A one-day tour in Ili can include multiple attractions, offering a rich experience of natural scenery and cultural history. Here is a recommended one-day itinerary:?
In the morning, you can start your day’s journey at Ili General’s Mansion. Ili General’s Mansion is located on Stalin Street in Yining City. It opens from 8:30 to 17:00, with a ticket price of 20 yuan. The architectural style here is unique, reflecting the important status of border history during the Qing Dynasty. Every corner exudes a sense of historical heaviness, making it ideal for capturing human landscapes.?
At noon, drive to Ili Lavender Manor. This manor is located on National Highway 218 in Qingshuihe Town, Huocheng County. The drive takes about 1 hour, with a ticket price of 35 yuan per person. Opening hours are from 8:30 to 20:00. Although the lavender field at the manor may not be large and is relatively commercialized, it is still a worthwhile destination for lavender lovers. It is said that the lavender fragrance is very strong.?
In the afternoon, you can choose to visit Kazanqi Folk Village to experience the folk culture of Xinjiang. This folk village is full of Xinjiang flavor. It is recommended to visit the traditional folk houses. The houses with exquisite woodcarvings are very distinctive and great for photo opportunities. In addition, the handicraft shops in the village are also a must-visit, where you can buy some ceramics, carpets, and embroidered souvenirs.?
If time allows, you can also consider visiting Sayram Lake or Narati Grassland. Sayram Lake is an alpine lake with green grass by the lakeside, herds of cattle and sheep, and distant snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake water, forming a beautiful picture scroll.?
Narati Grassland is known as the ‘Aerial Grassland’. With undulating terrain, lush green grass, and a riot of flowers, it is an excellent viewing platform.?
However, due to the distance between these two attractions, you may need to choose one of them for your visit based on actual circumstances.?
During the one-day tour, you also need to pay attention to the expenditure on transportation and catering. From Urumqi, you can choose to drive yourself, rent a car with a driver, or join a tour group. Driving yourself will cost about 400-800 yuan in gas fees, renting a car with a driver will cost about 700-1200 yuan, and tour group prices are generally 900-1500 yuan. Restaurants on the grassland have moderate prices, with a full meal costing about 50-100 yuan. Bringing your own food can save you quite a bit of expense.?
In general, a one-day tour in Ili can offer a rich experience of natural scenery and cultural history. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a lover of natural landscapes, you can find suitable attractions for yourself. When planning your itinerary, you can choose attractions based on your interests and time, and pay attention to the expenditure on transportation and catering.?