Snow and Ice Encounter | Xinjiang | The Most Beautiful Fairy Tale World in Winter | Enjoy the Blue Ice, Blue Bubbles, Mists, and the Swan Lake Wonderland
——preorder——
Xinjiang? Have you actually been to Xinjiang?
Was it fun?
Well... apart from being far away, there aren't many drawbacks...
Someone asked me, why did you go to Xinjiang again? I replied with one word: Beautiful!
Xinjiang is located in the heart of the Eurasian continent. It was an important route of the ancient Silk Road. There are 56 ethnic groups in China, and Xinjiang alone has 55. It is the largest provincial administrative region in China by land area... Snow mountains, forests, grasslands, lakes, deserts, gobi, yadans... Delicious food, culture, inclusiveness... Apart from the ocean, you can see everything you want in Xinjiang.
Spring to enjoy peach blossoms, autumn to admire leaves, summer to feel cool winds, winter to listen to snow ❄️
Xinjiang has its own charm throughout the year. For children growing up in the south, seeing snow makes them excited like a child. For this icy world, they are even more yearning.
If you say the most beautiful winter is in Xinjiang, then the most beautiful winter scenery is in the northern Xinjiang.
So, if you want to see the most beautiful ice and snow fairyland in winter, naturally, you should choose the northern Xinjiang...
Seryum Lake to see blue ice and blue bubbles, Yili Swan Spring to admire the ethereal swans, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Urumqi Devil City to appreciate nature's divine craftsmanship, God's Self-Reserve Field Hemo to feel the ice and snow fairyland, encounter little foxes in the fairyland-like Kanas...
All of this makes your heart race even before you set off.
The blue ice of Sayram Lake
——scheduling——
Many years ago, I saw a set of photos taken by Liu Shunniu at the Swan Spring in Yili. The silvery icicles, the clear lake water, the pure swans, the misty water vapor, the first ray of sunlight after sunrise - everything seemed like a dream, like a fairyland. I have been longing to go there ever since.
Just at the end of 2020, Zhang Li, the director of the photography team of the Warrior Club, said that he would lead a group to conduct winter photography in the northern Xinjiang region on January 23, 2021. Without hesitation, I signed up.
Although before the departure, relatives and friends around me were advising me not to go to Xinjiang, they couldn't stop the heart that yearned for the "ice and snow encounter" in Xinjiang.
For this ice and snow trip, I specially purchased the thickest down jackets, snow boots, warmers and other various warm-up items.
Day 1: Urumqi
On the early morning of January 23rd, I went to the airport.Before takeoff, Liu Feng, the local tour guide from Xinjiang, was still posting in the group that there was a heavy snowfall in Urumqi (the biggest one in recent years). Several of his companions' flights were cancelled or delayed. Fortunately, my flight was going smoothly and landed safely at the Gekebu Airport in Urumqi.
Having meals in Xinjiang
Day 2: In a Difficult Situation
Originally, the schedule for today was to arrive at Sayram Lake around 4 p.m. to witness the sunset there.
However, due to the heavy snowfall yesterday, the highway entrance to Sayram Lake from Urumqi was temporarily closed. The car could only travel on the ground national road, and we couldn't get the Shaowan Braised Chicken. The sunset at Sayram Lake was also cancelled. It wasn't until around 10 p.m. that all the procedures were completed and we checked into the "Sayram Lake Impression Resort Hotel". During the rest stops along the way, Teacher Zhangli used a drone to shoot a video of the canyon covered in snow to make up for this frustrating journey.
It is said that this place is not far from the Anjihai Grand Canyon. However, due to geological reasons, the Anjihai Grand Canyon has been temporarily closed and is not open to the public yet.
You must plan your trip early, otherwise the beautiful scenery you want to see might disappear one day.
Day 3: Visit the blue ice at Sayram Lake and encounter the magnificent sun halo
Although I had a rather frustrating and exhausting day yesterday, the thought of being able to see the diamond-like blue ice, as well as the magical ice bubbles and ice pushing areas today, makes my heart extremely excited.
In winter, the Salimun Lake is sparsely populated. It has a unique shade of blue called the Salimun Lake Blue. There are blue ice, blue bubbles, ice flowers, ice cracks, and the lake boasts an extremely dense blue color. It is known as "the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean". There is no need to go to Iceland or Baikal Lake. Come here and you can experience the same amazing spectacle! Compared to the summer when tourists flocked in, there is now a peaceful and gentle atmosphere everywhere. From December to March of the following year, during the freezing period of the Salimun Lake, the lake surface freezes over, and scenes of stunning blue ice, bubble ice, etc. follow one after another. Today's sunrise 🌅 also witnessed a phenomenon of a sun halo.
