Located in the northwest of Xinjiang, Yili is known as the "Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) beyond the Great Wall", integrating snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and canyons. It boasts rich natural landscapes and cultural customs, making it an excellent destination for tourism. Here are some recommended important attractions for tourism in western Yili:
Nalati Grassland:
As one of the four major alpine valley grasslands in the world, Nalati Grassland is famous for its three-dimensional grassland landscape. In summer, wildflowers bloom everywhere, and in winter, it is covered in snow.
Visitors can experience activities such as horse riding and Kazakh home visits. The Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform is an excellent spot to overlook the breathtaking scenery of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with grasslands.
Sayram Lake:
Although Sayram Lake belongs to Bortala Prefecture, it is a core attraction on the Yili loop route. The lake water is clear and blue, changing colors from blue to green with the light, earning it the nickname "The Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean".
In June, the golden lotus blooms by the lake, and in winter, you can see the ice pushing miracle. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are particularly recommended experiences.
Karajun Grassland:
This is a UNESCO-certified World Natural Heritage site famous for its human-like grassland curves. From May to June, Huaxiatai transforms into a colorful carpet, and Falcontai offers a distant view of the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains.
The Crocodile Bay in the Koksu Grand Canyon of Karajun Grassland is also a geological wonder.
Xiata Ancient Path:
A steep gorge passed by Xuan Zang on his pilgrimage to fetch Buddhist scriptures, integrating glaciers, hot springs, and ancient paths. Taking the shuttle bus through the Spruce Corridor and hiking to the foot of the Muzart Glacier allows you to feel the vicissitudes of the millennium-old path.
Qiongkushitai Village:
A primitive village hidden deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with wooden houses scattered like a fairy tale world. The back mountain grassland, the starting point of the Wusun Ancient Path, and the Kurdai River Forest Trail form a trio of secret spots, suitable for in-depth hiking and photography.
Guozigou Bridge:
Known as the "Most Beautiful Viaduct in Xinjiang", it winds like a giant dragon through the峡谷. The viewing platform offers a stunning view of the bridge framed by snow-capped mountains. In spring, wildflowers bloom everywhere, making the scenery especially enchanting.
In addition, western Yili has many scenic spots worth visiting, such as the Duku Highway, Bayinbrook Grassland, Zhaosu Jade Lake, Qiaxi Forest Park, and Kuerdining. When planning your itinerary, you can choose based on personal interests and time arrangements.
I hope these suggestions can help you plan an unforgettable trip to western Yili!