A 7-day tour of Ili can be arranged to be colorful and rich, covering natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and unique experiences. Below is a recommended 7-day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Yining or Urumqi, depending on your departure point. If arriving in Yining, you can stroll around the downtown area to feel the local flavor; if arriving in Urumqi, you can follow S101 National Defense Highway to admire the geological landscapes in the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains. Arrive at Anjihai Grand Canyon in the evening to feel the magnificent scenery of nature, and then proceed to Jinghe County or Shuanghe for overnight stay.
Day 2: Head to Sayram Lake to admire this alpine lake known as “the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean”. You can take a self-drive tour around the lake or ride the scenic area shuttle bus to feel the beauty of the lake and mountains. Afterwards, cross the Guozigou Bridge to overlook the magnificent gorge scenery. For overnight stay, it is recommended to stay at an RV campsite near Sayram Lake, such as the Dianjiangtai Starry Sky Campsite, to experience the joy of being in close contact with nature.
Day 3: Head to the Xiata Ancient Road or Yizhao Highway to feel the weight of history and the mystery of nature. Afterwards, proceed to Zhaosu County to visit Zhaosu Jade Lake and admire the blue ice wonders (in winter) or visit Tianma Bathing River to feel the charm of equestrian culture. Stay overnight at a hotel in Zhaosu County.
Day 4: Head to Qiongkushitai Village, enjoying picturesque scenery along the way. Here, you can see the beauty of grass swaying in the wind with cattle and sheep grazing, pine forests, and snow-capped mountains. Stay overnight in Qiongkushitai Village to experience the tranquility and beauty of the countryside.
Day 5: Head to Nalati Aerial Grassland to feel its vastness and tranquility. Rated as a 5A scenic area, it is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush greenery. Watching horse herds and cattle and sheep pass by, you feel like you are amidst the clouds. Stay overnight in Nalati.
Day 6: Departing from Nalati, you can choose to head to Bayinbuluke Grassland, which was a filming location for “Life As A Speeding Train”. The magnificent scenery of the wetland grassland is breathtaking. Stay overnight in Bayin Town and enjoy the sunset beauty of the Nine-Bend and Eighteen-Turn River.
Day 7: End the journey. Depending on your return arrangements, you can choose to return to Urumqi from Nalati via the Duku Highway and experience the amazing feeling of “traveling through four seasons in a day, with different weather every ten li (a traditional Chinese unit of length, approximately half a kilometer)”; or depart from Yining and head to the airport according to your flight schedule to conclude this unforgettable trip to Ili.
During the trip, you can also arrange activities such as visiting Kazanqi Folk Street, tasting local cuisine, and experiencing Kazak culture according to personal interests and needs, making the trip more colorful.