Tekes Off-the-Beaten-Path Autumn Viewing Route

Tekes·Qiongkushitai 5-Day Healing Guide｜Stay Inside a Studio Ghibli Animation, Enjoy a Whole Season of Freedom and Comfort

Among the many grasslands in Ili, Qiongkushitai is an exceptionally low-key presence—without the crowds of other grasslands, and with just the right amount of “blank space” in the electronic signals, it’s perfect for settling down and deeply exploring. This Kazakh village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains sits at about 2000 meters elevation. It’s an absolute paradise for summer cooling, with sunflowers blooming especially brilliantly across the vast grasslands. I stayed here for 5 days and still wasn’t ready to leave; even now, the lasting impression still moves me.

🌿 First, let me rave about my divine accommodation: Tekes Qinghuan Guesthouse

“The vast grassland can’t breed narrow-mindedness.” Staying 5 days at this newly opened guesthouse behind the mountain, I completely understood this saying. It stands out among local peers—comfortable and heartwarming, like having a home on the grassland.

• Strong points: Stylish and fresh decor, excellent value for money. Rooms face the grassland, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows letting you lie down and watch the stars. The terrace lets you shoot the Milky Way with your phone (the owner even teaches you to recognize the Big Dipper!); the guesthouse’s Peppa Pig and little sheep are super friendly, coming over to nuzzle your hand, full of healing vibes.

• Thoughtful details: Australian imported toiletries, knitted wool slippers in every room—everywhere you look, there’s care; transportation behind the mountain is inconvenient, but the guesthouse offers free rides to attractions; when a fellow traveler felt unwell, the host specially prepared hot porridge; when it got cold at night, they immediately brought quilts and hot water—warmth beyond words.

• Full of hospitality: The Kazakh housekeeper brews authentic milk tea that smells amazing, and can help arrange carpooling and horse riding guides (saving you half the cost compared to finding them yourself); the owner teaches you to identify wildflowers, organizes bonfire parties, and if you hit it off, you might even be invited to a Kazakh wedding—I got to eat hand-pulled meat, listen to the dombra, and even learned the Kazakh greeting “Jaqsy” (hello)～

• Super convenient location: In the center of Qiongkushitai village, a 5-minute walk to the Wusun Ancient Trail entrance, making horseback riding and hiking hassle-free.

🚗 Transportation: Don’t waste money! This is the most cost-effective way

Although the winding mountain road isn’t short, choosing the right transport can save you a lot of trouble and money:

• First choice: carpooling. From Tekes County to Qiongkushitai round trip costs just over 100 RMB per person, saving more than half compared to chartering a car! Arrange in advance through the guesthouse owner to join the carpool group; drivers are experienced locals, safe and convenient (the guesthouse helped me find a ride at 80 RMB per person one way).

• Alternative: shuttle bus. There’s a direct shuttle from Tekes Bus Station for 35 RMB per person, but schedules are fixed and less flexible than carpooling. It’s recommended to have the guesthouse arrange it based on your arrival time.

⏰ Best time + 5-day itinerary highlights

• Best time to visit: June to September is peak season, when wildflowers bloom and the grassland is lush and green, perfect for summer cooling.

• Suggested itinerary: Stay at least 2 nights; 5 days lets you fully experience the slow life here. Recommended plan:

1. Day 1: Arrive in Tekes → carpool to Qiongku → light hike on Wusun Ancient Trail → starry dinner at guesthouse

2. Day 2: Horseback ride through Kalajun (about 6 hours) → picnic on the grassland → watch sunset behind the mountain (20-minute walk to the back mountain, the golden sunset on the grassland is breathtaking)

3. Day 3: Guesthouse chill day! Try wool felt making → learn Kazakh embroidery → cuddle the owner’s Samoyed dog, completely relax

4. Day 4: Hike to alpine lake → pick wild strawberries → guesthouse barbecue party at night

5. Day 5: Hitchhike down from village entrance → explore and eat at Tekes Bagua City

📸 Must-visit spots + photo tips

【3 must-go spots】

1. Back mountain grassland: 20-minute walk, at sunset the warm golden light covers the grass, every shot looks like a masterpiece.

2. Wusun Ancient Trail entrance: Don’t miss if you like hiking, about 3 hours round trip, streams and spruce forests intertwine along the way, every step a scenic view.

3. Village creek: Watch herders drive sheep early in the morning, the sound of cow and sheep bells with the morning light creates a healing scene you’ll want to freeze in time.

【Photo tips】

1. Guesthouse backyard swing: With snow-capped mountains as the backdrop, wear a white long dress and shoot against the light for maximum softness.

2. Wusun Ancient Trail by the stream: At 4 pm, sunlight filters through the spruce forest, creating stunning light beams; side profile shots here look magical.

3. Horseback riding in Kalajun: Ask the horseman to capture dynamic shots; galloping across the grassland feels incredibly free.

4. Alpine lake: Use a wide-angle lens to frame both people and the lake’s reflection, making the scene especially vast.

⚠️ Practical tips: Things to note in advance

1. Clothing: Big temperature difference between day and night! Thin down jacket + sun protection clothing + Martin boots are standard; don’t just wear short sleeves.

2. Supplies: The village convenience store has limited goods; buy snacks, face masks, and other essentials in Tekes County before coming.

3. Altitude sickness: Qiongku is about 2000 meters high, generally no altitude sickness, so don’t worry too much.

During these 5 days here, I completely forgot about my phone—woken by the sound of cow and sheep bells at dawn, napping on the lawn in the afternoon, sitting around the fire listening to herders’ stories at night, even breathing in the scent of fresh grass. There’s no trace of over-commercialization, no crowds jostling to see the scenery, no city noise or work stress, and no pressure to rush. People seem to become free birds, able to fly with the wind and stop to smell the grass.

If you also want to escape the city and have a healing trip, you can take this guide directly—staying at “Qinghuan Guesthouse” is definitely the right choice!