Altay, Xinjiang｜Turn autumn into a fairy tale and winter into a snow country

Who understands, family! Altay is truly a place where heaven keeps feeding you— the golden birch forests in autumn glow🌞, the powder snow in winter can bury you up to your knees❄️, and even the air carries a milky fragrance~ I've put together this 10,000-word guide covering everything from transportation to food, save it and go straight away❗️ 🍂【Autumn Exclusive · Must-visit in September-October】 ▫️Kanas｜God’s spilled palette🎨 ✅Address: Kanas Scenic Area, northern Burqin County ✅3 must-visit bays (follow the order to avoid detours): 1. Fairy Bay: Morning mist from 7:00-8:30🌫️, sunlight shining through the fog onto the water looks like scattered gold (wear light-colored clothes and stand by the boardwalk, backlit hair glow is amazing) 2. Moon Bay: The S-shaped river looks like a crescent moon🌙, birch forests on both sides turn yellow in autumn, aerial shots are legendary (best light at 3 PM, fewer shadows) 3. Wolong Bay: The small island in the river looks like a lying dragon🐉, walk along the wooden boardwalk to the riverbank to capture the forest reflection in the water ✅Hidden experiences: - Stay inside the scenic area rather than in Jiadenyu! The old Kanas village has Tuva wooden houses🏡, open the window to snow-capped mountains and forests (recommend "Aha International," the owner makes milk tea for breakfast☕️) - On the way to Baihaba, pass through "Naren Grassland," where the pasture turns golden in September🌾, cattle and sheep look like pearls scattered on the ground🐑, free and incredibly photogenic ▫️Hemu Village｜China’s most beautiful ancient village🏡 ✅Address: Hemu Hanas Mongolian Township, Burqin County ✅3 must-do activities: 1. Climb Hadeng Platform to watch the sunrise🌅: Climb 20 minutes at 5 AM, watch the morning mist rise from the valley, wooden houses with curling smoke (bring a heat pack🥤, it’s very cold at the top) 2. Horseback ride through the birch forest🐎: Choose a gentle horse, let the herder lead you along the "Hemu River Canyon" route, 1.5 hours for 80 RMB, the feeling of leaves brushing your shoulders is so healing 3. Have hotpot in a wooden house at night🍲: Order "Hemu local hotpot" with local lamb and wild mushrooms🍄, starry sky outside the window🌌, warm and cozy inside ✅Fun fact: The village’s "century-old houses" are actually trendy shops selling honey rye bread that’s super delicious🍞, 15 RMB each can last as dry food for two days ❄️【Winter Carnival · Must-play from November to March】 ▫️General Mountain Ski Resort｜Powder snow paradise in the city🎿 ✅Address: Jiangjunshan Road, Altay City ✅For skiers: - Slope difficulty: Beginner "Golden Light Trail" is good for newbies, intermediate "Silver Light Trail" offers city views🏙️, advanced "Sunlight Trail" has a U-shaped halfpipe - Money-saving tip: Rent full gear (ski suit + skis + helmet) for 120 RMB/day, get a "season pass" for better value, locals do this - Hidden perk: "Sunset skiing" from 16:00-18:00🌇, the sunset dyes the slopes orange, skiing feels like chasing the light ✅For non-skiers: Take the cable car to the top to "Cloud Top Café"☕️, order hot cocoa and enjoy the snowy view, at 18:30 watch city lights turn on one by one✨ ▫️Jikepulin Ski Resort｜Wild snow lovers’ happy home🎿 ✅Address: Jikepulin International Ski Resort, Hemu Village ✅Why go? - Asia’s largest ski resort! 280 slopes, including a "wild snow area" where you ski into the forest🌲, snow deep to the knees (definitely hire an instructor, safety first) - Stay at "Hemu Mountain Villa," 5 minutes walk to the slopes, wooden houses with floor heating🔥, see the Milky Way at night (December-January is clearest🌌) 🚗【Comprehensive Transportation Guide】 1. Major transport: - Fly to "Altay Airport"✈️: Few direct flights, recommend transfer via Urumqi (3-5 flights daily, book tickets 1 month in advance during peak season) - Train: Urumqi to Beitun Station🚞, then 1-hour taxi to Altay city center (good for those who want to see scenery along the way, depart evening arrive morning after a sleep) 2. Local transport: - Between scenic spots: Recommend car rental for Kanas/Hemu🚗, 5-seater car 400 RMB/day, driver also acts as guide (find a local driver who knows scenic routes and can stop anytime) - City travel: Altay city is small, taxi starting fare 6 RMB, 10 RMB to General Mountain Ski Resort🚕 🍖【Foodie Must-try List】 ▫️Altay city: - "Old Ma’s Lamb Offal Soup": Opens at 8 AM, lamb offal soup + fried dough twists are standard🥣, add a spoon of local chili powder🌶️, so fragrant you’ll stomp your feet - "Ashe Big Plate Chicken": Chicken stewed until falling off the bone, potatoes soft and fluffy🥔, add a portion of belt noodles to mix with the sauce, small portion enough for two ▫️In scenic areas: - Tuva "Milk Curd"🥛: Might taste sour at first, perfect with milk tea, high protein and filling (buy from herders, 10 RMB per small bag) - Kazakh "Boortsak": Fried dough balls🍘, dip in honey or yogurt, super filling breakfast 📌【Super Practical Tips】 1. Weather: Autumn has a 15℃+ temperature difference between morning and night, wear down jacket + thin sweater (easy to take off); winter can be -20℃, must wear fleece pants + snow boots👢 (non-slip soles) 2. Documents: Need a border pass🆔 to visit Baihaba, free to get at Altay "Government Service Center," bring ID card, done in 10 minutes 3. Photography: Wear caramel or white clothes in autumn👗, bright colors (red/yellow) in winter, match snow scenes perfectly 4. Avoid traps: Don’t enter jade shops in scenic areas! For souvenirs, go to city "Grand Bazaar"🛍️, Kazakh embroidered shawls only 50-80 RMB The beauty of Altay is something that gets engraved in your bones—the autumn wind tells you what freedom is🍃, the winter snow teaches you what purity is❄️. Folks, don’t wait, make your next holiday a rendezvous with these mountains and seas～❤️