The travel guide for Guangzhou to Ili mainly includes transportation options, itinerary arrangements, and attraction recommendations.?
Firstly, there are multiple transportation options from Guangzhou to Ili:?
Plane: There are direct flights from Guangzhou to Urumqi, with a flight time of about 5 hours.?
Upon arriving in Urumqi, you can transfer to a coach, train, or rent a car for a self-drive journey to Ili. Among them, the train is a more economical and comfortable option. Train K9781 from Urumqi to Yining (capital of Ili) takes about 12 hours, with spectacular scenery along the way.?
Train: Currently, there is no direct train from Guangzhou to Urumqi, and transfers are needed in places like Beijing or Xi’an. For example, take Train Z138 from Guangzhou to Beijing, and then transfer to Train Z70 from Beijing to Urumqi, with a total journey time of about 38 hours.?
Self-Drive: The self-drive route is Guangzhou-Shaoguan-other places-Urumqi, with a total distance of about 4,814 kilometers and a time consumption of about 55 hours and 49 minutes. However, long-distance self-drive travel requires consideration of road conditions, fuel costs, and driving fatigue.?
Next, here are some recommended itinerary arrangements:?
Day 1: Fly from Guangzhou to Urumqi. Upon arrival, you can first arrange accommodation, take a short break, and then taste local cuisine such as hand-grabbed meat and roasted whole sheep. In the evening, experience the night scene of Urumqi.?
Day 2: Travel from Urumqi to Ili, and upon arrival, visit Sayram Lake near the city to enjoy the grassland scenery and experience grassland culture.?
Day 3: Visit the famous attractions in Ili, such as Nalati Grassland, to enjoy the grassland scenery and experience the joy of horse riding.?
Day 4: Head to Karakun Grassland to admire the spectacular mountain scenery and the beauty of the summer pasture.?
Subsequent Days: You can arrange to return to Sayram Lake, visit Tianshan Heavenly Lake, and other attractions, before finally returning to Guangzhou from Urumqi.?
In addition, here are some must-visit attractions:?
Tulgun Apricot Valley: A globally renowned gathering place for primitive wild apricot groves, with a blooming period from early March to mid-April. The best viewing point is at the top of the hillside.?
Karakun Grassland: Located in Tekes County, Ili Valley, Xinjiang, it is renowned as one of the most beautiful grasslands in China and was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.?
Nalati Grassland: One of the most beautiful grasslands in Xinjiang, with undulating terrain and lush meadows, it is a paradise for photographers.?
During the trip, there are also some practical tips to keep in mind, such as booking air and train tickets in advance, carrying necessary sunscreen and warm clothing, and tasting local cuisine. I hope this guide can help you plan an unforgettable trip from Guangzhou to Yili.?