August is the golden period for tourism in Yili, with lush grasslands, wildflowers blooming freely, and a pleasant climate, making it a paradise for escaping the summer heat. Here is a detailed August travel guide for Yili:?
I. Must-visit Attractions?
Sayram Lake: Xinjiang’s largest alpine gem, with lake water as blue as a sapphire and surrounding scenery like a fairy tale. Driving around the lake can bring you to different perspectives of the lake and mountains, and camping by the lake to watch sunrises and sunsets is also an excellent choice.?
Guozigou Bridge: A majestic and spectacular modern bridge that perfectly blends with the natural beauty of the mountains and rivers. From the viewing platform, you can easily capture the full view of the bridge.?
Huocheng Lavender Field: From June to July, when the lavender blooms, this place instantly transforms into China’s Provence, with large purple fields of flowers that are romantic and charming, making it perfect for photos.?
Nalati Grassland: Known as the ‘Aerial Grassland’, it is interwoven with snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands. Come here to ride horses or hike and admire the beautiful scenery.?
Kalajun Grassland: It integrates grassland, forest, and canyon, with breathtaking landscapes such as five-flower meadows. While hiking here, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of the grassland.?
II. Itinerary Recommendations?
Your itinerary in Yili can be arranged according to personal time and preferences. Here is a recommended 7-day itinerary:?
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi, pass by Sayram Lake and Guozigou Bridge, and arrive in Qingshuihe.?
Day 2: Depart from Qingshuihe, take the Yizhao Highway, and arrive in Zhaosu.?
Day 3: Depart from Zhaosu, visit the Xiata Scenic Area, and arrive in Bagua City.?
Day 4: Depart from Tekes, visit the Qiaxi Scenic Area, and arrive in Gongliu County.?
Day 5: Depart from Gongliu, visit the Nalati Alpine Grassland, and arrive in Nalati Town.?
Day 6: Depart from Nalati, visit Tangbula and Xiannv Lake, take the Duku Highway, and arrive in Dushanzi.?
Day 7: Depart from Dushanzi, visit Anjihai Grand Canyon, and return to Urumqi.?
III. Food Recommendations?
When in Yili, how can you not try the local cuisine? It is recommended to try dishes such as Nang-pit meat, mutton kebabs, roast whole sheep, big plate chicken, spicy chicken, Nang, laghman noodles, pilaf, fried rice noodles, cold noodles, yogurt, and milk tea.?
IV. Accommodation Suggestions?
Yili offers a diverse range of accommodation options, which can be chosen according to personal preferences and budget. It is recommended to stay at places like the Starry Sky Campsite at Dianjiangtai near Sayram Lake, the Jingxinge Pavilion at Qiongkushitai, and Mushang Guyue in Nalati to experience the unique local charm.?
V. Precautions?
Dress code: In August, the temperature difference between morning and evening in Yili is large. It is recommended to bring a jacket and a thin down jacket. Additionally, the climate is dry and UV rays are strong, so pay attention to moisturizing and sunscreen.?
ID Card: Due to the many checkpoints, please be sure to carry your ID card with you.?
Cash: In some areas, the signal may be poor, so it is recommended to carry a small amount of cash with you.?
Respect national customs: During your visit, please respect the local national customs and habits.?
I hope this guide can help you have an unforgettable August trip in Yili!?