Muslim China Travel Blogs

As spring gently arrives in Xinjiang's Yili region, the land begins to change in the most charming way. Snow retreats from the mountains, rivers run a little brighter, and valleys slowly turn green under a wide and open sky. Often called "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall," Yili carries a softness that feels almost surprising in the vast northwest—like a quiet poem written between mountains and meadows. Here, spring does not rush. It stretches slowly across lakes, grasslands, and orchards, inviting travelers to wander, pause, and simply enjoy the calm rhythm of nature. A Land of Soft Waters — "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall" Yili's nickname comes from its gentle landscapes and relatively mild climate compared to the surrounding regions. Unlike the harsher desert scenes often associated with Xinjiang, Yili offers flowing rivers, green valleys, and blooming fields. In spring, small flowers begin to appear across the countryside, and distant snow peaks reflect sof...

As spring gently unfolds across China, landscapes begin to soften—stone forests warm under sunlight, temple courtyards grow quiet and green, and old towns return to a slow, poetic rhythm. In the 1986 classic Journey to the West, Episode 5—"The Monkey King Protects Tang Sanzang"—marks an important turning point: the beginning of the legendary pilgrimage. To bring this story to life, the production team carefully selected real locations across China, transforming natural scenery and historical sites into a magical narrative world. Today, these filming locations remain beautiful travel destinations, where visitors can follow the early steps of the Monkey King and his master through landscapes that feel both real and slightly dreamlike. Yunnan Stone Forest — The Five Elements Mountain Where Destiny Begins The dramatic scenes of the Five Elements Mountain, where Sun Wukong is released after centuries of imprisonment, were filmed in Stone Forest in Yunnan. This unique geological si...