- From Qiongkushitai to Paradise Lake, even on horseback, one must venture deep into the Tianshan Mountains.
- The ease of riding a horse to Paradise Lake only exists in comparison.
- The scenery of Paradise Lake requires time to allow for light.
- Qiongkushitai Travelogue: Beyond the entrance to the ancient road, there are villages and horseback riding opportunities in the mountains behind.
- 2026 Open Status: Currently, it cannot be considered an available trip.
- Related FAQs
- References
The horse stopped by the rocks on the lake shore, its reins dangling, facing a vast expanse of cold, blue water. Snow-capped mountains rose abruptly from the opposite shore, their bases almost devoid of buildings, and no road could be seen to take tourists to the viewpoint.The most enchanting scenery of Paradise Lake often hides the difficulty of reaching it.
Paradise Lake is located in the heart of the Wusun Ancient Trail, with the classic trekking route stretching approximately 130 to 140 kilometers. Horseback riding can reduce the load and some physical exertion, but one still faces challenges such as high altitude, camping, wading, scree slopes, and unpredictable weather. As of August 24, 2026, no official announcement regarding the reopening of the Wusun Ancient Trail has been found; therefore, unauthorized entry or horseback riding is currently prohibited. Short horseback riding experiences are available in Qiongkushitai Village and the mountains behind it, but the route must be confirmed separately from the Paradise Lake trek.
From Qiongkushitai to Paradise Lake, even on horseback, one must venture deep into the Tianshan Mountains.
Wusun Ancient RoadConnecting the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, the ancient road begins in the Qiongkushitai area of Tekes County, Ili Prefecture, and heads south through mountain passes, valleys, and Paradise Lake, finally reaching Heiyingshan Township, Baicheng County, Aksu Prefecture. (This is the route of the ancient road published by the Xinjiang Transportation Department.)Approximately 140 kilometersA complete traverse generally requires6 to 7 days.
Paradise Lake, also known as Akkul Lake, sits at an altitude of approximately 3,100 meters and is located in the middle of the classic route. Snow-capped mountains, scree slopes, and meadows unfold from the lakeshore, and the lake water displays a deep blue-green hue on sunny days. Many iconic photos of the Wusun Ancient Trail are taken here, especially the prominent rock walls on the lakeshore and the viewpoint commonly known as "Tiger's Mouth."
2022Zhihu original textWe previously introduced a shortened version of the trip: the off-road vehicle completes part of the route, then...Two days of horseback riding, about 3 hours each day.The main destination was Paradise Lake. This itinerary was designed for a specific team at the time and cannot be considered a fixed itinerary that can still be performed today. Actual riding time will be affected by entry restrictions, road conditions, campsite locations, horse team arrangements, and weather.
Horseback riding shortens the time spent walking and carrying heavy loads, but the distances, altitudes, and weather conditions in the Tianshan Mountains do not disappear as a result.The ease of riding a horse to Paradise Lake only exists in comparison.
Compared to carrying tents, sleeping bags, and several days' worth of supplies on a trek, horse teams can share the load and reduce the impact on the knees from long downhill stretches. For those with basic physical fitness, a willingness to camp, but no experience in heavy-duty trekking, professional horse team itineraries after the regulations have been legally opened may be more accessible.
Horseback riding still requires stable core strength and balance. Continuous riding can cause chafing on the inner thighs, and long downhill stretches can easily lead to lower back fatigue. Horses on ancient trails are used to mountain roads, so riders must still follow the horseman's instructions, maintain a safe distance, and refrain from taking photos or urging the horse on sections near cliffs, loose rocks, or when crossing rivers.
Another risk that is easily underestimated is wading. Some sections of the Wusun Ancient Trail experience rapid rises in water levels due to snowmelt and rainfall, and scree slopes can become slippery due to rain and snow.Sohu Original ArticleIt was mentioned that the entire route lacks stable supplies and may involve multiple river crossings. Cell phone signal loss, camping warmth, and emergency evacuation should also be included in the plan.
Just because you can ride a horse doesn't mean this is a typical scenic area horseback riding route.
The scenery of Paradise Lake requires time to allow for light.
The color of Paradise Lake changes with the clouds and the angle of the sun. At midday, the strong sunlight makes the lake appear a bright blue; in the early morning or when shadows cover the valley, the color deepens, and the outlines of the snow-capped peaks and rock walls become clearer. If the route reopens in the future, staying overnight at a compliant campsite will typically offer a richer view than turning back immediately upon arrival.
The lake area has a fragile environment. When taking photos, stay on existing paths and in safe locations. Do not trample on wetlands, approach loose rock faces, or lead horses to dangerous edges in an attempt to recreate photos for the internet. All trash and disposable items must be taken out of the mountains.
