Three-Day Travel Guide from Urumqi to Yili?
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi and Explore the Duku Highway and Nalati?
Morning: Depart from Urumqi and drive to the Duku Highway. This highway is known as "China’s Most Beautiful Highway", with picturesque scenery along the way, including cliffs, alpine meadows, and snowy mountain lakes. It is a paradise for photographers.?
Afternoon to Evening: Arrive at Nalati and check into a local hotel to rest. The sunset scenery of the Nalati Grassland is a must-see. You can take a walk near the hotel to enjoy the tranquil grassland scenery.?
Ticket Information: Driving on the Duku Highway is free, but tickets for the Nalati scenic area need to be booked in advance. The price for Nalati tickets and the shuttle bus to the Aerial Grassland is 135 yuan per person. The self-drive ticket price is 300 yuan during peak season and 200 yuan during off-peak season.?
Day 2: Delve into the Nalati Grassland and Head to Yining?
Morning: Spend a leisurely morning on the Nalati Grassland. You can ride horses, shoot arrows, or taste Kazakh cuisine to experience the grassland customs.?
Afternoon: Drive to Yining, and you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Tianshan Mountains on the way.?
Evening: After arriving in Yining, you can explore the downtown area and feel the unique charm and customs of this city. It is recommended to visit Kazanqi Folk Village and Hanren Street to taste local specialty snacks.?
Day 3: Explore Sayram Lake and Return to Urumqi?
Morning: Depart from Yining and head to Sayram Lake. The lake water here is clear and the surroundings are vast grasslands and majestic mountains, earning it the nickname of "The Last Tear of the Atlantic".?
Afternoon: Take a walk along Sayram Lake and take photos for souvenirs. You can visit popular spots such as Moon Bay and Santai Grassland near the lake.?
Evening: After finishing the tour of Sayram Lake, drive back to Urumqi. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Duku Highway again on the way back.?
Ticket Information: The ticket price for Sayram Lake is 70 yuan per person, and the shuttle bus fee is 75 yuan per person. If you choose to drive into the scenic area, you need to purchase the corresponding self-drive ticket.?
Precautions?
The temperature difference between morning and evening in Xinjiang is large, so remember to bring warm clothing.?
The journey is long, so make sure to bring enough water and food in the car to replenish energy at any time.?
Respect local customs and habits to make your trip more harmonious and wonderful?
I hope this three-day travel guide from Urumqi to Yili can provide useful references for your trip. Wish you a pleasant journey!?