July is the best time to visit Yili, Xinjiang, when natural beauty and cultural customs complement each other. Here is a detailed travel guide for Yili in July:?
I. Must-Visit Attractions?
Sayram Lake: Known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean’, its water is clear and blue, and the grassland around the lake is lush and green, making it an excellent spot for photos and feeling the charm of nature.?
Guozigou Bridge: This spectacular bridge spans the valley, and standing on the bridge, you can overlook the deep canyon and feel the grandeur of nature.?
Lavender Flower Sea: The lavender fields in Huocheng bloom in July, with a purple sea of flowers contrasting beautifully with the blue sky and white clouds, making it a great place for photos.?
Nalati Grassland: One of the most beautiful grasslands in Xinjiang, with lush green grass and herds of cattle and sheep, where you can fully appreciate the grassland scenery.?
Kurduning: With its towering mountains and dense forests, it is a paradise for hikers who can enjoy the freshness and tranquility of nature.?
II. Unique Experiences?
Zhaosu’s Heavenly Horse Bathing River: Experience the blending of equestrian culture and Western Regions history, and witness the spectacular scene of heavenly horses bathing in the river.?
Kazak Folk Customs: Get up close and personal with the local customs and habits of the Kazak people and experience the ethnic characteristics of Xinjiang.?
Duku Highway: Cross the Duku Highway to experience the wonderful feeling of ‘traveling through four seasons in a day and encountering different skies every ten li (a traditional Chinese unit of length, approximately 0.5 kilometers)’, with picturesque scenery along the way.?
III. Itinerary Suggestions?
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi, engage in free activities, and feel the local customs.?
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi and head to Sayram Lake to enjoy the sunrise and take a self-driving tour around the lake.?
Day 3: Visit the Guozigou Bridge, head to Huocheng to see the lavender fields, and experience the scenery along the Yizhao Highway.?
Day 4: Head to Nalati Grassland to experience its charm, and you can stay in a yurt on the grassland at night to experience local life.?
Day 5: Cross the Duku Highway and head to Bayinbrok Grassland to admire the magnificent scenery of the wetland grassland.?
Day 6-7: Depending on your time and interests, you can choose to continue exploring Kurduning, Qiongkushitai, and other places before returning to Urumqi to end your pleasant journey.?
IV. Precautions?
Be prepared for long car rides: More than one-third of your daily travel time in Xinjiang will be spent in a car, so be prepared for prolonged sitting.?
Pay attention to hydration and heatstroke prevention: The distances between attractions are relatively far, and the travel time by car is long, so please remember to drink water in a timely manner and take measures to prevent heatstroke.?
Respect local customs and habits: During your tour, please respect the customs and habits of ethnic minorities, such as Muslims’ taboo on pork.?
Safety Precautions: Xinjiang has strict security checks, so please pay attention to the items you carry and be prepared to remove your shoes for inspection; meanwhile, there are many military restricted areas in Xinjiang where tourism and photography are prohibited, so please be sure to abide by the regulations.?
I hope this guide can help you enjoy Yili in July, experiencing the magical charm of nature and the unique flavor of cultural customs.?