The latest travel guide for Ili in 2025 recommends a 7-9 day trip, with options for RV tours, self-drive tours, or group tours, focusing on visiting famous attractions such as Duku Highway, Sailimu Lake, and Nalati Grassland.?
I. Travel Duration and Accommodation Recommendations?
Travel Duration: It is recommended to spend 7-9 days to fully experience the natural scenery and cultural landscapes of Ili.?
Accommodation Recommendations: You can choose wild luxury camp tent hotels, upscale hotels, or RV camping based on your itinerary and personal preferences.?
II. Main Attractions and Travel Routes?
Duku Highway: This is a famous highway in Xinjiang with picturesque scenery along the way, allowing you to appreciate various landscapes such as Yardang, Danxia, Gobi, canyons, and alpine meadows.?
Sailimu Lake: It is recommended to enter from the East Gate and exit through the South Gate. You can climb to the top of the mountain to overlook the entire lake and also see the spectacular Guozigou Bridge.?
The travel route can include driving around the lake and boiling tea around a campfire.?
Nalati Grassland: Here, the scenery of snow-capped mountains, spruce trees, and grasslands intertwine, resembling a fairy tale world. You can choose to visit Nalati Aerial Grassland and take beautiful photos.?
Other attractions: Places like Kalajun Grassland, Qiongkushitai, and Tangbula Grassland are also worth visiting. Kalajun Grassland has unique human-shaped grassland landforms, Qiongkushitai is an ancient village hidden beneath the alpine forest and grassland, and Tangbula Grassland is famous for its Hundred-Mile Gallery and Fairy Lake.?
III. Travel Tips and Precautions?
Grassland selection: Ili has many grasslands, and it is recommended to visit 2-3 of them to avoid aesthetic fatigue.?
Mode of travel: Due to the long distances between attractions, it is recommended to take a self-drive or RV tour for more flexibility and convenience.?
If you choose to join a group tour, it is recommended to join a small group of 2-6 people to ensure comfort and a good team atmosphere during the trip.?
Shopping and cuisine: You can buy local specialties at Jinquan Market and enjoy local delicacies at Hetian Erjie Street and Lingguan Alley. For fruits, it is recommended to buy them at supermarkets or farmers’ markets to avoid being overcharged at roadside stalls or scenic spots.?
Other precautions: It is recommended to ride horses when visiting Qiongkushitai to avoid hiking; When taking photos at Nalati, you can walk upstream along the brook to find less crowded and scenic spots; Pay attention to restroom issues and use them whenever you see one; Avoid joining large groups or low-priced tours to prevent hidden costs.?
I hope this guide can help you plan an unforgettable trip to Ili!?