Xinjiang Tianshan

(Visited 2022.6 Bayanbulaq & 2023.6 Qarajun-Köldeneng)

I'm not a natural WHS lover but I still decided to write this because it seemed to me that here is lack of information of Bayanbulaq (Bayinbuluke) and Qarajun-Köldeneng (Kalajun-Ku'erdening).

In my opinion all 4 parts of Tengritagh (Tianshan) WHS are equally important because they reflect one of the most important OUV - biodiversity. Tömür(Mountain), Bogda(Lake), Qarajun-Köldeneng(Mountain Grassland-Forest), Bayanbulaq(Basin Grassland), each has their uniqueness.

Bayanbulaq

Bayanbulaq is located in a little basin between 2 branches of the mountains and has always been the traditional pasture of the Junggar people. The main attraction you can visit is the Bayinbuluke Grassland scenic area (entrance CNY 150), where rivers meander due to the Coriolis force. There is also a small Tibetan Buddhist temple here, which is currently almost the only permanent building on the grassland. (Originally there was also a town and other buildings, but they have been demolished and the residents have moved out)

The most convenient way to get here is to drive, especially the seasonry Duku (Maytagh-Kocha) Highway (an excellent way to experience the OUV of this WHS, although not in its area). There are many accommodation options in the town, but it is often difficult to find a room during the peak season. Overall, as an important stop in the middle of a road trip, it is worth spending half a day to a day here to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.

Qarajun-Köldeneng

Qarajun is divided …

Tianshan is a huge mountain range stretching across Xinjiang. You cannot miss it when you visit the main areas around Urumqi, Tulpan and Hami. The mountain range brings water to these towns, a la oasis, for the famous Hami Melons, super juicy grapes and whatever Urumqi has - because that's the least interesting of all towns in all of Xinjiang. Basically Urumqi exists because it's got the water supply and is this whole hub where people go to find jobs, snowball effects kick in and suddenly you have a huge city. But anyhow, while not related to much to the mountains these all wouldn't exit if not for the water they supply.

The northwestern areas of Tianshan are pretty hard to reach on your own. Seeing that foreigners, even with residence permits will have a hard time accessing the place you may want to forget renting a car. Getting out there will be on a long tour, sanitation facilities aren't exactly great and while I wouldn't call it unsafe it just doesn't seem worth going unless you are hardcore hiker. There aren't any hiking trails so you'd be backcountry hiking like Canadians which...is GREAT but maybe not in Xinjiang in my opinion So unfortunately the best way to see it is to visit Tianchi just west of Urumqi. It's more or less Lake Louise of Tianshan but it's nowhere near as gorgeous. I wouldn't call it crappy like Pirin National Park (Google is for the lousy pictures) and a …

Xinjiang Tianshan [Visited May 2019]

Ah, Xinjiang. Mere mention of this place even to local Chinese elicits caution and to some degree fear. These are heightened by selective local media and racial profiling. Yet for us foreigners, Xinjiang, at of the crossroads between east and west and a key node of the silk road, is place for mystery and adventure.

Safety and convenience are at the top of everyone’s concern when planning to visit Xinjiang. As of writing, foreigners don’t need a special visit permit. But once you landed at the airport, you will start to feel the enhanced security. Police will get your details and put to their system. They will also ask you for your itinerary. This heightened security will be the norm within your stay in the region where police checks are on every corner and xray machines welcome you at each hotel. “Big Brother” surveillance is also rampant but I will leave out geo-political discussion out of this review.

The most accessible component of Tianshan is Bogda mountain, a day trip from Urumqi. Hiring a car for a day is just 300 RMB. There is also one tourist bus going the Tianchi Scenic Area in front of Urumqi People Square at 09:00 and comes back at 17:00 for 60 RMB return trip. The ride to the site is nothing scenic and took 2 hours to the visitors entrance. If you miss the tourist bus, you may take the long distance bus to neighbouring …