Hemu Village is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don’t recommend going in August because............
Hemu Village Travel Guide (including price reference): Unlock the "God's Reserved Land" with a budget of 800 RMB per person, stay in log cabins, and ride horses to see the morning mist.
Hemu Village, a Tuva ethnic village hidden deep in Altay, Xinjiang, is known as "China's Most Beautiful Village" and "God's Reserved Land." The golden birch forests in autumn, the wooden houses faintly visible in the morning mist, and the winding Hemu River create a fairy-tale-like oil painting scene. It’s perfect for hiking, photography, and horseback riding, and is an excellent secret escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Below is a practical guide covering transportation, accommodation, food, and attractions, with a budget of 800-1200 RMB per person (based on 3 days and 2 nights), suitable for self-driving or independent travelers.
1. Preparation Before the Trip: Budget and Season Choice
Best Travel Time:
Mid-September to early October: Peak autumn colors, golden birch forests, high chance of morning mist, temperatures 5-15°C (bring a windbreaker and sweater).
June to August: Summer green grasslands, wildflowers everywhere, good for escaping the heat (temperatures 15-25°C, large day-night temperature difference).
December to February: Winter snow-covered scenery, experience horse-drawn sleds and snowmobiles (temperatures -20°C to -5°C, bring down jackets and snow boots).
Avoid Crowds: National Day holiday (October 1-7) sees a surge in tourists and accommodation prices double; it’s recommended to visit in late September or mid-October.
Budget Allocation (per person for 3 days):
Transportation: 300-500 RMB (including round-trip to Kanas Scenic Area + horse riding/electric cart in the village)
Accommodation: 200-400 RMB/night (log cabin homestays)
Food: 150-250 RMB (snacks + meals)
Attractions/Activities: 150-300 RMB (tickets + horse riding + experiences)
2. Transportation Guide: How to Get to Hemu Village?
Plane + Private Car/Shared Ride: Urumqi → Kanas Airport: direct flight about 1.5 hours (ticket price 500-1000 RMB, off-season can be as low as 300 RMB).
Kanas Airport → Hemu Village: Private car: shared ride for 4 people about 150 RMB/person (1.5 hours, direct to the scenic area transfer center).
Bus: Airport shuttle to Jiadengyu (30 RMB/person, 1 hour) → transfer to Jiadengyu → Hemu shuttle bus (50 RMB/person, 2 hours).
Self-driving: Navigate to "Hemu Scenic Area Ticket Office," about 8 hours from Urumqi (toll + fuel about 600 RMB/car), can stop in Burqin County for grilled fish.
Note: Private cars must park outside the scenic area parking lot (free), then take the shuttle bus (ticket package including entrance 102 RMB/person) into the village.
In-Scenic Area Transportation:
Shuttle bus: From the transfer center to Hemu Village about 20 minutes (free, included in the ticket), last bus at 8:00 PM daily.
Horse riding: One-way from the village to Meilifeng Grassland about 3 hours (150 RMB/person, can negotiate with locals).
Electric cart: Short trips within the village (e.g., Haden Platform) 10 RMB/person (charged by segment).
3. Accommodation Recommendations: Stay in Fairy Tale Log Cabins
Budget Options: Homestays in Hemu Village such as "Tuva Family" and "Mountain Cottage," priced 200-300 RMB/night (standard room), mostly wooden structures with electric blankets (confirm heating in winter).
Hemu Mountain Villa: 1 km from the village entrance, 150-200 RMB/night (no private bathroom), suitable for budget travelers wanting a log cabin experience.
Mid to High-End Options: Hemu Century-Old House Homestay: 600-1000 RMB/night (including breakfast + Tuva cultural experience), rooms decorated in ethnic style, some with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the mountains.
Hemu Taoyuan Homestay: 400-600 RMB/night, located halfway up the mountain, wide views, 10-minute walk to Haden Platform.
Money-Saving Tips:
Book one month in advance; prices rise to 800-1500 RMB/night during National Day;
Choose village homestays rather than hotels outside the scenic area to save shuttle time;
Winter (November to March) is off-season, prices drop below 200 RMB, but some homestays close, confirm in advance.
4. Must-Visit Attractions and Activities (with prices)
1. Hemu Bridge and Hemu River: Best spots for morning mist and sunset photography
Tickets: Included in the Kanas Scenic Area pass (102 RMB/person, includes shuttle bus), half price for students.
Must Experience: Morning mist photography: 6:30-7:30 AM, stand on Hemu Bridge to shoot wooden houses surrounded by mist (reserve spot early, 80% chance of mist in autumn).
Birch forest hiking: Walk 30 minutes west along Hemu River from the village entrance, golden birch reflected in the river, great for portrait photography (free).
Hemu River rafting: Summer only (120 RMB/person, about 40 minutes), wear life jackets and kayak through rapids (children must be over 1.2 meters tall).
