Ili is located in the northwest of Xinjiang and is known as the "South of the Great Wall beyond the Passes", integrating snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and canyons, with numerous tourist attractions worth visiting. Here are ten recommended tourist places in 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 the landscape is cloaked in snow. Visitors can experience horseback riding, visiting Kazakh homes, and overlooking the stunning view of snow岭 firs intertwined with grasslands from the Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform.
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bozhou, it is a core attraction on the Ili loop route. The lake’s color changes from blue to green with the light, with golden lotuses blooming by the lake in June and ice pushing wonders in winter. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are unique activities here.
Karajun Grassland: Certified by the UN as a "World Natural Heritage Site", it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Huaxian Tai transforms into a colorful carpet, while Falcon Tai offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in Koksu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.
Xiata Ancient Road: A rugged canyon passed through by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. Visitors can take a shuttle bus through the fir corridor and hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the thousand-year-old road.
Qiongkushitai Village: 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 Ancient Wusun Road, and the Kurdai River forest trail form a trio of secret scenic spots, perfect for in-depth hiking and photography.
Guozigou Bridge: Known 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 snow-capped mountains. In spring, wildflowers blanket the hills, while in autumn the forests are dyed in hues of red and yellow, and in winter the rime is sparkling.
Huocheng Lavender: The Provence of China, where tens of thousands of acres of purple flowers bloom in mid-to-late June. You can experience flower field photography and essential oil production at Princess Jieyou Manor and Sigong Village, where the air is filled with a romantic aroma.
Kuerdening: A gene bank of snow岭 firs, the region with the richest biodiversity in the West Tianshan Mountains. The Qimengde Viewing Platform offers a view of the reflection of Kabanbay Peak, while wild apple forests coexist with firs in the valleys, creating an autumn landscape worthy of a painting.
Tekes Eight Trigrams City: The world’s largest ancient city laid out in the shape of the eight trigrams, a mysterious city without traffic lights. Ride the Ferris wheel to overlook the streets arranged in the pattern of the I Ching, and the folk customs area of Lijie Street is full of Uyghur flavor.
Ili River Scenic Area: A major Central Asian river that flows through the city. The sunset over the Ili River Bridge is known as the "Most Beautiful Dusk in the Western Regions". Birdwatching in the Wetland Park, ethnic dances by the riverbank, and winter swan habitat, all showcase the beauty of a vibrant ecology.
These places each have their own unique characteristics, whether it’s natural scenery or cultural landscapes, they all make people reluctant to leave and are excellent choices for tourism in Ili.