Wusu Foshan National Forest Park is located in the central Tianshan Mountains of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, covering Wusu City, Kuitun City, Shawan County, and Dushanzi District of Karamay City. This scenic area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction with a total area of approximately 37,000 hectares. The scenic area combines the grandeur of northern China with the elegance of southern China, interwoven with landscapes such as snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, rivers, glaciers, and canyons. The forest coverage rate reaches 76%, with vegetation mainly consisting of alternating mountain spruce forest belts and meadow belts. It is home to about 800 plant species, and the negative oxygen ion content in the air exceeds the national standard by 3-4 times, making it a "natural oxygen bar." The park has three major scenic areas: Bayingou, Daifuseng, and Ulan Sadek, with fifteen functional areas equipped with facilities such as catering, conference services, and hot spring entertainment.
History and Culture
Wusu Foshan National Forest Park was approved as an autonomous region-level forest park in 1992 and reconfirmed as such in 1994. On December 25, 2008, it was promoted to a national forest park after review by the State Forestry Administration. In January 2015, it was rated as a national AAAA-level scenic area. In 2017, it collaborated with the Wusu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital to establish the first "Forest Health Care Station" in Xinjiang and was named the "Outdoor Filming Base for CCTV's TV Drama Channel." It has also successively won titles such as "China Forest Health Care Base" and "Most Beautiful Chinese Tourism Destination."
Main Attractions
Grand Foshan
The park features the world's largest and most mysterious natural snow mountain Buddha, which is imposing and looks like a guardian overlooking the earth, creating a highly visually stunning scene.
Subalpine Ecological Park
It houses a unique subalpine botanical garden in China with a rich variety of plant species. The average summer temperature is around 20°C, and the negative oxygen ion content in the air is as high as 30,000 per cm³, making it an ideal place for summer retreat and health care.
Geological Park
As the only geological zone in the Junggar Basin with well-developed geological features, complete strata, continuous outcrops, and well-preserved conditions, it serves as an important base for geological research and science education.
Tulip Garden
Every May, when the tulips are in full bloom, various colors of tulips—red, yellow, pink, purple, and white—bloom together in the garden, forming the most beautiful natural picture on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains with the distant Tianshan snow peaks and spruce forests.
Fritillary Garden
From May to June, fritillary flowers bloom, with beautiful blossoms that have both ornamental and medicinal values, attracting many tourists and plant enthusiasts.
Red Deer Park
Visitors can observe rare animals such as red deer up close in the park and learn about their living habits and ecological environment through professional explanations, making it a great place to get close to nature.
Yixiantian (Narrow Sky)
Located in the Daifuseng Scenic Area, this long canyon has steep and upright peaks on both sides, with a valley bottom only 1-2 meters wide. Looking up, the sky appears as a narrow line, forming a unique geological landscape.
Ulan Sadek Lake
Nestled among towering mountains, the lake features distant snow-capped peaks and nearby rolling green grasslands. Spruce trees and snow peaks are reflected in the lake, integrating the lake and mountain scenery into a simple, fresh, and natural picture, like a beautiful musical movement.
Cuisine
Roasted Lamb
Made from high-quality local lamb, the meat is roasted over charcoal until the skin is golden and crispy, while the inside remains tender and juicy. Seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and other spices, it is aromatic and a classic Xinjiang dish.
Hand-Grabbed Lamb
Fresh lamb is boiled in clear water to retain its original flavor. When eaten, it is dipped in salt or garlic paste. The meat is tender, free from mutton odor, and fatty but not greasy, reflecting the dietary characteristics of nomadic peoples.
Kazakh Milk Tea
Prepared by boiling brick tea and mixing it with fresh cow or goat milk, along with butter and fried rice, this tea has a rich, salty, and aromatic taste. It can warm the body and replenish energy, making it a must-have beverage in mountainous areas.
Xinjiang Noodle Stir-Fry
The noodles are hand-pulled, chewy and full of elasticity, paired with toppings such as stir-fried meat, shredded potatoes, tomato and egg. The combination of meat and vegetables offers a balanced nutrition, and one serving of noodles can meet the energy needs for a whole day.
Tickets
The entrance fee for the forest park is 38 yuan per person, and the Daifuseng Ecological Park costs 20 yuan per person. Please refer to the actual prices at the scenic area.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours a day throughout the year (subject to change in case of extreme weather or special events; it is recommended to check the scenic area announcements before traveling).
Tour Routes
One-day routes: Plan 1: Daifuseng Scenic Area (Subalpine Ecological Park → Yixiantian → Viewing Platform) to experience forest health care and geological wonders; Plan 2: Bayingou Scenic Area (Forest Sea Touring Area → Grassland Sightseeing Area → Unique Rock and Stone Area) to enjoy primitive mountain forests and grassland scenery.
Two-day routes: Day 1: Daifuseng Scenic Area (Forest Health Care Wooden Walkway → Health Care Log Cabins → Tulip Garden) for a deep experience of forest health projects; Day 2: Ulan Sadek Lake Scenic Area (Hiking around the lake → Snow Mountain Viewing Platform → Fritillary Garden) to admire alpine lakes and wildlife landscapes.
Transportation
- Public transportation: First, arrive at Wusu City and take the special shuttle bus "Wusu-Daifuseng" at Wusu City Bus Station. Buses depart every hour from 8:00 to 18:00, and the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.
- Self-driving routes: - Starting from Wusu City: Drive west along the G30 Lianhuo Expressway, exit at "Bayingou," and then turn onto the scenic area road via S205 Provincial Highway. The total distance is about 60 kilometers, and the driving time is 1 hour. - Starting from Urumqi: Drive west along the G30 Lianhuo Expressway to Wusu City, then follow the above route. The total distance is about 260 kilometers, and the driving time is 3.5 hours.
Must-See Attractions
- Subalpine Ecological Park: A unique subalpine botanical garden in China with a negative oxygen ion content of 30,000 per cm³ and an average summer temperature of 20°C, ideal for health care and summer retreat.
- Ulan Sadek Lake: An alpine lake with snow-capped mountains and forests reflecting in the water, covering an area of about 0.5 square kilometers. The 8-kilometer hiking route around the lake allows close contact with natural mysteries.
- Grand Foshan: A natural snow mountain Buddha with a vertical height of about 1,100 meters, whose mountain outline resembles Maitreya Buddha, a rare natural wonder globally.
Tour Tips
- In summer, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Due to large temperature differences between day and night in mountainous areas, carry a light jacket (such as a windbreaker). In winter, wear warm clothing like down jackets and non-slip boots.
- Wear high-top hiking shoes for hiking, carry enough drinking water (some areas in the scenic area do not have sales points), and it is recommended to bring energy-rich foods (such as chocolate and beef jerky).
- Photography enthusiasts can bring telephoto lenses to capture distant views of snow-capped mountains and wild animals. Drone users must register in advance with the scenic area, and flying is prohibited in core protected areas.
- For forest health projects (such as herbal baths and meditation), it is recommended to make reservations in advance and follow project guidelines.
Notes
- Smoking and the use of open fires are prohibited in the scenic area. Carrying fire sources into forested areas is strictly forbidden.
- Do not feed wild animals at will, and maintain a safe distance of at least 3 meters from animals like red deer.
- When hiking, follow the principle of "leave only footprints, take only photos," and dispose of garbage in designated trash bins.
- Some mountain roads have steep slopes; it is recommended to travel in groups, and minors and the elderly must be accompanied by guardians.
- The highest altitude in the scenic area is approximately 2,800 meters, where mild altitude sickness may occur. It is recommended to move slowly and seek medical attention promptly if discomfort arises.