What kind of unparalleled beauty is hidden in the mysterious corner beside the Duku Highway?
In the vast Xinjiang, there is a famous Duku Highway, which connects countless amazing sights. But do you know? Just beside this road, there is a little-known mysterious corner. The rocks there are rugged, magnificent and shocking, as if they are nature's hidden treasures. It is the Tianshan Stone Forest. Today, follow my footsteps and uncover the mystery of Tianshan Stone Forest.
Tianshan Stone Forest, also known as Kuikewusu Stone Forest, is located at the foot of Kuikewusu Pass in the western section of Tianshan Mountains and the northern foot of Nalati Mountain. It is 9,000 meters long, about 5,000 meters wide, and has a relative height of 30 meters. Stepping into this stone forest is like entering the mysterious territory of ancient giants. Nature, the top sculptor, has spent millions of years meticulously carving the sand and rocks here into various shapes and forms. Look, those stone peaks, some look like solemn and majestic European castles, as if telling the legends of the Middle Ages; some are like sharp swords drawn from their sheaths, piercing the blue sky, with extraordinary momentum; and some are like pedestrians and animals of various shapes, lying or reclining, lifelike. The stone forest is dotted with large and small caves, and narrow passages crisscross each other, forming a natural maze. When you walk through it, you can only see a strip of blue sky above your head. It is mysterious and exciting.
Not only are the stones here unique, but the surrounding scenery is also breathtakingly beautiful. In the distance, snow-capped mountains rise and fall, shining with holy light under the sunlight; at your feet, the vast grassland is lush and green, with wild flowers of various colors blooming and dotted in between; groups of big-headed sheep and goitered gazelles shuttle among the stone forests, making this ancient stone forest full of vitality. Near the snow line, you may be lucky enough to pick precious Chinese medicinal herbs such as snow lotus and Codonopsis pilosula. In the center of the stone forest, there is a clear pool like a mirror. This is the "Lujing Lake". The water is so clear that you can see the bottom, reflecting the surrounding stone forest and blue sky. It is so beautiful that it seems out of this world.
In addition to the natural scenery, Tianshan Stone Forest also hides a profound cultural heritage. It witnessed the great epic of the Torghut tribe's return to the east. The layers of rock walls look like the figures of warriors lined up in battle formation. According to legend, the hero Galteng once bravely fought against demons here to protect the grassland. His heroic deeds are still passed down from generation to generation by local herdsmen.
From Beijing Chaoyang to Tianshan Stone Forest
- Plane: Fly directly from Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing International Airport to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, the flight time is about 4 hours. After arriving in Urumqi, transfer to Kuqa Qiuci Airport, the flight time is about 1.5 hours. It takes about 4-5 hours to charter or rent a car from Kuqa to Tianshan Stone Forest. The road conditions are good throughout the journey, but there are many bends in the second half of the mountain road, so you need to drive carefully.
- Train: Take Train Z69 from Beijing West Railway Station to Urumqi Railway Station. The journey takes about 30 hours. After arriving in Urumqi, take the train to Kuche Station, and then choose to charter or rent a car from Kuche to Tianshan Stone Forest. Train travel allows you to enjoy the magnificent scenery along the way, but it takes a long time and you need to plan your trip in advance.
- Self-driving: The whole journey is about 3,500 kilometers, starting from Beijing, driving along the Beijing-Tibet Expressway to Inner Mongolia, then turning to the Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway, passing through Gansu, entering Xinjiang and driving along the Lianhuo Expressway to Urumqi, then turning to the G217 National Highway (Duku Highway). The road conditions are diverse, including expressways, national roads and mountain roads. It takes about 4-5 days. Self-driving can arrange the itinerary freely and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way at any time, but you need to pay attention to rest during long-distance driving, and check the vehicle and prepare supplies in advance.
Recommended hotels in the surrounding area
- Bayinbuluke Yindeng Hotel: Located on Sairimu North Street, Bayinbuluke Town, Hejing County, close to Tianshan Stone Forest. The hotel was renovated in 2018 and has business standard rooms, single rooms, triple rooms, a total of 110 rooms. The supporting service facilities are complete, with sufficient hot water supply and fiber-optic WIFI Internet access. The restaurant can provide rich buffet breakfast, special snacks and standard group meals. The reference price is 300 - 600 yuan per night.
- Homestays or yurts in Bayinbuluke Town: These accommodations are more local and allow you to deeply experience the Mongolian lifestyle. The prices are relatively affordable, with the reference price for homestays ranging from 200 to 400 yuan per night. The price of yurts may be lower, ranging from 100 to 300 yuan per night, but the accommodation conditions may be relatively simple.
Activities
- Wilderness camping: camp by the Alshasay River near the Stone Forest, fall asleep to the sound of gurgling water, look up at the brilliant snow-capped mountains and starry sky at night, be gently awakened by the first rays of sunshine in the morning, and maybe even encounter a herd of yaks grazing leisurely.
- Cultural Exploration: Learn more about the history of the Torghut tribe’s return to the east, explore the “Warriors’ Formation” hidden on the rock wall, and listen to the legendary story of the hero Galteng.
- Ecological exploration: In summer, rare flowers such as snow lotus and gentian bloom on the grassland meadows. You can follow the local guide to find these precious plants (be sure to pay attention to protecting the environment and do not pick them at will).
Tianshan Stone Forest is definitely worth a visit. There are no bustling tourists, no over-developed commercial atmosphere, only the purest natural beauty and profound cultural heritage. Whether you are a photography enthusiast who loves natural scenery, an explorer obsessed with history and culture, or an urbanite eager to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can find spiritual comfort here. Pack your bags, go on a spontaneous trip, and go to this romantic date with Tianshan Stone Forest!