In early May, Qiaxi, Kuerdining, Hasake Wild Apple Forest, Nalati, Sayram Lake, and Qiongkushitai in Yili are all great places to visit. Here are detailed introductions to these attractions:?
Qiaxi: As the first place to turn green in the Yili River Valley, the Qiaxi Grasslands are beautiful in May and suitable for camping and stargazing. With fewer people, more flowers, and beautiful scenery, the experience is excellent.?
Kuerdining: There are great viewing platforms here, and tourists can visit by horseback riding or hiking to appreciate the yellow wildflowers and stunning forest scenery. After arriving at the parking lot, it takes about an hour to reach the Qimengde Viewing Platform. If you’re lucky, you can also see yellow wildflowers, which are very beautiful.?
Hasake Wild Apple Forest: May is the season when apple blossoms bloom. The sight of apple blossoms covering the entire mountain is very spectacular. Driving through the apple trees, the fragrance of white apple blossoms wafts towards you, bringing a sense of freedom.?
Nalati: The Nalati Grasslands are the summer pastures of the Kazakhs. Starting from May, large groups of Kazakhs herd their cattle and sheep here. The Nalati Aerial Grasslands offer a unique viewing experience and are a popular online attraction. It is very pleasant to stay in the scenic area at night to watch the stars.?
Sayram Lake: In May, Sayram Lake is in the ice-melting period, allowing you to witness the spectacular sight of blue, transparent ice being pushed aside by the water, as well as the dreamy white swans. On sunny days, the scenery of Sayram Lake is breathtaking, and it is very freeing to take a self-drive tour around the lake.?
Qiongkushitai: Qiongkushitai is at a higher altitude with colder weather, but there are fewer people in May. You can clearly see the snowy mountains and enjoy the scenery of the pristine pastoral village. On clear nights, you can even see the Milky Way. It is a place that you want to visit just by hearing its name, and don’t want to leave after seeing the scenery.?
In general, the climate in Yili in early May is pleasant. Although the temperature difference is large, it is a good time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the grasslands. There are also fewer tourists, making it a good choice to avoid the crowds. The aforementioned attractions each have their own characteristics and can be selected according to personal preferences and schedules.?