A self-driving tour in Yili, Xinjiang is an excellent experience to explore natural beauty and cultural customs. Here is a detailed self-driving tour guide to help you plan an unforgettable journey:?
I. Itinerary Planning?
Route Suggestions?
Short Trip: You can choose to start from Yining City, visit the China-Kazakhstan International Cooperation Center and Guomen Scenic Area to experience exotic flavors; then explore the Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden and Huiyuan Ancient City Scenic Area, immersing yourself in the aroma of lavender and the richness of history; in the evening, take a night tour of Liuxing Street Scenic Area to enjoy Yili’s nightlife.?
Loop Route: Starting from Urumqi, you can pass through Kuitun City and the Duku Highway, explore scenic areas such as Tangbula ‘Hundred-Mile Gallery’ in Nilke County, then visit scenic areas such as Nalati in Xinyuan County and Kurding in Gongliu County, and finally arrive at Yizhao Highway to explore scenic routes such as Baishi Peak. It ends at Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area and Liuxing Street Scenic Area in Yining City. This is a relatively comprehensive loop route that covers multiple famous attractions in Yili.?
Time Arrangement?
It is usually recommended to arrange an itinerary of about 8 days, which allows for a relatively thorough exploration of Yili’s main attractions without being too rushed.?
II. Major Attractions Recommendations?
Anjihai Grand Canyon: It is spectacular and beautiful, but safety needs to be taken into consideration as the soil and stones at the edge of the canyon are relatively loose. The best viewing point is at the intersection of two valleys. The Anjihai River flows rapidly at the bottom of the canyon, with the sound of water echoing through the canyon, which is very impressive.?
Sayram Lake: The lake water changes colors from blue to green with the light, making it a core attraction on the Yili loop route. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are particularly recommended experiences.?
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, it is covered with snow. Visitors can experience activities such as horseback riding and visiting Kazakh homes.?
Kalajun Grassland: It is one of the core areas of Tianshan, a World Natural Heritage site. The grassland scenery is magnificent and worth visiting.?
III. Preparation for the Trip?
Clothing Preparation: Xinjiang’s sunshine is intense. It is recommended to wear solid-colored clothes and bring sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen clothes, and other sunscreen items. Shoes should be comfortable, with sports shoes or waterproof Martin boots being good choices.?
Vehicle Preparation: Choose an SUV suitable for long-distance self-driving, ensure the vehicle is in good condition, and prepare sufficient fuel and emergency items.?
Safety Precautions: During the self-driving tour, abide by traffic rules and pay attention to driving safety. Especially when driving in complex terrains such as mountains and valleys, drive cautiously to avoid accidents.?
With the guidance of the above tips, I believe you will gain lots of happiness and wonderful memories during your self-driving tour in Yili, Xinjiang.?