A three-day travel itinerary from Urumqi to Ili can be arranged to be both fulfilling and interesting. Here is a recommended itinerary:?
Day 1: From Urumqi to Yining, explore Sayram Lake.?
Leaving Urumqi in the morning, you can choose to travel to Yining by self-drive, train, or plane. If you choose to self-drive, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the northern slope of Mount Tianshan along the way; taking the train provides a comfortable journey and saves the cost of one night’s accommodation.?
Taking a plane is the fastest way, but you may miss the scenery along the way.?
Upon arrival in Yining, you can join a one-day tour of Sayram Lake. Renowned for its sapphire-like lake water and distant snow-capped mountains, Sayram Lake is an excellent spot for photography and relaxation.?
The one-day tour usually also includes attractions such as the Guozigou Bridge and Horgos Port, allowing tourists to fully experience the natural scenery and exotic atmosphere of Ili.?
Day 2: Explore the grasslands and experience ethnic customs.?
On the second day, you can choose to visit the Nalati Grassland or Karajun Grassland for a one-day tour. The Nalati Grassland is famous for its magnificent grassland scenery and rich ethnic cultural activities. Tourists can ride horses here, watch ethnic performances, and taste local cuisine.?
The Karajun Grassland attracts tourists with its vast grasslands, steep canyons, and abundant wildlife resources.?
In the evening, return to the urban area of Yining and visit Kazangqi Folk Village or Hanren Street to taste local specialty snacks, experience ethnic customs, and feel the unique charm of Ili.?
Day 3: Travel around Yining and end a pleasant journey.?
On the third day, you can arrange some short trips around Yining, such as going to the Ili River to watch the sunset, or visiting some local museums and cultural sites to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Ili.?
If time permits, you can also choose to visit the Gongnais Grassland for a brief tour to experience the scenery of different grasslands.?
Afterwards, based on the return plan, you can choose to return to Urumqi by train, plane, or self-drive to end your pleasant journey to Ili.?
Throughout the trip, tourists can make appropriate adjustments according to their interests and time to ensure that the itinerary is both fulfilling and relaxing. At the same time, it is also very important to plan ahead and set aside enough time to fully enjoy each attraction and cuisine.?