[2025 Altay City Attraction] Travel Guide for Ahe Highway (Updated Jul)

【Crossing the Secret Realm of Northern Xinjiang! The Ahe Highway Opens, the Ultimate Dream Road for Self-Driving Enthusiasts】 🌟【Highway Profile】🌟 - Total length: 209.45 kilometers (excluding the X852 shared section) - Opening date: Officially open for full-time two-way traffic for vehicles under 12 meters on June 30, 2025 - Route highlights: Connects Altay City to Hemu Village through a "Thousand-Mile Gallery," passing through seven major ecological landscapes including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and snow-capped mountains. Rated by China National Geography as "the last secret highway in Northwest China" 🚗【Core Experiences】🚗 1. Seasonal Limited Scenery - Summer (May to October): Average daily temperature 18-25°C, the spruce forests in Kelan River Valley are lush and vibrant, the golden lotus flowers on Tolehait Grassland form a golden sea, and along the way you may encounter herders moving their horses and cattle - Autumn (September to November): Birch forests turn golden, the colorful forests of Yeka Gorge and the morning mist of Hemu create a picturesque scene, praised by photographers as "China’s most beautiful autumn corridor" - Winter (November to April): The entire route is covered in silver snow, offering ice and snow self-driving experiences and helicopter skiing in Yeka Gorge. The starry sky wooden cabins in Hemu Village become a warm refuge 2. In-Depth Check-in Spots - Xiaodonggou Forest Park: Hike 5 kilometers on wooden plank trails, encounter squirrels and wild rabbits in the morning mist, and enjoy chilled watermelon on the Kelan River shallows for a taste of the wild - Wuxilik Wetland Park: A free-access migratory bird habitat where you can capture flying swan flocks with a telephoto lens, and if lucky, spot red foxes foraging - Tongba Fantasy Forest: Camp in a thousand-year-old spruce forest sea, the morning mist shrouds the forest like a fairy tale world, and you can pay to experience horseback riding with herders - Yiteliek Stone Forest: Stand atop the "Camel Rock" to photograph clouds like cotton candy, with the granite landforms and grasslands creating a strong visual impact - Tolehait Grassland: Wildflowers bloom in summer, wild camel herds may be seen at dusk, and in winter it transforms into an ice and snow pasture with herders’ yurts emitting curling smoke 🏨【Accommodation and Dining Recommendations】🏨 - Xicheng Resort Farm (Ahe Highway Joint Operation Store): 600-800 RMB/night, including breakfast, vehicle maintenance services available, only 20 minutes by car from Xiaodonggou Scenic Area - Deep Mountain See · Heting Mountain Hidden Homestay: 800-1200 RMB/night, located in the old village core of Hemu Village, snow-capped mountains visible from the window, free shuttle to the viewing platform - Must-Try Foods: Cold water fish feast in Altay City (dogfish hotpot + five kinds of black grilled dishes, about 80 RMB per person), herders’ freshly grilled lamb skewers at Mongkou Viewing Platform ⚠️【Pre-Trip Must-Reads】⚠️ 1. Traffic Policies: - Summer and Autumn (May 15 to October 15): Vehicles under 9 meters allowed full-time access; vehicles over 9 meters allowed during specific times (Altay to Hemu 7:30-10:30, Hemu to Altay 15:00-18:30) - Winter and Spring (October 16 to May 14): Only 7-seat or fewer four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires allowed, open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 - Border permits must be applied in advance via the "Xinjiang Public Security Micro Police Service" mini-program, selecting "Altay Region" 2. Vehicle Preparation: - No gas stations or charging piles along the route; fill up in Altay City before departure (fuel price about 8.5 RMB/liter). Electric vehicles are recommended to have a range of over 500 km - SUV models recommended; car rental in Altay City about 500 RMB/day (including insurance). Some sections have many curves, so drive cautiously 3. Equipment Recommendations: - Bring