2025 Minfeng Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

🌟 【Basic Information】 - 📍Location: Situated in the hinterland of the Taklamakan Desert, 120–150 km north of Minfeng County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, distributed along the ancient Niya River channel, about 25–30 km long from north to south, and 5–7 km wide from east to west. - ⏰Best visiting time: April–June, September–November. During these periods, you can avoid both the summer heat and winter cold, as well as the sandstorms during the windy season from March to May. - 🎫Tickets: No ticket required, but you need to apply for a permit from the local cultural relics management department and pay a cultural relic maintenance fee. - 🚗Transportation: - Regular route: First, take a bus from Hotan City to Minfeng County (about 3 hours), then rent an off-road vehicle or camels to enter the desert. The journey from Minfeng County to the Niya Ruins requires crossing 90 km of desert, and some sections require riding camels (about CNY 120/camel/day, camel guide CNY 50/day). - Extreme route: From kilometer marker 468 of the desert highway, head west directly to the center of the ruins (straight-line distance 29 km), but this requires a 5-day trek and is only suitable for professional expedition teams. 🏛️ 【Site Distribution and Historical Value】 Core Area - Buddhist Stupa: Located in the center of the ruins, it is a landmark building, 7m high, with an Indian style. Around it are scattered ruins of Buddhist temples, houses, and tombs. - Noble Tombs: Precious cultural relics such as the "Five Stars Rise from the East, Benefitting China" brocade, Kharosthi wooden slips, and blue wax-printed cotton cloth have been unearthed here, providing important clues for understanding the life of the Jingjue royal family in the Eastern Han Dynasty. - Farmland and Water Conservancy System: You can see the remains of ancient irrigation canals, orchards, and windbreak walls, showcasing the ancient oasis agricultural civilization. Surrounding Ruins - Imam Jafar Sadiq Mazar: This is a religious tomb and a pilgrimage site. There is a cultural relics management office nearby, where procedures for entering Niya need to be handled. - Kapaaskaska Village: As an outpost for entering Niya, you can contact the local guide, Ababaike (cultural relics administrator), who can assist with procedures and provide guided tours. 🗺️ 【Itinerary Planning and Exploration Suggestions】 Classic 2-Day Tour - Day 1: Depart from Minfeng County, go to Imam Jafar Sadiq Mazar to complete the procedures, then ride camels or take a desert vehicle to the Niya Ruins, explore the core area of the Buddhist Stupa, camp in the desert at night, and experience a barbecue around a bonfire. - Day 2: Visit the noble tombs and ancient farmland ruins, then return to Minfeng County. In-depth Exploration Route 5-day self-guided trek: From kilometer marker 468 of the desert highway, head west directly to the Buddhist Stupa. You need to bring a GPS, sufficient water (at least 3L per person per day), compressed food (nang, dried meat), and camping equipment (tent, moisture-proof mat). ⚠️ 【Precautions and Safety Tips】 1. Approval procedures: Be sure to apply for a permit from the Hotan Prefecture Cultural Relics Management Department in advance and contact a local guide (such as Ababaike) to accompany you. 2. Climate challenges: - The surface temperature can reach 50°C in summer and drop to -30°C at night in winter. Prepare sunscreen, windproof and sand-proof face masks, down jackets, etc. - Avoid entering during the high sandstorm season from April to May. 3. Equipment list: - Essential: High-top sand-proof boots, windproof goggles, GPS navigator, satellite phone, first-aid kit. - Recommended: Camels can be used for transportation on regular routes. If you want to save time, you can rent a desert vehicle. 4. Environmental responsibility: It is strictly forbidden to take away any cultural relic fragments. All generated garbage must be taken back. Violations will be subject to heavy penalties. 📸 【Photography and Cultural Experience】 Photo Spots - Sunset at the Buddhist Stupa: The golden afterglow casts on the ruins, creating a strong contrast and a powerful visual impact. - Sand dunes of the ancient river channel: Use the lines of the sand dunes to capture the desolate beauty of the desert and ruins. - Restored scenes of noble tombs: Combine pictures of cultural relics to recreate historical scenes and record past glories. Cultural Interaction - Participate in a bonfire party and experience traditional Uyghur barbecue making and song and dance performances. - Learn how to make nang bread in Kapaaskaska Village and experience local life. 🌍 【Surrounding Connections】Recommended Hotan Itinerary - Hotan Museum: Learn about the cultural relics unearthed from the Niya Ruins and the history of the Hotan area. The museum houses a replica of the "Five Stars Rise from the East, Benefitting China" brocade. - Hotan Grand Bazaar: Purchase specialty items such as Atlas silk, Hetian jade, and handmade carpets, and taste delicacies such as roasted whole lamb and yogurt zongzi. - Taklamakan Desert Highway: Drive through the second largest shifting desert in the world and experience the magnificent landscape of the "Sea of Death." 💡 Ultimate Tip The reason for the abandonment of the Niya Ruins remains a mystery. The unopened wooden slips in the houses and the dogs tied in front of the doors seem to tell the story of the sudden disappearance of the residents. (A must-read for history buffs: For research on the rise and fall of the Jingjue Kingdom and the Kharosthi script, refer to Stein's *Innermost Asia*).

