Yili is a great place for a self-guided tour, offering rich natural landscapes and cultural customs. Here are detailed suggestions for a self-guided tour of Yili:?
I. Must-visit Attractions?
Duku Highway: This highway is known as ‘four seasons in a day, different scenery every ten li’. It opens from June to the end of September each year. You can truly feel the changes of the four seasons along the way, making it an unmissable experience for a self-guided tour of Yili?
Sayram Lake: The lake water exhibits Xinjiang’s unique Tiffany blue, paired with flowers covering the mountains, making it an excellent place for photos?
Xiata Ancient Road: Suitable for hikers, you can traverse primitive forests and grasslands, enjoying the majestic snowy mountains and the beauty of sunshine on golden mountains?
Qiongkushitai: Known as a fairyland on earth, a real-life Wizard of Oz setting, with purely wooden houses and cattle and sheep scattered at the foot of snowy mountains and among forests, forming a beautiful picture scroll?
Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery: A beautifully quiet little lake hidden in the mountains. Driving on a highway flanked by blooming flowers is infinitely healing. Riding a horse by the lake feels like being in a painting?
II. Itinerary Suggestions?
Here is a seven-day self-guided tour itinerary suggestion for Yili:?
Day 1: Upon arrival in Yining City, settle down first. It is recommended to stay at a hotel in the city center for convenient transportation and dining. In the afternoon, visit the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, then stroll around the city, and taste local cuisine at Yili Night Market in the evening?
Day 2: Drive to Sayram Lake, take a tour around the lake, and choose to stay in a yurt by the lake to experience the traditional lifestyle of the Kazakhs?
Day 3: Visit the Xiata Ancient Road scenic area for hiking, feeling the historical depth and the grandeur of natural landscapes. Return to Zhaosu County for overnight stay?
Day 4: Head to Kalajun Grassland to enjoy the vastness and freedom of the grassland. Participate in horse riding activities or off-road vehicle self-driving. Stay in yurts or tents on the grassland at night?
Day 5: Visit Yili Valley National Forest Park for a walk and engage in simple hiking or camping. In the evening, hold a bonfire party at the campsite?
Day 6: Head to the Kuerding Scenic Area in Gongliu County, take a boat tour of the lake, and visit the picturesque Qiaxi scenery. Return to Gongliu County for overnight stay?
Day 7: Arrange shopping according to your return schedule, then take a car to the airport or train station to end your trip?
III. Other Precautions?
Transportation: The buses in Yining are very convenient and affordable. It is recommended to download the Yining Bus Card in advance through the Alipay travel feature?
Food: Yili boasts a rich variety of cuisine, such as hand-grabbed rice and baked buns, which are worth trying for their Uyghur flavor. Meanwhile, local snacks like Yili dairy lumps and Huocheng’s giant herba cistanchis are also not to be missed?
Specialties: Before the end of your trip, you can buy some souvenirs to take home in Yining City, such as local specialties and handicrafts?
Hope these suggestions can help you plan an unforgettable self-guided tour of Yili!?