The White Stone Scenic Area is located in Yizhou District, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It lies in the eastern section of the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, about 70 kilometers from the urban area of Hami. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and is named after a huge white granite boulder within the scenic area. The scenic area combines natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and exotic rocks. The summer climate is cool, making it a summer resort; in winter, it is covered in silver snow and suitable for ice and snow activities. The total area of the scenic area is about 1,900 square kilometers, of which the core sightseeing area is about 10 square kilometers. The elevation within the scenic area varies significantly, ranging from 1,800 meters to 3,000 meters. The vegetation types are rich, including spruce forests and grasslands, and wildlife resources are also relatively diverse.
History and Culture
The Hami region, where the White Stone Scenic Area is located, has a long history and was an important node on the ancient Silk Road. The surrounding area of the scenic area was once a region of activity for nomadic peoples, and some relics of ancient nomadic culture are still preserved today.
The white stone itself in the scenic area also has a unique legend. According to local folk tradition, this huge white boulder was transformed from a jade ruyi dropped by a heavenly immortal, and is therefore regarded as an auspicious object, attracting many tourists to come and pray for blessings.
In recent years, while protecting the natural landscape, the scenic area has gradually developed tourism resources. Combining the cultural characteristics of local ethnic minorities such as the Kazakh people, it has launched folk experience activities, allowing tourists to appreciate the natural beauty while experiencing the charm of diverse cultures.
Main Attractions
White Stone
The core attraction of the scenic area is a huge white granite boulder weighing thousands of tons, about 15 meters high and about 20 meters in diameter. The surface of the boulder is smooth and shines brilliantly in the sunlight, making it very spectacular. A wooden boardwalk surrounds the boulder, making it convenient for tourists to view it up close and take photos.
Tianshan Sea of Pines
A large area of spruce forest in the scenic area, with tall and straight trees stretching endlessly, like a green ocean. The air in the forest is fresh, with a high content of negative oxygen ions, making it a natural oxygen bar. Tourists can stroll through the forest and feel the tranquility and coolness of the woods.
Grassland Scenic Area
A grassland covering about 5 square kilometers. In summer, the grass is green, wildflowers are everywhere, and cattle and sheep gather in groups. It offers projects such as grassland horse riding and folk song and dance performances. Tourists can experience the joy of grassland nomadic life.
Hanqi Valley
A valley about 8 kilometers long, named for its piercingly cold winter wind. Inside the valley, there are jagged rocks and murmuring streams. In autumn, the vegetation in the valley displays colorful hues, making it an excellent location for photography enthusiasts.
Hongliu Gorge
A canyon about 10 kilometers long, with steep cliffs on both sides and large areas of red willow growing at the bottom of the valley. In spring and summer, the red willows bloom in a sea of pink, contrasting beautifully with the green grass and blue sky, creating a very beautiful scene.
Food
Roast Whole Sheep
A specialty dish around the scenic area, made with locally raised young sheep, with tender meat. After roasting, the outer skin of the whole sheep is crispy and the inside is juicy. Paired with seasonings such as cumin and chili, it is aromatic and is a feast for entertaining guests.
Kazakh Milk Dried Curd
A traditional food made from fresh milk through fermentation, rich in nutrients and with a sweet-and-sour taste. There are two types: dry and wet. Dry milk dried curd is easy to preserve, while wet milk dried curd is more tender. It is a snack loved by local herders.
Hand-Grabbed Meat
Mutton is cut into large pieces, boiled in clear water, and eaten with seasonings such as salt and onions. The meat is tender and not greasy, reflecting the bold food culture of nomadic peoples.
Hami Melon
A fruit abundantly produced in the Hami region, famous for its high sweetness and crisp texture. Orchards around the scenic area offer fresh Hami melons for picking and tasting in summer.
Baursak
A traditional Kazakh pasta food, made by kneading flour into small pieces and frying them. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is usually eaten with milk tea and is a common choice for local breakfast.
Tickets：
The ticket price is 45 yuan per person. Some experience projects within the scenic area, such as horse riding and folk performances, require additional charges, and the specific prices are subject to on-site notices. As of 2025-06-01, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round, with daily opening hours from 8:00 to 20:00. The actual opening hours of the scenic area shall prevail.
Tour Route：
After entering the scenic area, tourists can first go to the core attraction White Stone to visit and take photos, then walk along the wooden boardwalk to Tianshan Sea of Pines to enjoy the forest scenery. After that, go to the Grassland Scenic Area to experience horse riding and watch folk performances. At noon, enjoy local food at a restaurant near the grassland. In the afternoon, go to Hanqi Valley for a hiking tour, and finally go to Hongliu Gorge to enjoy the canyon scenery. The entire route takes about 5-6 hours. It is recommended to arrange time reasonably according to one's own situation.
Transportation：
Self-driving: Depart from the urban area of Hami, drive north along the G7 Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway for about 60 kilometers, then turn onto Provincial Road S238 and continue for about 10 kilometers to reach the scenic area. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours. The scenic area has a large parking lot.
Tourist bus: There are two tourist buses from the urban area of Hami to the White Stone Scenic Area every day. Departure times are 9:00 and 11:00, and return times are 16:00 and 18:00. The fare is about 30 yuan per person.
Chartered car: You can charter a car from the urban area of Hami to the scenic area. The charter fee is about 200-300 yuan per day, suitable for families or group tourists, and convenient for flexible itinerary arrangements.
Must-Visit Attractions：
White Stone: The landmark attraction of the scenic area. The huge white boulder has a strong visual impact and is a must-go place for photos.
Grassland Scenic Area: The core area for experiencing grassland nomadic culture, with rich and diverse projects such as horse riding and watching folk performances.
Hanqi Valley: The autumn scenery is stunning. The colorful vegetation and jagged rocks and streams form a unique landscape, suitable for hiking and photography.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to arrange the visit in summer (June-August) or autumn (September-October). The summer climate is cool, and the autumn scenery is gorgeous.
The temperature difference between day and night in the scenic area is large. Even in summer, it is necessary to bring a jacket, and in winter, attention should be paid to keeping warm and wearing cold-proof clothing.
During grassland activities, follow the guidance of staff. When riding horses, wear safety equipment to ensure safety.
Bring enough drinking water and snacks. There are few shopping points in the scenic area, and signal coverage in some areas is weak. It is recommended to travel in groups.
Respect the customs and habits of local ethnic minorities. When entering grasslands or participating in folk activities, follow the arrangements of guides.
Precautions：
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Protect the natural environment.
Do not climb dangerous rocks such as the White Stone at will to avoid accidents.
When visiting in summer, take sun protection measures, apply sunscreen, and wear a sun hat and sunglasses.
When entering forest areas, it is strictly prohibited to carry fire sources to prevent forest fires.
In case of severe weather (such as heavy rain, strong wind, etc.), outdoor activities should be stopped immediately and shelter should be taken in a safe area.
When taking the tourist bus, remember the departure time and license plate number to avoid delaying the return trip.