Both Yili and Kanas are famous tourist destinations in Xinjiang, each possessing unique natural scenery and cultural landscapes. Below is a detailed introduction to tourism in Yili and Kanas:
Kanas Tourism
Introduction to Scenic Area:
The Kanas Scenic Area is located in the middle section of the Altai Mountains in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and is a comprehensive eco-tourism area integrating various natural landscapes such as glaciers, snowfields, high mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, and grasslands.
Kanas Lake is the core of the scenic area, with emerald-green lake water surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains and lush forests, earning it the reputation of a “mysterious and tranquil deep-water lake”.
Main Attractions:
Fish Viewing Terrace: Offering an overview of the entire Kanas Lake, with breathtaking views that can be enjoyed in full, reservations are required in advance.
Wolong Bay, Shenxian Bay, and Moon Bay: Each bay offers different scenery. Hiking among them allows you to enjoy stunning natural landscapes.
Hemu Village: An original wooden house village, with cooking smoke curling up in the early morning sunlight, as if entering a fairy tale world.
Tourist Routes:
Kanas Loop: 5-7 days, allowing you to visit Kanas, Hemu, Koktokay, Devil’s City, and other attractions.
Kanas-Yili Loop: 11-13 days, combining the essence of Kanas and Yili attractions, it is the most quintessential natural scenery tour of Northern Xinjiang.
Yili Tourism
Scenic Area Features:
Yili is renowned for its stunning scenery at the foot of Mount Tianshan, and is another important tourist area in Xinjiang.
The Yili Loop usually includes attractions such as Sayram Lake, Nalati, and Xiata, requiring 6-10 days for an in-depth tour.
Main Attractions:
Sayram Lake: Known as the “Last Drop of Tears of the Atlantic Ocean”, the lake water is clear and transparent, surrounded by beautiful grasslands and snow-capped mountains.
Nalati Grassland: Abundant with water and grass, and dotted with herds of cattle and sheep, it is one of the famous grassland landscapes in Xinjiang.
Travel Tips:
The tourist season in Yili mainly concentrates in summer and autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is most enchanting.
You can choose to travel in a shared carpool or by chartered car for more flexible itinerary arrangement and in-depth local scenery experience.
In summary, both Kanas and Yili boast rich and diverse natural landscapes and cultural customs, making them well worth a visit. When planning your trip, you can choose suitable tourist routes and attractions according to your interests and time.