The southern mountainous area features vast grasslands, dense pine forests, rolling mountains and peculiar rock formations. Blended with rich Kazakh ethnic customs, it is an ideal destination for leisure, summer retreats, picnics and sightseeing. Well-known scenic spots include Sulphur Ditch, Solbastao, Jinlaoba Reservoir, Nuer Grand Grassland, Ethnic Custom Park and Beishawo Tourist Resort.

In the plains lies the man-made Qinggeda Lake Tourist Area. Within the urban area are North Park, South Park and Yazhong Square. The region also boasts numerous historical relics and unearthed cultural artifacts, such as the ancient Changji City built in the Tang Dynasty, Ningbian Ancient City constructed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, a mosque erected in 1796 (the first year of the Jiaqing reign), Shaanxi Mosque built in 1862 (the first year of the Tongzhi reign), Lanzhou Mosque completed in 1882 (the eighth year of the Guangxu reign), and Erliugong Gongbei with a history of over a century.

Tianchi Lake Scenic Area is located in Fukang City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Centered around an alpine lake, it is a natural scenic resort.

Mount Bogda of the Tianshan Mountains stands at an altitude of 5,445 meters, covered with perpetual snow and stretching glaciers. At Tianchi, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of snow-capped peaks, forests, clear blue water, meadows and blooming flowers. Nearby attractions include Small Tianchi, Denggan Mountain and Stone Gorge.

Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region. Endowed with abundant natural resources and outstanding people, Fukang has long been inhabited by the Han, Hui, Kazakh, Mongolian and Uyghur ethnic groups. Over the long course of history, diverse folk customs have taken shape in people’s production, daily life, catering, residence, costumes, weddings and funerals, religious taboos, musical instruments, dances and sports. These distinctive folk traditions add a mysterious, romantic and enchanting charm to Tianchi Lake. Every visitor can experience the rich, simple and hospitable local culture.

Lying 30 kilometers north of Mulei Singing Sand Dunes in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, this is a luxuriant forest stretching far and wide. Covering more than 30 square kilometers, the forest has a history of at least 65 million years and retains its primitive look despite centuries of wind and rain.

Populus euphratica is an extremely hardy ancient tree, hailed as the warrior fighting against desertification. Some trees grow over 20 meters tall. Their sturdy, twisting trunks look magnificent, covered with layers of green leaves in varied shapes — some round like eggs, others slender like willow leaves, growing thick and dense. Stepping into the forest, you will feel a primeval aura and the vitality of ancient life. The towering trees embody an indomitable spirit, and their naturally sculpted forms showcase the grandeur of nature. For thousands of years, they have stood firm against desert erosion.

These robust trunks take countless vivid shapes: some resemble giant roc spreading its wings, some look like galloping horses, and others are like graceful maidens, making the forest a natural art palace.

Nestled among five hills at the front range of the Tianshan Mountains, 5 kilometers southwest of Jimsar County seat, this is the only existing Buddhist grotto in northern Xinjiang. It was once a renowned Buddhist sacred site.

The exact founding time of the grottoes remains unknown. They were accidentally discovered in the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty and renovated, thriving with pilgrims for a time. Later, they were damaged in wars during the Tongzhi reign and restored again in the Guangxu reign. Back then, apart from the Thousand-Buddha Caves, there were also temples, Taoist shrines, halls and pavilions with elaborate painted beams and carved rafters. However, frequent wars after the 1930s reduced most buildings to ruins. Today, only dilapidated murals and a 4.8-meter-long stone reclining Buddha of unknown era remain.

Qitai County is under the jurisdiction of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, situated in the southeastern part of the Junggar Basin. It borders Mulei Kazakh Autonomous County to the east, Turpan to the south, Jimsar County to the west, and Fuyun County and Qinghe County to the north. Its northeastern part adjoins Mongolia.

The county is backed by the Tianshan Mountains in the south and the Beita Mountains in the north. The terrain is saddle-shaped — high in the north and south and low in the middle, featuring diverse landforms including mountains, hills, plains and deserts. The northern area is a desert with the General Gobi stretching across it, while the central part is an alluvial plain of the Tianshan Mountains.

Together with Hami, Urumqi and Yili, Qitai was known as one of the four major commercial hubs in Xinjiang, earning the reputations of "Golden Qitai" and "Inland Wharf". It boasts distinctive tourism resources.

The southern area presents stunning Tianshan scenery: snow-capped peaks and glaciers piercing the sky, boundless forests and grasslands, as well as serene valleys and streams. Scenic spots such as Daotiao Ridge and Yangwa Beach feature breathtaking landscapes. The Mysterious Slope and Singing Slope are also magical and appealing.

The central area is rich in cultural relics. As a key stop on the ancient Silk Road and the core of the famous inland commercial hub, it has a long history and profound cultural heritage, serving as a convergence place for Central Plains culture and Western Regions culture since ancient times.

Located in Qitai County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains and the southeastern edge of the Junggar Basin, the geopark covers an area of 492 square kilometers. It consists of four scenic zones: Petrified Wood Area, Dinosaur Valley, Devil City Yardang Landform and Stone Coin Beach.

Qitai Petrified Wood Forest lies at the center of a rare petrified wood belt spanning Fuyun, Qinghe, Jimsar, Qitai, Mulei, Barkol, Hami and Yiwu. The petrified woods here are famous for their dense distribution, huge quantity, large scale and excellent preservation. Nearly a thousand petrified trunks are exposed within the 11.65-square-kilometer Petrified Wood Area, making it one of the world’s most spectacular petrified wood sites.

Formed about 150 million years ago in the sandstone and mudstone of the Jurassic Shishugou Group, these petrified woods retain complete original tree structures. Their diameter generally ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter, with the largest reaching 2.8 meters; most trunks are 5 to 20 meters long, and the longest one measures 26 meters. They lie in both recumbent and upright positions, revealing the landscape of dense forests in ancient lake and river basins.

Also known as the General Gobi, its core attraction is the Colorful City, 30 kilometers from the Huoshaoshan Oil Base at the northern end of Xingfu Road. Entering from the open Gobi, you will see layered colorful rolling hills just like walking through the gate of an ancient city. At the foot of Colorful City lies an agate beach, where prehistoric fossils and ancient forest remains can be found for miles.

Colorful Bay is located more than 100 kilometers north of Jimsar County in the Gurbantünggüt Desert, comprising Colorful City, Burning Mountain and Fossil Valley. As early as the Jurassic Period, thick coal seams were deposited here. After long-term wind and rain erosion, surface sand and soil were washed away. Some coal seams caught fire under intense sunlight or lightning strikes. After the coal burned out, sintered rock accumulated. Due to varying mineral contents in different geological periods, the rolling hills are dominated by ochre red, mixed with yellow, white, black and green. Further shaped by long-term weathering, the landform evolved into typical Yardang. Viewed from near or afar, it looks like an ancient city, hence the name Colorful City.

Burning Mountain is entirely made of ochre-red sintered rock. At dawn and dusk, the mountain glows as if engulfed in raging flames, presenting a rare magnificent view. Fossil Valley is another highlight, home to a spectacular petrified wood forest, as well as fossils of tree seeds, fruits and various ancient animals.

Praised as the most beautiful Yardang landform in Xinjiang, Colorful Bay features a riot of colors with reddish-brown as the main tone, interspersed with red, yellow, green, white, blue and black. Sunset is the most stunning moment here. As the fiery sun sinks slowly in the west, all the mounds are dyed golden. Wandering here feels like stepping into a grand golden empire. Every step and every angle brings a brand-new view.

Ticket: 50 yuan per person