Found a real-life Zelda in Duku! The Tianshan Stone Forest is absolutely stunning

While driving with the kids on the Duku Highway, we unexpectedly stumbled into a "magical place"—the Tianshan Stone Forest! Standing on the grassland, looking at the bizarrely shaped stone forest and the snowy mountains in the distance, it felt like stepping into the land of Hyrule from The Legend of Zelda. The kids were so excited they kept clapping and shouting, "Mom, this place looks just like the game!"

📍Location: Tianshan Stone Forest, Hejing County, Bayingolin Prefecture, Xinjiang
(Follow the navigation, the scenery along the way is gorgeous, and the kids will be glued to the window watching the cattle and sheep)

🎫Tickets: Free! The abandoned scenic spot is completely free
(Traveling with kids means saving wherever possible, and this place is truly generous—you can enjoy breathtaking views without paying a ticket)

📷Must-shoot spots (easy to get great photos even with kids):
1️⃣ Cabin + Stone Forest (P2): As soon as you enter the grassland section, you’ll see an unused cabin. Kids can sit on the cabin steps with the stone forest behind them—every snap is a soothing photo
2️⃣ Vast Grassland + Stone Forest (P1, P10, P11): Climb the small hill behind the cabin and you’ll see a huge grassland. Kids can run and jump around, with the stone forest in the distance, creating a very open and expansive scene
3️⃣ Grassland Tire Tracks + Stone Forest (P12, P13): On the way from the cabin to the plank road entrance, the tire tracks wind through the grassland. Have the kids stand in the middle of the tracks while parents shoot from the side for a “wild adventure” vibe
4️⃣ Close-up Stone Forest (P3, P4, P5, P8, P9, P16): Walk up the wooden plank trail into the stone forest. Kids can touch the stones, and parents can crouch to capture interactions between the kids and the stone forest, telling a story
5️⃣ Snowy Mountains + Stone Forest (P6, P7, P14): Definitely bring a drone! You can capture the stone forest and the Tianshan snowy mountains in one frame. At sunrise and sunset, there’s the golden mountain glow, and kids will point to the sky shouting, “The snowy mountain is shining!”
6️⃣ Mountain Road + Stone Forest (P15): The downhill road before entering the village looks just like the ancient Panlong Trail in Kashgar. Have the kids sit in a safety seat and shoot the road and stone forest from the car window for full atmosphere
7️⃣ Snowy Mountains + Road (P17): On the bumpy road before the mountain road, stop to take a photo of the snowy mountains and the road. Kids can make a “yeah” gesture to capture the joy of the drive

🚘Self-driving route (kid-friendly version):
1️⃣ Navigate to “Tianshan Stone Forest” from the original scenic spot entrance (on Duku Highway, 41 km from Bayinbuluke Town). Be sure to fill up the gas tank in town before departure to avoid running out of fuel on the road
2️⃣ 47 km of paved road, no speed cameras, drive 0.5-1 hour. The road is smooth, so kids in safety seats won’t be jolted
3️⃣ From “Kuike Wusu No.1 Bridge” starts 25 km of bumpy road. Drive slowly for 1.5-2 hours. Prepare small toys for the kids in advance to avoid boredom
4️⃣ After entering the village and seeing the “Tianshan Stone Forest” sign, follow the main road, cross the bridge into the grassland, about 1.5 km. You’ll see herders’ cattle and sheep along the way, which will delight the kids
5️⃣ The grassland starts with only tire tracks. Drive 1.8 km to the gravel riverbed where tracks are less obvious. Be sure to switch to four-wheel drive and follow the tracks on the opposite bank. Don’t worry, driving slowly is very safe
6️⃣ After crossing the riverbed, follow the tire tracks for 2 km on a dirt road. Stop when you see a small house—that’s the start of the wooden plank trail. Let the kids get out and stretch after parking
7️⃣ Explore the wooden plank trail freely. If the kids get tired, you can stop anytime to rest—no need to rush
✨Tip: It’s recommended to drive a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle or SUV. We drove a Tank 300 with no issues at all, making it easy to handle with kids

🏨Accommodation guide (top wild luxury experience):
Although there’s no accommodation near the stone forest, you can stay at the Bayinbuluke Wild Luxury Resort in Bayinbuluke Town, about 41 km away, roughly a 1-hour drive. The hotel is on the edge of the grassland with standalone wooden cabins. Open the window and you’ll see grasslands and cattle and sheep, and at night you can stargaze. The hotel has family rooms with small tents and toys, making kids very happy. You can enjoy a buffet breakfast with local dairy products and naan bread before heading to the stone forest—super convenient.

📌Family travel tips:
·Only mobile signal is available, and it’s intermittent on the road. Download offline maps and kids’ favorite cartoons in advance
·No shops near the stone forest, so bring enough drinking water and self-heating food like instant rice or small bread for the kids to eat anytime they get hungry
·The village is home to Mongolian herders who mostly don’t speak Chinese. Smile and greet them with the kids, teaching respect for different cultures
·The temperature difference between day and night is huge. Dress kids in a 3-in-1 outdoor jacket—wear thicker layers in the cold morning and remove the outer layer when it gets warm at noon
·Don’t let kids step on grasslands outside the herding paths. Bring a trash bag to collect and carry out all garbage, teaching kids to protect the environment
·On the grassland, let kids observe cattle, sheep, and little insects to experience nature, which is much more meaningful than watching screens in the city