There are many places suitable for tourism in Yili, and here are some recommendations for major attractions:
1. Nalati Grassland:
As one of the world’s four alpine valley grasslands, Nalati is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscapes. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, the grasslands are covered in snow. Visitors can experience horseback riding, visits to Kazak families, and overlook the breathtaking scenery of Schrenk’s spruce intertwined with grasslands from the observation deck on the aerial grassland.
2. Sayram Lake:
Although belonging to Bozhou, it is considered a core attraction of the Yili loop route. The lake’s color changes from blue to green with the light, with golden lotus flowers blooming by the lake in June and ice pushing wonders in winter. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are unique activities here.
3. Karajun Grassland:
A "World Natural Heritage" site certified by the United Nations, famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, the Flower Platform transforms into a colorful carpet, while the Falcon Platform offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains. The Crocodile Bay in the Koksu Grand Canyon is also a geological wonder.
4. Xiata Ancient Path:
A perilous gorge traveled by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient paths. Taking a shuttle bus through the spruce corridor and hiking to the foot of the Muzart Glacier offers a sense of the vicissitudes of the millennium-old path.
5. Qiongkushitai Village:
Primitive villages hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden cabins scattered like a fairy tale world. The hilly grasslands, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Path, and the Kurdai River forest trail form a trio of hidden wonders suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.
In addition, there are the following attractions worth visiting:
Duku Highway: This highway stretches across towering mountains and through valleys, making it an excellent choice for self-drive travel enthusiasts.
Qiaxi Scenic Area: Located in the southeastern mountains of Gongliu County, it is a national forest park and a popular destination for summer retreats, recuperation, and folk customs tourism on the grasslands.
Guozigou Bridge: Known as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", the observation deck offers stunning views of the bridge framed by snow-capped mountains.
Huocheng Lavender: In mid-to-late June, ten thousand acres of purple flowers bloom, filling the air with a romantic aroma. It is known as the "Provence of China".
Kuldning: A gene bank of Schrenk’s spruce, the most biologically diverse area in the western Tianshan Mountains, with autumn scenery that resembles an oil painting.
Tekes Bagua City: The world’s largest ancient city laid out in the bagua (eight trigrams) formation, a mysterious city without traffic lights. Riding the Ferris wheel to overlook the streets arranged according to the Yi Jing (Book of Changes)八卦 pattern offers a unique experience.
Yili River Scenic Area: A major Central Asian river that flows through the city. The sunset over the Yili River Bridge is known as the "Most Beautiful Evening in the Western Regions". Bird watching in the wetland park and ethnic dances and songs by the river are also major highlights.
The above attractions each have their own unique characteristics, whether natural scenery or cultural landscapes, all make people reluctant to leave. Traveling in Yili, you can deeply feel the grandeur and mystery of nature, as well as the unique ethnic customs of the local area.