Sawan Antler Bay Tourist Area is located at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains and the southern edge of the Junggar Basin in Sawan City (formerly Sawan County), Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, about 80 kilometers from the urban area of Sawan. The scenic area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction with a total area of approximately 1,900 square kilometers, of which the core tourist area covers about 500 square kilometers. It integrates natural landscapes such as snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, streams, and glaciers, and is named after the deer herds that inhabit it in winter. It is a famous high-quality pasture and summer resort in Xinjiang. The scenic area features vast and flat grasslands with an average summer temperature of about 20°C, a forest coverage rate of 35% (mainly Tianshan spruce forests), more than 200 plant species, and a negative oxygen ion content of 1,500 per cm³, indicating excellent ecological conditions. The area is equipped with facilities such as Kazakh-style yurt accommodation areas and catering service areas, capable of accommodating approximately 2,000 people.
History and Culture
Sawan City, where Antler Bay is located, has a long history and was an important node on the northern route of the Ancient Silk Road. It was once a grazing ground for ancient nomadic peoples, and traditional nomadic cultures of ethnic minorities such as the Kazakhs and Mongolians are still preserved here. Ancient rock painting clusters discovered in the scenic area, such as the "Sharghan Gully Rock Paintings," depict ancient herders' hunting and grazing scenes and have a history of thousands of years, serving as important physical materials for studying the nomadic culture of the Western Regions.
In modern times, Antler Bay has witnessed the development of local animal husbandry as a high-quality pasture in Xinjiang. Since the 1980s, relying on its unique natural landscapes and ethnic cultures, it has been gradually developed into a tourist attraction, becoming a window to showcase Xinjiang's grassland culture and natural scenery.
Main Attractions
Antler Bay Grassland
As the core attraction of the scenic area, the grassland covers an area of 1,200 square kilometers with gentle and open terrain. In summer, it is carpeted with green grass and dotted with wildflowers, including more than 20 species such as golden lotus and wild poppy. Traditional Kazakh yurts are scattered across the grassland, where visitors can experience nomadic life activities like milking and horseback riding, and watch traditional herder events such as "sheep grabbing" and horse racing.
Snow-Capped Mountains and Glaciers
Backed by the Tianshan Mountains, the scenic area features snow-capped mountains above 3,000 meters above sea level with year-round snow, and a glacier area of about 50 square kilometers. The "Dongdatang Glacier" is the most spectacular, with its terminus extending to the edge of the forest, forming a vertical climate zone landscape of "four seasons on one mountain."
Bayingou River
Originating from the Tianshan glaciers, the river runs through the entire scenic area, with a total length of about 60 kilometers, clear water, and an average flow rate of 5 cubic meters per second. Spruce forests and meadows are distributed along the river, making it an ideal place for hiking and picnicking. The summer water temperature is about 10°C, providing a cool and pleasant environment.
Sharghan Gully Rock Paintings
Located in the southwestern part of the scenic area, there are more than 50 existing rock paintings, mainly depicting animal patterns (such as deer, sheep, and horses) and hunting scenes. The largest rock painting covers an area of 10 square meters, with a history of about 1,000-1,500 years. It is a cultural relic protection unit at the autonomous region level.
Cuisine
Kazakh Hand-Grabbed Meat
Using castrated sheep grazing on local grasslands, it is stewed in clear water and served with salt and mashed garlic. The mutton is tender and free from gaminess, rich in protein, and a traditional Kazakh hospitality dish, with an average consumption of about 500 grams per meal.
Horse Milk Wine
Made by fermenting fresh horse milk, it has an alcohol content of about 3-8 degrees, a sweet and sour taste, and is refreshing to drink in summer. The annual output of homemade horse milk wine by herder families in the scenic area is about 20 tons, making it a must-try beverage for experiencing grassland culture.
Naren
Shredded cooked mutton is placed on wide cooked noodles, mixed with meat broth and chopped onions. The noodles are chewy, and the meat is delicious. It is a staple food during Kazakh festivals, with each serving weighing about 800 grams, suitable for 2-3 people.
