longer has worship ceremonies for believers, so it is completely open to the public. It is still very interesting for non-believers who want to know what structures the mosque has.
The scenic area is not large, with a strong mix of Chinese and Islamic architecture. Very good historical relics are preserved, which can give people a clear and direct understanding of their religious sites in the past, and also reflect the local economic level, architectural style, and living customs.
No.
10
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Qiongkushitai Village
4.7
/5
123 reviews
5.9
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8618099412818
Address: Qiongkushitaicun, Tekes, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Kazakh village & wooden architecture
Kazakh village on Tianshan slopes
Verified user reviews
Change a way to experience life: poor mobile phone signal, (put down the mobile phone), live in a cabin or a boudoir, bow the body in the morning, look at the door, your own lawn, you can go as far as you want to go!
It takes an hour to get into the fairyland in the mountains. There are herds of cattle and sheep, green mountains, and birds flying. It's like a paradise. Slow down your pace, calm your mind, ride a horse and take a look. It's pretty good.
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