September is one of the best times to travel to Ili, Xinjiang, with pleasant weather and breathtaking scenery. Here is a detailed travel guide for visiting Ili, Xinjiang in September:?
Itinerary Planning?
Day 1: Arrive in Yining?
Transportation: Departing from major cities in China, you can choose to fly directly or take a connecting flight to Yining City, the capital of Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, which boasts convenient transportation?
Activities: Upon arrival, check into the hotel for a short rest. In the afternoon, you can visit cultural attractions in Yining City, such as People’s Park and Liuxing Street, to feel the local cultural atmosphere. In the evening, you can taste local delicacies in the city, such as roast whole sheep and hand-grabbed rice?
Day 2: Journey to Sayram Lake?
Itinerary: In the morning, drive to Sayram Lake, which is expected to take about 2 hours. Upon arrival, take a stroll by the lake and admire the clear and transparent scenery of the lake. You can have a picnic by the lake at noon?
Attraction: Sayram Lake is known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean’. The lake water is clear and blue, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making it a must-visit attraction?
Day 3: Explore Nalati Grassland?
Itinerary: In the morning, drive to Nalati Grassland, which is expected to take about 3.5 hours. Upon arrival, visit landmark attractions within the Nalati scenic area, such as Tianshan Mystery, and after lunch, you can choose to ride a horse or hike deep into the grassland to experience the beauty of nature?
Attraction: Nalati Grassland is one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world. It has complete infrastructure and rich landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, and streams?
Day 4: Kalajun Grassland and Kazanqi Folk Village?
Itinerary: In the morning, head to Kalajun Grassland, which has vast grasslands and magnificent mountains and is a paradise for photographers. In the afternoon, return to Yining and visit Kazanqi Folk Village to familiarize yourself with Uyghur traditional architecture and lifestyle?
Note: Kalajun Grassland is known as the ‘Human Body Grassland’ and is famous for its unique landform and rich vegetation?
Day 5: Xiata Ancient Road and Guozigou?
Itinerary: Head to the Xiata Ancient Road to experience the fun of hiking and horse riding. Afterwards, you can drive to Guozigou to admire the beautiful natural scenery?
Attraction: Xiata has snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and forests. You can choose to ride a horse or hike to experience the magnificence of snow-capped mountains and grasslands?
Day 6: Qiongkushitai and Yizhao Highway?
Itinerary: Head to Qiongkushitai, where it feels like stepping into a fairy tale world with winding streams flowing gently. Afterwards, return to Yining City along the Yizhao Highway (opens in mid-June and is limited to five-seat vehicles)?
Note: The Yizhao Highway only allows vehicles with 7 seats or less to pass. Please pay attention to safety while driving?
Day 7: Return to Yining City and end the trip?
Free activities in Yining City. Buy some local specialties as souvenirs before preparing to return.?
Essential items?
Clothing: Thick coat or thin down jacket (The temperature difference between morning and night is large, and warmth is needed), windbreaker, fleece jacket, long pants, long-sleeved shirts?
Sunscreen products: Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses (The ultraviolet rays in the Yili area are intense, and sunscreen is needed)?
Other equipment: Camera, tripod, water bottle, food, commonly used medications (such as cold medicine, antidiarrheal medicine, band-aids, etc.)?
Precautions?
Sunscreen: The sunlight in Yili is intense in September. Sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses are essential items that must be brought?
Warmth: The temperature difference between morning and night is large. It is recommended to bring a windbreaker or thin down jacket?
Diet: The Yili area mainly eats beef, mutton, and pasta, with a heavy taste. Pay attention to food hygiene?
Safety: Be careful when horse riding and hiking, and follow the guidance of the tour guide or locals?
I hope this guide can help you better plan your trip to Yili, Xinjiang in September!?