windproof jackets in summer (day-night temperature difference over 15°C), shell jackets in autumn, and full cold-weather gear in winter - Download offline maps as some sections have no signal; drone flight height limited to 120 meters, some areas are military control zones 📅【Itinerary Planning】📅 - Classic 3 days 2 nights: Day 1: Altay City → Xiaodonggou Forest Park (2-hour hike) → Wuxilik Wetland (bird watching) → Stay at Xicheng Resort Farm Day 2: Tongba Forest (horseback riding experience) → Tolehait Grassland (flower sea photography) → Hemu Village (starry sky wooden cabin) Day 3: Hemu Village morning mist → Yiteliek Stone Forest → Return to Altay - In-depth 5 days 4 nights: Add Yeka Gorge hiking (2 days 1 night), Kanas Three Bays tour, and connect to Burqin Colorful Beach and Urho Devil City 🌟【Special Events】🌟 - July only: National Hiking Conference held simultaneously, participate in a 42 km professional hike or 10 km public hike, passing through Monk Pasture and Yeka Gorge Wetlands - Photography bonus: The "Buddha’s Light" phenomenon on Tolehait Grassland (may appear within 1 hour after sunrise), black stork and hooded crane photography areas require advance guide reservation This highway, praised by CCTV as "the new benchmark for self-driving in Xinjiang," hides surprises in every kilometer. As your wheels roll over the folds of the Altai Mountains, from the morning mist of Kelan River Valley to the sunset glow by the Hemu River, the 209-kilometer journey is enough to let your soul photosynthesize. Set off now and encounter the ultimate wild beauty of Xinjiang on the Ahe Highway! 📌【Trip.com Exclusive Benefits】📌 Book the "Ahe Highway Self-Driving Package" to enjoy: ✅ Free guidance for border permit application ✅ Emergency kit + recovery boards provided with the vehicle ✅ VIP seats at Hemu Village bonfire party ✅ Professional travel photography team service (advance booking required)

🎈Stretching approximately 209 kilometers from Last Township in Altay City in the south to Hemu Township in Burqin County in the north, this highway took four years to complete and has finally opened to traffic! The journey from Altay City to Hemu is now shortened to just 5 hours, making travel incredibly convenient. Driving along this route is like embarking on a grand tour of North Xinjiang's breathtaking landscapes 🎇—mountains, forests, wetlands, canyons, and grasslands unfold before your eyes like a series of stunning paintings. The highway connects multiple natural attractions, including the Xiaodonggou Forest Park, Wuxilike Wetland, Yekaxia Wild Snow Park, Tongba Enchanted Forest, Tuolehaite Grand Prairie, and Hemu Village, allowing you to experience the majestic beauty of the Altay Mountains in just one day. 🚗Recommended self-driving route: Last Ticket Station (starting point) ➡ Xiaodonggou Scenic Platform, where dense forests and fresh air make it a perfect spot to rejuvenate; ➡ Wuxilike Scenic Platform, offering unique wetland views and a chance to spot rare birds; ➡ Yekaxia Camp, where wildflowers bloom in summer, creating a picturesque scene; ➡ Tongba Forest, where the mystery of the primeval forest surrounds you; ➡ Tuolehaite Grand Prairie, a vast grassland that lifts the spirit; ➡ Yilieke Stone Forest, with its awe-inspiring rock formations shaped by nature; ➡ Foguang Pavilion, a place of tranquility and sacredness; ➡ Sea of Clouds Scenic Platform, where you might witness dreamlike cloudscapes; ➡ Hemu Mountain Villa, your final destination brimming with local charm. 📌Tips: The entire route spans 209 kilometers and takes about 5 hours to drive. Adjust your pace according to your stamina and schedule to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. The best time to visit is autumn (September to November), when the weather is pleasant, the scenery is at its most vibrant, and the forests are ablaze with fall colors—a perfect season for a road trip 🍁. Add the Ahe Highway to your road trip bucket list and set off to discover the unparalleled beauty of North Xinjiang!

