Things to do in Jinghe
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Top 10 attractions in Jinghe
Mutetal Desert Scenic Area
Mutetal Desert Scenic Area is a unique natural desert landscape in the region. The scenic area is characterized by vast shifting sands and rolling dunes, creating a magnificent desert landscape while preserving the natural desert ecosystem. The climate here is dry year-round with abundant sunshine, and the dunes constantly shift with the wind, showcasing the unique dynamic beauty of the desert. Visitors can experience various outdoor activities in the scenic area, such as camel riding, desert off-roading, and sand sliding, allowing them to experience the vastness and wonder of nature up close while capturing visually striking desert scenery. The surrounding terrain is diverse, featuring both Gobi plains and desert oases, providing a valuable sample for studying the ecological environment and natural landscapes of arid regions in Northwest China. Mutetal Desert Scenic Area is not only suitable for adventure and outdoor sports enthusiasts but also an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts to capture sunrises, sunsets, and the interplay of light and shadow in the desert.Jinghe · 55.1km from downtown
Ebinur Lake
Ebinur Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. At the time of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the lake's surface area was 1,200 square kilometers, but today it has shrunk to about 500 square kilometers. Desertification in the lakeshore area has intensified, making it one of the main sources of sandstorms in western China and directly threatening the sustainable development and safe operation of the economic belt on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. The lake is elliptical in shape, with an area of 650 square kilometers, an average depth of 2–3 m, and an elevation of 189 m. It is suitable for summer retreats, adventure, scientific research, camping, and photography.Jinghe · 24.3km from downtown
Aibi Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve
Jinghe · 29.9km from downtown
Sayram Lake
[Sayram Lake introduction] Sayram Lake is located at the southwestern end of Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang, at the northern foot of the western Tianshan Mountains. This alpine lake and grassland national scenic area features natural landscapes including lakes, wetlands, grasslands, forests, and snow-capped mountains. Its main activities include sightseeing, eco-tourism, exploring the historical culture of the ancient Silk Road's northern route, and experiencing the ethnic customs of Mongolian and Kazakh minorities. Sayram Lake transforms with the seasons. In spring and summer, flower fields bloom in abundance, while golden fall brings a striking contrast between sky and water. Winter turns the lake into a dreamscape, with dancing ice crystals, pillars, curtains, and coral formations. Ice roses bloom freely, and mysterious blue ice eyes appear in ever-changing forms. Throughout the day, the lake presents shifting spectacles - morning glow, sunset hues, rain mist, sea of clouds, lightning, rainbows, and mist cascades. Sayram Lake covers a vast area, with a circular road around the lake spanning approx. 90 km. The lakeside scenery is exceptionally beautiful. Most visitors depart from Urumqi and arrive at the lake in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset before staying overnight. The next day, they can admire the sunrise and daytime lakeside views before heading to Huocheng, Ili, and other destinations. During the lake loop, you'll also encounter cultural relics such asGenghis Khan's Command Platform, Film and Television City, etc.These cultural structures stand quietly by the lakeside on the plateau, evoking a profound sense of melancholy and timeless grandeur. Quick guide to touring Sayram LakeChina · Bole
Haloxylon Forest of Ganjia Lake
Jinghe · 54.4km from downtown
Nalati Scenic Area
Nalati Scenic Area is located in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains and the eastern end of the Ili River Valley, a subalpine meadow grassland formed on ancient alluvial deposits. Legend has it that when the westward-expanding Mongol army crossed mountains to reach this place, they suddenly saw a sunlit plain carpeted with flowers. The soldiers exclaimed "Nalati," which means "the place with sunlight" in Mongolian, giving the area its enduring name. The attraction integrates snow-capped mountains, forests, valleys, meadows, and rivers, primarily divided into several sections: the River Valley Grassland, Sky Grassland, Panlong Valley Trail, and Wolta Jiaota. Along the River Valley Grassland by the Gongnaisi River, visitors can find Tawusani (meaning "beautiful mountain valley" in Kazakh), ancient tombs from the Wusun people of the Han dynasties, and the Grassland Tribe recreating Wusun tribal life. Following the uphill ride on the mountain road leads to the Sky Grassland, a high-altitude meadow suspended