Things to do in Luntai

On October 18, 2026, I drove into the park. After entering, just follow the flow of traffic. The most congested sections are the bridge and the area leading to the plaza where you take the mini-train and boats. Recommendation: Limit the size of vehicles allowed into the park. Also, consider using smaller shuttle buses; oversized vehicles cause traffic congestion and make passing difficult.

The Protectorate General of the Western Regions is very well-built and imposing, befitting its character. The parking lot is very large and convenient, although it seems there are no charging stations. On the way from Korla to Kuqa, we passed through Luntai, and a visit to the Protectorate General of the Western Regions was a must. Luntai is so famous; I've heard its name countless times since elementary school, from poems and literature. For example, Cen Shen's "Seeing You Off at the East Gate of Luntai: Snow Covered the Tianshan Road When You Left," and Lu You's "Lying Alone in a Lonely Village, I Do Not Lament Myself, But Still Think of Defending Luntai for My Country," etc. The exhibits inside are abundant and very thoughtfully arranged. Before leaving, I bought a stamped souvenir book. When I went to the front desk to get the museum's official stamp, the receptionist even gave me a brochure, saying it could also be stamped and could be kept as a souvenir. The service was excellent.

The Tarim River is very long, and there are many spectacular views. The photos here are of the Tarim River Poplar Forest Reserve in Yuli. From these photos, you can see that the scenery here is still very good, and the poplar trees in the water or in the desert are very distinctive. Many things need to be seen in person to have a real experience.

Sea of ​​Death｜Lop Nur Today I will introduce the most mysterious area in Xinjiang and even in China: Lop Nur! There is the wildest Yadan landform here. You need to apply for an entry and exit permit to enter, and you are not allowed to take photos. I can't go into details... See you in the comments🤣 Maybe many people don't know that the ancient country of Loulan in history was located in the west of Lop Nur, at the hub of the Western Regions, and occupied an extremely important position on the ancient Silk Road. It was an important center for Sino-Western trade, and the first atomic bomb of New China was also successfully tested here!

Narat Grassland is quite beautiful, especially the aerial grassland, which is stunning. You can drive there; just buy a self-driving ticket. There are also shuttle buses. The area is quite large. Panlong Valley Road, however, was just average, not as beautiful as I expected. The river valley grassland was teeming with cattle and sheep, but since it was nearing autumn, the grass wasn't as green anymore. I happened to be there during a grassland music festival. There were no celebrities, and the audience wasn't large, but the park was very well organized. There were large, clean temporary restrooms, and plenty of police, so everything was orderly. The only downside was that the parking lot was a bit far from the concert venue, as the venue was quite large. Because it's relatively remote, there weren't that many tourists there.

It was definitely the right choice to come! The scenic area is better than I expected. There are plenty of shuttle buses, and the area is so pristine – the air is fresh, there's lots of green grass, cattle and sheep graze freely, and the views are expansive. I didn't get enough of it!

I originally planned to go to Wensu Grand Canyon, but it was closed due to weather, so I went to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon instead. Luckily, the weather was great; with the blue sky, the canyon's colors were particularly bright, and the contrasts were even more striking, making it perfect for taking photos in bright colors. The temperature difference inside the canyon is significant, depending on whether you get sun exposure. I recommend bringing a scarf this season; it's warm and can also be used as a photo prop. Although the scenic area isn't very large, walking around and taking photos will still take about two hours. If you don't want to walk, you can take the park shuttle bus or choose to ride a camel.

Kuldning Scenic Area, located in Gongliu County, Ili Prefecture, Xinjiang, is known as the "Oriental Switzerland," where snow-capped mountains, spruce forests, and grasslands intertwine to create a picturesque landscape. Recommended attractions include the Qimengde Viewpoint, where a wooden boardwalk offers panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and spruce forests; the Ayousai Viewpoint provides views of the snow-capped peak of Kabanbay Peak; and the Ten-Mile Gallery features winding streams with dappled sunlight, creating a natural gallery effect. Summers are cool and pleasant, ideal for self-driving or camping. Tent campsites and wooden cabins are readily available within the scenic area, while wild fruit forests and ancient spruce trees add to the rustic charm, making it a secluded and less-traveled gem on the Ili route.

It's not far from the Duku Highway Museum. The ticket price is reasonable, and you can go in to see the unique landforms. The cliffs are like huge steps, covered with wrinkles that look like they were carved by a knife and axe, giving it a very cold and desolate visual appearance.