The Yili travel guide in Xinjiang mainly includes visiting and experiencing attractions such as grasslands, lakes, and highways. Here is a detailed Yili travel guide:
I. Main Attractions
Nalati Grassland
Characteristic: Known as the “Aerial Grassland”, it features interwoven snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands, creating a magnificent scenery.
Play Method: Suitable for horse riding or hiking to enjoy the scenery. Self-driving is also a good choice, but note that self-driving costs are high and there are limited places where you can get off the shuttle bus.
Karajun Grassland
Characteristic: It has unique landforms such as the human-shaped grassland in Koksu Canyon, with complete facilities and convenient accommodation.
Play Method: Hike through it and overlook the magnificent scenery of the grassland, feeling the wonders of nature.
Sayram Lake
Characteristic: The largest alpine lake in Xinjiang, with azure lake water resembling a gem and surrounding scenery like a fairy tale.
Play Method: It is recommended to drive around the lake to encounter the lake and mountain scenery from different angles. Camping by the lake to watch sunrises and sunsets is also an excellent experience.
Qiongkushitai
Characteristic: A quaint village hidden under the alpine forest and grassland, full of poetry.
Play Method: Free entry, and you can also drive in. It saves money and is convenient. However, the winding mountain road conditions are poor, so those prone to carsickness should proceed with caution.
Duku Highway
Characteristic: One of the most beautiful highways in China, with a total length of 561 kilometers and varied scenery. The northern section crosses Hashilgen Pass where you can play with snow in summer, the middle section is filled with blooming flowers, and the southern section is Gobi desert.
Play Method: Drive through the Duku Highway and experience the amazing sensation of “four seasons in a day and different skies every ten li”.
II. Itinerary Recommendations
6-day Yili Loop Tour (Before the Duku Highway Opens)
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake – Yining
Day 2: Yining – Lavender – Xiata – Zhaosu/Tekes
Day 3-6: Adjust according to personal interests and time. It is recommended to visit attractions such as Karajun Grassland, Qiongkushitai, and Nalati Grassland.
8-day 7-night travel guide
It covers multiple attractions such as Urumqi, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Sayram Lake, Guozigou Bridge, Xiata Grassland, Qiongkushitai, Nalati Grassland, etc. The itinerary is rich and diverse.
III. Practical Suggestions
Grassland Selection: There are many grasslands in Yili. Choosing 2-3 of them is sufficient to avoid aesthetic fatigue.
Tour Route: It is recommended to enter Sayram Lake from the East Gate and exit from the South Gate. Don’t miss Songshutou, where you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire lake.
Shopping and Food: Buy specialties at Jinquan Market, enjoy delicious food at Hetian Second Street and Lingguan Alley, and buy fruits at supermarkets or farmers’ markets.
IV. Precautions
The distances between attractions in Yili are relatively far apart. It is recommended to reasonably arrange the itinerary to avoid being too tight.
For self-driving tours, pay attention to road conditions and safety issues, especially in mountainous and grassland areas.
The above guide is for reference only. The specific itinerary and activities can be adjusted according to personal interests and time. Wish you a pleasant trip in Yili!