Divine! Xinjiang's Summer, Every Frame is a Wallpaper!

🍃The wind on the Nalati Grassland tousles skirts, while distant snow-capped mountains glisten like crushed diamonds under the sun... Summer in Xinjiang isn’t just a trip—it’s stepping into a dream you never want to wake from! 🚗 Itinerary (Essence of Northern Xinjiang) 📍D1 Ürümqi → S101 National Defense Highway → Dushanzi Grand Canyon (cliffside coffee photo op) → Jinghe 📍D2 Jinghe → Sayram Lake loop (enter East Gate, exit South Gate!) → Huocheng Lavender Fields (peak bloom: June 10–July 10) → Kazanqi Blue Alley → Overnight in Liuxing Street 📍D3 Yining → Light hike along the Xia’er Ancient Trail → Muzart Glacier → Zhaosu (stay in a yurt and stargaze) 📍D4 Zhaosu → Kalajun "Human Body Grassland" → Kuokesu Canyon → Tekes County (drone registration for panoramic shots) 📍D5 Tekes → Horseback ride through Qiongkushitai → Sunset swing at the back mountain (stay in a rustic log cabin) 📍D6 Qiongkushitai → Nalati "Sky Grassland" → Fairy-tale photos by the wooden bridge over the stream 📍D7 Nalati → Bayanbulak’s Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns → Chase the "Nine Suns" sunset (Nadam Fair July 12–14!) 📍D8 Full Duku Highway drive → Martyr’s Cemetery → Return to Ürümqi 📌 Key Tips: 🎯 Bayanbulak hosts the East Return Nadam Fair (July 12–14)! Horse racing and wrestling are spectacular, but expect traffic controls. 🎯 Bring cash to Xia’er—no signal in some areas, and trekking poles are recommended for hiking. 🚙 Transport Tips: Renting vs. Chauffeur 🚗 Rent: Choose an SUV with low fuel consumption + one-way drop-off (pick up in Ürümqi, return in Yining—saves 500km!). Inspect tires and A/C thoroughly. 🚗 Chauffeur: Best for 4–6 people. Local drivers know backroads to avoid crowds. ❌ Avoid: Cheap outsourced tours! Opt for Xinjiang-based agencies. 🏠 Pro Stays: Sleep Inside the Scenery 🌊 Sayram Lake: Stay inside the park! Sunrise and stargazing without the commute (book early). 🌲 Qiongkushitai: Back mountain log cabins (e.g., Fanjing Lodge / Baiyu Villa)—snowy views, but pack disposable bedding. 🏡 Hemu Old Village: Thin-walled cabins are noisy; light sleepers should book hotels in the new area. 🍖 Food Radar: 🍽️ Yining’s Liuxing Street: Blue-wall Lamb Lung + Gulandanmu Ice Cream + Roasted Buns with Rose Jam. 🍽️ Zhaosu: Xibo Wild Herb Noodles + Fermented Mare’s Milk (watch the kick!). 🍽️ Bayan Town: Whole Roast Lamb + Kvass Honey Drink. ⚠️ Friendly Reminders: 👗 Outfits: Sunproof jacket + slip dress + combat boots (white sneakers will turn to mud!). 🎫 Tickets: 🎟️ Nalati self-drive: ¥300/car; Sayram Lake: ¥145/person (book 3 days ahead). 🎟️ 2025 Gaokao grads: Free entry! Flash your exam slip at places like Guaishiyu and Bayanbulak. 🌡️ Temp swings: 30°C+ days, 10°C nights—pack a down liner for survival!