The best places to visit in Ili, Xinjiang, include multiple attractions, each with its unique characteristics. Here are some recommended attractions:?
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 covered in snow. Tourists can experience horseback riding, visits to Kazak families, and overlook the stunning panorama of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with grasslands from the Aerial Grassland Observation Deck.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bortala Prefecture, it is a core attraction of the Ili loop route. The lake 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 also special activities here.?
Kalajun Grassland: This is a ‘World Natural Heritage’ site certified by the United Nations and is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Xianhua Platform transforms into a colorful carpet, while Falcon Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in Kuokesu Grand Canyon is also one of the geological wonders.?
Qiaxi Scenic Area: Located in the southeastern mountainous area of Gongliu County, it is a national forest park and an excellent destination for summer retreats, recuperation, and folk tourism on the grassland. The scenic area is backed by snow-capped mountains, surrounded by mountains, ancient trees tower above, and green waters encircle it, earning it the reputation of ‘The south of the Great Wall is like Jiangnan, and the most beautiful place in Ili is Qiaxi’.?
Xiata Ancient Road: This is the perilous gorge passed by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. Tourists can take the shuttle bus to traverse the Spruce Corridor and hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the millennia-old ancient road.?
In addition, Qiongkushitai Village, Guozigou Bridge, Huocheng Lavender Field, Kuerding, Tekes Eight Trigrams City, and Ili River Scenic Area are also attractions worth visiting in Ili.?
. Each attraction has its unique charm and story, whether it is natural scenery or cultural landscapes, all of which are captivating and make people reluctant to leave.?
In general, Ili in Xinjiang boasts diverse tourism resources. Whether tourists prefer natural scenery or cultural history, they can find suitable tourist destinations here.?
