Barkol Grassland Travel Guide
The high-cold grasslands of Dongjiang: Kazakh yurts, herds of horses, and snowy peaks in the background
The Barkol Grassland is in a basin about 130 kilometers north of Hami: cool in summer, with grasslands and snow-capped mountains in the same view, and Kazakh yurts and horse herds along the roadside. This article explains clearly which months to visit, how to go horseback riding and experience pastoral activities, and how to combine it with Barkol Lake.
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Destination Details
Barkol Grassland is located in Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County, Hami City, nestled in a mountain basin of the Eastern Tianshan, at an altitude of about 1600–1800 meters. Unlike the famous Ili Grassland, it is quiet: from June to August, the average high temperature is only in the twenties Celsius, making it the best place to escape the summer heat in eastern Xinjiang. At the end of the grassland lies the always snow-capped Eastern Tianshan.
Things Worth Scheduling
- Horse Riding and Pasture Tours: Kazakh herders offer horse riding by the hour, at prices cheaper than in Kanas and Nalati; in July and August, there are herd migrations and horse racing events (dates vary annually, confirm locally).
- Yurt Dinner: Hand-pulled meat, boorsak, milk tea, with hosts sharing Kazakh stories. This is one of the few opportunities in eastern Xinjiang to stay in a pastoral area.
- Grassland with Snow Mountains in Frame: In the evening light, the meadows are illuminated with snow-capped mountains in the background, producing photography results beyond expectations.
- Barkol Ancient City and Dizang Temple: On the way back to the county town from the grassland, the ruins of the Qing Dynasty military settlement ancient city can be viewed quickly.
Best Time to Visit
Mid-June to the end of August is the peak of greenery; after mid-September, the grass turns golden, offering a different kind of desolate beauty; in winter, the grasslands are snowbound, generally not included in itineraries.
Transportation and Connecting Routes
About a two-hour drive from Hami city center. Usually combined with Barkol Lake and Huancai Lake for a one-day round trip; it can also be included in the Eastern Xinjiang loop (Turpan—Hami—Barkol—Mulei—Jiangbulake). Mobile signals in the grassland area are weak, and temperatures drop sharply after sunset, so remember to bring a jacket.
