If you're looking for a trip away from the hustle and bustle, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, pine forests and streams, China Xinjiang Guozigou Forest Park is our ideal destination.

This is one of the most charming scenery in the Yili River Valley, known as the "First Scenery of Yili". Whether you drive across the Guozigou Bridge or stroll along the winding trails in the forest, it is an immersive journey into nature.

Ticket Prices and Opening Hours

At present, Guozigou Forest Park has not been fully commercialized, and many areas are still pristine landscapes. Therefore, most areas do not require tickets, but if you go to designated attractions (such as high observation decks or privately operated photo spots), you may have to pay a maintenance fee of 20-50 RMB (about 3-7 USD).

- Opening hours: Open all day, it is recommended to go during the day, and it is best to go from 9:00 am to 18:00 pm. The temperature in the mountains is lower at night, and the lack of light makes it unsuitable to stay too long.

Transportation

There are several ways to get to Guozigou Forest Park:

- Self-driving: Starting from Yining City, drive south along the G30 Lianhuo Expressway for about 70 kilometers, and the whole journey takes about 1 hour. You will pass the famous Guozigou Bridge along the way, and you can take photos along the way.

- Charter: You can charter a car in Yining or Sailimu Lake Scenic Area, which is suitable for tourists who are not familiar with the route. The price is about 300-500 yuan/car/day (negotiable).

- Bus/carpooling: There is no direct bus line at present, and it is troublesome to transfer. It is recommended to carpool with friends or sign up for a local small group.

Best time to visit

Guozigou Forest Park is beautiful in all seasons, but the best travel season is:

- Summer (June-August): full of green, cool climate, suitable for summer vacation and camping.

- Autumn (September-October): the forest is full of colors, which is a great time to shoot the golden forest and snow-capped mountains.

In spring (April-May), the grass and trees begin to grow after the snow melts. Although the scenery has not yet fully unfolded, the air is fresh; in winter (November-March), there is often snow accumulation, which is suitable for ice and snow photography enthusiasts, but special attention should be paid to traffic and temperature.

Highlights of scenic spots

- Guozigou Bridge Observation Deck: Standing under the bridge and looking up at the world-famous viaduct, especially in the early morning or evening, the clouds and mist are very shocking.

- Forest trail hiking: Crossing the coniferous forest, the stream is gurgling, suitable for light hiking.

- Picnic and camping meadow: In summer, you can set up a tent in the designated lawn area and enjoy the starry sky and forest.

Practical tips

1. It is recommended to wear hiking shoes and windproof jackets, as the temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is large.

2. Bring enough drinking water and dry food, as there is almost no catering service in the park.

3. The signal in the mountainous area is unstable, so download the offline map in advance.

4. Respect nature and herders' areas, and do not enter herders' tents or private land at will.

5. Pay attention to sun protection, the sunshine in Yili is strong and the UV index is high.

6. You can bring mosquito repellent spray in summer, as there are more mosquitoes in the forest area.

A memorable forest journey

Guozigou Forest Park attracts more and more tourists with its pristine and pure ecology and amazing landforms. There are neither crowded crowds nor excessive commercial development here. It is an ideal place for us to find tranquility and nature. If you love nature, like hiking or photography, then Guozigou is a stop not to be missed on your trip to Xinjiang.