2. Haden Platform: The highest panoramic viewpoint of the village
Route: 20-minute walk from village homestays (or 50 RMB/horse ride) to the mountaintop, all wooden boardwalk.
Must Experience: Sunrise and sunset: Summer sunrise at 6:00 AM, autumn at 7:30 AM, golden sunlight on rooftops with smoke curling (bring a tripod).
Star gazing: No light pollution at night, Milky Way clearly visible (best after 11 PM in summer, wear thick down jackets in winter).
3. Meilifeng Grassland: A secret place for horseback riding
Cost: Guided horseback round trip about 5 hours (300 RMB/person, can form groups of 4), includes basic insurance.
Features: Passes birch forests, streams, pastures, ends at Tuva herders’ summer pasture (fresh milk available for 5 RMB/cup).
Great for photographers, can dismount anytime to take photos (avoid trampling grass).
4. Tuva Home Visit: Listen to the Chuurqin and drink milk tea
Cost: 50 RMB/person (includes performance + snacks), lasts 1 hour.
Content: Watch Tuva elders play the "Chuurqin" (a grass flute with ethereal sound).
Taste Baursak (fried dough), cheese, milk tea, and hear stories about Tuva history.
Location: "Tuva Culture Museum" in the village or local homes (ask homestay owners to arrange).
5. Food Guide: Enjoy Xinjiang flavors for about 40 RMB per person
Specialty Meals: Recommended places: "Taoyuan Flavor Restaurant" and "Tuva Family Feast" in the village (50-70 RMB per person).
Must Order: Hemu local hot pot (120 RMB/small pot): copper pot stewed lamb, wild mushrooms, vermicelli, serves 2-3 people.
Hand-pulled lamb (88 RMB/jin): boiled in clear water, dipped in pepper salt and onion sauce (tender and odorless).
Baursak with milk tea (15 RMB/set): fried dough dipped in salty milk tea, Tuva breakfast staple.
Snacks and Fast Food: Baked naan: 5 RMB each, crispy outside and soft inside, keeps for 2 days (village entrance stall).
Grilled meat skewers: 3 RMB each, freshly cut and grilled lamb sprinkled with cumin and chili (recommended "Old Ma Grilled Meat").
Wild blackcurrant juice: 10 RMB/cup, freshly squeezed from mountain blackcurrants, sweet and sour to refresh (summer only).
Night Market Must-Try: Hemu Night Market: 30 RMB per person to eat until full, recommended grilled buns (4 RMB each), yogurt rice dumplings (8 RMB/portion), kvass (5 RMB/cup, honey-fermented drink).
Money-Saving Tips:
Village food prices are 30% higher than Burqin County; bring snacks;
Share tables to split costs (e.g., 4 people share one hot pot + 2 dishes, about 40 RMB per person);
Milk tea refills are free, leftovers can be packed (use a thermos).
6. 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary Reference
Day 1: Arrive at Hemu Village + Sunset at Haden Platform
Morning: Urumqi → Kanas Airport → Private car to Hemu Village (transportation 200 RMB).
Afternoon: Check into homestay (200 RMB/night) → Birch forest hike in village (free) → Sunset photos at Hemu Bridge.
Evening: Tuva home visit (50 RMB) → Night market snacks (20 RMB per person).
Day 2: Horseback Riding at Meilifeng Grassland + Sunrise at Haden Platform
Early morning: 6:00 AM sunrise at Haden Platform (free) → Return to homestay for rest.
Morning: Horseback ride to Meilifeng Grassland (300 RMB/person) → Drink milk at herders’ home (5 RMB).
Afternoon: Hemu River rafting (120 RMB) → Visit local handicraft shops (fur hats 80 RMB each).
Evening: Hot pot dinner (60 RMB per person) → Star photography (free).
Day 3: Morning Mist Photography + Return
Early morning: 6:30 AM morning mist photos at Hemu Bridge → Return to homestay to pack.
Morning: Take shuttle bus from village entrance → Kanas Airport (transportation 100 RMB) → Return to Urumqi.
Total Cost: About 1000-1200 RMB (including transportation, accommodation, food, and activities).
7. Notes
Clothing Suggestions: Autumn requires windbreaker + sweater, summer bring sun protection clothes and hat, winter wear snow boots + down jacket; wear long pants and sneakers for horseback riding.
Altitude Sickness: Hemu is about 1100 meters above sea level, generally no altitude sickness, but large day-night temperature difference, adjust clothing accordingly.
Respect Customs: Tuva people forbid eating dog meat, do not touch villagers’ headscarves or prayer flags casually; ask permission before photographing people.
Eco-Friendly Travel: No trash bins in the village, bring your trash back to homestays for sorting; drones are prohibited (must report to scenic area in advance).
The beauty of Hemu is hidden in the smoke rising from wooden houses in the morning mist, in the sound of horse hooves on Meilifeng Grassland, and in a steaming cup of milk tea. Take this guide and experience the tranquility and grandeur of this "God’s Reserved Land" with the least budget!