The Ili travel guide for October mainly includes the best travel time, must-visit attractions, transportation options, accommodation and food, as well as other precautions.?
October is one of the golden times to visit Ili. At this time, the autumn scenery in the Ili region of Xinjiang is enchanting, with golden grasslands and clear lakes, making it a great season for photography and tourism.?
Must-visit attractions include:?
Sayram Lake: Known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic’, the lake water is clear in autumn, surrounded by lush green mountains, making it an excellent spot to admire the lake and mountain scenery.?
Nalati Grassland: The golden meadows in autumn contrast with azure lakes, with herds of cattle and sheep, forming a captivating rural scenery.?
Kalajun Grassland: Reputed as ‘One of the Grasslands of Tianshan Mountain’, the golden meadows in autumn contrast with distant snow-capped mountains, making it suitable for horseback riding and hiking.?
Xiata Ancient Road: It feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli comic world, offering excellent hiking and horseback riding experiences.?
Guozigou Bridge: Spanning the Ili River, the colorful mountains on both sides in autumn contrast beautifully with the green water beneath the bridge.?
In terms of transportation, it is recommended to depart from Urumqi, as Urumqi has convenient transportation options including airplanes and high-speed trains.?
Upon arrival in Ili, you can choose to tour by car, coach, train, or other means. Self-driving tours are more flexible.?
In terms of accommodation, Ili Prefecture has a full range of accommodation facilities, from luxury hotels to budget inns. It is recommended to choose accommodations near scenic areas for convenience.?
In terms of food, Ili offers a rich variety of delicacies such as roasted whole sheep, hand-seized rice, pilaf, and kumiss. Be sure to try them.?
Other precautions include:?
Be sure to walk around Sayram Lake, but the weather changes quickly, so remember to bring a thick coat.?
Xinjiang has strong UV rays, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essential.?
The Duku and Yizhao highways only allow vehicles with 7 seats or less to pass.?
With reasonable planning and preparation, you can fully enjoy the autumn scenery and unique charm of Ili in October.?