A 208-kilometer road connects various landscapes including canyons, forests, rivers, wetlands, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and stone forests, allowing you to explore the essence of Altay's beautiful scenery. Experience the tranquility of Hemu, discover the mystery of Kanas, watch the sunset at Ghost City, marvel at the magnificent canyons - this 7-day 6-night tour will show you the beauty of Northern Xinjiang. Save this itinerary now! 🛬【Itinerary】: D1: Departure from anywhere in China - Meet in Urumqi D2: Urumqi - S21 Desert Highway - Golden Beach - Ghost City by the Sea - Blue Bay Night Market - Stay in Altay D3: Altay - World-class Ahe Highway - Tuolehai Summer Pasture - Hongbasi Grassland - Sunset Viewing Platform - Stay in Hemu D4: Hemu Harden Platform Sunrise - Kanas Lake - Three Bays Light Hiking - Stay in Jiadengyu/Kanas D5: Jiadengyu/Kanas - Ghost City Sunset - Stay in Wuerhe D6: Wuerhe - Dushanzi Canyon - Glass Walkway - Stay in Urumqi D7: Urumqi Free Day and Tour Ends ⛺【Must-Visit Attractions】: Epic journey through Ahe Highway: Enjoy various landscapes including canyons, grasslands, snow mountains, and wetlands, experiencing Northern Xinjiang's unique charm Experience Hemu's tranquility: A famous Tuva village in Altay region, known as "God's private garden," experience the mysterious Tuva culture Kanas Three Bays Light Hiking: Visit Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay, like walking through a traditional Chinese landscape painting Ghost City sunset views: Ghost City features typical Yardang landforms, known for its wind-eroded unique landscape. After Ghost City, enjoy the sunset over the Yardang landforms 🍩【Must-Try Food】: 🏨【Photo Spots】: Kanas Fish-Viewing Platform: The best spot to overlook the entire Kanas Lake, like a fairyland when shrouded in morning mist Hemu Harden Viewing Platform: Head to Harden Platform early, wait for sunrise at the viewing platform, overlook the entire Hemu Village's sunrise views, experience the pastoral scenery with morning mist and rising smoke Hemu Sunset Viewing Platform: Climb up to the sunset viewing platform to enjoy the sunset scenery and experience nature's tranquility and beauty. Sunset is the best time for photography, capturing beautiful scenes of golden sunlight falling on the grassland 🚌【Transportation Guide】: Ahe Highway: Altay starting point: Entry allowed between 11:00-13:00 / Hemu end point: Must exit before 19:00, daily limit of 2,000 vehicles with 7 seats or less. Direction: One-way traffic from Altay to Hemu Hemu: Self-driving is not allowed within Hemu Village, visitors can explore on foot or take shuttle buses 🧡【Tips】: ⚠️Precautions: ✅: Xinjiang has a dry climate and strong UV rays, drink plenty of water and eat fruits. Xinjiang has long daylight hours and strong UV rays, make sure to protect against sun exposure ✅: In Xinjiang, items are sold by kilogram, don't get confused and overpay ✅: "Wear fur coat in the morning, gauze at noon, eating watermelon around the stove" describes Xinjiang's typical climate. There are large temperature differences between morning and evening, high altitude, and hot summer climate. Pack mainly cotton short-sleeve clothes, but evenings are cool, so bring warm clothes like long sleeves and sweaters. Some attractions require walking and climbing, so prepare comfortable walking shoes

[Opening]: 🍄While you are still young, you must go to Xinjiang in autumn See the richest natural landscapes, snow-capped mountains🏔, grasslands🌿, lakes, sea of ​​flowers🌸, poplar forests, deserts, cattle and sheep... Go to the blue town and fairytale village to experience the humanities and customs Go to Duku Highway and feel the unique charm of this heroic highway. Everything is so just right! ⛺【How to play】: ✨Must-see attractions: Hemu - a fairytale village, peaceful and harmonious Sailimu Lake - the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean Duku Highway - Four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles Nalati Sky Grassland——vast grassland and blooming mountain flowers Kanas - God's Back Garden, Alpine Lake Bayinbuluke - Nine sunsets in nine bends and eighteen turns · ✨Niche secret place: ⭐️Wucai Beach——God’s overturned palette ⭐️Devil City——The Jingjue Ancient City in Ghost Blowing Lamp ⭐️Kazanqi——Dopamine Blue Town 🛬【Itinerary】: ✨14-day free northern Xinjiang route: ⭐️DI hometown—Urumqi [Gathering Day] ⭐️D2 Urumqi—S21 Desert Highway—Altai ⭐️D3 Altay-Ahe Highway-Hemu ⭐️D4 Hemu-Kanas ⭐️D5 Kanas - Kanas Three Bays - Colorful Beach - Burqin ⭐️D6 Burqin - World Devil City - Kuitun ⭐️D7 Kuitun - Around Lake Sailimu - Guozigou - Lavender - Kazanqi Folk Street - Yining City ⭐️D8 Yining City - Kurdning - Gongliu ⭐️D9 Gongliu-Qiaxi Forest Park-Nalati Town ⭐️D10 Nalati Sky Grassland - Nalati Grassland - Bayin Swan Reserve - Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns - Bayin Town ⭐️D11 Bayin Town - Middle section of Duku Highway - Tangbula ⭐️D12 Tangbula-Northern section of Duku Highway-Dushanzi ⭐️D13 Dushanzi—S101 Baili Danxia—Urumqi D14 Send off to Urumqi Airport - Warm Home 🧡【tips】： If this is your first time to Xinjiang, I really don’t recommend a self-driving tour. The routes in Xinjiang are very complicated, and there is no signal in some places, so it is easy to get lost. Joining a bus tour is unreliable and the experience is not good! It is recommended to customize a private car with a driver or a small group of 2-6 people, to ensure pure play and zero shopping throughout the trip, and 24-hour online customer service.

