There are multiple options for a five-day free-and-easy travel itinerary in Yili. Here is a recommended itinerary**:?
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi and head to Yining City. You can choose to fly or take a coach. After arriving, rest in the urban area first to adapt to the plateau climate. In the evening, you can visit the local night market to taste delicacies such as mutton kebabs and baked stuffed buns.?
Another option is to depart from Korla and head to Xinyuan County along National Highway 218 for rest.?
Day 2: Depart from Yining, visit Sayram Lake, pass through Guozigou, and then proceed to Huocheng County to visit Huiyuan Ancient City to feel the historical atmosphere of the Qing Dynasty. Return to Yining for accommodation in the evening, or choose to stay overnight in Tekes Bagua City.?
If you choose to depart from Xinyuan County, you can visit Xinghua Valley in the morning and proceed to Gongliu for accommodation in the afternoon.?
Day 3: Depart from Tekes and head to Qiongkushi, then proceed to Nalati Grassland. Nalati Grassland is one of the famous attractions in Yili, known as the ‘Aerial Grassland’. Here, you can ride horses, hike, admire the beautiful natural scenery, and experience the folk culture of the Kazak people. You can spend the night in Nalati Town.?
Another option is to take a tour around Kuerdining, and if time permits, you can also visit Qiaxi. The two places are close, so you can visit them in sequence. Continue to stay in Tekes Bagua City for the night.?
Day 4: Continue exploring the beauty of Nalati Grassland, or depart from Yining to Zhaosu County to visit the Xiata Ancient Road, a crucial passage on the ancient Silk Road. Along the way, you can see magnificent snow-capped mountains and grassland scenery. In the evening, you can choose to return to Yining for accommodation or stay in Nalati.?
If you have already visited Nalati in the first three days, you can head to Qiongkushi in this day, which is the most beautiful route in this itinerary. Continue to stay in Nalati for the night.?
Day 5: Depart from Nalati and return to Urumqi. If time permits, you can choose to visit Turpan before returning to Urumqi.?
If the itinerary for the first four days starts from Korla, then this day starts from Nalati and returns to Korla.?
In addition, there are some other attractions and routes to choose from, such as the Lavender Fields in Huocheng County (best viewed in summer) and the Duku Highway (opens around June every year).?
. During self-driving, please pay attention to speed limits, ensure safe driving, and prepare clothing for all seasons to cope with possible low temperatures.?