The Salimun Lake scenic area is approximately 60 kilometers around the lake. During the peak season, visitors need to take the scenic area sightseeing bus for a tour. Now, during the off-season winter, you can drive directly into the area.
The wind is strong by the lake. Please take proper measures to keep warm.
* Regarding accommodation 🏠
Those who need to capture the sunrise and the starry sky can choose a hotel near the scenic area. (I stayed at "Sai Lake Impression Apartment Hotel").
Suggestions for photography 📷:
▲ In winter, it usually snows every day, creating a scene of wind-blown snow.
So many ice bubbles and ice surfaces will be covered with a white layer. Don't give up. As you go deeper, you will see large areas of blue ice, ice bubbles, and ice flowers.
Suggestions for shooting blue ice: Use an ultra-wide-angle to capture the layering effect. Ice bubbles can be compressed with a telephoto lens to enhance the sense of space.
▲ The combination of snow and forest has a Nordic style.
▲ Using a drone perspective can capture more unique pictures.
During the day, a strong halo appeared around the sun, which was very fantastical.
The temperature in the morning at Saihu was approximately minus 28 degrees Celsius. With the strong wind on the lake surface, my hands and feet were so cold that they kept shaking and going numb. Only by constantly running could I manage to hold on.
The blue bubbles captured by group member "Dahemei"
Day 4-5: Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Swan Spring in Yili
The jade-like flowers are reflected in the green waves, and the misty scene bathes the fairy geese 🦢.
The silver icicles, the clear lake water, the pure white swans 🦢 (warty-nosed swans), the misty water vapor, the first ray of sunlight after sunrise - everything seems like a dream, as if it were a fairyland.
The Ili Swan Spring Wetland Park, located in Yining County, Ili Region, Xinjiang, attracts many tourists and photography enthusiasts every winter.
At sunrise, the sunlight colors the lake red. The swans are playing leisurely in the morning mist. It's so beautiful!
Yili Swan Spring Wetland Park
Coordinates: Yining County, Yining Town, Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang
Transportation: Take a flight or train from Urumqi to the urban area of Yining, and then take a car to the Swan Lake Wetland Park (about one hour's drive)
❄️ Best Season: January. It will be more dreamy when there is a fog and icicles. You can check the Lijing app in advance. It is recommended to go in the early morning. The chance of seeing the icicles is greater. If you have enough time, you can stay for three or four more days. The light and the icicle conditions vary every day.
Shooting Suggestions:
On the east side of the scenic area, there is a pond where the sun is exactly in the east during sunrise. However, the fog is too thick and the road is difficult to walk on. Pay attention to ⚠️ safety (we later all went to the westernmost pond - "Little Swan Lake"). The trees and reeds around have icicles, along with the evaporating water vapor. The swans are playing in it, it's so dreamy.
At sunset, you can shoot the reeds and the sunset. If you have a 200mm or longer telephoto lens, you can set up to shoot the scene of the swans flying over the sun.
The sunset in Xinjiang is relatively late. We didn't come out until 19:30 in the afternoon.
Tourist attraction ticket: 20 yuan. There is a place for dining at the entrance. You can have a rest there in the middle of the day.
The Story of Swan Spring in Yili
The Swan Lake is located in the village of Xiahelek, a small hamlet in Yingtamu Township, Yili County, on the north bank of the Yili River. The village is dominated by the Kazakh ethnic group and is close to the Yili River. The riverbank is lined with numerous fish ponds, and the "Swan Lake" is situated between the fish ponds and the houses.
According to local villagers, the formation of this lake was due to several spring sources located at the steep slopes, which flowed continuously and gradually merged into a lake. The lake is home to lush aquatic plants, and the water temperature is relatively high, remaining unfrozen even in the coldest seasons.
On a certain day in October 1993, two swans suddenly flew into the village and landed in a fish pond at the doorstep of local villager Han Xinlin. To help the swans withstand the cold, Han Xinlin continuously fed them with corn, bran, and other foods for several days. Since then, more and more swans have come to spend the winter here.
