The most worthwhile places to visit in Ili tourism include the following attractions:
Nalati Grassland: As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, the grassland is dressed in white. Visitors can experience horse riding, visits to Kazak families, and overlook the stunning scenery of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with the grassland from the viewing platform on the Aerial Grassland.
Sayram Lake: Although Sayram Lake belongs to Bozhou, it is a core attraction of the Ili loop route. The color of the lake water changes from blue to green with the light. In June, golden lotuses bloom by the lake, and in winter, there is a spectacle of ice pushing. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are also special activities here.
Kalajun Grassland: This is a “World Natural Heritage” site certified by the United Nations, famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Huaxiantai transforms into a colorful carpet, and Falcon Viewing Terrace offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in Kekesu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.
Xiata Ancient Road: Here, glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads are integrated, forming a steep gorge that Xuanzang passed through on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures. Tourists can take a shuttle bus to cross the spruce corridor and hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the thousand-year-old ancient road.
Qiongkushitai Village: This is an original village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden houses scattered like a fairy tale world. The grassland in the back mountain, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road, and the Kurdai River Forest Trail together constitute a mysterious place here, which is very suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.
In addition, the Duku Highway, which “stretches across lofty mountains and passes through valleys”, is also a scenery that cannot be missed in Ili tourism.
. There is also the Qiaxi Scenic Area, which is backed by snow-capped mountains and surrounded by ranges. It is praised as “the south of the Great Wall is in Ili, and the most beautiful place in Ili is Qiaxi”, and is equally worth visiting.
. These attractions, each with its own unique characteristics, together constitute a colorful tourism landscape of Ili.