For traveling from Urumqi to Ili, you can choose multiple travel modes. Among them, self-driving tours are popular due to their flexibility and the opportunity to enjoy the scenery along the way. Below is a recommended travel plan based on self-driving tours.?
Recommended route:?
The main route includes the G30 Lianhuo Expressway, G312 National Highway, and S101 Provincial Highway, with a total length of about 600 kilometers. This is a golden route for self-driving enthusiasts, with beautiful scenery and rich human landscapes along the way.?
Itinerary planning:?
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake?
Departing from Urumqi, drive along the G30 Lianhuo Expressway for about 5-6 hours to reach Sayram Lake. Here, you can admire the lakeside scenery and engage in outdoor activities such as boating and horse riding. You can choose to camp by the lake or stay at a nearby RV campsite at night.?
Day 2: Sayram Lake – Guozigou – Khorgos Port – Yining?
Continue driving along G30 and pass through the Guozigou Bridge to admire the beautiful canyon scenery. Upon arriving at Khorgos Port, you can visit the border trade area to understand border culture. Then head to Yining, enjoying the scenery of farmland and mountains along the way. You can choose to stay at an RV campsite or hotel in Yining at night.?
Day 3: Yining – Nalati Grassland?
Departing from Yining, head to Nalati Grassland, a famous grassland scenic area. Here, you can ride horses, observe the lives of herdsmen, and taste local cuisine. You can choose to camp on the grassland or return to Yining for accommodation at night.?
Subsequent itinerary:?
You can also continue to Bayinbrook and Tianshan Tianchi to appreciate the unique natural scenery and human landscapes of Xinjiang. Meanwhile, you can also choose to visit the Ili Prefecture Museum, Shihezi Museum, etc., according to your interests and time to understand the local history and culture.?
Preparations before departure:?
Before departure, please ensure that your vehicle is in good condition and have enough fuel, water, and food.?
Prepare navigation equipment such as maps and GPS navigators to ensure accurate driving along the way.?
Precautions:?
Self-driving tours are suitable for experienced drivers. Novice drivers and friends coming to Xinjiang for the first time are not recommended to drive themselves.?
Please adjust the itinerary according to the actual situation to ensure a pleasant and safe journey.?
In addition, if you are interested in the history and culture of Xinjiang, you can also visit historical and cultural sites such as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, Jiaohe Ancient City, or Gaochang Ancient City during your journey to experience the profound cultural heritage of Xinjiang.?
. Hope this travel plan can provide a useful reference for your trip from Urumqi to Ili.?