In 2011, the Yili County Government established a Swan Habitat Protection Area to protect the swans.
Most of the swans in Swan Lake are tufted-necked swans, while the rest are large swans, and there are a few black swans as well. They travel in pairs or small groups, sometimes spreading their wings to glide across the water surface, and sometimes extending their necks to search for food and play in the water. The distant fairies have brought warmth to the Swan Spring in Yingta Mu, transforming this place into a picturesque and poetic scene, vividly presenting a fairy-tale-like earthly paradise.
The trees along the shore were all covered with frost flowers.
The place I was most looking forward to visiting was Swan Spring. But unexpectedly, we had an extremely lucky encounter. It was said that these were the two days with the best frost flowers in the recent month. When I went home to sort out the photos, I found that the most frequently photographed area was this one.
D6: Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Wuerhe Devil City
The magnificent and spectacular Dushanzi Grand Canyon
The Kuitun Grand Canyon, formed over millions of years by the natural erosion of snowwater from the Tianshan Mountains, is a major attraction in northern Xinjiang tourism. It runs in a north-south direction, with a length of about 20 kilometers. The bottom of the canyon is 100 to 400 meters wide, the shoulder is 800 to 1,000 meters wide, and the height from the bottom to the shoulder can reach 200 meters. When you come here, you will surely be amazed by the divine craftsmanship of nature. The white snow and the ancient landscape complement each other. The canyon is nearly north-south in orientation. The Kuitun River flows through the Dushanzi Grand Canyon. The canyon walls are steep, and the gorges are layered and arranged in a staggered pattern. The water in the canyon flows in and out at times, creating a magnificent and magnificent picture.
We arrived at the scenic area around 9:00 in the morning. The staff had not yet started work. The morning sun was coloring the canyon in a warm red hue, presenting a harmonious blend of strength and softness.
On that day, just as the full moon was about to set below the mountain ridge, I didn't even bother to consider the scene. I simply pressed the shutter and went on.
The Wuerhe Devil City, also known as the Wuerhe Wind City, is located in the lower reaches of the Jiamo River at the northwest edge of the Junggar Basin in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is 100 kilometers southwest of Karamay City. There is a unique wind-eroded landform here, with strange shapes. The local Mongolian people call this city "Sulumuhak", while the Uygur people call it "Shayitankersi", meaning "Devil City".
In fact, this area is a typical Yadan landform region. The Devil City is oriented northwest and east-west, with a length and width of about 5 kilometers or more, and an area of about 10 square kilometers. The ground elevation is around 350 meters. On April 13, 2018, it was included in the "100 Wonders of Amazing Northwest".
The hills have been blown into various "buildings" by the wind. Some resemble the Liuhao Pagoda on the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, some resemble the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, some resemble the Pyramids in Egypt, some resemble the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and some resemble an eagle spreading its wings. Due to the unique scenery here, many films have chosen the Devil City as their shooting location, such as the Oscar-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". More and more tourists are coming to travel and explore the Xinjiang region. This landform was selected as the "Top Three Most Beautiful Yadauns in China" by the "Beauty Contest of China" event of "China National Geography" and ranked first.
I remember when I came here in the summer of 2015, it was hot and sunny. The small train in the scenic area formed a long queue. When I came here in winter, it was empty, just our group of tourists. We had the feeling of booking the venue. We got on the scenic bus at 5:30 p.m. and finished shooting after sunset.
Day 7: Pink Wheat Field, Encounter the Most Beautiful Sunset
Early that morning, we set off from Wuerhe County. Along the way, we were accompanied by snow-capped mountains and the moon. We then followed National Highway 217 to Burqin.
Because large vehicles are not allowed to enter the Kanas Scenic Area, we changed to two 18-seater Costas in Bulun to enter the Kanas Scenic Area. Around 5:30 p.m., we finally arrived at Humu, this beautiful world of ice and snow fairy tale.
If there were a fairyland on earth, it would be the appearance of Hohhot in winter.
This was my third visit to Xinjiang. Compared to the scenery in summer, I preferred the winter of Hohhot. Everywhere was a snowy scene from a fairy tale world. The small wooden houses, trees and lakes all entered a hibernation mode, being quiet and beautiful. It was the poetic life that people dream of.
After checking in, I put away my luggage and packed up my photography equipment. Then I headed for the Hemo Observation Platform. Just as I was about to start climbing the mountain, I suddenly noticed that the peak of the snow-capped mountain had been tinted pink by the sky. Gradually, a fiery cloud appeared. I immediately took the drone into the air and kept flying until all three batteries were used up before stopping.
