Riding Xinjiang's Largest Grassland: Bayinagula, Where Han Han Shot a Movie
In August 2019, I rode over Tian Shan Mountain with a cycling friend from Guangdong. At the foot of Tian Shan, we encountered Bayinagula, the largest grassland in Xinjiang.
Before coming to Xinjiang, I always thought Xinjiang was just a desert dotted with oases full of grapes and melons. However, when I actually stepped into Xinjiang, I realized how shortsighted my previous understanding was. In Xinjiang, there is not only desert and Gobi, but also vast grasslands, white snow mountains, lush forests, and brilliant wildflowers. Among them, the most impressive and magnificent grassland is Bayinagula.
When we arrived at Bayinagula, it was the fifth day of our cycling through the Kerek Highway. After riding through Tian Shan's canyon high-altitude alpine meadow forest, we finally arrived on the vast, open grassland. After a long time of climbing hills and sweating, I finally had the opportunity to slow down and leisurely enjoy this boundless grassland. So, I discussed with my cycling friend, and at this wonderful sight, we also decided to enjoy a feast, because on Bayinagula grassland, there are everywhere wild cattle, sheep and horses, and in the depths of Tian Shan, there are also precious herbs and medicines. Bayinagula means 'unending clear spring' in Mongolian, and I thought there must be some characteristic cuisine here, so I decided to go to Bayinagula Town to rest and replenish myself.
However, my idea was greatly underestimated, and I didn't realize the high consumption level of Bayinagula. It is located in the middle section of the Kerek Highway, at a high latitude and with few people. It is closed except from May to October. Before the highway was completed, it was truly an isolated world. But because of its unique and changeable scenery, it has become popular in the tourism circle in recent years, and it is almost as popular as the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Therefore, tourists from all over the country come here to travel together for a few months. This has led to congestion at all the supply points on the Kerek Highway. Bayinagula is undoubtedly the most famous, and the terrifying race track featured in Kanye West's film 'Flying Life' is also located in Bayinagula. So, both self-driving group tours and cycling trips will choose to rest and replenish supplies here, and the merchants have this short time to do business, so the prices are naturally rising. Traveling across the Jiangnan region, the consumption here is absolutely high. After asking several restaurants, my plan to have a big meal was abandoned. After turning around in the town, I found that a simple bun cost five or six yuan, and a simple room cost two or three hundred yuan. It really is not a place for cycling people to stay for a long time, because we are used to eating Xinjiang's cheap big naan for a few yuan along the way.
This is some of my cycling experiences in Xinjiang. Thank you for your support and attention.
