Xinjiang region is so huge that it is impossible to cover every place of attractions in one visit. Generally the region can be split into Northern and Southern attractions, with 3 mountain ranges surrounding the scarcely populated region. At the top north is Altai Mountain, the middle being Tianshan range and Southern range covered by Kunlun Mountain.
The short series To The Wonder – My Beloved Altai, is based and filmed in the Northern region, with Altai Mountain range as the backdrop. Jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring sceneries await the travellers who visit, taking the journey up the mountain range. Hundreds of kilometres of green (or white during winter, or even brown during late autumn) grassland, dots of horses, sheep and cows welcoming travellers, minding their own business and hoping not to be grilled meat!
Hemu Village
Most tourists would be familiar with Hemu village, the wooden cabins dotting the village, especially beautiful when fully covered in snow with white backdrop. The village is further popularised in the Chinese series Road Home, starring Jing Bo Ran and Tan Song Yun. I was hoping the cabins would look like the one Tan Song Yun stays at, looks really cosy amidst the cold snowy weather. Alas! Our limited budget only allows us a cheaper version of the cabin, not bad but obviously not as beautiful and cosy as the ones shown in the series.
And during peak tourist period, these luxury cabins can fetch extremely good prices up to USD350 or more per night. The cost of building such cabins could easily be recovered in less than 1 year. Which is also the reason why these cabins are mushrooming everywhere in the village whereas the locals provide their land to be developed while they moved elsewhere. Commercialisation of the village has encroached the locals livelihood and will likely continue for the foreseeable future. According to locals, there are alternative villages nearby which are not too commercialised that caters to less touristy activities. Cheaper, less commercialised, less luxurious and reflective of more local livelihood. Can be tried upon.
There is little to do at Hemu village other than enjoying the snow during winter, hike in the snow, eat of course! There are some trails for short hike to enjoy the sunrise and sunset from atop the hills. The trail starts once you cross the river from the village, up a perilously slippery steps in winter. Get proper hiking winter boots to ensure you won’t slip.
For the more adventurous, there are multi-days of tracks that you can hike with local guides running through from villages to villages. These are mainly done outside of winter period, even then warm up to harsh natural environment.
Food-wise, grilled skewers (lamb is my favourite!), one pot stew of beef, nang (or naan that we are more familiar with), hotpot! What better ways to get your tummy warmed with food with lots of spice.
Cool down with a yogurt drinks. Take a pick from the traditional yogurt made at the yurt (natural with a bit more cheesy smell) or take one from the supermarket in packaged form.
Kanas National Park & Lake
In comparison, national park Kanas offers raw access to the nature in Xinjiang. Trails available for hikes – easy, medium and even difficult trails.
It has become the norm to name the attractions to things familiar to us. Moon Crescent. Fairies descending. But the vibrant colour of the national park will leave you in awe of nature.
Hence, when they say, when you travel to Xinjiang likely you will leave your heart there, captured by the natural beauty of nature. And thus, I left my heart there and will return!
Cheng's Musings 