In the evening, Hemo is a completely different world. The starry sky is serene, and the lights are warm. If it weren't so cold, I would really like to stay a little longer.
Playing light painting with drones on the Hemo Bridge with Zhang Liangxi
Day 8: God's Reserve Land, Hemo Sunset
The snow-capped mountains, the pristine birch forests, the primitive Tuva villages, the curling smoke rising from chimneys... Here, you can take the original means of transportation - horse-drawn sleds - and travel through the vast snowy forest; step on the thick snow and listen to the natural music of crunching sounds; you can build snowmen, have snowball fights. Here, you feel as if you have entered a fairy-tale world of ice and snow, full of endless fun and enjoyment.
Early in the morning, we ventured out in the dark to the Hemo Observation Platform, waiting for the dawn to bring sunlight to Hemo. On the observation platform, the temperature was approximately minus 30 degrees Celsius. Everyone's hat, scarf, and eyelashes were all covered with frost. It was so cold that my hands and feet felt numb. After two batteries of my drone remote control ran out of power, it immediately stopped working and had to be urgently returned to base.
Tips for visiting Hemo:
- Don't miss the sunrise and sunset in winter in Hemo. Especially during sunset, the sky and the snow-capped mountains are painted red, which is truly beautiful. During sunrise, the sunlight shines on the village and there is a thin layer of morning fog.
- The viewing platform in Hemo can witness the sunrise and overlook the entire village. There is no admission fee and you can walk up. In winter, the icy roads are slippery. If you don't want to hike, you can take a horse-drawn sled pulled by reindeer directly to the viewing platform (about 150 yuan per person, you can bargain yourself).
- Tickets: Free in winter. To go to Baihaha, you need to obtain a border control pass at the police station in Kanas to enter.
- 🚌 Transportation: It is recommended to fly to Altay and then take a chartered vehicle to come in. Driving a car in unfamiliar snowy roads is very dangerous. ⚠️ All the roads are winding and slippery. Make sure to take a car driven by a local experienced driver.
- Clothing suggestions: The winter in Hemo is very cold. Especially after the sun sets, it drops to around minus 30 degrees Celsius. Be sure to pay attention to keeping warm. Take photos and put on your clothes immediately after taking them.
- Photography suggestions: The daytime in winter in Hemo is very short. So plan the shooting time. Around 10:30 for sunrise and around 7:30 for sunset. If it's a sunny day, before the sun comes out completely, there will be morning fog on the riverbank. Similarly, during the sunset, there will be a firework cloud and a pinkish purple evening. However, without sunlight, the photos will have a high-end gray tone and are still very beautiful.
- 🏠 Accommodation & Dining
- The small wooden houses in Hemo are about 300-800 yuan per room. Breakfast is usually charged separately, about 30-40 yuan. The rooms have heating (I couldn't sleep well at night because it was too hot, so I had to open the windows), and there is hot water for bathing. (Be careful of stray cats when opening the door, as cats are very afraid of the cold and will run into your room as soon as the door opens)
Inside Hemo, dining is relatively expensive. The average cost per person is about 70 yuan per meal. Fortunately, the dishes are quite substantial and the overall taste is good.
Tortilla hot pot: 480-680 yuan; Big chicken: 180-220 yuan; Green vegetables: 45-55 yuan; Stir-fried meat: 75-95 yuan; A bowl of noodles or fried rice: 35-60 yuan
You can purchase some dry food and water at the Buljin supermarket.
In winter, the northern Xinjiang has thick snow. Don't drive on areas without tire marks easily. Many sections have speed limits and speed measurement cameras that you should also pay attention to.
Day 9: Encounter with a Little Fox in the Fairyland of Kanas
In winter, Kanas is shrouded in a vast expanse of snow and ice, presenting a serene and otherworldly scene. A single snapshot can serve as the background for your phone's home screen. This beauty is naturally formed and does not require any filters for enhancement.
Whether it's the vast forest and snowfield, the crystal-clear icicles, the magical Three Bays (Moon Bay, Fairyland Bay, and Dragon-Lying Bay), the frozen Kanas Lake, the snow mushrooms by the lake, the steam rising from the Kanas River, or just the air here, all will make you feel the purity and depth of everything.
