It is recommended to arrange 5-7 days for the travel guide and route in Yili in October, so that you can fully visit the major popular attractions in Yili, experience local special activities, and adapt to the plateau climate. Here is a detailed itinerary suggestion:?
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi and arrive at Yining City, the capital of Yili Prefecture. Upon arrival, you can arrange accommodation at a hotel and take a break. In the evening, you can taste local cuisine in Yining City, such as mutton skewers, baked buns, and laghman noodles, and experience the nightlife and unique ethnic flavor of Yili.?
Day 2: Visit Sayram Lake and Guozi Valley. In the morning, depart from Yining City for Sayram Lake, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean’. The lake water is clear and the scenery is pleasant. In the afternoon, head to Guozi Valley to appreciate the spectacular canyon scenery. If time permits, you can also visit the Guozi Valley Bridge, one of the most spectacular bridges across the Yili River in Xinjiang.?
Day 3: Head to Nalati Grassland. Nalati Grassland is known as ‘the grassland of Tianshan Mountain’. Golden meadows, azure lakes, and herds of cattle and sheep in autumn constitute a moving rural scenery. Tourists can ride horses, hike, and feel the vastness and beauty of the grassland here.?
If you have enough time, you can also consider visiting the Lavender Fields in Huocheng County. Although lavender is no longer in bloom in autumn, you can still feel the tranquility and beauty here.?
Day 4: Return to Yining city to visit historic and cultural attractions such as the former site of the General’s Mansion of Yili, and understand the changes in history and culture. In the afternoon, you can choose to return to Urumqi or continue exploring other attractions of Yili according to your time and interests.?
In addition, if your itinerary allows, you can also consider adding some nearby attractions, such as Karajun Grassland and Zhaosu Grassland. Karajun Grassland has the reputation of being one of the ‘grasslands of Tianshan Mountain’, with golden meadows in autumn contrasting with distant snow-capped mountains. Zhaosu Grassland is also worth visiting, known as ‘the most beautiful grassland in China’.?
In terms of transportation, Yili Prefecture has convenient transportation, and you can choose to travel by self-driving, coach, train, or other means. Self-driving is more flexible and allows you to stop and enjoy the scenery at any time.?
In terms of accommodation, Yili Prefecture has a full range of accommodation facilities, from luxury hotels to budget inns. It is recommended to choose accommodations near scenic areas for convenience in traveling.?
Above is a detailed travel guide and route suggestion for Yili in October, hoping it will be helpful for your trip. During the trip, please flexibly adjust the itinerary according to personal interests and time, and enjoy this wonderful travel experience.?