There are abundant places to visit in Ili tourism. Here are several recommended main 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 blanket the mountains, and in winter, it is covered in snow. Tourists can experience horse riding, visit Kazakh homes, and overlook the stunning panorama of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with grasslands from the Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bortala Prefecture, it is a core attraction on the Ili loop route. The lake’s water changes colors from blue to green with the light, and in June, the golden lotus flowers bloom by the lake. In winter, there are ice pushing wonders. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are special activities here.?
Karakun Grassland: Certified by the United Nations as a "World Natural Heritage Site", it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. In May and June, Xianhua Platform transforms into a colorful carpet, while Falcon Viewing Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in the Kuokesu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.?
Xiata Ancient Road: A steep and perilous gorge passed by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. Tourists can take a shuttle bus through the Spruce Corridor and hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the thousand-year-old ancient road.?
Qiongkushitai Village: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden huts scattered like a fairy tale world. The back mountain grassland, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road, and the Kurdai River forest trail form a trio of secret realms, suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.?
In addition, there is the Guozigou Bridge, known as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", winding like a huge dragon through the valley, with a viewing platform where you can capture the breathtaking scene of the bridge and snowy mountains together; Huocheng Lavender Fields, the Chinese Provence, where tens of thousands of acres of purple flowers bloom in mid-to-late June; and Tekes Bagua City, the largest ancient city laid out in the bagua formation, a mysterious city without traffic lights. These are all attractions in Ili that cannot be missed.?
When traveling in Ili, tourists can fully appreciate the magnificent and poetic beauty of this land, whether it’s the natural scenery or cultural landscapes, all of which make people reluctant to leave.?