Recommended three-day travel route for Yili is as follows:
Day 1: Yining City and Surrounding Exploration
Morning: Upon arrival in Yining City, first visit Kazanqi Folk Village to experience the rich Uyghur culture. The blue houses and colorful doors and windows make you feel like you are in a fairy tale world. Afterwards, you can take a characteristic horse-drawn carriage to experience a leisurely slow life.
Noon: Taste local specialty cuisine in Yining City, such as hand-grabbed rice and mutton skewers.
Afternoon: Head to Liuxing Street, stroll through unique shops, listen to street performers playing and singing, and enjoy a pleasant afternoon.
Evening: Stay at a hotel in Yining City to recharge for the next day’s trip.
Day 2: Sayram Lake and Guozigou Bridge Tour
Morning: Depart from Yining and head to Sayram Lake, known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean”. Along the way, enjoy the magnificent scenery of Northern Xinjiang and feel the wonderful transition from city to wilderness.
Noon: Arrive at Sayram Lake and taste local cuisine at a lakeside restaurant, such as fresh highland whitefish.
Afternoon: Drive along Sayram Lake to admire the lake and mountain scenery from different angles. You can stop and take photos at attractions such as Qinshuitan and Dianjiangtai. The lake water is clear and blue, contrasting beautifully with the distant snow-capped mountains.
Evening: Head to Guozigou Bridge. This spectacular bridge stretches across the mountain like a huge dragon. From the observation deck, you can appreciate its full view and feel the perfect fusion of architecture and nature.
Evening: Return to Yining City or choose to stay at a homestay near Sayram Lake. You can also enjoy the starry sky at night.
Day 3: Huocheng Lavender Manor and Nalati Grassland
Morning: Head to Huocheng Lavender Manor. From June to August is the lavender blooming season, with an endless sea of purple flowers, which seems like a replica of Provence and is perfect for taking photos.
Noon: Have lunch near Lavender Manor and experience local flavors.
Afternoon: Drive to Nalati Grassland and visit the Nalati Scenic Area, a national tourist resort. You can choose to explore the Aerial Grassland or the Dragon Coiled Ancient Road to feel the vastness and grandeur of the grassland.
Evening: Return to Yining City to end your three-day trip to Yili. If time permits, you can also stroll around the night market in Yining City to taste more local cuisine.
This route covers multiple famous attractions in Yili, including natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and culinary experiences, making it ideal for a three-day short trip. During the trip, you can flexibly adjust the staying time at each attraction according to personal interests and time.