Ili boasts numerous desirable tourist areas. Here are introductions to some of the 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. Wildflowers cover the mountains in summer, and visitors can experience horse riding, visits to Kazakh homes, and overlook the stunning scenery of snow岭 cloud firs intertwining with grasslands from the viewing platform on the Aerial Grassland.
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bozhou, it is a core attraction on the Ili loop route. The lake water is clear and blue, changing colors from blue to green with the light. In June, golden lotuses bloom by the lakeside, and cycling around the lake and camping under the starry sky are particularly recommended.
Kalajun Grassland: Certified by the United Nations as a "World Natural Heritage Site", famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. In May and June, Huaxiantai transforms into a colorful carpet, and Yingfengtai offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in Kuokesu Grand Canyon is a geological wonder.
Xiata Ancient Path: A steep and perilous gorge traversed by Xuanzang on his journey to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient paths. 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 path.
Qiongkushitai Village: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden cabins scattered like a fairy tale world. The grassland at the back of the mountain, the starting point of the Ancient Wusun Path, and the Kurdai River Forest Trail constitute a trio of secret spots, suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.
Guozigou Bridge: The "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", resembling a huge dragon coiled in the valley. The viewing platform allows for shooting stunning scenes of the bridge framed by snow-capped mountains, with wildflowers covering the mountains in spring and forests painted in autumn colors.
Lavender in Huocheng: Known as the "Provence of China", it blooms with a sea of purple flowers covering ten thousand mu in mid-to-late June. Joy Princess Manor and Sigong Village offer experiences such as flower field photography and essential oil production.
Kuerdining: A gene bank of snow岭 cloud firs, the region with the richest biodiversity in the western Tianshan Mountains. The Qimengde Viewing Platform offers a view of the reflection of Kabanbay Peak, while wild apple forests coexist with spruces in the valley.
Tekes Bagua City: The world’s largest ancient city laid out in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) formation, a mysterious city without traffic lights. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel to overlook the streets arranged in the pattern of the I Ching, and the folk customs area off the street is full of Uyghur charm.
Ili River Scenic Area: The Central Asian river flows through the city, and the sunset over the Ili River Bridge is praised as the "Most Beautiful Evening in the Western Regions". Bird watching in the wetland park, ethnic dances by the riverbank, and swans roosting in winter display the beauty of a lively ecology.
In addition, there are ice and snow tourist attractions such as the Ilgetai International Ski Resort in Gongliu County, as well as the Duku Highway, one of the most beautiful highways in China, which are worth visiting and experiencing.
. In Ili, both natural scenery and cultural landscapes are captivating and make people reluctant to leave.