For photography tourism routes in Ili, there are multiple recommended itineraries. The following is a comprehensive itinerary combining the essence of multiple guides, suitable for photography enthusiasts: **?
Day 1: Departing from Urumqi, cross the S101 Highway, visit Anjihai Grand Canyon, and stay overnight in Kuitun. On this day, you can capture the magnificent scenery of the canyon and highway.?
Day 2: Departing from Kuitun, head to Sayram Lake, passing through Guozi Gorge on the way, and arrive in Yining. Sayram Lake is known as "The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean", with clear blue water, making it an excellent spot for photography.?
Guozi Gorge is also known as the "First Scenery of Ili", and it is especially beautiful in spring and summer.?
Day 3: Departing from Yining, head to Qiongkushitai and stay overnight in Tekes or Zhaosu. Qiongkushitai is an ancient village at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains and was also a filming location for the movie ‘Heidi and Grandfather’, full of rich ethnic customs and rural scenery.?
Day 4: Visit Qiaxi Grassland or Kuerdining, and stay overnight in Gongliu. Both Qiaxi Grassland and Kuerdining are lesser-known secret spots with stunning scenery of grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and forests in the same frame, making them paradises for photography enthusiasts.?
Day 5: Departing from Gongliu, visit the Nalati Aerial Grassland and stay overnight in Nalati Town. The Nalati Aerial Grassland is a lush green grassland with valleys, peaks, deep gorges, and forests intertwined, making it an excellent spot for photography.?
Day 6: Departing from Nalati, you can choose to cross the Duku Highway to visit Fairy Lake, or head to Bayinbuluke, and stay overnight in Tangbula or Kuitun. The Duku Highway is a scenic avenue running through the backbone of the Tianshan Mountains, with picturesque scenery along the way, making it an excellent route for photography.?
Day 7: Depending on the previous day’s itinerary, you can choose to cross the Duku Highway again to visit Dushanzi Grand Canyon, or visit Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery, and then return to Urumqi.?
Preparations before departure:?
Required documents: ID card, discount documents (such as military ID, disability certificate, student ID, etc.), bank card, and some cash.?
Climate tip: There is a large temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang, so it is recommended to bring a thick coat, lightweight sneakers, boots, extra clothes, etc.?
Essentials for the trip: Rain gear, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, personal toiletries, vacuum flask (the water quality in Xinjiang is relatively hard, so it is recommended to drink boiled water).?
This route covers many famous photography spots in Ili, ranging from lakes, grasslands, to gorges, and highways, meeting various needs of photography enthusiasts. Meanwhile, please also pay attention to adjusting your itinerary according to the season and weather conditions to ensure a pleasant and safe journey.?