There is no clear division between the East Route and West Route for Yili tourism, but a rough plan can be made based on different travel routes and attraction distributions. Below are two possible travel itineraries integrated from search results, which cover the main attractions in the Yili area and can be regarded as a way to divide the East Route and West Route.?
Yili ‘East Route’ (starting from Sayram Lake, passing through Yining, Tekes to Nalati):?
D1: Depart from Urumqi and head to Sayram Lake. Known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean’, it is one of the iconic attractions of Yili tourism.?
D2: Depart from Sayram Lake, cross Guozigou, admire the lavender fields, and arrive in Yining. Along the way, you can visit the Guozigou Bridge and experience the spectacular landscape.?
D3: Explore Yining City, including Kazanqi Folk Village and Karajun Grassland. Kazanqi is renowned for its blue buildings and ethnic charm, while Karajun Grassland is a paradise for photographers.?
D4: Depart from Yining and head to the Xiata Scenic Area in Zhaosu. It is recommended to enter the scenic area early to hike and appreciate the best scenery.?
D5: Visit the Tekes Bagua City, which is famous for its bagua layout. You can ascend to the observation deck to overlook the entire city.?
D6: From Tekes, head to the Nalati Grassland to admire the expansive grassland and distant snow-capped mountains.?
Yili ‘West Route’ (starting from Bayanbulak, passing through Xinyuan and Tekes to Urumqi):?
D1: Depart from Bayanbulak, which is renowned for its magnificent grassland and lake landscapes.?
D2: Head to Xinyuan, with opportunities to visit attractions such as Kuerdining along the way.?
D3: Arrive in Tekes and visit the Qiongkushitai Ancient Village to experience the quaint rural charm.?
D4: Depart from Tekes and head to Yining, with another opportunity to admire the scenery of the Guozigou Bridge along the way.?
D5: After a brief stop in Yining, head to Sayram Lake to conclude the West Route itinerary and prepare to return to Urumqi.?
It should be noted that the above itinerary is just one possible plan for traveling in Yili, and the actual schedule may vary due to factors such as weather, transportation, and personal interests. In addition, there are many other worthwhile attractions in the Yili area, such as the Duku Highway and Tangbula Grassland. Tourists can make selections and adjustments based on their time and preferences.?