Kalajun Travel Guide
Three-dimensional Grasslands and Human Curves: Kuokesu Grand Canyon
Kalajun is a world natural heritage-level alpine meadow: the grasslands undulate like the curves of the human body, there is Crocodile Bay in the Koksu Grand Canyon, along with the Tekesi Bagua City. This article explains how to connect the East and West Kalajun, and how to choose between boat tours and cable cars.
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Destination Details
Kalajun Prairie is located in Tekesi County and was listed as part of the "Xinjiang Tianshan" World Natural Heritage in 2013. The difference between it and Nalati is in its "three-dimensionality"—the meadows undulate with the mountains, and when sunlight sweeps across, it looks like the curves of a human body, earning it the nickname "Human Body Prairie" among photographers.
Scenic Area Layout
- East Kalajun: Colorful meadows and Falcon Hunting Platform; mid-June has the most spectacular wildflower carpets.
- West Kalajun: The area with the most open views of the human-body-like curves; the side lighting in the afternoon is best for photography.
- Kuokesu Grand Canyon: A deeply cut canyon at the edge of the prairie, Crocodile Bay appears in the same frame as the Human Body Prairie; boat tours are available in the canyon section.
Suggested Itinerary
Kalajun is usually paired with Tekesi Bagua City (the only county in the world with a fully intact Bagua layout) for an overnight stay, and the scenic area is visited the next day; the drive between it and Nalati takes about two and a half hours. A common route is "Yining—Kalajun—Tekesi—Nalati." Allocate two days for the entire trip.
Best Months to Visit
June is the prime month for Kalajun: peak wildflowers and the greenest grass; July has darker green meadows and is still beautiful; September offers golden hues with fewer people. Canyon boat tours operate from April to October.
Notes
Within the scenic area, transportation mainly consists of shuttle buses and wooden walkways, with a lot of hiking required, so wear sturdy walking shoes suitable for the mountains; when taking photos near the canyon, do not cross the guardrails; felt tent accommodations are simple, so travelers who mind bathing should stay in Tekesi County.
