When traveling to Yili, Xinjiang, here are some must-visit places:?
Nalati Grassland: As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati Grassland is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers bloom all over the mountains, and in winter, the grassland is covered with snow. Visitors can experience horse riding and visits to Kazakh families, and also overlook the stunning panorama of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with the grassland from the viewing platform on the sky meadow.?
Sayram Lake: Although Sayram Lake belongs to Bozhou, it is a core attraction on the Yili loop route. The color of the lake water changes with the light, presenting layers of blue and green hues. In June, the golden lotus flowers bloom along the lakeshore, creating a breathtaking scene. The ice pushing spectacle in winter is also awe-inspiring. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are unique activities here.?
Kalajun Grassland: Certified by the United Nations as a "World Natural Heritage", it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Huaxian Platform transforms into a colorful carpet, while Falcon Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. Additionally, Crocodile Bay in Koksu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.?
Qiongkushitai: This primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden houses scattered around, resembles a fairy tale world. The hinterland grassland, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road, and the Kurdai River forest trail together constitute the trilogy of secret spots here, making it ideal for in-depth hiking and photography.?
Xiata Ancient Road: This is the perilous gorge that Xuan Zang passed through when obtaining Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. Visitors can take a shuttle bus through the spruce corridor and then hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the thousand-year-old road.?
Guozigou Bridge: Known as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", the Guozigou Bridge winds like a dragon above the canyon. The viewing platform is an excellent spot to capture a stunning panorama of the bridge and snow-capped mountains together. In spring, the mountains are adorned with flowers, and in autumn, the forests are dyed in layers of colors.?
Tekes Bagua City: This is the world’s largest ancient city with a bagua layout, with no traffic lights and a sense of mystery. Board the Ferris wheel to overlook the streets arranged in the pattern of the I Ching, while the folk customs area off the street is full of Uyghur flavor.?
These places are the essence of Yili tourism, whether natural scenery or cultural landscapes, they are all worth visiting. When planning your itinerary, you can arrange it reasonably according to your interests and time.?