Travel Guide: Korla to Ili?
I. Itinerary Planning?
Day 1: Korla to Hejing County?
Itinerary Overview: Depart from Korla in the morning, drive northwest along G30 Expressway, pass through Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, and finally arrive at Hejing County. This journey takes approximately 3-4 hours, and you can enjoy the unique desert and Gobi scenery of southern Xinjiang along the way?
Recommended Attraction: Hejing County Museum, where you can learn about the local history and culture?
Day 2: Hejing County to Bayinbrook Grassland?
Itinerary Overview: Transfer from Hejing County to Provincial Highway S101, cross the Tianshan Mountains, pass through Baluntai Town, and finally arrive at Bayinbrook Grassland. This journey takes approximately 4 hours, and you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Tianshan Mountains along the way?
Attraction Recommendation: Bayanbulak Grassland, where you can ride horses, hike, or picnic, feeling the charm of nature.?
Travel Tips: Self-driving or renting a car is the most recommended method. The road conditions are good, but some sections are winding, so drive carefully.?
Day 3: Bayanbulak Grassland to Yining?
Itinerary Overview: Departing from Bayanbulak Grassland, drive to Yining City. This journey is expected to take 6 hours.?
Attraction Recommendation: Enjoy the scenery of the Gongnaisi River during the journey.?
Travel Tips: Upon arriving in Yining, it is recommended to rest first and adapt to the plateau climate. In the evening, you can stroll through the local night market to experience the local customs.?
Day 4: Surroundings of Yining?
Itinerary Suggestions:?
You can choose to visit Sayram Lake, known as the ‘Last Tear of the Atlantic’. The lake water is blue and clear, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, creating a picturesque scene. Here, you can take a walk along the lake, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, or rent a boat to row on the lake.?
Or visit Huocheng Lavender Base, one of China’s larger lavender planting bases. Every summer, the purple flower sea turns the entire valley into a dreamy landscape. You can take photos here and purchase lavender essential oil, dried flowers, and other specialties.?
Day 5: Yining to Karajun Grassland?
Itinerary Overview: Departing from Yining, drive to Karajun Grassland, which is expected to take 2 hours. Karajun Grassland, located in Tekes County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, is a typical alpine grassland and a famous tourist destination. The grassland here is vast and endless, with herds of cattle and sheep, fresh air, and picturesque scenery. You can engage in horse riding, hiking, camping, and taste local specialties.?
Day 6: Return to Korla or Continue Exploring?
Itinerary Suggestion: Depending on your return schedule, you can revisit Yining city or nearby attractions. If departing from Yining in the afternoon and driving back to Korla, it is expected to take 6 hours.?
II. Unique Experiences?
Horse Riding and Archery: In Nalati Grassland, you can experience ethnic customs such as horse riding and archery.?
Visit Ancient Cities: Tekes Eight Trigrams City is the only city in China that follows the layout of the eight trigrams, possessing high historical and cultural value and worth visiting.?
Photography Paradise: Gongnaisi Forest Park, Sayram Lake, and Karajun Grassland are paradises for photographers, where you can capture magnificent natural scenery and rich wildlife resources.?
III. Travel Tips?
Transportation Methods: The most convenient way is to self-drive or rent a car. The road conditions are good, but note that some sections are winding.?
Accommodation Choices: In places like Bayanbulak and Nalati, you can choose to stay in local folk houses or hotels with unique features to experience the local customs.?
Sunscreen Measures: Xinjiang has strong UV rays. When traveling, take proper sunscreen measures, such as wearing masks, sunglasses, hats, etc.?
Respect Customs: During your visit, please respect the local customs and religious beliefs to avoid unnecessary trouble.?
Hope this travel guide from Korla to Ili can provide you with useful references for your trip!?