Complete Guide to Baihaba Village: A Fairytale Border Village in Northwest China

📍 Location & Features Location: Situated on the China-Kazakhstan border, hailed as "China's Northwestern First Village," adjacent to Kazakhstan and home to the country's northwesternmost border outpost. Features: Surrounded by pristine forests, dotted with traditional Tuvan log cabins, crisscrossed by streams, and enveloped in morning mist blending with chimney smoke like a fairytale. Autumn paints the forests in vibrant hues, while summer blankets the land in lush greenery. It’s the core filming location for *To the Wonder*. 🎬 Film & TV Pilgrimage *To the Wonder* filming spots: Summer pastures, the lone tree, grasslands of horse racing competitions, and log cabin villages—immerse yourself in the show’s landscapes. Must-visit spots: ✅ Summer Pastures (filming site for nomadic life) ✅ Yegende Grassland (where Batai’s horse race was filmed) ✅ Old Village Log Cabins (prototype of Li Wenxiu’s home) 📸 Must-Visit Attractions Village Entrance S-Curve Road Snow-capped mountains + log cabins + winding roads—vertical shots look postcard-perfect. Northwestern First Village Monument Iconic stone stele offering panoramic views of the old village and distant Kazakhstan. China-Kazakhstan Border Canyon A 20-minute drive from the village, featuring majestic canyon vistas and Kazakh landscapes across the border. 🚗 Transportation Guide Border Pass Application: ✅ Kanas Transfer Center Police Station (free, ID required). How to Get There: ✅ Self-drive: Kanas → Baihaba (~1.5 hours), with stunning scenery along the way. ✅ Shuttle Bus: Kanas Transfer Center → Baihaba (departs at 10:00/12:00/14:00/16:00/18:00 daily, ¥75/person). In-Village Transport: Walk or ride horses; the new and old villages are just 100 meters apart. 🏡 Accommodation & Value Old Village: Stay at guesthouses like Cloud Residence, with views of snowy peaks and clouds, close to summer pastures (¥150–400/night). New Village: Newer facilities, quiet and cozy, ideal for families. Compared to Kanas/Hemu: 30–50% cheaper, fewer tourists, and richer local culture. 🍂 Best Seasons to Visit Autumn (late Sept–mid-Oct): Forests ablaze with color, prime for photography. Summer (June–Aug): Verdant landscapes, a summer retreat, chance to see nomadic migrations. Winter: Serene snowscapes, but limited transport. 💡 Travel Tips Itinerary: Stay 1 night to catch morning mist and starlit skies. Pair with Kanas + Hemu for a 5-day loop: Baihaba → Kanas → Hemu → Baihaba. 🎫 Tickets & Costs Baihaba Ticket + Shuttle: ¥75/person Kanas 2-Day Pass: ¥270 (includes shuttle) Dining: ~¥50–100/meal (hand-pulled rice, milk tea, grilled meat) Baihaba—a borderland gem quieter than Hemu and more rustic than Kanas. Whether tracing the footsteps of *To the Wonder* or losing yourself in nature’s seasonal beauty, this is where you’ll escape the noise and rediscover simplicity. 🌄