There are many must-visit attractions and special activities for tourism in Ili, and here are some recommendations:?
Must-Visit Attractions?
Kalajun Scenic Area: A 5A scenic area known as the "Aerial Grassland under Mount Tianshan", with spectacular snow-capped mountains, continuous grasslands, and colorful flower seas. It is a must-visit attraction in Tekes.?
Kuerding Scenic Area: A 4A scenic area and the most beautiful ecotourism destination in Xinjiang, with lakes, waterfalls, and forests, it is like a fairyland on earth and a must-visit attraction in Ili.?
Nalati Scenic Area: A 5A scenic area and one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, the grasslands are covered in snow.?
Xiata Tourism Area: A 4A scenic area and a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering various activities such as hiking and cycling. The scenery along the way is breathtakingly beautiful, and it is also the rugged gorge through which Xuanzang traveled to obtain Buddhist scriptures.?
Sayram Lake: A 5A scenic area known as the "Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean", with azure lake water surrounded by mountains. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are particularly recommended.?
Tekes Eight Trigrams City: A 4A scenic area and the largest ancient city with an eight-trigram layout in the world, this mysterious city without traffic lights allows visitors to ascend a Ferris wheel to overlook the streets arranged in the pattern of the I Ching.?
Qiongkushitai: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden houses scattered like a fairy tale world. The grassland in the back mountain, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road, and the Kurdai River Forest Trail constitute a mysterious realm, suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.?
Duku Highway: Crossing mountains and valleys, this highway boasts magnificent scenery along the way and is praised as the most beautiful highway in Xinjiang, suitable for self-driving tours.?
Guozigou Bridge: Known as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", it winds like a huge dragon through the valley, and visitors can capture breathtaking scenes of the bridge and snow-capped mountains from the viewing platform.?
Yili Tianshan Flower Sea Scenic Area: A 4A scenic area and the largest flower sea in Xinjiang, with a variety of flowers, especially picturesque during the spring and summer seasons.?
Special Activities?
Horseback Riding: In scenic areas such as the Nalati Grasslands, visitors can experience the joy of riding horses across the grasslands and feel the home visit culture of the Kazaks.?
Photography: Ili’s natural scenery and cultural landscapes are both very suitable for photography, such as cycling around Sayram Lake and camping under the stars, as well as the breathtaking scenery of the Guozigou Bridge.?
Experience Kazak folklore: In places such as the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, visitors can participate in traditional song and dance performances, taste authentic local cuisine, and gain an in-depth understanding of Kazak culture.?
In addition, the temperature difference in the Ili area is relatively large, so tourists are advised to bring sunscreen and clothing. At the same time, respect local customs and habits, abide by scenic area regulations, find out the opening hours and ticket prices of attractions in advance, and reasonably arrange the itinerary. While enjoying the beautiful scenery, visitors should also pay attention to protecting the environment and not litter.?
In general, Ili is a place that blends natural beauty and rich culture. Whether visitors want to enjoy the tranquility of nature or experience unique ethnic cultures, Ili can meet their needs.?