The following is the 5-day travel guide to Yili, Xinjiang:
Recommended Core Itinerary:
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Yining (overnight stay)
Sayram Lake: Known as “the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean”, it is recommended to visit between 8 am and 10 am, as there are fewer people and the lighting is good, making it ideal for photography
Guozigou Bridge: A link connecting Sayram Lake and Guozigou, with stunning scenery on the bridge, offering an overlook of the entire lake area
Day 2: Yining – Xiata Ancient Road – Distant View of Muzart Glacier – Zhaosu (overnight stay)
Xiata Ancient Road: Experience the charm of the ancient road and enjoy a distant view of the magnificent scenery of the Muzart Glacier
Zhaosu: The only county without desert and the hometown of Chinese heavenly horses, where you can enjoy the performance of “Tianma Bathing in the River”
Day 3: Zhaosu – Qiongkushitai – Tekes Eight Trigrams City (overnight stay)
Qiongkushitai: A primitive village where you can feel the harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity
Tekes Eight Trigrams City: Shaped like the Eight Trigrams, it is very magical and worth exploring
Day 4: Tekes – Nalati Grassland – Nalati Town/Xinyuan County (overnight stay)
Nalati Grassland: Beautiful subalpine meadow plants, a treasure trove of nature’s greenness, where you can experience the vastness of the aerial grassland and the tranquility of nature
Day 5: Nalati/Xinyuan – Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery – Duku Highway – Urumqi
Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery: With 113 valleys and 113 scenic spots, it is recommended to spend more time exploring and enjoying the picturesque grassland scenery
Duku Highway: Traverse the magnificent Duku Highway to conclude your wonderful trip to Yili
Recommended Must-Visit Attractions:
Sayram Lake: The lake water is clear like a sapphire, surrounded by grasslands where colorful wildflowers bloom competitively, creating a beautiful scene
Bayin布鲁克 Grassland: Magnificent beauty, meaning “abundant springs” in Mongolian, where you can admire the elegant swans on Swan Lake
Kanas Lake: With towering snow-capped peaks, green slopes, and dark forests, the lake scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, earning it the reputation of “a fairyland on earth, the garden of gods”
Nalati International Ski Resort: A paradise for ski lovers, enjoy the fun and joy of the ski resort
Travel Suggestions:
Bring cold-resistant clothing as the temperature difference between morning and night is large in the Yili area
Pay attention to ticket reservations and purchases, as some attractions may require advance reservations or ticket purchases
Reasonably arrange your itinerary to ensure enough time to enjoy the beauty of each attraction
I hope this 5-day travel guide to Yili, Xinjiang can provide useful reference for your trip!