Departing from Hangzhou to travel to Ili is a fantastic journey across thousands of mountains and rivers. The straight-line distance from Hangzhou to Ili is about 3,726 kilometers. There are various modes of transportation and travel routes to choose from.?
Modes of Transportation?
Plane:?
There are direct flights from Hangzhou to Urumqi, with a flight time of about 4-5 hours. It is the fastest way to get to Ili. After arriving in Urumqi, you can transfer to a flight to Yining or choose to rent a car or join a local tour group to Ili.?
There are also direct flights to Yining Airport, with a flight time of about 5 hours. However, please note to book in advance, especially during the peak tourist season.?
Train:?
You can choose to take a train from Hangzhou to Urumqi, passing through Lanzhou, Xi’an, and other places. Although it takes a longer time (about 40 hours), the scenery along the way is extremely beautiful.?
Self-drive Travel:?
Departing from Hangzhou, follow G318 National Highway to Xinjiang, with a total distance of about 4,509 kilometers and an expected driving time of 51 hours and 37 minutes. This is a journey through time and space, allowing you to appreciate the tremendous changes from the southern water towns to the northwest frontier.?
Itinerary Planning Suggestions?
Short Trips:?
You can choose a five-day in-depth tour, including round trips from Hangzhou to Urumqi and Yining, as well as visits to famous attractions such as Ili Grassland, Sayram Lake, and Guozigou Bridge.?
Ten-day Tour:?
For a longer trip, you can choose a ten-day tour, passing through Kuitun, Sayram Lake, Huanghuang Village, Xiata, Tekes, Jonggushitai, Bayinbrook, Fairy Lake, Tangbula, and other places, before finally returning to Hangzhou.?
Self-drive Travel Itinerary:?
Self-drive travel allows for more flexible itinerary planning. It is recommended to stop along the way to enjoy special attractions such as Taihu Lake, Xuzhou Museum, Yunlong Lake Scenic Area, Shaolin Temple, Songshan, etc., and prepare sufficient supplies and emergency tools.?
Attraction Recommendations?
Nalati Grassland: A famous tourist attraction in Xinjiang, with abundant water and grass, and picturesque scenery. It’s an excellent spot to appreciate the grassland scenery of Xinjiang.?
Sayram Lake: The larger plateau lake in Xinjiang, with clear lake water and surrounded by mountains, it’s extremely beautiful.?
International Grand Bazaar: The larger market in Xinjiang, gathering a variety of Xinjiang-specific commodities. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs.?
Hongshan Park: Located in the center of Urumqi, it is an urban park integrating natural scenery and human landscapes. The Hongshan Mountain within the park is a landmark attraction of Urumqi.?
Before departure, please make sure to do sufficient preparations, including understanding the local weather conditions, choosing a suitable travel season, formulating a detailed itinerary, and checking whether the relevant documents are complete and valid, etc.?
. Hope this trip can bring you an unforgettable experience!?