The beauty of Xinjiang.
Yili, Xinjiang is a tourist destination with beautiful scenery and unique culture. Here is some information about Yili tourism:
1. Recommended attractions:
- Nalati Grassland: One of the four largest alpine valley grasslands in the world, it is a famous pasture. Here you can enjoy the unique grassland scenery of the Western Regions, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, green grass at your feet, and herds of cattle and sheep. You can appreciate the rich and simple Kazakh ethnic customs. The scenic area has complete facilities, and tourists can choose to tour by horseback riding, sightseeing bus, etc.
- Kalajun Grassland: It is an important part of Xinjiang Tianshan and is listed as a World Natural Heritage Site. The grassland has retained its original ecosystem and has diverse landforms, including vast grasslands, steep canyons and deep forests, with distinct layers and spectacular scenery.
- Sailimu Lake: It is the highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang. The lake water is crystal clear and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, like a sapphire inlaid among the mountains. The lakeside has beautiful scenery, with flower fields, grasslands and other landscapes. You can also see swans and other water birds playing in the lake.
- Huiyuan Ancient City: A famous historical city in Xinjiang, it was once the center of economy, politics, military and culture, and is known as "Little Beijing". In the city center, there are tall bell and drum towers, the garden-like Ili General's Mansion, numerous temples, and military sites inside and outside the city, which retain a strong historical atmosphere.
- Guozigou: It is named after the many wild apples growing in the mountains. The winding roads here offer unique scenery, with towering peaks on both sides, gurgling springs, and pine forests and grasslands forming a beautiful picture. Guozigou Bridge is also a beautiful landscape. Standing on the bridge and looking into the distance, you can see the dark green mountains and the rolling sea of clouds.
- Tekes Bagua City: the only city in the world that has no traffic lights but allows people to travel freely. Bagua City is in a radial circular shape, and its street layout is like a magical maze, with all roads and streets connected to each other. The city has well-preserved grassland stone men, ancient rock paintings, Wusun ancient tombs, etc., and has a profound historical culture and rich folk customs.
- Xiata: It is a place where snow-capped mountains, grasslands and mountain flowers can still be seen in mid-to-late August. There are dark green pine forests, light green grasslands, mountains that are so close that you can touch them, and at the end of the Xiata River are the misty Muzart snow-capped peaks and glaciers. It has extremely diverse natural scenery.
- Qiaxi Grassland: Tickets are cheap and you can drive yourself. It is a fairy tale world like Hayao Miyazaki's summer, Heidi and Grandpa's home. The grassland is vast, with blue sky, white clouds, green grass and lakes complementing each other, and the air is filled with a faint scent of grass.
- Qiongkushitai: All the houses are made of pure wood, scattered in the woods, like Howl's moving castle. The Kurdai River flows gently in front of and behind houses, and the sound of flowing water echoes in the mountains. Here you can find the bluest sky, the whitest clouds, the silveriest mountains, and the dark green forests. There is no hustle and bustle of the city, only the tranquility and beauty of nature.
2. Food recommendations:
- Grilled mutton kebabs: fresh mutton is grilled over charcoal and sprinkled with cumin, chili and other spices. It is fragrant and is a representative delicacy of Yili.
- Pilaf: The main ingredients are mutton, carrots, onions, rice, etc. The rice grains are distinct, the mutton is soft and tender, the carrots are sweet, it is rich in nutrition and tastes excellent.
- Naren noodles: a traditional Kazakh noodle dish, usually made with lamb, noodles and onions, and is delicious.
- Naankeng Meat: The meat is roasted in a naankeng pot, which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with a rich flavor.
- Baked buns: The outer skin is crispy, and the filling is made of lamb, onions and other seasonings. The gravy overflows when you take a bite.
- Milk tea: The milk tea in Xinjiang is different from the milk tea in the mainland. It is made from milk and tea leaves. It has a rich taste and has a unique flavor after adding salt. It can be eaten with foods such as naan.
3. Accommodation options:
- Yining City: As the capital of Yili Prefecture, Yining City has hotels and B&Bs of various grades to choose from. If you want to enjoy modern convenience, you can choose a hotel in the city; if you want to experience local characteristics, you can choose some homestays with ethnic style.
- Near grassland scenic spots: There are yurts, characteristic inns and other accommodation options near scenic spots such as Nalati Grassland and Kalajun Grassland. Living near a scenic spot allows you to easily enjoy the beautiful scenery of the grassland, such as sunrise and sunset, but the accommodation conditions may be relatively simple.
4. Transportation Guide:
- Airplane: You can fly to Yining Airport in Yining City first, and then go to various attractions by public transportation or rent a car.
- Train: There are many railway stations in Yili Prefecture, such as Yining Station, Horgos Station, etc. You can choose the appropriate station according to your itinerary.
- Car: The road traffic in Yili is relatively developed. You can choose to take a long-distance bus or rent a car for self-driving tour. Self-driving tours allow you to explore the beauty of Yili more freely, but you need to pay attention to road conditions and driving safety.
5. Best time to travel: June to September is the best time to travel to Yili. At this time, the grassland is green, flowers are blooming, and the scenery is most beautiful. However, it should be noted that the temperature difference between morning and evening in Yili is large in summer, so it is recommended to bring warm clothes.
6. Shopping recommendations: You can buy some souvenirs with local characteristics, such as Kazakh hand-embroidery, wood carvings, sheep-horn whips, Xibe incense bags (tobacco pipes) and various jewelry with ethnic characteristics.