Yili is rich in tourism resources, and here are some main tourist attractions recommended:
Nalati Grassland: As one of the world’s four alpine valley grasslands, Nalati is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, the grassland is dressed in white snow. Visitors can experience horse riding and visits to Kazakh homes. The Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform also offers a bird’s-eye view of the breathtaking scenery where snow-capped fir trees intertwine with the grassland.
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bozhou, it is regarded as a core attraction of the Yili loop route. The lake’s water changes colors from blue to green with the light. In June, golden lotus flowers bloom by the lake, and in winter, there are ice pushing wonders. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are special activities here.
Karajun Grassland: Certified by the United Nations as a ‘World Natural Heritage Site’, it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Huaxiantai resembles a colorful carpet, and Falcon Viewing Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in Kuokesu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.
Xiata Ancient Road: A steep and perilous gorge traveled by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. Visitors can take a shuttle bus to traverse the Spruce Corridor and hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the millennia-old road.
Qiongkushitai Village: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden houses scattered like a fairy tale world. The grassland behind the village, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road, and the Kurdai River Forest Trail constitute a trio of secret places, suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.
Guozigou Bridge: Reputed as the ‘Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang’, it winds like a huge dragon through the峡谷. The viewing platform offers stunning shots of the bridge framed by snowy mountains. In spring, wildflowers bloom all over the mountains; in autumn, the forests are ablaze with colors; and in winter, the rime is sparkling.
In addition, Yili also boasts attractions such as Huocheng Lavender Field (China’s Provence), the gene pool of Tian Shan Spruce in Kuerdining, Tekes Eight Trigrams City (the world’s largest ancient city with an eight-trigram layout), and Yili River Scenic Area, all of which are worth visiting.
. These attractions, each with its own unique characteristics, collectively constitute a colorful tourist painting of Yili.