Detailed introduction to Xinjiang Xiaoduku S101 Highway and self-driving travel guide

Highway Introduction

The S101 line starts from Urumqi in the east and ends at Wusu Bayingou in the west, with a total length of 301.6 kilometers. It is known as the "Tianshan Geographic Scenic Corridor". Along the way, you can enjoy Yadan , Gobi, canyons, meadows and other beautiful natural scenery. This highway is divided into four scenic sections: Yaxin Landmark, Colorful Danxia, ??Muyu Tianshan, and Huahai Grassland. Scenery along the way

The S101 line passing through the Tianshan Mountains has rolling Danxia landforms and mountain systems of different shapes. It attracts many self-driving enthusiasts to take photos and tours along the way every year.

The first scenic section of Yaxin - Colorful Mountain (Yaxin landmark). Not far from Xishan Farm and Ranch to the west, it is the geographical center of the Asian continent. After entering the Toutun River Valley, you can reach Changji City Miaoergou Ranch and Ashli ??Kazakh Township in the south, and Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone in the north. (Toutunhe District).

The second scenic section is Colorful Mountain - Shimenzi (Colorful Danxia). Going west from Liuhuanggou Town, you enter the Colorful Mountain Canyon. The landform here is an earthquake fracture and wind erosion zone. Various rocks and loess form a magnificent canyon scenery. The mountain is beautifully shaped, with figures like generals, soldiers, camels, lions, and tigers. , monkeys, caves and other shapes, and there are occasional rivers flowing at the bottom of the valley.

The third scenic section is Shimenzi-Lujiao Bay (Mutian Tianshan). Entering the grassland area from the Santunhe Coal Mine fork, there are cattle, sheep and horses on the grassland, as well as the yurts and sheepfolds of Kazakh herdsmen.

The fourth scenic section is Lujiao Bay-Bayingou (Sea of ??Flowers Grassland). In summer, all kinds of flowers are in full bloom on the grassland. Attractions along the way

The scenery throughout the journey will continue to change with the drive, and scenic spots such as Chibi Tianhu, Jiangshan Duojiao, and Splendid Rivers and Mountains will be presented to everyone one by one.

The geographical center of Asia - the first surprise on the journey

Picture source: Xinjiang Western Region Outdoor

Xishan Farm and Ranch is the starting point of S101. Not far to the west of the pasture, you will see the landmark tower of the geographical center of the Asian continent. In July 1992, Chinese geographical scientists conducted rigorous scientific calculations. The specific position of "Asia Center" was established.

Colorful Mountain Canyon-the colorful Yadan landform

Photographed by @shiningfd

The section between K33 and K36 of S101 is the most colorful among the entire provincial highway A section of beautiful colorful mountain canyons on this section of the road will accompany you along the way. The landform here is composed of earthquake faults and wind erosion zones with various rocks and loess forming a magnificent canyon scenery

Kilometer 0 of Baili Danxia Scenic Road - Experience the artistic conception of seeing all the small mountains

After entering the Baili Danxia Scenic Road, you will definitely be shocked by the Danxia scenery that stretches for nearly a hundred miles. The Danxia scenery is like screens and barriers, with various shapes, strange and majestic It is majestic and precipitous, with ocher red, orange, yellow, blue and green mixed in between, shining dazzlingly against the sunlight.

Photo by Fang Lin

Tips Do you know what the sign at the zero-kilometer starting point of the Baili Danxia Scenic Road means? Above it is the shape of the Tianshan Mountains, and the whole is a shield. In the shape, the big zero is rust color, which is the color of Danxia. The zero kilometer here is the starting point of the zero kilometer of Baili Danxia Scenic Road, not the starting point of S101~

Nurga Grand Canyon - Entering the World of Color

In Nuer Go to the Grand Canyon to experience the uncanny workmanship of nature. The land with thousands of ravines is like an endless "ink painting".

Photographed by The Bell of the South

Looking at the reddish-brown mountains, they are as sharp as a knife. The colors are rich and eye-catching. Everywhere is so beautiful that it is unforgettable.

