Yili

Ili has a marked difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, so bring warm clothing when traveling in the mountains.

Known as “God’s backyard,” Ili brings together snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, and lakes. The itinerary below can help you plan your trip to Ili.

• Sailimu Lake: The water is clear and deep blue. You can drive around the lake clockwise; Songshu Tou offers a panoramic view of the lake and distant views of the Guozigou Bridge.

• Nalati Grassland: The Sky Grassland offers expansive views and opportunities for horseback riding. The scenery along Panlong Valley Road is particularly impressive. Facilities at the scenic area are well developed, but it can get crowded during peak season.

• Kalajun Grassland: The rolling grassland has flowing contours said to resemble the human body. Falcon Terrace is the main viewpoint. The area between Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace is suitable for hiking, while driving in requires advance reservations.

• Xiate Ancient Trail: Snow Lotus Peak reaches an elevation of 6,000 meters. Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and herds of cattle, sheep, and horses line the route. It is suitable for hiking and offers relatively pristine natural scenery.

• Qiongkushitai: The area preserves an original village and broad meadows. In the back mountains, you can ride through spruce forests covered in snow and clouds, or try a light hike along the Wusun Ancient Trail. The mountain road has many bends, but the scenery along the way is outstanding.

• Tekes Bagua City: This is the only Bagua city in China without traffic lights; there are no traffic lights within the four ring roads. Li Street and the night market each have their own character, making the city well suited to a leisurely visit.

• Liuxing Street: Located in downtown Yining, this neighborhood is known for its ethnic-style architecture and vivid colors. Blue walls and brightly painted gates are scattered throughout the area. You may come across accordion performances at night, making it a pleasant place for a relaxed stroll.

• Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery: Snow-capped mountains, forests, grasslands, and river valleys line Provincial Highway S315. Around the Mengkete Ancient Trail, you can also enjoy natural hot springs.

Best Time to Visit

• Late May to June: The grasslands have mostly turned green, while the snow line on the mountains remains relatively low and wildflowers begin to bloom. Airfares and accommodation prices have usually not yet reached their peak-season highs, offering a good balance between scenery and travel costs.

• July to August: Summer is the peak travel season, with comfortable weather that is ideal for escaping the heat. At the same time, visitors are concentrated and accommodation and car rental costs are higher.

• Mid-September to early October: The grasslands gradually turn golden, and the birch forests display rich colors. The autumn scenery has distinct layers, while visitor numbers are relatively low.

Classic 8-Day, 7-Night Self-Drive/Chartered-Car Route

• Day 1: After arriving in Yining, check in and visit Liuxing Street and Kazanqi. Head to the Ili River in the evening to watch the sunset.

• Day 2: Depart from Yining, drive clockwise around Sailimu Lake, and continue to Songshu Tou. Then cross the Guozigou Bridge before returning to Yining for the night.
• Day 3: Travel from Yining via the Yizhao Highway to Zhaosu, then continue to the Xiate Ancient Trail and stay near the scenic area.
• Day 4: Spend the day exploring Xiate in depth. Choose between hiking and horseback riding to experience the snow-capped mountains and glaciers up close. Stay in Xiate again.
• Day 5: Travel from Xiate to Tekes Bagua City, visit Li Street and the night market, and stay in Tekes.
• Day 6: Travel from Tekes to Kalajun Grassland. Hike from Flower Terrace to Falcon Terrace, then return to Tekes or continue to Gongliu for the night.
• Day 7: Travel from Gongliu to Kuerdening or the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery, then enter the northern section of the Duku Highway and arrive in Nalati Town for the night.
• Day 8: Visit Nalati Grassland and go horseback riding in the Sky Grassland. Then travel via the Duku Highway to Urumqi for your return journey.

Transportation and Getting Around

• Getting there: Consider flying directly to Yining Airport to reduce travel time. If you arrive in Urumqi, you can take a high-speed train (about 5–6 hours) or an overnight train to Yining.
• Local transportation: Ili’s attractions are far apart, so driving yourself or hiring a car makes it easier to adjust your route. If you prefer not to drive, you can contact fellow travelers through hostels to share a ride.
• Car rental advice: Use reputable rental platforms such as Shenzhou or eHi, obtain comprehensive insurance, and preferably choose a car that is less than one year old. Hybrid cars or SUVs are relatively fuel-efficient and better suited to climbing mountain roads.

Food Recommendations

• Hand-grabbed pilaf: Lamb, carrots, yellow carrots, and rice are cooked together. The flavor is rich without being overly greasy.

• Roasted buns: The crust is crisp when eaten hot, while the meat filling inside is juicy.

• Big-plate chicken: The chicken is tender and the potatoes soft. Served with wide belt noodles, it is ideal for soaking up the sauce.

• Peppercorn chicken: The chicken has a firm texture and a pronounced numbing, peppery flavor, making it suitable for warmer weather.

• Roasted lamb chops: The chops are roasted until fragrant and crisp outside while remaining tender inside. They are usually served with cumin and chili powder, and have relatively little of the gamey flavor associated with lamb.

• Pit-roasted lamb: Lamb is roasted in a naan pit, producing tender, juicy meat.

• Xinjiang handmade yogurt: Homemade by herders through fermentation, it has a pleasantly sweet-and-sour taste when served with honey or dried fruit and can help cut through rich foods.

Travel Tips

• Highway reservations: Only cars with seven seats or fewer are allowed on the Duku Highway and Yizhao Highway. Reservations must be made in advance through “Xinjiang Traffic Police”; entry is prohibited after 8 p.m. each day.
• Ticket reservations: Nalati self-drive tickets must be booked seven days in advance, with tickets released at noon each day. Kalajun self-drive tickets must be booked one to two days in advance. Driving around Sailimu Lake also requires a separate vehicle ticket.
• Weather and clothing: The temperature difference between day and night is significant. Daytime temperatures may reach 25°C, while early morning and evening temperatures may fall to 5°C. Bring a waterproof outdoor jacket or light down jacket. Mountain areas often experience showers, so also bring waterproof shoe covers and sunscreen.
• Accommodation reservations: During the July–August peak season, prices for guesthouses near scenic areas may double. Booking two weeks in advance is recommended, preferably with a hotel that allows free cancellation until 6 p.m. on the day of arrival.
• Horseback riding safety: Choose an official horse-riding team; matching uniforms make the staff easier to identify and manage. Be sure to purchase insurance before riding and follow the guide’s instructions.
• Time difference and daily schedule: Xinjiang is two hours behind inland China, and sunset is around 10 p.m. in summer. Plan your sightseeing accordingly—you do not need to leave the scenic areas too early.

Estimated Budget (Per Person)

• Budget: RMB 1,500–2,000, mainly using student-discount tickets, shared hostel rooms, and shared rides for snacks and short trips.
• Comfortable: RMB 3,000–5,000, including standard admission tickets, comfortable hotels, and a chartered car or rental car.
• Luxury: RMB 8,000 and above, suitable for high-end resort hotels in scenic areas, a chartered car, and a more comprehensive in-depth experience.