There are many best destinations for tourism in Yili, and here are some attractions that cannot be missed:?
Nalati Grassland: As one of the world’s four major alpine valley grasslands, Nalati is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscapes. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, the grassland is wrapped in a blanket of snow. Visitors can experience horse riding, visit Kazakh homes, and overlook the stunning panorama of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with grasslands from the Sky Grassland Viewing Platform.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bozhou, it is a core attraction on the Yili loop route. The lake’s color shifts between blue and green with changing light. In June, the golden lotus blooms on the lakeshore, and there is also the spectacular phenomenon of ice pushing in winter. 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, famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Huaxiantai transforms into a colorful carpet, and Falcon Viewpoint offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. Crocodile Bay in Kekesu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.?
Qiaxi Scenic Area: Located in the mountainous area in the southeast of Gongliu County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, it is backed by snow-capped mountains, surrounded by peaks, adorned with ancient trees, and embraced by green waters. It is praised as ‘the south of the Great Wall is in Ili, and the most beautiful place in Ili is Qiaxi’.?
Xiata Ancient Road: This is the perilous gorge traveled by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads into one. By taking the shuttle bus through the spruce corridor and hiking to the foot of the Muzart Glacier, you can feel the vicissitudes of the thousand-year-old ancient road.?
Furthermore, important tourist attractions in Yili include Qiongkushitai Village, Guozigou Bridge, Huocheng Lavender, Kuerdining, Tekes Bagua City, and Yili River Scenic Area.?
Each of them possesses unique natural scenery and cultural landscapes, making them well worth a visit.?
In general, Yili boasts a rich and diverse array of tourism resources, with both natural scenery and cultural landscapes that make visitors reluctant to leave. When planning your itinerary, you can choose the most suitable attractions based on your interests and time.?