The Yili tourist area in Xinjiang is a magnificent place that combines snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and canyons, boasting rich natural resources and unique ethnic customs.
Yili is located in the northwest of Xinjiang and is known as the ‘South of the Great Wall in the Border Regions’. It is rich in diverse tourism resources. Taking Nalati Grassland as an example, as one of the world’s four alpine valley grasslands, it is famous for its three-dimensional grassland scenery. In summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and in winter, it is dressed in white snow. Visitors can experience activities such as horse riding and visiting Kazakh homes. From the Aerial Grassland Viewing Platform, one can overlook the breathtaking scenery of snow-capped fir trees intertwined with grasslands.
Moreover, Yili has many other scenic spots worth visiting, such as Sayram Lake. The color of the lake water changes from blue to green with the light. In June, golden lotus flowers bloom along the lakeside, and the ice-pushing spectacle in winter is breathtaking. Cycling around the lake and camping under the stars are particularly recommended.
The Kalajun Grassland is a UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage site, famous for its human-shaped grassland curves. When flowers bloom in May and June, it looks like a colorful carpet. From the Falcon Viewing Platform, one can overlook the main peak of the Tianshan Mountains, while the Crocodile Bay in Koksu Grand Canyon is a geological wonder.
Apart from natural scenery, Yili also offers rich cultural experiences. For example, visitors can feel the mysterious charm of the world’s largest八卦layout ancient city at Tekes Bagua City, take a ride on the Ferris wheel to overlook the streets in the form of the I Ching八卦, while the Lijie Folk Culture Area is full of Uyghur customs.
At Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden, visitors can wander through a sea of purple flowers and experience a romantic atmosphere. Here, it is renowned alongside France’s Provence and Japan’s Furano as the world’s third-largest lavender planting base.
In conclusion, the Yili tourist area in Xinjiang is a charming place. Whether it is natural scenery or cultural experiences, it is well worth visitors coming to explore and experience.