Yili Travel Guide

Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture is located in the northwest corner of Xinjiang, with its western opening facing moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. Its annual rainfall far exceeds that of other parts of Xinjiang, earning it the nickname 'Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall.' Yining City serves as the prefectural capital and as a supply hub for the entire Ili River Valley route

Yining urban area

• Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area: Blue Wall Alleys, Horse Taxi (Hatik), Home Visit Courtyard—you can explore it all in half a day, making for great photos
• Six Star Street: Radial District, Accordion Museum, and Old Courtyard Café
• Yili River Bridge: The riverbank where locals gather at sunset

valley heads out

essence of Ili lies outside the river valley: the northern line is Sayram Lake (about a two-hour drive), Guozigou Bridge; the southern line is Qiaxi and Qapuqi Sea; the eastern line is the Nalati Grassland and Bayinbuluke (connecting to the Duku Highway); and the Kelajun Grassland and Kuokesu Grand Canyon in the Tekes direction. At the Horgos Port, you can visit the China-Kazakhstan Border Cooperation Center

How many days, how many months will it go?

Ili lasts at least four days: one day in the city, three days along the grassland lake line. June is the month in Ili—lavender (the Princess Sorrow's Lavender Garden in Huocheng, peak around mid-June) and wildflowers on the grasslands are all on display; In September, the grasslands turn golden and there are even fewer tourists

Notes

The day-night temperature difference on the grasslands is large, and nights in July can drop below 10 degrees, so outdoor jackets are a must; Tent accommodation during peak season must be booked in advance; When driving, pay attention to the herds of sheep on pasture roads—yielding is a strict rule