|Here comes the 7-day Altai tour group guide. You should always visit Xinjiang, travel around the grassland and lakes, walk on the Duku Highway where the weather changes every ten miles, and check in at the filming location of My Altay! Stroll with horses on the grassland and fully feel the charm of nature. Invite your sisters to come to Altay, Xinjiang! With this guide, you can have a comfortable 7-day and 6-night trip. Are you sure you're not tempted by this nanny-level travel guide 🔥❤️ - 7-day itinerary DAY 1 Your sweet home - Airport/Station pick-up - Urumqi Day 2 Urumqi - S21 Desert Highway - Ulungur Lake - Altay Day 3 Altay - Ahe Highway - Hemu Day 4 Hemu - Haden Platform to watch the sunrise - Kanas Stroll through the Three Bays - Jiadengyu Day 5 Jiadengyu - Colorful Beach - Urho Day 6 Urho - Drive into the Devil City Scenic Area - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Urumqi Day 7 Urumqi - Airport/Station drop-off - Your own home

Here's the current state of Sayram Lake: - Time and weather: November 3, 2024, -2°–2° and sunny. - Outfit suggestions: Down jacket, snow boots, and fleece pants. - Advantages: Fewer people, beautiful scenery, and cost-effective. Fewer people means you can take as many photos as you want; the scenery is beautiful during the transition from autumn to winter, comparable to the summer and the beautiful scenery of Norway and other countries; during the off-season, hotel, homestay, and ticket prices are half price. - Scenic time: December–January, the lake begins to freeze and you can take photos of blue ice; January–February, the lake is completely frozen and there are ice bubbles. - Travel suggestions: The temperature is low in winter, and the road is icy, so be careful when driving, and you can join a local small group; you can drive around the lake during the off-season, but not during the peak season, and be careful of the speed limit; the east side of the lake has a good photo angle, and you can take photos of the lake under the snow-capped mountains; the internet-famous S-shaped road is about 40 minutes from the east gate to the south gate; there is a check-in point about 5 minutes from the east gate where you can see the snow-capped mountains and enjoy the latest sunset in China; the temperature difference between day and night in Kanas is large, and it may snow, so bring enough warm clothes. - Hemu 7-day tour route: Various places—Urumqi—Ulungu Lake—Altay—Ahe Highway—Xiaodonggou—Wetland Grassland—Summer Pasture—Hemu—Jiadengyu—Kanas—Tiejia Highway—Habahe County—G219 Hatie Section—Tiereketi Township—Kelejieneng Village—Habahe County—Birch Forest Scenic Area—Fuhai County—Urumqi.

~ Altay in winter is the snowy ceiling in China! ! 🫰🏻 I recommend the following itineraries to friends who are coming to Altay: - Itinerary 1 (short vacation, only 5 days) D0 Home-✈️Altay City (Xuedu Airport) D1 Altay-Baihaba Village-(Village, Internet celebrity🌲) Kanas (stay) D2 Kanas-Morning fog in Shenxian Bay (around 10:30)-Kanas River, etc.-Hemu D3 Hemu-One-day tour (viewing platform, village, swing, bridge, etc.) D4 Hemu-Ahe Highway-Altay -Overall: The itinerary is short and the distance is not long. Basically, you can check in all the points. ⚠️: Don’t fly to Kanas Airport as it is prone to flight changes! ~ Itinerary 2 (for those who plan to 🏂) 🚗The itinerary is the same as above, with one or two more days. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to put 🏂🏻 at the end of the itinerary! Reason: Skiing is an extreme sport after all, and it is easy to get injured. If you put it before the trip, the possibility of injury will affect your trip to Hemu Kanas. ⛷️Recommended ski resort for beginners: Jiangjun Mountain Ski Resort! The service facilities are relatively complete and the prices are relatively cheap. ~ Itinerary 3, (starting and ending in Urumqi, the first and last two days of driving are quite long!) D0 Home-✈️Urumqi (most cities have direct flights) D1 Urumqi-s21-Ulungu Lake (crossing/watching yellow sheep/watching sunset)-Burqin D2 Burqin-Baihaba Village-Kanas D3 Kanas-Shenxian Bay Morning Mist-Kanas River, etc.