Kelamei Service Area: a new landmark of transportation and tourism integration on the S21 Desert Highway, a full-service leisure complex in the desert

The Karamay Service Area is located in the middle section of Xinjiang S21 Awu Expressway (Altay to Urumqi Expressway), in the heart of the Gurbantunggut Desert, and is the core service node of Xinjiang's first desert expressway. On May 1, 2025, the Karamay Desert Park was officially opened on the east side of the service area. It operates in a dual-function mode of "service area + scenic area", integrating transportation supply, desert exploration, and cultural experience, with a total area of ​​100,000 square meters. Relying on the unique Yadan landform and sand sea landscape, it has created a full range of services including catering, accommodation, and entertainment. It receives more than 3,000 tourists per day, becoming a key hub of the "fast in and slow out" tourism system in northern Xinjiang. 🌟 Core Features 1. "Service Area + Scenic Area" Dual Function Integration - Transportation Hub: Provide basic services such as refueling, rest, and vehicle supply to solve the needs of long-distance driving on desert roads. - Desert Park: adjacent to the service area, open desert surfing cars, camel riding, UTV all-terrain vehicle racing, high-altitude viewing plank roads and other special projects, realizing "parking is playing". 2. Desert entertainment experience for all ages - Extreme challenge: UTV sand racing, sliding cableway (under construction) meet the needs of adventure lovers. - Leisure and entertainment: beach volleyball, rooftop bar (where you can watch the desert sunset), wild luxury camping, suitable for family and leisure tourists. - Special accommodation: Desert hotels allow tourists to immerse themselves in the desert starry sky and sunrise landscape. 3. Cultural empowerment and ecological design - Regional culture: The service area design incorporates desert ecology and northern Xinjiang cultural elements, becoming a "linear museum" that showcases Xinjiang style. - Ecological protection: The park construction retains the original sand dune vegetation, and the activity area avoids sensitive ecological zones, reflecting the concept of sustainable development. 4. The value of economic and tourism linkage - Driving regional tourism: complementing with scenic spots such as Fuhai Ulungur Lake and Kanas, and promoting the "desert + lake + forest" multi-dimensional tourism route. - Annual traffic: 2.18 million tourists will be received in 2024, and it is expected to increase significantly after the park opens in 2025. ⏰ Operation information - Opening hours: May 1st to October 1st every year (Desert Park is open seasonally). - Ticket policy: The service area is open free of charge, and entertainment projects in the desert park are charged separately. 💡 Positioning summary: The Karamay Service Area not only reshapes the functional boundaries of traditional service areas, but also takes the desert as a stage, making the journey the starting point of an in-depth experience-it is not only a "supply station" for crossing the Gurbantunggut Sand Sea, but also an innovative model for the integration of transportation and tourism in northern Xinjiang #summervacay#myitinerary #familytravel #travel #thingstodo