among peaks. The Tianjie Terrace at the boundary between the valley and grassland offers expansive views, while Snow Lotus Valley at the trail's end is often shrouded in mist, with snow lotuses blooming in midsummer. The Panlong Valley Trail is a forest loop without backtracking, flanked by towering Tianshan spruces. The Wolta Jiaota section is ideal for hiking, with the Tianxian Terrace providing stunning views of sunrise above sea of clouds. From June to September each year, the grassland enters its golden season, with lush green pastures and blooming wildflowers everywhere. Kazakh herders drive herds of cattle, sheep, and horses into summer pastures, where scattered yurts and curling smoke create a picturesque scene. Visiting the attraction during this time allows you to ride horses, try archery, and dress in traditional ethnic costumes. You might also encounter traditional equestrian activities like horse racing, kokpar (goat grabbing), and kyz kuu (girl chasing), experiencing the authentic Kazakh nomadic culture between snow-capped mountains and meadows.China · Xinyuan
World Mystery Town
World Mystery Town is located in Urho District, Karamay City, on the northwestern edge of the Junggar Basin, adjacent to National Highway 217, which connects Karamay to Burqin. Most travelers on the Northern Xinjiang loop route make a stop here. The area features typical yardang landforms, where billions of years of wind erosion and water immersion have carved the Gobi into towering, irregularly shaped mounds resembling a deserted ancient city from afar. The attraction lies in a wind-prone area, with strong winds throughout the year. Locals also call it "Urho Wind City," with a saying that goes, "One annual wind blows from spring to winter." When the wind howls through the labyrinth of mounds, it produces eerie wails, especially at night, earning it the name "Devil's Town." In 2005, when China National Geographic selected the most beautiful landscapes in China, the yardang landforms here were listed alongside those in Dunhuang and Lop Nur, becoming one of the representative views of yardang formations in the country. Among the earthen mounds in the Gobi, some resemble castle towers, while others look like people or animals. The attraction has named the most distinctive ones, such as "Sphinx," "Tiananmen," "Great Front Gate," "Guilin landscape," and "beacon tower." The "Devil's Eye" at the entrance is a iconic photo spot. When the small train rounds a bend, you can also see a massive rock that appears as a human face from the front but changes to another face when viewed from behind, known as the "Devil Couple." The attraction covers a vast area, with sightseeing trains as the main mode of transportation. Stops along the route include the Sphinx, filming locations for Seven swords and Crouching tiger, hidden dragon, Dinosaur Valley, and other sites, with onboard guide available. Movies and TV shows like Crouching tiger, hidden dragon, Seven swords, Visitors on the icy mountain, and Hero were filmed here, and sculptures recreating movie scenes remain at each stop for fans to spot familiar frames. A boardwalk near the Seven swords station leads to a viewpoint overlooking the entire yardang formation, while camel rides for photos are available near the Sphinx area. Each stop has limited time, but there's no need to rush if you want more photos—just wait for the next train. A full loop takes about two to three hours. At sunset, the slanting rays turn the mounds warm gold with distinct light layers, making it prime photography time. However, the desert has strong winds and intense sunlight, so remember to bring windproof gear, sunscreen, and drinking water.China · Karamay
Kalajun National Park
Kalajun Attraction is located in the southeast of Tekes County, Yili, about 30 kilometers away from the county seat. It is one of the famous grasslands in Xinjiang and a famous attraction that tourists cannot miss when visiting Xinjiang West Line (Yili Loop Line). Kalajun grassland is in the shape of continuous hills, backed by towering snow-capped mountains. There are also forests, flowers and other landscapes on the grassland. The scenery is vast and beautiful, making it a great place for sightseeing and photography. Kalajun in a broad sense refers to the Kalajun Ecological Tourism Area, which includes the East and West Kalajun, Koksu Grand Canyon, Zhongtianshan Snow Peak and Tianlai Forest. Each Attraction sells tickets separately and is far away from each other. The Kalajun Grassland generally refers to the East and West Kalajun Attraction, which is also the main destination for tourists to visit the Kalajun Grassland. The East and West Kalajun Attraction sell tickets together and use the same shuttle bus. It takes about 1-2 days to visit, and you can choose to stay on the grassland for one night in the middle. You can also come in the morning and return to Tekes County to stay in the evening. The gate of the Attraction is located in the Kushitai Comprehensive