🌵【Quick Facts】🌵 • Location: Southern Xinjiang, spanning Bayingolin, Kashgar, Hotan, Aksu, etc. The world's second-largest shifting sand desert🏜️ • Features: Rolling sand dunes, magnificent Populus euphratica forests, spectacular desert highways, historical Silk Road relics, and extreme climate experiences (blazing summer heat🔥50℃+, freezing winter❄️-20℃) • Best Seasons: Mid-autumn, October-November (golden Populus euphratica🍂+ pleasant climate), early spring, March-April (gentle breezes🍃) • Danger Warning: Summer heat can be fatal! Winter brings bitter cold and sandstorms. Non-professional teams should not venture deep into the desert alone🚫 🚗【Transportation and Route Planning】🚗 🔹Entering the Desert: 1. Classic Crossing Routes (require professional guides/vehicle escort🚧): • North-South: Hotan → Aksu (550 km desert highway) • East-West: Minfeng → Luntai (522 km Tarim Desert Highway) 2. Exploring the Desert's Edge: • Hotan Section: Cele Sand Sea (near the city, ideal for first-timers) • Bayingolin Section: Tarim Populus euphratica Forest Park (Luntai County) + Lop Nur Village (Yuli County) • Kashgar Section: N39 Desert Adventure Base in Makit (starting point of the Silk Road at 39°N latitude) 🔹Transportation Methods: • Self-drive: 4x4 off-road vehicle is essential (satellite phone📞, GPS locator📍, emergency supplies are a must). Joining a professional convoy is recommended🚙 • Chartered Car/Group Tour: Departing from Urumqi/Korla/Kashgar, choose a reputable travel agency (insurance💼, rescue services🚨included) • Short-distance Experiences: Desert edge scenic areas offer ATV rides🏍️, camel rides🐫 (approx. CNY 200-500/hour) 🏜️【Top 5 Must-Do Experiences】🏜️ 1. Conquer the Desert Highway🛣️ • Check-in Points: Tarim Desert Highway (world's longest shifting sand desert highway), 0 km marker, 108 well houses, Populus euphratica forest viewing platform • Note: Speed limit 60 km/h, take a break every 2 hours to prevent fatigue driving💤 2. Witness the Millennial Populus euphratica🍂 • Location: Tarim Populus euphratica Forest Park in Luntai (golden feast in late October) • Photo Spots: "Live for a thousand years, die for a thousand years" dead tree clusters at dusk📸 3. Explore Silk Road Relics🏛️ • Locations: Niya Ruins (ancient Jingjue Kingdom, requires special approval from the Cultural Relics Bureau), Dandan Oilik (Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple murals, applications can be made for academic research) 4. Extreme Desert Sports🏄‍♂️ • Makit N39 Base: Sandboarding, desert stargazing camping🌌, retracing explorers' routes • Hotan Desert Lake Yang Scenic Area: Camel trekking across the sand sea (best during early morning or evening) 5. Experience Frontier Culture🎶 • Visit Lop Nur Village: Experience fishing, red willow barbecue, and Muqam music • Shopping in Kashgar Old City: Adras silk scarves, camel-skin water pouches 🧳【Pre-Trip Checklist】🧳 • Protective Gear: High-top sand gaiters, windproof goggles👀, face mask (for sand and dust), SPF50+ sunscreen🧴, restorative face mask, windproof and sandproof jacket (large temperature difference between day and night) • Survival Supplies: 3L of water per person per day💦, high-calorie food (nang, chocolate🍫, compressed biscuits), car first-aid kit (including anti-heatstroke medicine, tourniquet) • Technical Equipment: Satellite phone (weak signal in the desert), handheld GPS, offline maps🗺️, tire pressure gauge, tow rope ⚠️【Avoid Pitfalls and Safety Guidelines】⚠️ 1. Fatal Mistakes: • ❌Summer crossing = risky! Surface temperatures exceed 70℃, vehicles are prone to spontaneous combustion • ❌Entering the hinterland alone without support: Difficult self-rescue if the vehicle gets stuck, must travel in groups • ❌Trusting "easy routes": There is no absolutely safe place in the Taklamakan 2. Cost Traps: Be wary of cheap tours (may not include rescue insurance/guide qualifications may be questionable). Gas stations are scarce along the desert highway, so fill up beforehand 3. Environmental Protection: Do not take away cultural relics/Populus euphratica