Visiting Yili during May Day is an excellent choice. At this time, Yili’s grasslands are as beautiful as a poem or painting, with ice and snow melting, and green grass and spruce gradually turning verdant, making people feel refreshed and joyful.?
. Here are some specific travel recommendations:?
Must-visit attractions?
Sayram Lake?
Known as the ‘Lake Bluer Than the Sky’, the lake meets the blue sky, with snow-capped mountains in the background and a sea of flowers in the foreground, making it a paradise for photographers.?
You can see flocks of swans by the lake. Photo spots include Pine Tree Head’s popular rocky spot, Guozigou Bridge, Haixi Grassland, and Swans Playing in Water.?
Nalati Grassland?
It is renowned for its beautiful grassland scenery and rich Kazak culture. You can ride horses, hike on the grassland, and enjoy the tranquility of nature.?
Photo spots include Aerial Grassland, Tawusani, and Valley Grassland. You can also visit the popular wooden bridge and take an electric cart to Snow Lotus Valley to overlook the entire grassland.?
Karakun Grassland?
It is famous for its vast grasslands, flowers, snow-capped mountains, and the beautiful scenery of cows and sheep framed together, making it ideal for photo-taking.?
Photo spots include Flower Terrace, Falcon Terrace, and Human-shaped Grassland. In mid-to-late May, wildflowers cover the mountains, resembling a secret wonderland like ‘The Wizard of Oz’.?
Qiaxi Forest Park?
It is known as the real-life version of ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’, with the vast scenery of ‘snow-capped mountains and forests’ in the background.?
The usual photo spot is at the ‘Qiaxi Scroll’, a small hill with snow-capped mountains and forests in the background.?
Kuerdining?
It seems like a comic strip, comparable to the Alps. The wooden cabins under the clouds make you feel like you are in a movie scene.?
This is the place with the most lush forests in the Tianshan Mountains, known as the ‘Homeland of Spruce’.?
Xiata?
You can see the largest and tallest snow-capped mountains, with a plank road extending forward, like a path leading to the snow-capped mountains.?
The towering snow-capped mountains greeting you upon arrival at Xiata are a unique attraction of the Yili loop route.?
Food recommendations?
Meats: Lamb skewers, kettle meat, spicy chicken with pepper, big plate chicken, tangkawa meat, kebab?
Staple foods: Nang, stir-fried rice noodles, wide noodles, pilaf, baked stuffed buns?
Desserts: Yogurt zongzi, horn-shaped pastries, fresh milk ice cream, fruit platter?
Precautions?
Itinerary planning: Yili has numerous attractions. It is recommended to arrange your itinerary reasonably based on personal interests and time.?
Means of transportation: Public transportation within the Yili Prefecture is relatively inconvenient. It is recommended to rent a car for self-driving or join a local tour group.?
Essential items: Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, thin sweater, rain jacket, thick coat, hiking shoes, water bottle, food, photography equipment, etc.?
Altitude sickness: Some attractions at higher altitudes may cause altitude sickness. Rest promptly if you feel unwell.?
Respect local customs and habits: Yili is inhabited by multiple ethnic groups. Be mindful of your words and actions, and respect the local culture.?
I hope these suggestions can help you plan an unforgettable May Day trip to Yili!?