Picture source: Changji Prefecture Cultural Tourism

Ziniquan Town - the "Alps" of Xinjiang

There is a beautiful roadside near Ziniquan Town The small lake here, snow-capped mountains, green hills, and red soil form a rare and beautiful picture. At first glance, I thought I was in the Alps.

Lujiao Bay Summer Ranch - the beautiful grassland in dreams

The 32-kilometer road from S101 to the west from Jingou Valley is the core and classic section of Lujiao Bay Summer Ranch. What is this road like? How beautiful it is, so beautiful that when you get here, you forget the road you have walked before.

Especially in the summer, the small yellow flowers on the vast green lawn are like stars in the sky, and herds of cattle and sheep are grazing leisurely, and the horses galloping through the mountains are as beautiful as a fairy tale.

Kangjia Shimenzi Rock Painting - a rare rock painting in the world

Kangjia Shimenzi Rock Painting is a rare rock painting in the world. There are hundreds of figures in the painting, with different postures and rich images. , the scene is vivid and gives people a strong artistic appeal.

Image source: Changji Prefecture Culture and Tourism

The rock paintings adopt the technique of bas-relief. The faces of the characters carved are all long and thin, with well-developed eyebrows, big eyes, high noses, and small mouths. The image is beautiful, wearing a high hat with feathers on its head, making a dancing look.

Kenswat Reservoir-Oil paintings reflected on the lake

Remember this, was it a popular place in the past?

The turquoise water surface is as calm as a piece of jasper inlaid among the mountains and canyons, and the Yadan landform is reflected on the lake surface like a beautiful oil painting.

Picture source: Changji Prefecture Cultural Tourism

The Anjihai Grand Canyon’s criss-crossing “blood vessels” of the earth will probably shock everyone who sees the Anjihai Grand Canyon for the first time. It was just shocking.

The Anjihai River originates from the Tianshan Mountains and rushes all the way. It cascades thousands of miles and forms a large-scale alluvial fan valley under the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. The alluvial fan is large-scale and opens to the north in an umbrella shape. It is called a geological wonder.

Bayingou Ranch-Majun Sheep Fat Pasture Scenery

The changing scenery along S101 can always give people different surprises inadvertently. Just now it was steep mountains and deep valleys. In the blink of an eye, the scenery along the intersecting strange river valleys turned into a scenery of pastures filled with horses and sheep.

Bayingou Ranch is the last stop of the S101 sightseeing tour. It is surrounded by rolling mountains and ridges with snow-capped peaks reaching into the clouds, glaciers crystal clear and pine waves bursting, and the climate all year round is pleasant. Recommended itinerary

Two-day tour of Baili Danxia Scenic Byway:

Day 1: Baili Danxia Scenic Byway—Chibi Tianhu—Jiangshan Duojiao—Splendid Rivers and Mountains—Kangjia Shimenzi - Wudaoya - Kenswat Reservoir;

The next day: Dongdatang Tourist Scenic Area - Lujiao Bay Tourist Scenic Area - Anjihai Grand Canyon. Route Introduction

It is a colorful photography road. Hundreds of millions of years of wind and rain erosion have created gorgeous and unique landscapes. It is a historic adventure road that preserves true records from thousands of years ago. , passed down to this day, it is a vibrant road. In the blink of an eye, it is a scene of pasture with horses and sheep.

Experience the uncanny craftsmanship of nature at Nurga Grand Canyon, feel the colorful colors under the gurgling water at Kenswat Reservoir, and the rock paintings at Kangjia Shimenzi record stories from more than 3,000 years ago.

Picture source: "Learning to Strengthen the Country" Xinjiang Learning Platform

After years of wind erosion and rain, the red steep peaks stand tall and straight, and the colorful ridges stretch into the distance.

Picture source: Changjizhou Culture and Tourism

When the sun is right and the breeze is not dry, take a self-driving trip to S101.