The travel guide for Yili in Northern Xinjiang mainly includes the best travel time, must-visit attractions, and itinerary planning.?
I. Best Travel Time?
Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel time for the Yili region is mainly from May to October. During this period, the grasslands of Yili are lush and wildflowers bloom competitively, making it an excellent time to appreciate natural scenery. Especially from July to August, temperatures rise across Xinjiang, and fruits ripen, making it a good time to taste local cuisine. It is also the peak season for visiting scenic areas in Northern Xinjiang such as Kanas and Hemu.?
II. Must-Visit Attractions?
Nalati Grassland: Known as the ‘God’s Palette’, this grassland is intertwined with snow-capped mountains, spruce trees, and grasslands, resembling a fairy tale world. With a unique terrain, it is described as ‘three sides of green mountains as screens, a river winding like a jade belt around the waist’. It is divided into valley grassland, aerial grassland, and Panlong Ancient Road, offering diverse ways to explore.?
Karajun Grassland: Featuring the human-shaped grassland of Koksu Canyon, its unique landforms are amazing. With complete facilities and convenient accommodation, self-driving is now also possible, providing a sense of freedom.?
Sayram Lake: A typical alpine lake with clear and blue water, known as ‘if there is only one blue in the world, it is Sayram Lake blue’. It is beautiful in every season, especially in winter with its ice eyes, blue ice wonders, and snow bubbles, which are particularly spectacular.?
Duku Highway: One of the most beautiful highways in China, with a total length of 561 kilometers, it is divided into three parts: the northern, middle, and southern sections, each with different scenery. It is often described as ‘four seasons in one day, ten li of different skies’.?
III. Itinerary Planning?
Below is an example of an 8-day in-depth itinerary for the Yili Loop Route:?
Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi from the departure point.?
Day 2: Depart from Urumqi, visit Sayram Lake, and stay overnight in Yining.?
Day 3: Depart from Yining, visit the Lavender Base, pass through Xiata, and arrive in Zhaosu.?
Day 4: Depart from Zhaosu, visit Qiongkushitai, and stay overnight in Tekes.?
Day 5: Depart from Tekes, visit Qiaxi, and arrive in Nalati.?
Day 6: Depart from Nalati, visit Liuxing Street, and stay overnight in Yining.?
Day 7: Depart from Yining, visit Dushanzi Grand Canyon, and return to Urumqi.?
Day 8: Return to the departure point from Urumqi?
In addition, you can also choose short trips such as a 2-day self-driving tour of Nalati Grassland, based on personal interests and schedule.?
The above guide is for reference only, and the specific itinerary needs to be adjusted according to personal circumstances. Wish you a pleasant trip in Yili, Northern Xinjiang!?