Recommended three-day self-guided tour itinerary for Yili is as follows:?
Day 1: Yining City and Surroundings?
Upon arrival in Yining City in the morning, first check in at the hotel and take a short rest. Afterward, take a stroll in Kazanqi Folk Village to feel the rich Uyghur folk customs. The blue houses and colorful doors and windows make people feel like they are in a fairy tale world.?
For lunch, taste local specialty foods such as hand-grabbed rice and mutton skewers.?
In the afternoon, you can continue to explore Kazanqi Folk Village or head to Liuxing Street to stroll through specialty shops and listen to street performers playing and singing.?
Enjoy a pleasant evening at Liuxing Street or return to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day’s itinerary.?
In the morning, depart from Yining and head to Sayram Lake, known as the?
Take a walk along the lakeside plank road to enjoy the lake scenery from different angles, and stop to take photos at attractions such as the Waterfront Beach and the Command Platform.?
For lunch, dine at a restaurant near Sayram Lake and taste lake delicacies and local specialty dishes, such as fresh and tender white sturgeon.?
In the afternoon, leave Sayram Lake and head to the Guozigou Bridge. This magnificent bridge spans the valley and is very spectacular. From the viewing platform, you can take photos of the bridge’s full view and feel the perfect fusion of architecture and nature.?
In the evening, you can choose to stay near Sayram Lake or return to Yining City.?
Day 3: Huocheng Lavender Manor and Nalati Grassland (or Tekes)?
In the morning, you can head to Huocheng Lavender Manor (best viewing period is from June to August). The endless purple sea of flowers feels like being in Provence.?
After taking photos at the Lavender Manor, you can choose to continue your tour to Nalati Grassland or Tekes. Nalati Grassland boasts beautiful scenery and is a famous grassland scenic area in Xinjiang; while Tekes is a small town full of exotic charm, with unique architecture and scenery.?
Depending on personal interests and schedule, you can choose to spend the afternoon or evening in Nalati Grassland or Tekes, and then return to Yining City to end your three-day self-guided tour.?
During your trip, please pay attention to safety and abide by local regulations and customs. Meanwhile, due to the mild climate but large diurnal temperature variation in the Yili region, it is recommended to bring some thermal clothing such as windbreakers, as well as sunscreen and other sun protection products.?