Qiongkushitai Travelogue: Beyond the entrance to the ancient road, there are villages and horseback riding opportunities in the mountains behind.
Driving from Tekes County into the valley, upon arriving at Qiongkushitai, the first thing you usually see are wooden houses built along the river. The Kurdai River flows through the village, spruce forests grow along the hillsides, and cattle and sheep graze between the guesthouses and pastures. This is both the northern entrance to the Wusun Ancient Road and a Kazakh village where daily life still exists. In June 2026, Qiongkushitai Village was selected as one of the first "Beautiful China Check-in Points." Local public information mentions that the village preserves more than 40 original wooden buildings, some of which are nearly a century old.
Multiple articlesTravelogue of QiongkushitaiAll descriptions depict horseback riding near villages: horses are led from grassy slopes or near herders' homes, slowly advancing along river valleys, fences, and forests behind the mountains. The shorter routes are closer to the grassland riding experience, offering views of wooden houses, streams, spruce trees, and grazing cattle and sheep along the way, with lower physical and equipment requirements than the Wusun Ancient Road trek.
If time permits, the back mountain route will extend the ride to...Approximately 3 to 6 hoursThe route passes through meadows, forests, and viewing platforms. Some local itineraries also include a visit to a "high-altitude lake," which is part of the Qiongkushitai back mountain area and should not be directly compared to the Paradise Lake in the heart of the Wusun Ancient Trail. The two differ in distance, risk, restricted areas, and time required.
Qiongkushitai Village still has publicly recorded tourism and horseback riding activities, but the operation of the grasslands, checkpoints, and horse teams behind the mountain may be subject to temporary adjustments. Before mounting a horse, you should confirm the open boundaries for the day with the village's visitor center or accommodation provider, choose only registered and properly equipped horse teams, and clarify the route, duration, total price, and whether a horseman will accompany you throughout the journey. On rainy days, the dirt roads will become slippery, and horse manure and mud will make hiking sections more difficult; choose non-slip, easy-to-clean shoes.
If you want to experience horseback riding in Xinjiang, you can first treat horseback riding around Qiongkushitai Village as a separate itinerary, and do not take the opportunity to cross the restricted area and enter the Wusun Ancient Road.2026 Open Status: Currently, it cannot be considered an available trip.
The Xinjiang Sports Bureau and the Xinjiang Culture and Tourism Department jointly released a statement in September 2025.Notice of Closure and Control of Ancient RoadThe Baicheng County Culture and Tourism Department announced in April 2026 that it would assess the conditions for reopening the area before June 2026. The department further announced a ban on hiking, camping, horseback riding, and vehicle exploration along the entire Wusun Ancient Road in the mountainous region.Public reportsThe content of this announcement has been retained.
As of August 24, 2026, no official notice of reopening has been found through public channels. Some travel websites continue to sell or promote "2026 Wusun Ancient Road" products; these pages cannot replace the reopening announcements and approval documents from the local government. Before official access is restored, do not enter the mountains on your own, and do not accept informal arrangements that involve bypassing checkpoints or being led by herdsmen.
If the activity resumes in the future, before registering, you should confirm the organizer's qualifications, written registration, insurance coverage, leader and horseman arrangements, spare horses, satellite communication, rescue plans, and weather-related cancellation mechanisms. Ordinary travel accident insurance may also exclude high-risk outdoor and horseback riding activities; you should directly verify the coverage terms when purchasing insurance.
The Wusun Ancient Road compresses grasslands, forests, valleys, mountain passes, and alpine lakes into a single route, and horseback riding is just one way to access this terrain. Only when the official reopening is completed, with the selection of compliant tour groups and acceptance that weather conditions may cause trip cancellations, can Paradise Lake retain its inherent sense of remoteness.
Related FAQs
Is it possible to ride horses to Paradise Lake on the Wusun Ancient Road now?
Do I need horseback riding experience to ride a horse to Paradise Lake?
How many days does it take to traverse the entire Wusun Ancient Road?
When the Wusun Ancient Road was closed, was it still possible to ride horses in Qiongkushitai?
References
Zhihu: "Paradise Lake on Horseback" from June to September: A 2-Day Horseback Riding Highlights
Sohu: You can now fly to Paradise Lake on the Wusun Ancient Road. Does that count as cheating?
Ctrip Travelogue: Come to Xinjiang and witness a summer fairytale
Phoenix News Xinjiang: Believe it or not, you've never truly understood Qiongkushitai.
Image captions: The two photos of Paradise Lake used in this article were provided by the editor. The watermarked image is sourced from the Sohu account "Tibet Guide"; the other image, provided by a user, is sourced from the Zhihu column "Walking Through Xinjiang Travel". Copyright belongs to the original author.