-Hemu D4 Hemu Day Tour D5 Hemu-Burqin/Altay (you can take the Ahe Highway to Altay) D6 Burqin/Altay-s21-Urumqi -Overall: basically the same as itinerary 1, but the driving distance will increase by about 1,000 kilometers, which is suitable for iron ingot travel. When the weather is good at Ulungur Lake, the sunset is absolutely beautiful! The yellow sheep, a national first-class protected animal, is deep in the mountains and requires a 4️⃣ off-road 🚗 drive to get there! - Itinerary 4, (add the Sailimu Lake itinerary, 8 days is recommended) D0 Home-✈️Urumqi D1 Urumqi-s21-Ulungu Lake (crossing/watching yellow sheep/watching sunset)-Burqin D2 Burqin-Baihaba Village-Kanas D3 Kanas-Morning fog in Shenxian Bay-Kanas River, etc.-Hemu D4 One-day tour in Hemu D5 Hemu-Urhe D6 Urhe-Sailimu Lake (Devil City Scenic Area is not recommended, it is recommended to drive in next to it) D7 Sailimu Lake-Around the Lake-Kuitun D8 Kuitun-Anjihai Grand Canyon-Urumqi - 📍Winter Altay❄️: It is not cold during the sunny day, and the feeling is better than the winter in the south. You can try out all kinds of nice clothes! ⚠️: Sunglasses 👓 must be worn! Beware of snow blindness! -

If faith had a color, it would be Chinese red. If ideal has a color, it must be Saihu blue 🌞 If waiting has expectations, it must be a glimpse of surprise If you have not lived in vain, it must be Saihu that makes your heart beat 💗 Kanas turned yellow really early this year. Some places have turned golden yellow, but some places are still relatively green. It will be the most beautiful around September 25✅ 🍂Autumn viewing time from September to October: 🔶In early September, the temperature is between 8℃ and 21℃: the leaves begin to turn yellow gradually, and the golden autumn scenery of Altay has begun to emerge. 🔶At the end of September, the temperature drops to 1℃～12℃: it is the best time to enjoy the golden autumn, and the golden birch forest tightly wraps Altay. 🔶Early October: The golden autumn scenery continues until after National Day, but the leaves will gradually fall at the end of the month. 🌟🌟🌟Suggestions tips: 1The sun sets late in Xinjiang, and it’s still light after 9 o’clock, so people have to go to work late. Basically, it’s hard to find breakfast before 8 o’clock... 2. You must bring a thicker piece of clothing. It is recommended to bring a jacket, sweater + down jacket. You can consider a sweater inside and a down jacket outside. There is not only a big temperature difference between morning and evening, but also a big temperature difference between the mountain and the foot of the mountain! 3. You must choose the right time to enjoy the autumn, as there are only three weeks of golden time The leaves in Kanas have begun to turn yellow ~ the valley is glowing under the sun The mountain is a colorful palette! By the time of National Day, I should be able to take pictures of the full yellow leaves. God's Back Garden is visualized: “The forests are vast on the right, the mountains are rolling on the left; The river around me is gurgling and flowing endlessly." D1: Departure place – Urumqi (airport pick-up) D2: Urumqi - Keketuohai Scenic Area - Keketuohai/Fuyun D3: Keketuohai/Fuyun-Ahe Highway (if open) - Hemu Travel Photography - Hemu D4: Hemu - Kanas - Free walk in Kanas Lake - Kanas Sanwan - Jiadengyu / Qibaluoyi D5: Jiadengyu/Qibaloi-Wucai Beach-World Devil City-Poplar Forest-Urhe D6: Wuerhe-Dushanzi Grand Canyon-Urumqi D7: Urumqi - Warm Home (Send to Airport) Selling point 1: [Starry sky daze] Everywhere you look, there are stars Selling point 2: [Learn to dance the black horse dance] Learn to dance the black horse danced in the play "Wen Xiu" Selling point 3: [Ancient Tuva Family] Listen to the intangible cultural heritage of Sur and Khoomei.... Selling point 4: [Romantic Sunrise] A sunrise not to be missed, watch the smoke rising from the ancient village of Hemu Selling point 5: [Autumn Poplar Forest] Special arrangement of Wuerhe Poplar Forest Selling point 6: [Live in the scenic area] Upgrade to stay in Hemu cabin Selling point 7: [Hemu Travel Photography] Free Hemu SLR travel photography, each person will receive 9 simply edited photos without makeup Selling point 8: [Double Yadan landforms] Wucai Beach/World Devil City Two Yadan landforms