It can be said that if you want to see natural scenery in Xinjiang, there are three routes worth taking: Kanas, Yili, and the Duku Highway. Kanas needs no introduction; it is very famous in Xinjiang. This route includes Kanas Scenic Area, Hemu Scenic Area, and Colorful Beach Scenic Area. The Duku Highway is a famous highway nationwide and one of the most beautiful highways in Xinjiang. It is only open for less than half of the year, and you can see scenery from all four seasons along the way. It is definitely worth visiting. Moreover, you can see mountains, rivers, valleys, lakes, snow-capped grasslands, cattle and sheep, blue skies, white clouds, and more along the way, which are extremely beautiful. When you come to Xinjiang, you must take the Duku Highway at least once; otherwise, you will regret it.
Alright, we’ve discussed the first two routes. Now, let’s talk about the Yili route. It can be said that Yili is a region in Xinjiang with numerous and diverse natural landscapes, abundant tourism resources, and many scenic areas. It is also one of the most beautiful routes in Xinjiang. Taking a trip from Urumqi to Yili, you can visit the relatively famous Sayram Lake (4A) (the above two pictures), Kanzaqi in Yining City (4A), Horgos Port (4A), the million-mu rapeseed field in Zhaosu County (best in June and July), Xiata Scenic Area, Tekes’ Karajun (5A) and Bagua City, Tuergen Apricot Flower Valley in Xinyuan County, Tangbula in Nileke (4A), Kuerding and Hetao Valley (both 4A) in Gongliu County, and Nalati (5A) in Xinyuan County, all of which are very famous. On the way back, you can take the Duku Highway to visit Bayinbuluke Grassland, the second-largest grassland in China (5A), which is extremely beautiful. There are a total of 16 4A scenic areas in the Yili Prefecture, accounting for 22% of the 4A scenic areas in Xinjiang, which demonstrates the richness of its tourism resources.
The places worth visiting, I think, are the following:
1. Sayram Lake (basically in Bozhou, you can stop by on the way to Yili). I have been there twice in two years. It’s really beautiful. Spending 100 yuan to take a bus and walk along the lake is very beautiful. In June, July, and early August, the flowers and grass around the lake are still green. If you go there in June or July, the flowers, grass, cattle and sheep, blue lake water, distant snow-capped mountains, and white clouds will outline an absolutely beautiful picture.
2. Kalajun (picture below). I just went there last week. It can be said that Kalajun is the only other grassland in Xinjiang that can match Bayinbrook (Nalati is second). It is a large grassland that combines mountainous grassland and pure plain grassland. It is large and diverse, with grasslands, mountains, snow-capped mountains, spruce forests, boundless plains, as well as valleys, lakes, rivers, cliffs, etc. Among all the scenic areas in Xinjiang, I think that the diversity of Kalajun is unparalleled by any other scenic area. You need to spend a whole day to finish visiting East and West Kalajun. First, go to West Kalajun to see the Five-Flower Meadow and Falcon Viewing Platform, and then go to East Kalajun to take the cable car, see the Kurdai River and Koksu Grand Canyon, etc. It’s really worth visiting. Of course, the flowers and grass will be a bit yellow in August, while they are still beautiful in June and July.
3. The Nalati Grassland in Xinyuan County is a mountainous grassland. Riding horses up the mountain costs 150 yuan per person, which is still good. There are flowers and grass everywhere. When going to Nalati Grassland, the scenery along the Yili River Valley is also very beautiful. Nalati is a relatively famous grassland in Xinjiang and one of the only two 5A-level scenic areas in Yili (the other one is Kalajun).
4. Tekes Bagua City. Taking the 80-yuan Ferris wheel at night to see the night view of Bagua City is still good. By the way, you can go to Tekes Lijie Street in the evening, which has the feeling of Lijiang in Yunnan.
5. The million-mu rape flowers in Zhaosu County are free to visit. You can see them anywhere along the way to Xiata. You can see enough of them. In July, you can also see beautiful sunflowers on the road, which are very beautiful.
6. Tangbula Grassland (picture below) and Kurdining are both very good. Both scenic areas are 4A-level and have their own characteristics. Tangbula Grassland is relatively famous. It is the fourth famous grassland in Yili and also a famous grassland in Xinjiang. Kurdining is a relatively small place and is also a good place to escape the summer heat. The scenic area is small but very unique.
7. Kazanqi. You can take a horse-drawn carriage and experience their unique houses, etc. For mainland tourists, it’s still worth experiencing.
The less recommended one is the Xiata scenic area. It’s too far away. No matter whether you go there by car or by bus from Yining City, it will take more than ten hours to get there and back. Even if you stay in Tekes, it will still take about ten hours to get to Yining City. You can’t see much there, and there isn’t much time to enjoy yourself. The scenery inside is just so-so, the river water is relatively muddy, and the scenic area is just average (picture below).
Xinjiang tourism consultation: (same) 0991-8585456