Our Journey to the West, Beautiful Xinjiang

Xinjiang, a mysterious place that I have always longed for. This summer I finally traveled west to Xinjiang.

Why choose to rent a car and drive yourself?

There are many ways to travel to Xinjiang.

1. Join the group. Advantages: worry-free. You don’t have to think about how to get around, which attractions to visit, where to stay, or what to eat. Disadvantage: lack of freedom. The itinerary cannot be adjusted at any time.

2. Charter a car tour, including a driver arranged by the travel agency. It has the advantages of joining a group and is relatively free. There are few people, so you don’t have to wait for people all the time. You can also stop on the way. But you can't change the itinerary. To arrive at the scenic spot on time, you must complete the itinerary on time.

3. Rent a car and drive yourself. Advantages, whatever you want. You can encounter surprises, avoid places with many tourists, and avoid uncomfortable times. Disadvantages: It’s hard to do the guide, and it’s hard to drive.

Division of labor:

Mr. Chen: driving, aerial photography, Douyin production, renting a car, setting a route, booking a hotel, finding a restaurant, paying online, carrying luggage...

Ni Junxia: co-pilot, cash settlement

Yan: taking photos, making Douyin, making albums

Ni Zaoxia: watching the scenery

Preparation before departure:< /p>

In June, Mr. Chen consulted with various parties through major travel agencies, outdoor clubs, car rental companies, friends who have been to Xinjiang, etc., and formulated our plan to go west. Includes car rental and directions.

After repeated comparisons, I selected a car rental company online in mid-June, paid a deposit of 500 yuan, and ordered a modern off-road vehicle. The price was 450 yuan per day, excluding insurance, and the date was July 17. to July 29th. When renting a car, you must pay attention to protecting the vehicle and not violating the rules. When staying at night, it is best to find a place with a yard for parking to avoid scratches!

Our route arrangement:

On July 14, take the train to Urumqi

On July 16, we will arrive in Urumqi. Sign a car rental contract and pay a deposit of 15,000 yuan. In the afternoon, I visited Urumqi Grand Bazaar and bought some nuts and other snacks that are essential for travel.

The self-driving tour officially started on July 17. Burqin Colorful Beach Scenic Area. Stay in Burqin.

July 18, Hemu Scenic Area. From Burqin to Hemu, stay at Hemu B&B.

On July 19th, Kanas Scenic Area, from Hemu to Kanas, stayed at a hotel near Kanas Scenic Area

On July 20th, at Devil City Scenic Area, stayed at Wu Erhe

On July 21st, he went to Anjihai Grand Canyon and stayed in Bole City

On July 22nd, he went to Sailimu Lake and stayed in Yining. Rent a scenic battery car in Sailimu Lake and drive yourself. 500 yuan for four hours.

On July 23, go to Yizhao Highway from Yining to Tekes and stay at Tekes Folk Customs.

On July 24th, Kanas Grassland, moved into Xinyuan County

On July 25th, Nalati Grassland, Bayinbuluke Grassland. Checking in to Bayinbuluk

On July 26, from Bayinbuluk to Korla, take the Duku Highway and pass by the Big and Small Dragon Ponds and the Mysterious Grand Canyon of the Tianshan Mountains.

On July 27, Lop Nur Village, Lop Nur Rift Valley. Stay in Heshuo County.

July 28, Kumtag Desert. Stay in Shanshan County.

July 29, Flame Mountain, Grape Valley. Check in Urumqi

July 30, Urumqi to Nanchang

July 31, on the train

August 1, arrive home

< p>After setting the route, use Amap navigation throughout the journey

Pre-trip preparation:

1. Clothing preparation: mainly summer clothes, taking photos in the grassland, taking photos in the desert, and taking photos in the Devil City It is best to wear red or white dresses when taking photos.

Wear loose clothes and pants in the car. A light down jacket is a spare.

2. Sun protection: bring sun protection clothing, sun protection straw hat glasses, and sunscreen repair cream.

Moisturizing products, because they are very dry, in addition to moisturizing cream for the face, eyes and neck, you should also apply moisturizing cream and sunscreen on your arms and legs.

3. Other supplies: You can prepare some commonly used medicines. If you are prone to allergies or diarrhea, prepare some medicine that you usually use. Some hotels don't have hair dryers, slippers, and shampoo. It's best to have spare ones.

About accommodation: Use the hotel-finding software in Amap to find nearby hotels.

Except for Bayinbulak Grassland and Kanas Lake, which require hotel reservations in advance, other scenic spots can be found online after arrival. Go to the hotel on site to check the sanitary conditions, and compare prices online before booking. Standard rooms in hotels in Beijiang are around 300 yuan. Southern Xinjiang is cheaper.

About eating: Due to the vast territory of Xinjiang, most scenic spots are far away from each other, so the journey takes a long time and often passes through mountains and Gobi. So bring some food with you in the car. I eat enough in the morning and make do at noon. Sometimes I eat kebabs on the roadside, and sometimes I eat the cakes and milk I brought with me. In the evening, I used Dianping to find a Sichuan restaurant near my hotel. The dishes in northern Xinjiang are more generous, while the dishes in southern Xinjiang are cheaper.

Xinjiang’s fruits, yogurt, and milk cakes are things we must eat every day, and they are all delicious.

Regarding regrets:

1. The Duku Highway did not complete the entire 561 kilometers.

2. I didn’t go to Kashgar, couldn’t feel the excitement of crossing the desert, and didn’t experience the most original urban style of Xinjiang’s ethnic minorities!

3. I haven’t seen the most beautiful autumn.

Xinjiang is so beautiful! Goodbye, Xinjiang!