Must-Visit Winter Ski Resort | Xinjiang Hemu Travel Guide

Are you still searching for your dream winter wonderland? Hemu in Xinjiang is a fairytale embraced by white snow! Here, you can glide through powder snow at Jikepulin during the day ❄️, and return to a warm Tuva wooden house to gaze at the starry sky at night 🌌. This guide will reveal how to make the most of Hemu, from skiing to sightseeing, all in one go! --- 1. All About Skiing and the Ski Resort 🎿 (Jikepulin Ski Resort) · First Impressions of the Ski Resort: Jikepulin Ski Resort is vast, offering a wide variety of slopes. Whether you're a beginner trying skiing for the first time or an experienced player seeking a challenge, you'll find an area suitable for you. The ski equipment hall provides rental services, making it easy to get basic gear. · Costs and Times: · Ticket Price Reference: Ski ticket prices fluctuate on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Typically, beginner slope experience tickets including equipment, or intermediate/advanced slope tickets for those with their own gear, range from several hundred yuan. Check official information before your trip to better plan your budget. · Opening Hours: The ski resort usually opens around 10 AM and closes around 6 PM, with lifts stopping operation at the same time. If you plan to take the scenic cable car to overlook the snowscape, remember to note its earlier last ticket sales time. · Safety Tips: While enjoying the fun of skiing, please always stay within designated open areas. If you want to experience backcountry skiing, you must, and absolutely must, contact and hire a qualified, legitimate guide in advance. Do not explore unknown areas alone. Mountain weather is unpredictable, and safety is the first prerequisite for happy skiing! --- 2. Round-trip Transportation and Internal Travel 🚌 · How to Choose Main Transportation: · Arriving by Plane: The most common way is to fly to Altay Airport or Kanas Airport first. Afterwards, you'll need to transfer to ground transportation to Hemu Village. You can book a pick-up service or take a shuttle bus in advance. The journey time ranges from 1 to several hours, so please plan accordingly. · Self-driving Tips: Winter self-driving is challenging. Make sure your vehicle is 4WD and has snow tires! Fill up your gas tank before entering the mountainous area and always pay attention to road conditions. · How to Get Around the Village: · Free/Paid Shuttle Buses: Shuttle buses operate within Hemu Village and to the ski resort. Some routes are free, while others are paid (around ten yuan for a single trip). Departure times are fixed. It's safest to consult your guesthouse for the latest schedule before heading out. · Flexible Travel: You can also ask your guesthouse to help book a local off-road vehicle, which is suitable for multiple people sharing a ride or for going to non-fixed stops. The cost is negotiated based on distance and time. --- 3. Live in a Fairytale, Eat Northern Xinjiang Flavors 🏡🍲 · How to Choose Accommodation: · Skiing Priority: If you want to save as much time as possible, consider hotels or apartments near the ski resort. You can step out directly onto the slopes, which is very convenient, but be sure to book in advance during peak season. · Immersive Experience: It's more recommended to stay in guesthouses in Hemu Village. These unique Tuva wooden houses or modern-style inns mostly come with floor heating, and outside your window are snowfields and forests, offering a full immersive experience with a wide range of prices. · What to Eat: · Ski Resort Snacks: For mid-ski refueling, restaurants at the ski resort offer quick hot meals like pilaf and noodles. · Village Feast: Back in the village, be sure to treat yourself to an authentic feast! Steaming hot pot, uniquely flavored air-dried meat, fragrant roasted buns, and rich milk tea are all delicious and warming options to ward off the cold. --- 4. Hidden Gems and Pre-trip Checklist 📝 · What Else to Do Besides Skiing: · Watch the Morning Mist at Haden Platform: This is a classic Hemu experience. Depart before sunrise, ascend Haden Platform, and wait for the sun to illuminate the tranquil, snow-covered village, like a fairyland. · Stroll Through a Snowy Secret Realm: Don't miss the Hemu River banks and the birch forest. In winter, parts of the river remain unfrozen, shrouded in mist, and the birch trees adorned with rime ice make for a perfect photo backdrop. · Packing Guide: · Clothing: Resisting severe cold is key! A long down jacket, waterproof and non-slip snow boots, wool socks, a hat, a scarf, and touchscreen gloves are all essential. · Accessories: High-intensity UV reflection and the risk of snow blindness necessitate quality sunglasses or ski goggles. Prepare a warm case and a power bank for your phone to prevent battery drain in low temperatures. · Others: Moisturizing skincare products, common medications, and a good friend to accompany you! Best Travel Period: Hemu's winter lasts from late autumn to early spring. The period around New Year's Day is the peak season with the purest scenery, while visiting at the beginning (around November) or end (around March) of the ski season may offer better value and a relatively quieter atmosphere. ✨ This winter, head to Hemu, carve through powder snow with your skis, measure the snowfield with your steps, and turn all your beautiful winter imaginings into real memories before your eyes!