Service Area, which is also the place where chartered or self-driving vehicles need to stop. Private vehicles are not allowed to enter the area after that. If tourists come from Tekes County by Bus to the Attraction , they can also go directly to the Bulaq Ticket Station After arriving at the Bulaq Ticket Station, you need to buy tickets and sightseeing bus tickets in the Attraction, and then take the sightseeing bus to play. The area in the Attraction is very large. The sightseeing bus will first circle the West Kalajun Attraction, and then go to the East Kalajun. The One-way journey takes about 1 hour. The junction of East and West Kalajun is located at the World Heritage Exhibition Center. Generally, tourists start to visit the Attraction at noon. You can visit West Kalajun on the first day, get off at the World Heritage Exhibition Center, return to the World Heritage Exhibition Center on the second day, and take a bus to visit the East Kalajun Attraction before leaving. The main scenic spots in Xikalajun Attraction include Wangyutai, Marmot Habitat, Liangyitai, Dielanggu, Shiquan, Yinmawan, Yikeshu, etc. You can take a bus to visit them one by one. Liangyitai, Dielanggu and Shiquan are still some distance away from the shuttle bus stop, and it takes about half an hour to walk from the stop. Xikalajun Scenic Attraction is dominated by rolling hills. Dielanggu is a typical hilly grassland. In summer, it is a good place for photography with layers of green. Dongkalajun is located deep in the grassland and is also the essence of the entire grassland. The characteristic attractions here include the Five-Flower Meadow, Flower Platform, Kuerdai Forest Grand Canyon, Sanji Planation Observation Deck and Falcon Platform Observation Deck. There are snow-capped mountains, grassland scenery, forest canyons, etc. The scenery is diverse and very beautiful. However, the five attractions are a little far from the parking spot of the sightseeing bus. You can reach them by hiking from the parking spot for about 0.5-1 hour. The Five-Flower Meadow and Flower Platform are the wonderful attractions. One is an open meadow full of colorful wild flowers, and the other is where you can take pictures of the snow-capped mountains behind the grassland. They are all very beautiful and are the essence of the Attraction that cannot be missed.China · Tekes County
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon is also calledTianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, located in northern Kuqa, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang. "Kizilia" means "red cliffs" in Uyghur, as the grand canyon is composed of massive red-brown mountain formations. The red-brown peaks of Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon soar into the sky, appearing like clusters of burning flames under sunlight. Entering the canyon and walking among the reddish-brown mountains feels like stepping into a tranquil, cool world. The canyon mouth is quite open, but as you venture deeper, the path winds through peaks, alternating between wide and narrow sections—some spots are barely wide enough for one person to pass sideways. The canyon floor is relatively flat, allowing for leisurely strolls most of the time, flanked by towering rock walls. Looking up, against the backdrop of the blue sky, countless bizarre peaks and rocks take on myriad forms: the divine dog guarding the valley, the swirling ancient castle, the apparition cave, the jade maiden spring, and views like the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon's resting camel peak—each vividly lifelike. Hidden in the canyon, the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon-Ai Grotto is less than 2 km from the valley entrance, perched high on a sheer cliff. Research indicates the grotto was built during the mid-Tang dynasty. The small cave measures less than 5 m in depth and approx. one person's height, with an arched ceiling. Fragments of murals remain on three walls, unusually featuring Chinese characters—a stark contrast to hundreds of other grottoes in ancient Western Regions, clearly showcasing traces of Han culture.China · Kuqa
Kuerdening Scenic Area
Kurdenin Scenic Area – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, national water conservancy scenic area, and AAAA-rated attraction – is located in the southeastern forest region of Gongliu County, 55 km from the county town. In April 2000, it was designated as the West Tianshan Nature Reserve by the State Council. Home to the Tianshan Mountains' unique species, the Schrenk's spruce, it serves as the global habitat and origin of these spruces and Central Asian wild fruit forests, earning its reputation as the "Green Valley of Tianshan and the Hometown of Schrenk's Spruce." Recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site, national 4A-level attraction, and natural oxygen bar, it ranks as China's top forested area for negative oxygen ions. The official bird, tree, and flower