The Xinjiang Kunlun Mountain Scenic Area is located at the border between Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, and Farm No. 1 of the 14th Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. It borders Ulugqat Township to the north and connects to the Kunlun snow mountains to the south, covering a total area of 596.39 square kilometers. As a National 4A-level tourist attraction and a national boutique scenic area for adventure tourism, the scenic area is centered on the Kunlun snow mountains, known as the "Ancestor of Ten Thousand Mountains." It integrates natural landscapes such as alpine meadows (Barlangk Grassland is a national first-class natural grassland), glaciers (at an altitude above 5,000 meters), and grand canyons (the Kunlun Mountain Grand Canyon is 12 kilometers deep). Supporting facilities include an RV campground (80 beds), vacation cabins (50 units), and the Kunlun Hotel (120 guest rooms). In 2024, it received 807,000 visitors and is making every effort to create a National 5A-level scenic area (in 2025, an infrastructure improvement project was launched with an investment of 660 million yuan).
Historical Culture
The Kunlun Mountains are known as the "Ancestor of Ten Thousand Mountains" and the "Ancestor of the Dragon Vein." Classic of Mountains and Seas and Tale of King Mu record the myth of the meeting between the Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou. The scenic area preserves cultural symbols such as the statue of King Mu's Journey to the West and the statue of Pangu Creating the World. Historically, it was located at a key point on the southern route of the Silk Road. Akeqige Folk Village preserves intangible cultural heritage such as traditional Uyghur clothing and Twelve Muqam dance. The jade mine site (traceable to the Han Dynasty) witnessed the rise and fall of the "Jade Road." Kunlun culture is deeply integrated with grassland culture and nomadic culture, forming the cultural mainline of "exploring Kunlun and visiting ancient sites." In 2023, it was rated as an "Important Carrier of Kunlun Culture."
Main Attractions
Barlangk Grassland
At an altitude of 2,800–3,200 meters, with an area of 120 square kilometers, it is a national first-class natural grassland and grows more than 200 kinds of forage grasses such as Kunlun wormwood and wild onions. In summer, the coverage rate of wildflowers exceeds 70%. It is equipped with a horse-riding experience area (200 horses) and a petting zoo (including argali, marmots, and other animals). In 2024, a stargazing camp (10 observation platforms) was newly added.
Kunlun Mountain Grand Canyon
It is 12 kilometers deep, with the narrowest point only 3 meters wide. Inside the canyon are the Five-Colored Spring (containing 7 kinds of minerals) and Tage Mountain (at an altitude of 4,200 meters). At the north entrance of the canyon stands the "First Gate of Kunlun" archway. The walking boardwalk is 5.8 kilometers long. In 2025, a canyon cableway was newly added (8 minutes one way, with a height difference of 600 meters).
Diru Peak
At an altitude of 4,800 meters, it is named because the mountain body resembles a mother's breast. In Kunlun culture, it symbolizes the "Mother Earth." At the summit is a viewing platform (area 300 square meters), offering a 180° panoramic view of the snow mountain group (including 7 peaks above 5,000 meters such as Qunyu Peak and Xuanpu Peak).
Akeqige Folk Village
It preserves 300-year-old Uyghur adobe houses and displays handmade carpet weaving (with 5 intangible cultural heritage inheritors) and naan pit roasting techniques. The village has a cultural square, where the live-action performance Love of Kunlun is staged every Saturday (duration 45 minutes).
Food
Kunlun Snow Water Stewed Mutton
Made with Hotan sheep raised above 2,500 meters in the Kunlun Mountains, slowly stewed for 4 hours in glacier meltwater. The meat contains 18 kinds of amino acids (test reports show a protein content of 22%). The per capita consumption is 80 yuan.
Cele Pomegranate Juice
A national geographical indication product. Within the scenic area, 12,000 mu of "Piyaman" pomegranates are planted. Freshly squeezed juice retains 92% of vitamin C. The price per cup is 15 yuan (500 ml).
Desert Naan Pit Barbecue
A specialty of Akeqige Folk Village. Mutton is skewered on red willow wood and buried in a 400°C naan pit for 15 minutes. Daily sales exceed 500 skewers. The price per skewer is 25 yuan (200 grams).
Tickets：
Tickets start at 40 yuan.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "Xinjiang Kunlun Mountain Scenic Area" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours：
Open all year round (some sections are closed during the snow season). 8:00–20:00 (April–October), 9:00–18:00 (November–March). Grand Canyon cableway operating hours: 10:00–18:00 (daily limit 800 people). Stargazing camp: 22:00–2:00 a.m. (reservation required).
Tour Routes：
[One-Day Essential Tour]: First Gate of Kunlun (30 minutes) → Horse riding at Barlangk Grassland (1 hour) → Lunch at Kunlun Hotel → Hiking in the Grand Canyon (3 hours) → Akeqige Folk Village (1.5 hours) → Sunset at Diru Peak (1 hour).
[Two-Day In-Depth Tour]: The first day is the same as above. On the second day, add the Jade Mine Site (2 hours, guide required), Jade Seeking Journey (3 hours, professional tool rental 50 yuan/set), and overnight stay at the Stargazing Camp.
Transportation：
Self-driving: Urumqi → Tuhe Expressway → Cele County (8 hours) → Scenic Area Special Line (95 kilometers, asphalt road, speed limit 60 km/h). Vehicles with 7 seats or fewer are allowed to enter the scenic area (a 30 yuan passage ticket is required).
Chartered car: Round trip from Cele County is 400 yuan/vehicle (including driver, limit 5 people), travel time 2.5 hours.
Scenic Area Bus: Departs from Cele County Passenger Station daily at 9:00 and 11:00, ticket price 35 yuan, last return bus at 18:00.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Barlangk Grassland: Xinjiang's largest alpine flower sea (flowering season June–August), stargazing camp for viewing the Milky Way (light pollution level 2).
Kunlun Mountain Grand Canyon: Xinjiang's narrowest canyon (narrowest point 3 meters), Five-Colored Spring minerals reaching medical grade (water temperature 28°C).
Diru Peak: Viewing platform at an altitude of 4,800 meters, 180° snow mountain group perspective (including 7 snow peaks above 5,000 meters).
Akeqige Folk Village: Intangible cultural heritage carpet weaving experience (30 yuan/person, finished product can be taken away), naan pit barbecue with an average queue of 1 hour.
Travel Suggestions：
From June to August, wear a windbreaker (day-night temperature difference 20°C). In October, bring a down jacket (minimum -5°C).
Canyon hiking requires non-slip shoes. It is recommended to carry 1.5 L of drinking water (no sales points along the way).
The stargazing camp requires reservation 3 days in advance and provides sleeping bag rental (50 yuan/night).
The Jade Mine Site requires scenic area registration (free, ID registration required). Private jade mining is prohibited.
Precautions：
Altitude sickness: Some areas are above 4,000 meters. It is recommended to carry glucose oral liquid. People with heart disease should enter with caution.
Fire prevention regulations: Smoking is prohibited throughout the scenic area. Violations will result in a fine of 500–2,000 yuan.
Wildlife: If you encounter argali or marmots, do not feed them. Keep more than 500 meters away from brown bear activity areas (marked areas).
Folk etiquette: When entering Akeqige Village, you need to take off your shoes. You must obtain consent before photographing villagers.
Environmental protection requirements: Take your garbage with you. Illegal littering will result in a fine of 200 yuan (the scenic area has 12 recycling points).