Three-day Yili travel guide, taking you to experience the beauty of Xinjiang:
Day 1: Explore Yining city and its surroundings
Morning: Arrive in Yining city. You can choose to travel by an early morning train or flight from Urumqi. After arriving, take a short rest at the hotel to adjust to the time difference.
Noon: Taste local specialties in Yining city, such as roasted mutton kebabs and pilaf, to experience the Uyghur food culture.
Afternoon: Visit the Yili River Bridge to appreciate the beauty of the Yili River. Then, head to the Yili Prefecture Museum to learn about the history and culture of Yili and feel the profound heritage of this land.
Day 2: Trip to the Nalati Grassland
Morning: Drive to the Nalati Grassland, which takes about 3 hours. You can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Yili River Valley along the way.
The Nalati Grassland is known as the “Grassland in the Sky” and is one of the grasslands in Xinjiang. Visitors can choose to hike, ride horses, or take a scenic tour to explore it.
Noon: Have lunch in Nalati Town and taste grassland specialties such as hand-grabbed meat and yogurt.
Afternoon to Evening: Continue to play on the Nalati Grassland. In the evening, you can choose to stay at a resort or homestay on the grassland to experience the local folk culture. If the weather is clear, you can also watch the starry sky on the grassland and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature.
Day 3: Tour of Sayram Lake and Guozigou Bridge
Morning: Drive to Sayram Lake, passing by the Guozigou Bridge and enjoying the natural scenery along the way. Sayram Lake is known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic”, with its clear and blue lake water reflecting the distant snow-capped mountains, creating a fairyland-like beauty.
Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant by the lake and taste special dishes mainly made of lake fish.
Afternoon: Take a self-drive or scenic tour around Sayram Lake along the lake. Visit attractions such as the Lake Island and grassland scenery. Then, proceed to the Guozigou Bridge. This spectacular bridge lies like a huge dragon across the mountains. You can appreciate its full view from the observation deck and feel the perfect integration of architecture and nature.
Evening: After finishing the tour, return to Yining city. You can stroll around Liuxing Street to feel its unique architectural style and search for some interesting souvenirs. Then, take an overnight train or flight back to Urumqi to end your three-day trip to Yili
This itinerary is compact and rich, covering the natural and cultural landscapes of Yili’s grasslands, lakes, bridges, etc., allowing you to fully experience the beauty and charm of Yili, Xinjiang within three days.