Today, after finishing the sunrise photography in Hemo, we set off for Kanas. The scenery along the way to Kanas is also very beautiful. Even more fortunately, we saw a little fox. The first one we saw had its tail hair completely fallen out. In the photo, this was just the one we encountered later. (Here, we solemnly remind everyone: Do not feed foxes with foods high in sugar and salt. Many foxes have lost their fur, developed diabetes, and kidney failure as a result. Some have even died. If you really want to feed them, you can buy some raw meat.)
These photos of the foxes were all taken by my friend "Yi Zhi Brother". Because they were right on the roadside, on the icy and snowy ground. The traffic police officers didn't allow us to stay for too long. Before I could even take out my camera, the opportunity was missed. Fortunately, my friend was quick with his hands and managed to capture it.
If autumn's Kanas is like a palette that God accidentally spilled, then winter's Kanas is like a huge ink painting that God has left for himself...
Moon Bay under the cover of ice and snow
Along the course of the Kanas River, there are snow mushrooms, icicles, cypresses and fog, creating an otherworldly scene.
Walk along the Kanas River all the way, and you will reach the Kanas Bridge. Taking photos of people on the bridge is also extremely beautiful. However, the footpaths leading to the bridge are all covered with thick ice, making it very easy to slip. When walking, you must take a detour into the snowy area in the woods.
Kanas River Bridge
Day 10: Encounter the most beautiful morning mist at Xianfeng Bay in Kanas
The three bays of Kanas (Xianshen Bay, Wolong Bay, and Moon Bay) are must-visit attractions. The three bays are adjacent to each other and are very close in distance. However, in winter, the focus is on Xianshen Bay. In the morning, when the morning mist is thick, and around the time of the full moon, you can also see the moon setting in the mountains, which is like a fairyland. After sunrise, the sunlight shining on the mountains gives Xianshen Bay a different color gradient. (You can use weather apps to check the times of moonrise, moonset, sunrise, and sunset in advance to better seize the golden moments.)
The contrast between warm and cool tones after sunrise adds to the sense of mystery.
Morning Dawn at Xian Shen Bay
* Photography Tips 📷:
In Kanas, the most commonly used lens is actually the telephoto, with a focal length of 70-200 or longer, to capture more detailed scenes;
Wide-angle lenses can be used to capture some slow-motion shots and large scenes here.
The drone's angle is also great, but in low-temperature conditions, be sure to pay attention to the battery of the drone. My DJI Phantom 2 Pro uses a regular remote controller, and after two batteries are fully charged, the battery of the remote controller drops to 20%. If there is a built-in screen remote controller, the battery life will be better; if the battery or the aircraft is too cold, it is recommended to hover for a few minutes to preheat before taking off.
* Clothing Suggestions
On January 29th and 30th in Kanas, the temperature in the morning and evening was around -28 degrees Celsius, very cold. When taking photos, hats, scarves, and masks were all covered with ice and snow, and my hands and feet were numb from the cold. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to keeping warm. Besides autumn clothes, down jackets, and winter coats, make sure to wear all the warm gloves, scarves, face masks, and hats. These can also be used as props for taking photos.
* Transportation 🚗:
Winter is the off-season for Kanas. Vehicles with a capacity of 18 or less, as well as private cars, can freely enter and exit Kanas & Humu. There is no need to take the shuttle bus. You can stop and enjoy the scenery at any time. However, there are often police cars patrolling. Do not stay on the road for a long time.
* Admission Fee: Free
* Accommodation and Dining:
In winter, there are few tourists, so the prices of guesthouses are not expensive. However, food is relatively expensive. There are not many supermarkets inside. Each meal costs around 60 per person. If you want to save money, it is recommended to bring some instant noodles, self-heating hot pots, etc.
In the northern part of the country during winter, it looks like a world of ice and snow, a fairyland on earth, and a magical playground. I think, just these alone are enough to make you come here. Although the winter trip to Xinjiang was extremely tough, with an average of eight-hour drives each day, carrying over ten kilograms of photography equipment, getting up earlier than the chickens and going to bed later than the dogs, shivering in the cold wind while still persisting in shooting, the most beautiful scenery was obtained, and all of this was worth it.
The short ten-day trip couldn't capture all the beautiful scenes, but the images left in the camera can be recalled at any time. Even though one hasn't walked on the road for a long time, these images can always remind one of the journey, dreams and the distant places...