Sawan Big Plate Chicken
Although not unique to the scenic area, as a signature dish of Sawan City, it is available in restaurants around the scenic area. Made with local free-range chickens, potatoes, and wide noodles, stir-fried with secret sauce, it is spicy and fragrant. A plate of big plate chicken weighs about 2 kilograms, suitable for 4-5 people to share.
Tickets
The scenic area ticket is 30 yuan per person, the horseback riding experience costs about 80 yuan per hour, and the average price for a Kazakh yurt is 200 yuan per tent (accommodating 4-6 people). Subject to actual prices at the scenic area.
Opening Hours
Open year-round, with the best tourist season from May to September. Summer opening hours are 8:00-20:00, and winter opening hours are 10:00-18:00 (some mountain roads are snow-covered in winter, so road conditions need to be confirmed in advance).
Tour Routes
One-day route: Visitor Center → Antler Bay Grassland (horseback riding, yurt tour) → Bayingou River Hiking (2 hours) → Sharghan Gully Rock Paintings (1 hour) → Return to Visitor Center.
Two-day route: Day 1: Visitor Center → Snow-Capped Mountain and Glacier Viewing Platform (shooting glacier panoramas) → Bayingou River Valley Picnic → Antler Bay Grassland Bonfire Party; Day 2: Sharghan Gully Rock Paintings In-depth Tour → Kazakh Folk Custom Experience (milking, making milk curds) → Return journey.
Transportation
- Self-driving:
- From Urumqi: Drive west along G30 Lianhuo Expressway to Sawan Exit, turn onto S101 Provincial Highway (National Defense Highway) and go south into the Tianshan Mountain area, with a total distance of about 260 kilometers and a driving time of 4 hours;
- From Tacheng Prefecture: Drive along G3015 Kuitun-Tacheng Expressway to Kuitun City, turn east onto G30 Lianhuo Expressway to Sawan Exit, and follow the above route, with a total distance of about 200 kilometers and a driving time of 3 hours. - Public transportation:
- Sawan Urban Bus Station has tourist shuttle buses to the scenic area at 10:00 and 14:00 daily, with a fare of 25 yuan per person and a journey time of 2 hours;
- Urumqi Nianzigou Bus Station has long-distance buses to Sawan, from where you can transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus.
Must-See Attractions
- Antler Bay Grassland: One of the most beautiful alpine meadows in Xinjiang, covering 1,200 square kilometers with a summer wildflower coverage rate of 60%, suitable for experiencing nomadic culture and grassland activities.
- Snow-Capped Mountains and Glaciers: The Dongdatang Glacier at an altitude of 3,500 meters, with a thickness of over 100 meters, allowing close observation of glacier cracks and ice tower forest landscapes.
- Sharghan Gully Rock Paintings: Relics of ancient nomadic culture from 1,500 years ago, with an 80% preservation rate, making them an important site for rock painting research in Xinjiang.
Tour Tips
- In summer, bring sunscreen with SPF50+ protection, sunglasses, and a sun hat. The grassland has a UV intensity of level 5, requiring reapplication every 2 hours.
- Wear boots or sports shoes when horseback riding, follow herders' instructions, and choose docile horses for first-time riders, with a recommended riding time of no more than 2 hours.
- When staying in Kazakh yurts, respect ethnic customs: take off your shoes before entering and avoid loud noise inside the yurt.
- Wear waterproof hiking shoes when hiking along the Bayingou River, carry 2 liters of drinking water and energy bars, as there are no supply points along the way.
Notes
- Random picking of wildflowers and damaging vegetation are prohibited in the scenic area, as the grassland ecosystem takes 5-10 years to recover.
- The snow-capped mountain area has a high altitude and low temperature (summer average 5-15°C), so bring a windbreaker or down jacket to avoid catching a cold.
- Some sections of the Bayingou River are over 2 meters deep; swimming is strictly prohibited without authorization, and children must be accompanied by adults.
- Touching, carving, or rubbing the rock paintings is forbidden. The rock painting area is under surveillance, and violations will result in fines of 500-2,000 yuan.
- In winter, some roads in the scenic area are snow-covered and icy. Self-driving vehicles must be equipped with snow chains, and it is recommended to carry sufficient fuel and food in case of being stranded.