Starting from Ili, you can travel to multiple beautiful destinations. Here are some recommended travel routes and attractions:?
Core Recommendation: Ili to Urumqi Route?
This route crosses the magnificent Tianshan Mountains, allowing you to appreciate the stunning scenery of Xinjiang along the way. Starting from Ili and heading north, you will pass through Gongliu, Nilek, Tekes, Zhaosu, Xinyuan, and other places, ultimately arriving in Urumqi. The attractions along the way include the Duku Highway, Bayinbrook Grassland, Nalati Grassland, etc., each of which is so captivating that you won’t want to leave. The Duku Highway is known as the "Most Beautiful Highway in China", where you can see towering snow-capped mountains, verdant grasslands, winding rivers, and colorful flower seas, making it a paradise for self-drive tour enthusiasts.?
Detailed Itinerary Recommendation: A 5-day in-depth tour from Ili to Sayram Lake?
Day 1: Depart from Yining City to Sayram Lake, passing through the Ili Valley along the way to admire the magnificent natural scenery. Upon arrival at Sayram Lake, you can take a stroll by the lake and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature.?
Day 2: Depart from Sayram Lake to Nalati Grassland. The grassland is dotted with herds of cattle and sheep, and the mountains undulate. It is an excellent place to admire natural scenery and experience local culture. You can choose to ride a horse or walk deep into the grassland.?
Days 3 and 4: Head to Qiaxi Forest Park and Xiata Ancient Road. Both attractions are located within the Ili Valley, offering rich natural landscapes and cultural relics.?
Day 5: Return to Yining City, and on the way, you can visit the Kuerdening Scenic Area to admire the spectacular canyon landforms and beautiful landscape of mountains and rivers.?
Other recommended attractions?
Sayram Lake: One of the higher-altitude and larger alpine lakes in Xinjiang, with crystal-clear water, it is a great destination for photography and relaxation.?
Nalati Grassland: Reputed as one of the four major grasslands in the world, it is vast and boundless. When the climate is suitable, wildflowers bloom. You can admire natural landscapes such as valleys, peaks, deep gorges, and forests, as well as experience the rich Kazakh folk customs.?
Karajun Scenic Area: With vast and beautiful scenery, including hills, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, and other landforms, it is an excellent choice for photographers.?
In addition, starting from Ili, you can also choose to join a package tour, such as the 1-day tour to the Nalati Valley Grassland, to enjoy a worry-free travel experience.?
In summary, the travel routes and attractions starting from Ili are diverse and abundant. Whether it is a self-drive tour or a package tour, one can fully appreciate the magnificent scenery and unique culture of Xinjiang.?