How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 12 Hemu)

Hemu, Xinjiang. Visited 6 July 2024

From Kanas, I booked a taxi to take me to Hemu, only an hour away.

In the Hemu Scenic Area, I took the cable car up to the summit at Yun Xiao Feng(云霄峰). At 2800m, there was only one way to get up there. So I grudgingly paid Rmb 188 and rode 20 minutes to the apex. I felt oxygen-deprived, especially after some exertions. Remnant snow still remained under the sun. I was right up there with the white clouds. The surrounding mountain tops could be seen at eye level. From the apex, I looked deep down below to vast valleys that became distant and reduced. On this clear day, I stood at this vantage point, to marvel at the spectacular panoramic views, of everything around, and 4 countries, including China, Kazakstan, Russia, and Mongolia.

After descending from Yun Xiao Feng, I boarded the hop-on hop-off bus to visit Hemu Village. I have been seeing vast uninhabited grassland from the roads for the past couple of weeks, except for some yurts and the animals. I was looking forward to seeing the inhabitants living amidst these mountains and green grass. In Hemu Village, they built log houses, almost all identical. Many of these have been converted into guesthouses and restaurants for visitors. They leave the grass around the houses to thrive naturally, preferring to let the cows moo and mow. The emerald green Hemu River added another shade of green to this landscape. It roared downstream like it was coming by and trying to cleanse it in a hurry.  

I finally felt I got into the grassland and saw it from within. Hemu was a beautiful living place.

With Hemu, I now end my Xinjiang visit.

Xinjiang binds us to nature few can. It is a land so pure, a fairyland.  

To go to the next Stop, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 13 Bishkek)

To start from Stop 1, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 1 Urumqi)

The route map:

The Stops on this Trip:

China Urumqi > Turpan > Kuerle > Kuqa > Kashgar > Kuqa > Nalati (via Duku Scenic Drive) > Kuerdening > Yining > Sailimu Lake > Yining > Urumqi > Buerjin > Kanas Lake > Hemu > China Urumqi > Kyrgyzstan Bishkek > Bokonbayevo (Issyk kul Lake) > Karakol > Kyrgyzstan Bishkek > Uzbekistan Tashkent > Tajikistan > Khujand > Panjakent (and Haft Kul/The Seven Lakes) > Iskanderkul > Dushanbe > China Urumqi > Hami > Dunhuang > Jiayuguan > Zhangye > Lanzhou > Xian