Tangbula BaiLi Gallery—A Stunning Detour Not to Be Missed on a Duku Highway Road Trip
Today's plan is to drive the Duku Highway, from Xinyuan to Nalati, and then from Nalati to Dushanzi, which is about half of the Duku Highway. We'll save the southern part of the route, including Bayinbuluk and Kuqa, for next time.
After getting on the Duku Highway from Nalati, the first half of the journey was relatively uneventful. Perhaps because of our previous experiences driving the Yizhao Highway and the mountain roads to Joan Kushtai, the scenery in the first half didn't really impress us. So, at Qiaoerma, we made a detour to Tangbula BaiLi Gallery. The round trip took more than an hour, which meant we had to drive at night later on.
Tangbula "Hundred-Mile Scroll, Natural Gallery," or BaiLi Gallery for short, is a must-see when driving the Duku Highway! Located in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains, one of the five major grasslands in Ili, Tangbula BaiLi Gallery is a natural scenic area that integrates forests, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, hills, rapids, rocks, streams, and wildflowers. Each of its 113 valleys has its own unique charm, offering picturesque scenery at every turn.
Location: From Qiaoerma to Wusulatai Town, the 102 km road passes through the Tangbula grassland and forest, which is the traditional Tangbula BaiLi Gallery. The essence of Tangbula BaiLi Gallery is from Fairy Lake to Honeybee Town, a stretch of about 60 km. The landscape is dominated by narrow river valley grasslands and alpine forest terrain, with the Kashi River running through the entire area.
Recommended attractions along the way:
✔️Little Huashan Observation Deck (P11): Entry fee is ¥15/person. Search for "Little Huashan" on your navigation app. To reach the observation deck, you need to climb about 2,700 steps, ascending about 300m (2,000m to 2,300m). At the top, you'll find fewer crowds, stunning views, and a vast panorama of alpine meadows, forests, and snow-capped mountains.
✔️BaiLi Gallery Observation Deck: Climb up to the observation deck for a view of the aerial grassland, perfect for sunset photography. There is a parking lot for camping.
✔️Fairy Lake: Search for "Fairy Lake Horse Team" or "Fairy Lake Parking Lot" on your navigation app. This stunningly quiet lake hidden in the mountains, against a backdrop of blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, flowers, and grass, feels like a paradise. There is an entrance fee of ¥10/person (remember to bring cash as the network signal may be weak). Fairy Lake is not a fully developed scenic area, and there are no restrooms on the mountain. Horseback riding takes about 1.5 hrs round trip, while hiking takes 3–4 hrs round trip. If you're not in good physical condition, horseback riding is recommended, costing ¥200/person.
✔️Monk's Ancient Road: Search for "Monk's Scenic Area Visitor Center" on your navigation app. The fee is ¥200 per vehicle (up to 5 people; an additional ¥50/person is charged for more than 5 people). You'll see snow-capped mountains, meadows, wildflowers, rivers, and even wild hot springs. The scenic area has been upgraded this year, with some roads paved, making driving easier.
✔️Bulong Valley (P15–18): Bulong Valley is a hidden gem among the 113 valleys of BaiLi Gallery. Free entry. Search for "Miyuezquan Tianshan Hotel" on your navigation app. The first half of the road is paved, while the latter half, about 5 km, is a gravel road. There's only one road, so you don't have to worry about getting lost. If you have the energy, you can hike up the mountain from the hotel to the snow-capped mountains.
✔️Bear Valley: This is a valley frequently visited by locals among the 113 valleys of BaiLi Gallery. Free entry. Search for "Nileke Tianshan Black Bee Manor Eco-Hotel" on your navigation app, and turn at the sign for Bear Valley. The paved road is in good condition. Herders live on both sides, raising cattle and horses. Inside, you'll find spruce forests and rivers, with pristine scenery and very few tourists!
✔️Honeybee Town (P5): There are large fields of rapeseed flowers and wheat fields to the east and west of the town, ideal for drone aerial photography. There is no designated parking area, so be careful when parking on the roadside. There are many restaurants and shops in Honeybee Town where you can have lunch or dinner and buy fruit.
Tangbula BaiLi Gallery is ideal for in-depth road trips. If you have enough time, a 2–3 day visit is recommended.