Yili boasts numerous tourist attractions, among which the following are worth visiting: Nalati Grassland, Sayram Lake, Kalajun Grassland, Xiata Ancient Road, Qiongkushitai Village, Guozigou Bridge, Huocheng Lavender, Kuerdining, Tekes Bagua City, and Yili River Scenic Area?
Below are detailed introductions to these 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. Visitors can experience horseback riding and visiting Kazakh households.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bortala Prefecture, it is regarded as a core attraction of the Yili loop route. The lake’s color shifts from blue to green with the light. In June, golden lotus flowers bloom by the lake, while in winter, there are ice push phenomena. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are highly recommended.?
Kalajun Grassland: Certified by the UN as a "World Natural Heritage Site", it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, the Flower Platform resembles a colorful carpet, while from the Falcon Platform, one can overlook the main peak of Tian Shan.?
Xiata Ancient Road: A perilous gorge traveled by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures. It combines glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads, suitable for hiking adventures to feel the vicissitudes of the millennia-old road.?
Qiongkushitai Village: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tian Shan Mountains. Wooden huts are scattered around like a fairy tale world, ideal for in-depth hiking and photography.?
Guozigou Bridge: Praised as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", the viewing platform offers stunning shots of the bridge framed by snow-capped mountains.?
Huocheng Lavender: China’s largest lavender base. In mid-to-late June, ten thousand acres of purple flowers bloom, filling the air with a romantic aroma.?
Kuerdining: A gene bank of Tian Shan snow firs, the most biodiverse area in western Tian Shan. Its autumn scenery is like a painting.?
Tekes Bagua City: The world’s largest ancient city laid out in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) formation, a mysterious city without traffic lights. Ascend the Ferris wheel for an aerial view of streets arranged according to the I Ching (Book of Changes) trigrams.?
Yili River Scenic Area: A Central Asian river that flows through the city. The sunset over the Yili River Bridge is praised as the "Most Beautiful Dusk in the Western Regions", showcasing the beauty of a lively ecology.?
These attractions each have their own unique characteristics, whether natural scenery or cultural landscapes, all leaving people reluctant to leave.?