The must-visit attractions in Yili tourism are very rich. Here are some core recommendations:?
Nalati Grassland: As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, the landscape is covered in snow. Tourists can experience horseback riding, visits to Kazakh homes, and the Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform is an excellent spot to overlook the stunning panorama of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with grasslands.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bozhou, Sayram Lake is a core attraction on the Yili loop route. The lake’s water changes colors from blue to green with the light. In June, golden lotus flowers bloom along the lakeshore, and in winter, there are ice push wonders. Cycling around the lake and stargazing camping are special activities here.?
Karakun Grassland: This is a ‘World Natural Heritage’ site certified by the United Nations, famous for its human-like grassland curves. From May to June, Xianhua Platform resembles a colorful carpet, and Falcon Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in Kuokesu Grand Canyon is also one of the geological wonders.?
Xiata Ancient Road: This is the rugged gorge through which Xuanzang traveled to obtain Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. Tourists can take a shuttle bus through the Spruce Corridor and hike to the foot of the Muzart Glacier to feel the vicissitudes of the millennium-old ancient road.?
Qiongkushitai Village: This is a primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden houses scattered like a fairy tale world. The grassland in the back mountain, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road, and the Kurdai River Forest Trail together form a trio of secret spots, ideal for deep hiking and photography.?
In addition, the Duku Highway stretches across mountains and valleys, making it an excellent choice for self-driving tours.?
; Qiaxi Scenic Area is praised as ‘The south of the Great Wall is Jiangnan, and the most beautiful place in Yili is Qiaxi’. Its primitive natural scenery and rich folk tourism activities also attract a large number of tourists.?
; There is also the Guozigou Bridge, known as the ‘Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang’, where the viewing platform offers a stunning view of the bridge and snowy mountains in the same frame.?
The above are just some of the must-visit attractions in Yili tourism. In fact, every corner of Yili is full of natural and cultural charm, waiting for tourists to explore and discover.?