40km south of Yining, Kuerdening Nature Reserve offers waterfall chains, wildflower meadows, and almost no international visitors. Trail guide, camping spots, and why it rivals Nalati without the tour buses.
Nowruz falls on the spring equinox, 20 March in 2026. Where to see it in Yining, Kashgar and Tashkurgan, what goes into the seven-ingredient porridge, real costs, temperatures by city and how to behave in a stranger’s courtyard.
Fermented mare’s milk, camel milk shubat, salted milk tea, Uyghur dora chay, eight-treasure tea, Ili Valley kvass and pressed pomegranate juice. Seasons, real prices from CNY 3 to 40, drinking etiquette and honest warnings about unpasteurised dairy at altitude.
