There are numerous best attractions in Ili tourism. The following are ten carefully selected must-visit places, which fully showcase the natural beauty and cultural charm of Ili:?
Nalati Grassland: As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, it is dressed in white snow. Visitors can experience horse riding and visits to Kazakh homes, while the viewing platform on Kongzhong Grassland offers an excellent location to overlook the stunning scenery of schrenk spruces intertwined with grasslands.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bortala Prefecture, it is a core attraction on the Ili loop route. The lake’s color changes from blue to green with the light, with golden lotus flowers blooming by the lake in June and ice pushing wonders in winter. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are particularly recommended, and it is known as "The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean".?
Karakun Grassland: Certified by the UN as a "World Natural Heritage Site", it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Xianhua Platform transforms into a colorful carpet, Falcon Viewing Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains, and the Crocodile Bay in Kuokesu Grand Canyon is a geological wonder.?
Xiata Ancient Road: A perilous gorge passed through by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. Taking the shuttle bus through the schrenk spruce corridor and hiking to the foot of the Muzart Glacier offers a sense of the vicissitudes of the millennia-old road.?
Qiongkushitai Village: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden cabins scattered like a fairy tale world. The grassland in the back mountain, the starting point of the Ancient Wusun Road, and the Kurdai River forest trail form a trio of secret spots, suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.?
Guozigou Bridge: Praised as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", it resembles a huge dragon coiled in the valley. The viewing platform allows for breathtaking photos of the bridge framed with snow-capped mountains. In spring, wildflowers blanket the mountains, autumn brings a riot of colors, and winter features glittering rime.?
Huocheng Lavender: China’s Provence, with ten thousand acres of purple flower fields blooming in mid-to-late June. Jieyou Princess Manor and Sigong Village both offer experiences such as flower field photography and essential oil production, with the air filled with a romantic aroma.?
Tekes Eight Trigrams City: The largest ancient city laid out in the shape of the eight trigrams globally, a mysterious city without traffic lights. Riding the Ferris wheel to overlook the streets in the shape of the I Ching divination symbols, the folk customs area of Lijie Street is full of Uyghur flavor, with drone aerial photography yielding the best results.?
Kuerdining: A gene bank of Schrenk spruces, and the region with the richest biodiversity in the West Tianshan Mountains. The Qimengde Viewing Platform offers a reflection of Kabanbay Peak, while wild apple forests coexist with schrenk spruces in the valley, with autumn colors resembling an oil painting.?
Ili River Scenic Area: A major Central Asian river that flows through the city, the sunset at the Ili River Bridge is praised as the "Most Beautiful Dusk in the Western Regions". Bird watching in the Wetland Park, ethnic dance and songs by the riverbank, and swans wintering, all showcase the beauty of a lively ecology.?
These attractions each have their own unique characteristics, whether natural scenery or cultural landscapes, all making people reluctant to leave. When traveling to Ili, one must not miss these stunning landscapes.?