wood, take all trash with you, protect the desert environment🌍 🏨【Accommodation and Supply Suggestions】🏨 • Accommodation for In-depth Tours: • Tazhong Oilfield Base: The only accommodation in the desert hinterland (limited conditions, reservations required) • Makit N39 Camp: Container hotels + stargazing tents (meals included) • Accommodation on the Desert's Edge: • Luntai County/Minfeng County: 3-star hotels (CNY 200-400/night, prices may increase during peak season) • Lop Nur Village: Wooden cabin homestays (unique experience, but sound insulation may be poor) • Supply Stations: Service areas along the desert highway (instant noodles🍜, mineral water), Hotan night market (roasted pigeon, pomegranate juice🥤, yogurt dumplings) 📸【Photography Tips】📸 • Golden Hours: 1 hour after sunrise (clear sand dune textures), 30 minutes before sunset ("blood desert" effect) • Creative Shots: • Aerial view of the highway splitting the sand sea with a drone🛣️ • Silhouettes of dead Populus euphratica trees + starry sky time-lapse (avoid full moon) • Close-ups of footprints in the sand (best in the early morning when there's no wind) 💡【Final Reminders】💡 • Register desert crossing activities with the local police👮‍♂️ • Purchase travel insurance that covers "high-risk sports"💼 • Respect Uyghur customs (no alcohol, no sleeveless clothing)👗

🌟Highlights: On the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert lies a hidden gem blessed by time - Minfeng County. Here, the desert landscape and desert oasis intertwine to create a stunning picture. When you and your loved one step onto this land, the first thing that catches your eye is the picturesque desert poplar trees. They stand like loyal guardians in the vast sea of sand, waiting for 3,000 years just to meet you. Each poplar tree is filled with stories of time, with strong branches and golden leaves that shimmer in the sunlight, creating a breathtaking scene against the endless desert. In Minfeng County, besides the desert poplar trees, there are more romantic surprises waiting for you to discover. The ancient Niya Ruins, Desert Fish Lake, and Yulu Tower are mysterious and profound, as if taking you back to ancient civilizations, allowing you to explore the mysteries of history and feel the passage of time. In Yawatonggus Village, the warm and hospitable villagers will welcome you with the brightest smiles and the sweetest fruits. Visit Minfeng County with your loved one at least once in your life. Here, let the desert poplar trees witness your love, and let this magical land become the most unforgettable memory of your love journey. Come, Minfeng County is waiting with open arms, ready to add a colorful chapter to your love story. 📍Address: Minfeng County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang 🚉Transportation: Plane You can first take a flight from Urumqi Diwopu International Airport to Yutian Wanfang Airport, which takes about 2 hours, and then take a car from Yutian to Minfeng County, which takes about 1 hour. Train You can take train 5816, departing from Urumqi at 21:21 and arriving in Minfeng the next day at 15:38. Bus You can choose a long-distance bus, but the journey time is long. You can also choose to rent a car or carpool. If you go in the direction of Korla, you can stay in Korla on the first day, take a car from Korla to Luntai County's Poplar Forest on the second day, stay in Tahe Town, and cross the desert from Tahe Town on the third day, arriving in Minfeng County in the evening. Self-driving You can take the G30 Lianhuo Expressway to Korla, then go through Luntai County and take the Tarim Desert Highway to Minfeng County, enjoying the scenery of the Tarim River and Poplar Forest along the way. You can also take the G216 National Highway, starting from Urumqi and passing through Fukang, Dahuangshan, Wucaiwan, Huoshaoshan, Fuyun, Beitun, Burqin, Altay, Hemu, Kanas, Baihaba, Habahe, Jimunai, Hebukesaier, Wuerhe, Karamay, Kuitun, Dushanzi, Kuqa, Shaya, Aral, Hotan, Yutian, and other places before arriving in Minfeng County.