The moment you turn off the Duku Highway at the Qiaerma intersection and onto Provincial Highway S315, the scenery outside the window completely changes. The dramatic verticality of the Duku Highway disappears, replaced by a winding two-lane road leading into the valley. The Kashgar River murmurs on the left, and the Tian Shan spruce trees crowd the slopes like a green wall. Driving another twenty minutes, the valley suddenly opens up, meadow after meadow stretching westward, dotted with cattle, sheep, and the occasional outline of a yurt. This is the eastern entrance to the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery, the reason many who have completed the Duku Highway choose to stop here.
How long is the Hundred-Mile Gallery?
"Tangbula" comes from Kazakhstani and originally means "seal". The entire scenic area is based on the upper reaches of the Kashgar River valley, extending from Qiaerma in the east to Heifeng Mountain Villa in the west along Provincial Highway S315, with a total length of about 130 kilometers. There are 113 mountain valleys extending to both sides within the scenic area. "One valley, one view; every valley is a view" is the eight words most often said by those who have completed the trip.
The Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery is completely free to enter, with no ticket booths. You can simply drive in along Provincial Highway S315, which is quite rare among popular tourist attractions in Xinjiang.The scenic area's visual themes constantly shift with distance: snow-capped mountains, meadows, the Kashgar River, and Tian Shan spruce trees take turns dominating the view. Sometimes, after a bend, a golden sea of flowers suddenly opens up, and after another three kilometers, it transforms into a cool, dense forest valley. The entire route can be completed in as little as two hours, but many people stop at the entrance and walk in, leisurely staying for three or four days.
How do I get to Fairy Lake? How long does it take to walk there?
The Kazakh name for Fairy Lake is Aktas Lake, meaning "White Stone Lake," and it is known by many visitors as "Tangbula's Tears." The lake is nestled high in a tributary valley in the middle of the Hundred-Mile Gallery. It takes about an hour for a fit adult to hike up the mountain from the entrance next to the road, with an elevation gain of about 400 meters.
Fairy Lake (Aktas Lake) has a unique turquoise blue color characteristic of high-altitude glacial meltwater, and is surrounded by spruce trees and snow-capped mountains. (Image source: [Image source missing])Xinjiang CITS)
If you don't want to walk, there are usually horse teams from herders at the crossroads offering horseback riding services, costing around 150 yuan. There are also vendors along the roadside offering prices without contracts; it's recommended to choose a reputable horse team that clearly states the fees in writing to avoid disputes along the way.
How different is the scenery between June and September?
The landscape of Tangbula varies so much with the seasons that it is almost like four completely different places.
| season | Main landscape | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Late May – Early June | A sea of flowers in early summer, wildflowers just beginning to bloom, snow still lingering. | The road has just been opened, so there are very few tourists. |
| July–August | The meadows are greenest, the herders migrate, and the flower seas are at their most magnificent. | It gets quite crowded on weekends during peak season. |
| September–October | The birch trees are turning yellow, creating rich layers of autumn colors. | Few people and the most vibrant colors |
| November – May of the following year | Mountain closures, heavy snow blocking roads | It is not recommended to go there |
Can I go to Tangbula without a car?
To be honest, getting into Tangbula without a car is quite inconvenient. The scenic area is 130 kilometers long, and there are no shuttle buses or sightseeing buses. Public transportation only goes to Nileke County or the Qiaerma intersection, making it impossible to go deep into the scenic area.
Provincial Highway S315 winds along the Kashgar River, with snow-capped mountains, meadows, and yurts in the distance creating the iconic panoramic views of Tangbula. (Image source: [Image source information missing])Xinjiang CITS)
In reality, there are three common ways to enter: walkDuku HighwayTaking the road along the way is the most popular choice. Turn onto S315 at the Qiaerma intersection and drive west all the way to Nileke County, a journey of about 130 kilometers. If you don't want to drive, you can hire a car or join a day tour from Yining City, which usually includes a hike to Fairy Lake. Another route is to go north from the Narat Grassland to the eastern section of S315 Provincial Highway. The scenery is equally excellent, but you need to check and confirm the road conditions before you set off.
Is it worth staying in a yurt on the grassland?
There are no formal hotels within the scenic area; accommodation options fall into two main categories.
Kazakh yurts on the grasslands are directly operated by herder families, costing between 150 and 300 yuan per night including breakfast and dinner. The facilities are simple, with shared outdoor bathrooms, but the experience is excellent. The mutton pilaf and milk tea prepared by the herders are often the most unforgettable meals of the trip. Yurt availability is limited during peak season, so it's recommended to book in advance through a local travel agency. If you have basic requirements for accommodation, there are standard hotels available back in Nileke County, about an hour's drive from the scenic area.
The biggest reason to choose to stay in a yurt for one night is not to save money, but to see the Milky Way at night. Tangbula is at an altitude of about 1,500 to 2,500 meters, with extremely low light pollution. The starry sky seen while lying on the grass on a summer night is an unforgettable sight for many people.What are some things to prepare before entering Tangbula?
The altitude of the scenic area will not cause severe altitude sickness for most people, but a rapid arrival from a low altitude may still cause mild headaches. It is recommended to stay overnight in Nileke County to acclimatize. Tangbula experiences large temperature differences between day and night in summer; short sleeves are suitable during the day, but nighttime temperatures can drop below 10 degrees Celsius, so a light jacket is essential.
There is a gas station in Qiaerma, which is the last supply point before entering the Hundred-Mile Gallery. Make sure your vehicle is fully fueled before setting off. Cell phone signal is unstable throughout the scenic area. China Telecom has coverage in some sections, but China Unicom signal is almost non-existent. Please arrange important contacts in the county town beforehand.
In the Tangbula yurts after dark, on nights with large temperature differences, the handmade wool felt provides better insulation than any hotel bedding.
Tangbula Hundred Miles Gallery FAQs
Do you need to buy tickets for the Tangbula Hundred Mile Gallery?
Is hiking at Fairy Lake physically demanding?
Which is more worth visiting, Tangbula or Nalati?
Where is Tangbula located on the Duku Highway?
As evening fell, we were nearing the end of S315, with the herdsmen driving the last few horses up a higher grassy slope. The 130-kilometer stretch of road wasn't short, but for Tangbula, simply driving on the highway wasn't enough: of the 113 valleys, most people had only ventured into one or two.
References:A Four-Day Road Trip to Tangbula GrasslandIncluded in Ctrip travel guides, with a complete itinerary record; you can refer to this guide for how to include Tangbula in your Duku Highway itinerary.Zhihu's segmentation plan.