of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture all originate here. Additionally, it serves as a sketching and creative base for the China Artists Association and a training base for mountaineering. Kurdening means "horizontal valley" in the local herders' language. This is a broad north-south mountain valley covering 1,176 square kilometers with an average elevation of about 1,500m. Its unique north-south orientation creates pleasant year-round temperatures—warm winters and cool summers. The area combines the grandeur of northern landscapes with the delicate beauty of southern China, making it an ideal summer retreat. The attraction features the snow-capped Mount Kabamba, standing majestically at 4,257m among the peaks—one of the most famous mountains in the western Tianshan range. To its left lies a hidden reclining Buddha naturally formed by snow-capped spruce-covered ridges. This nature's masterpiece presents a perfectly proportioned sleeping Buddha with its head toward sunrise and feet toward sunset, exuding serene tranquility. The scenic area showcases breathtaking landscapes of forests, grasslands, snow mountains, streams, canyons, and waterfalls. As the most densely forested part of the Tianshan Mountains, it boasts exceptionally rare spruce forest resources with complete primitive forest types and vegetation—representing a particularly typical example of the entire Tianshan forest ecosystem. Preliminary statistics show 1,594 species of vascular plants and 223 species of wild vertebrates, earning its reputation as a "natural gene bank" of Eurasian continental wildlife species. Tour routes: Shuttle bus routes: Attraction visitor center (take shuttle bus) -> Heritage center (walk, visit exhibition hall) -> Mount Kabanbay (view from distance) -> Iron bridge (walk) -> Tianshan Sleeping Buddha (view from distance) -> King Spruce (take sightseeing bus) -> Cloud Grassland (walk down via wooden boardwalk) -> Restaurant (walk, dine at Green Valley Resort or fast food restaurant) -> Heritage center parking lot (walk) return to visitor center (take shuttle bus) Self-driving routes: visitor center -> entrance of the middle valley in Kurdenin Scenic Area -> + Li Gallery -> Bee Fragrance Station -> Kafeng Base Camp -> Qimengde Viewing Platform -> Ayousai Viewing Platform -> hike to the King of Spruces -> hike to the Sleeping Buddha of Tianshan (distant view) -> hike to the Grassland Above the CloudsChina · Gongliu
Free things to do in Jinghe
Mutetal Desert Scenic Area
Jinghe · 55.1km from downtownEbinur Lake
Jinghe · 24.3km from downtownAibi Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve
Jinghe · 29.9km from downtownSayram Lake
China · BoleHaloxylon Forest of Ganjia Lake
Jinghe · 54.4km from downtownNalati Scenic Area
China · XinyuanBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeWorld Mystery Town
China · KaramayBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeKalajun National Park
China · Tekes CountyTianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
China · KuqaKuerdening Scenic Area
China · Gongliu
What travellers say about Jinghe
冰之绚梅27 December 2022
5.0
Xinjiang Aibi Lake Wetland, a national nature reserve, is bounded by the Wusu Jinghe County boundary in the east, Tacheng boundary in the north, National Highway 312 and the administrative boundary of the 82nd, 90th and 91st Regiments of the Fifth Division in the south, and the forest areas of Bole and Alashankou in the west. Every autumn, the poplar forest is very beautiful.
Ebinur Lake
M11***3817 October 2026
5.0
Sayram Lake, the blue tears of the Atlantic Ocean, I will never forget the day Chenchen and I were so disappointed, but we got up early the next day and saw the pink and purple sunrise on the mountains. We will meet again someday!
Sayram Lake
M31***008 October 2026
5.0
Karamay's World Devil City is a Yardang landform sculpted by wind and sand over millions of years. A ride on the scenic train through the Gobi Desert reveals uniquely shaped rock formations rising from the barren landscape. The wind howls through the ravines, giving the place its name, "Devil City." At sunset, the changing light and shadow bathe the hills in a warm gold, creating a desolate yet breathtaking scene. The area possesses a vast, wild atmosphere, perfect for photography. Remember to bring sun and wind protection; it's a must-see natural wonder on the Northern Xinjiang loop.
World Mystery Town
迭部正德皇帝17 October 2026
5.0
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!
Kalajun National Park
设拉子楚庄王5 October 2026
5.0
Tickets are cheap, the attraction is located on the Duku Highway, and the scenery is decent.
The sightseeing bus within the scenic area costs 35 yuan per person round trip, and camel riding costs 145 yuan one way.
If you've seen Danxia landforms before, you might skip this one, but if you haven't, it's worth a look.
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
189***9217 July 2026
5.0
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.
Kuerdening Scenic Area
