The best time to visit Yili and recommended attractions are as follows:?
Located in the northwest of Xinjiang, Yili is known as the "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall", integrating snowy mountains, grasslands, lakes, and gorges. It boasts rich natural landscapes and cultural customs. For tourism in Yili, different seasons have different characteristics, but summer (from June to September) is generally considered the best time to visit, when the grasslands are lush, flowers are in bloom, and the weather is suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing.?
In Yili, there are several must-visit attractions:?
Nalati Grassland: As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and visitors can experience horseback riding, visits to Kazakh homes, and overlook the stunning view of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with grasslands from the Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform.?
Sayram Lake: Although belonging to Bozhou, it is a core attraction on the Yili loop route. The lake’s color changes from blue to green with the light, and in June, golden lotus flowers bloom along the lakeshore. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are particularly recommended.?
Karajun Grassland: Certified by the United Nations as a "World Natural Heritage Site", it is famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. From May to June, the Flower Platform turns into a colorful carpet, and from Falcon Viewing Platform, you can overlook the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains.?
Xiata Ancient Road: A perilous gorge traveled by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient roads. It is suitable for hiking enthusiasts to feel the vicissitudes of the thousand-year-old road.?
Qiongkushitai Village: A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden huts scattered like a fairy tale world. It is suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.?
Guozigou Bridge: Known as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", the viewing platform offers a breathtaking view of the bridge framed by snowy mountains.?
Huocheng Lavender Fields: 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".?
In addition, the Duku Highway, Bayinbuluke Grassland, Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, and Yili River Scenic Area are also worth visiting.?
The Duku Highway is only open for 4 months a year (usually from June to September), offering ever-changing scenery along the way, allowing you to experience the four seasons in a single day.?
In general, Yili is rich in diverse tourism resources. Whether you prefer natural scenery or cultural landscapes, you can find suitable tourist activities here. The best time to visit is usually summer, but each season has its unique charm.?