The best destinations for May Day tourism in Ili, Xinjiang, include Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Karajun Grassland, Xiata, Qiongkushitai, and Guozigou Bridge, among others. Below are detailed introductions to these attractions:
Sayram Lake: Known as the ‘Lake Bluer Than the Sky’, in May, during the ice-melting period, you can witness the magical sight of blue, transparent ice pushing and the dreamy white swans, making it a paradise for photographers.
By the lake, you can also see flocks of swans and distant snow-capped mountains. Popular photo spots include Pine Tree Head Internet-famous Rock, Guozigou Bridge, Haixi Grassland, and Swan Playing in Water.
Nalati Grassland: As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati is renowned for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In May, wildflowers bloom all over the grassland, where you can encounter snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes, sheep flocks, grasslands, wildflowers, and pine forests, experiencing the life of nomadic people. Popular photo spots include Aerial Grassland, Tauwani, and Valley Grassland, which are excellent locations for taking photos.
Karajun Grassland: Certified by the UN as a ‘World Natural Heritage Site’, it is famous for its vast grasslands, flowers, snow-capped mountains, and the beautiful scenery of cattle and sheep grazing together. From May to June, Huaxiantai transforms into a colorful carpet, perfect for photos. Popular photo spots include Huaxiantai, Falcon Viewing Platform, and Human-shaped Grassland.
Xiata: A place where glaciers, forests, and grasslands are integrated, offering rich scenic layers. Here, you can take a shuttle bus through the Spruce Corridor and hike to the foot of Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the millennium-old path. It’s a must-visit for those who love snow-capped mountains and hiking.
Qiongkushitai: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden huts scattered like a fairy tale world. Here, the beautiful wild apricot blossoms make it feel like entering the world of anime. The ancient Uighur path from Qiongkushitai to Karajun Grassland is also a great place for horse riding.
Guozigou Bridge: Known as the ‘Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang’, it winds like a huge dragon through the峡谷. The observation deck offers a stunning view of the bridge framed by snow-capped mountains and is an important attraction on the Ili loop route.
In addition, Ili boasts numerous scenic spots such as Qiaxi Scenic Area, Kurdining, Sahaye Wild Fruit Forest, Tangbula Grassland, and more, waiting for tourists to explore. During the May Day holiday, the climate in Ili is pleasant and the scenery is charming, making it a great time for tourism. Tourists can choose suitable attractions to visit based on their interests and schedules.