Alaer

In mid to late October, Alar’s poplar trees turn golden yellow, and the weather is relatively comfortable, making it a good time to visit.

Alar developed on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Here, you can experience both the vast, desolate landscape of the desert and the oasis scenery nourished by the Tarim River.

• Gateway to the Taklamakan Desert: Located in Huaqiao Town, Division 11, on the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Visitors can ride UTV off-road vehicles and camels, or try sand sliding. Evening is a good time to watch the sunset from the dunes, while at night you can stargaze and camp in the desert.

• Sleeping Poplar Valley: Located in Division 14, this area contains about 35,000 mu of interconnected dead poplar trees, earning it the nickname “the Tarim’s native poplar specimen repository.” The trunks have rugged, unusual forms, giving the landscape the feel of desert ruins. The light at sunrise and sunset is especially good for photography.

• Tarim River Source Scenic Area: Located in Division 16, this is where the Aksu, Hotan and Yarkand rivers converge to form the Tarim River. In autumn, the poplars turn yellow, and the river surface shimmers silver in the evening light.

• 359th Brigade Reclamation Memorial Museum: The museum documents the struggles of the XPCC workers who “reclaimed land in the Tianshan Mountains” and is an important place to learn about local history. It includes reconstructed scenes of early life, such as dugout dwellings. Allow about two hours for a visit.

• Shahaiwan Film and Television Base: Just 6–7 km from the airport, this site is free to enter. Desert scenery and golden reeds are interspersed throughout the area, creating a distinctive western desert landscape. The relatively quiet surroundings are well suited to photographing wide-open scenes.

Food Experiences: The Flavors of the XPCC

Alar’s cuisine brings together northwestern Han Chinese, Uyghur and XPCC farming-and-reclamation influences. Portions are generally generous, and the meat is fresh and flavorful.

• Diwozi Mutton Restaurant: Try Alar-style hand-held mutton and stir-fried wild chives with eggs. The mutton is tender and has relatively little gamey flavor, while the wild chives are fragrant and savory, making them a good accompaniment to rice or other staple foods.

• Guo’s Beef Noodles: A popular local noodle restaurant. Its beef meatball soup and rice topped with vegetables and meat both have a distinctly local flavor, making them suitable for breakfast or a simple meal.

• Fengze Pilaf: Located in the Oasis Residential Community, this restaurant serves rice with a pleasantly firm texture and lamb stewed until tender and richly flavored. Many diners call it “the best in Alar.”

• Abudu Nang: Specializing in freshly baked nang flatbread, including barbecue nang and onion nang with a pronounced aroma. By the afternoon, it may already be sold out.

Suggested Itineraries

• Two-day, one-night relaxed trip:
  • Day 1: Visit the 359th Brigade Reclamation Memorial Museum in the morning to learn about XPCC history. In the afternoon, head to the Tarim River Source Scenic Area to see the meeting of the three rivers and the autumn poplars, then wait by the river for sunset. In the evening, visit the night market at Jiangtai Trading City in the city center for barbecued meat.
  • Day 2: Get up early and visit Sleeping Poplar Valley, then continue to the Gateway to the Taklamakan Desert to try off-road driving and camel riding before returning in the evening.
• Three-day, two-night in-depth trip:
  • Day 1: After arriving in Alar, check into a city-center hotel. Visit the night market in the evening, sample local food and get familiar with the local climate.
  • Day 2: Spend the day in the desert. Visit Sleeping Poplar Valley in the morning, then head to the Gateway to the Taklamakan Desert in the afternoon for off-road activities. Stargaze and camp overnight.
  • Day 3: Visit the Tarim River Source Scenic Area to see the wetlands and poplars. In the afternoon, visit the Shahaiwan Film and Television Base, then return home or continue to your next destination.

Transportation and Accommodation Guide

• Transportation: Alar’s attractions are spread far apart, and some are located on the edge of the desert, so driving yourself or hiring a car is recommended. If using public transportation, note that some desert routes operate only on weekends. On weekdays, a single taxi ride may be relatively expensive.
• Accommodation: Most city accommodations are located along Tarim Avenue and Junken Road. There are plenty of options, and overall value for money is good. If you want to experience the desert night sky, consider the Radisson Yiman Hotel or the RV campground within the Gateway to the Taklamakan Desert scenic area; the accommodation areas offer direct views of the sea of sand.

Things to Note

• Sun and sand protection: Southern Xinjiang has strong ultraviolet rays, and desert areas can be very windy and sandy. Bring SPF 50+ sunscreen, windproof sunglasses, a sun hat and a dust mask.
• Sandproof shoe covers: When taking part in desert activities, high-top sandproof shoe covers are recommended to keep sand out of your shoes. After leaving the desert, clean your nose and mouth promptly to reduce discomfort from residual dust.
• Temperature changes and supplies: Autumn brings a large difference between day and night temperatures. Daytime temperatures may exceed 20°C, while nighttime temperatures can fall into the single digits, so bring a warm jacket. Shops are scarce in the desert and at some scenic areas, so buy plenty of drinking water and high-energy snacks at a city supermarket in advance.
• Drink prices: Before buying pomegranate juice or other drinks at scenic areas or roadside stalls, confirm the price first. Stalls near scenic-area entrances may charge considerably more—for example, 25 yuan for one bottle.
• Desert highway safety: If you plan to drive to Hotan along the G580 Desert Highway, the journey is more than 400 km. There are section speed checks along the route, and you may encounter strong crosswinds. Fill the tank at either end of the highway before setting out, and refuel when passing service areas. Do not leave the paved road and drive into areas of shifting sand.