The Tukai Desert Scenic Area is located southwest of Huocheng County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. It is a national 4A-level tourist scenic area. The scenic area covers an area of about 130,000 mu and is the only desert within an oasis in Xinjiang. Here, the sand dunes are continuous, and the sand is fine and soft, presenting a unique desert landscape. The scenic area has a desert entertainment area, as well as facilities for tourists to rest and learn about desert knowledge, allowing tourists to fully experience the desert style and feel the magic and charm of nature.
Historical Culture
Although the Tukai Desert is located within an oasis, its formation is closely related to the local geological changes and climatic conditions. Historically, the Yili region was one of the important passages of the Silk Road, and the Tukai Desert has also witnessed the prosperity of ancient business caravans coming and going. At that time, the caravans left many legendary stories and historical relics when crossing the desert. Nowadays, this place has become a great destination for people to understand desert culture and local history. Tourists can imagine the hardships and grandeur of ancient business caravans traveling in the desert. At the same time, the cultures of local ethnic minorities such as the Kazakh people are also integrated with the desert landscape, forming a unique cultural atmosphere.
Main Attractions
Golden Sand Dunes
The Golden Sand Dunes are one of the main landscapes of the Tukai Desert. The sand dunes undulate continuously and shine with a golden light under the sunlight, which is very spectacular. Tourists can stroll along the sand dunes, feel the vastness and tranquility of the desert, and also enjoy the unique desert sunrise and sunset views.
Desert Entertainment Area
The Desert Entertainment Area is a popular scenic spot in the scenic area, with entertainment projects such as sandboarding, camel riding, and desert motorcycles. Tourists can fully experience the excitement and fun in the desert and feel the charm of desert sports. Among them, camel riding is the most popular project. Tourists can ride camels in the desert, as if going back to the era of ancient business caravans.
Desert Science Museum
The Desert Science Museum displays knowledge about the formation of the desert, the ecological environment, and the unique animals and plants in the desert. Inside the museum, through various forms such as pictures, texts, and real objects, it comprehensively introduces relevant knowledge about the desert to tourists, enabling tourists to increase their understanding of the desert while having fun.
Populus Euphratica Forest Landscape Belt
The Populus Euphratica Forest Landscape Belt is located on the edge of the desert. The Populus Euphratica trees are drought-resistant and salt-alkali-resistant, tenaciously growing in the desert. In autumn, the leaves of the Populus Euphratica turn golden yellow, setting off against the desert scenery and forming a beautiful picture. It is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Delicacies
Kazakh Roast Meat
Kazakh roast meat is a local specialty. Fresh mutton is selected and through a unique marinating and roasting process, the meat is tender, juicy, and full of fragrance. Tourists can taste authentic Kazakh roast meat in the restaurants around the scenic area.
Nang (a kind of bread)
Nang is a traditional food in Xinjiang, which can also be tasted around the Tukai Desert Scenic Area. There are various types of Nang, such as sesame Nang and scallion Nang, with a crispy taste, and it is a food loved by local residents and tourists.
Hand-Pulled Rice
Hand-pulled rice uses rice, mutton, carrots, etc. as the main ingredients, with a delicious taste and rich nutrition. The hand-pulled rice made in the restaurants around the scenic area has a strong local flavor and is one of the must-try delicacies for tourists.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket price for the Tukai Desert Scenic Area is 30 yuan per person. Some entertainment projects in the scenic area require additional fees, such as sandboarding at 20 yuan per time, camel riding at 50 yuan per time, and desert motorcycles at 80 yuan per time, etc.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "图开沙漠旅游度假区", to get the latest information or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open throughout the year, from 09:00 to 20:00 every day. The opening hours may be extended in summer (June - August), subject to the announcements of the scenic area.
Itinerary for Visiting
After entering the scenic area, tourists can first go to the Desert Science Museum to learn about desert knowledge, then go to the Golden Sand Dunes to admire the desert scenery, and then experience entertainment projects such as sandboarding and camel riding in the Desert Entertainment Area. At noon, tourists can taste local delicacies around the scenic area. In the afternoon, they can go to the Populus Euphratica Forest Landscape Belt to take photos. Finally, they can take a short rest in the rest area of the scenic area before leaving the scenic area.
Transportation
- Starting from Urumqi, you can take a flight to Yining City, and then rent a car or charter a car from Yining City to the Tukai Desert Scenic Area in Huocheng County. The car rental price varies according to the type of vehicle, generally about 300 - 500 yuan per day for a small car, and about 500 - 800 yuan per day for a chartered car.
- Starting from Yining City, you can also take a shuttle bus to Huocheng County, and then take a taxi to the scenic area. The shuttle bus fare from Yining City to Huocheng County is about 15 yuan per person, and the taxi fare from Huocheng County to the scenic area is about 30 - 50 yuan.
Must-visit Attractions
- Golden Sand Dunes: The continuous sand dunes glisten in the sun, which is a great place to admire the desert landscape and watch the sunrise and sunset.
- Desert Entertainment Area: There are various entertainment projects to choose from, allowing tourists to fully experience the fun of desert sports. Especially the camel riding project is full of unique desert style.
- Populus Euphratica Forest Landscape Belt: In autumn, the golden Populus Euphratica trees contrast with the desert scenery, which is an excellent location for photography, showing the tenacity and beauty of life in the desert.
Suggestions for Visiting
- When visiting the scenic area in summer, take sun protection measures, such as applying sunscreen, wearing a sun hat and sunglasses, etc. The sunlight in the desert area is strong to avoid sunburn.
- When playing entertainment projects, follow the guidance of the staff and abide by relevant safety regulations to ensure the safety of the play.
- Respect local customs and habits, especially when tasting local delicacies and communicating with local residents, pay attention to cultural differences.
- You can prepare some drinking water and snacks in advance. Although they are sold in the desert scenic area, the price may be relatively high.
- If you want to photograph the desert sunrise or sunset, learn about the sunrise and sunset times in advance and choose a suitable shooting location and angle.
Precautions
- The sand in the scenic area is fine. When playing, pay attention to protecting your eyes and avoid sand getting into your eyes.
- When riding a camel, get on and off the camel according to the instructions of the staff. Sit firmly and hold on well during the camel's journey, and do not shake randomly.
- The desert climate is dry. Replenish water in time to prevent dehydration.
- Do not damage the vegetation and facilities in the scenic area at will and keep the environmental sanitation of the scenic area.
- When walking in the desert, follow the designated route to avoid getting lost.