The travel guide to Huocheng in Yili mainly includes exploring folk customs, appreciating natural beauty, and experiencing the lavender flower sea.
I. Explore Folk Customs
In Huocheng, you can deeply experience the folk customs of the Uyghur people. It is recommended to visit the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, where blue and white Uyghur houses are scattered in an orderly manner. You can stroll through the streets and alleys, see traditional handicraft production, such as exquisite carpets and vibrant embroidery, and feel the rich folk customs. In addition, Liuxing Street is also a good choice. The unique hexagonal street layout here is distinctive, gathering buildings and specialty shops of various styles. You can find a café to sit down, hold a cup of fragrant coffee, enjoy the street view outside the window, listen to the accordion playing, and enjoy a pleasant time.
II. Appreciate Natural Beauty
Huocheng boasts numerous breathtaking natural landscapes. The Guozigou Bridge is an important thoroughfare connecting southern and northern Xinjiang, with a total length of 700 meters and a clear height of 200 meters above the valley floor, earning it the title of "The Highest Bridge in Xinjiang". You can go to nearby hills to overlook the bridge and feel its grandeur. In addition, Sayram Lake is also a must-visit destination, with meadows and flower seas along the lakeside so beautiful that it is hard to tear oneself away. Moon Bay and Qinshuitan are excellent spots for taking photos.
III. Experience the Lavender Flower Sea
From mid-June to early July every year is when the lavender in Huocheng blooms the most vigorously. Princess Jieyou Lavender Farm is one of the world’s three major lavender bases, forming a sea of purple here. You can capture the feeling of undulating waves here. It is recommended to bring drinking water and snacks, as shopping within the park is inconvenient. The best shooting times are before 11 am or after 8 pm, when the light is soft and not too strong.
In addition, Huocheng also has art-rich villages such as Huanghuang Village, as well as scenic spots worth visiting such as Tukai Desert Tourism Resort, China’s Fushou Mountain Scenic Area, and Huiyuan Ancient City. In terms of itinerary arrangement, it is recommended to be prepared for long car rides, as more than 1/3 of the time spent on tourism in Xinjiang is in the car. Meanwhile, pay attention to hydration and heatstroke prevention. The distances between attractions are long and the travel time is long. Those prone to carsickness should bring anti-motion sickness medication. The bus air conditioning is on during the trip, and the temperature is low, so prepare a thin blanket or jacket to prevent catching a cold.
Above is the travel guide to Huocheng in Yili, hoping it will be helpful to your trip.