Riding Through Qiongkushitai: Four Days and Three Nights Learning Horseback Riding with the Kazakh People

The horseback riding instructor provided by the Snow Mountain Ranch was a highly professional Kazakh teacher who also spoke Mandarin. After the first day's three-hour lesson, I had already mastered the basics of mounting and dismounting, holding the reins, and controlling directions. I initially thought it would be difficult, but thanks to the Kazakh teacher's patient guidance, I learned surprisingly quickly, filling me with anticipation for the days ahead. On the second day, we rode out on the first leg of the Wusun Ancient Trail. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, and we even visited a herder's home to taste fresh sheep's milk—it had a unique flavor that left a lasting impression. That day, I galloped across the vast grasslands for the first time, with the wind rushing past my ears and nature's embrace leaving me spellbound. Although the seven-hour ride left my knees aching, the sense of freedom and the experience itself were absolutely worth it. The third day's journey felt more like an adventure: we set out on horseback in the morning, gradually ascending from summer into winter. We ventured deep into the snowy mountains, building snowmen and having snowball fights like children. Climbing up rocky cliffs, we finally reached a frozen alpine lake. The local herders scaled the peaks with ease, which was truly impressive. That day, we rode down the mountain just in time to catch the summer sunset around 10 PM. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the entire valley, creating a breathtaking scene. By the fourth day, we were able to ride independently, navigating through the grasslands. Along the way, we encountered a group of herders driving their sheep. They saw us, two women riding on our own, and laughed, saying we were impressive. They even invited us to help drive the sheep—a moment that made me feel like I was half a grassland native myself.