Ili is located in the northwest of Xinjiang and is known as "The South of the Great Wall". It integrates snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and canyons and boasts numerous tourist attractions. Here are some recommended tourist destinations**:?
Nalati Grassland: As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati is renowned for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers blanket the mountains, and in winter, the landscape is dressed in white. Visitors can experience horse riding, Kazakh home visits, and overlook a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped spruce forests intertwined with grasslands from the Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bozhou, it is a core attraction on the Ili loop route. The lake’s water shifts between blue and green hues depending on the light. In June, golden lotuses bloom along the lakeshore, and in winter, there are ice-pushing wonders. Cycling around the lake and stargazing camping are highly recommended.?
Karajun Grassland: Certified by the UN as a "World Natural Heritage Site", it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, Xianhua Platform transforms into a colorful carpet, and Falcon Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in Koksu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.?
Xiata Ancient Road: A perilous gorge once traveled by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, it combines glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads into one. You can take a shuttle bus to traverse the Spruce Corridor and hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the millennia-old road.?
Qiongkushitai Village: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden cabins scattered like a fairy tale world. The back mountain grasslands, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road, and the Kurdai River forest trail form a trio of secret spots, perfect for in-depth hiking and photography.?
Qiaxi Scenic Area: Located in the mountainous southeast of Gongliu County, it is backed by snow-capped mountains and surrounded by lush green peaks and ancient trees. With four distinct seasons and diverse scenery, it is praised as "The South of the Great Wall in Ili, and the most beautiful place in Ili is Qiaxi".?
Guozigou Bridge: Reputed as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", it winds like a huge dragon through the valley. From the viewing platform, you can capture stunning photos of the bridge framed by snow-capped mountains. In spring, wildflowers blanket the mountains; in autumn, the forests are ablaze with color; and in winter, the rime is sparkling.?
Huocheng Lavender: Known as the "Provence of China", it boasts ten thousand acres of purple flowers blooming in mid-to-late June. You can experience flower field photography and essential oil production at Princess Jieyou Manor and Sigong Village, where the air is filled with a romantic aroma.?
In addition, the Kurdning Snowy Mountains Spruce Forest, Tekes Eight Trigrams City, Ili River Scenic Area, and other attractions are also worth visiting.?
. In Ili, both natural scenery and cultural landscapes can captivate visitors and make them reluctant to leave.?