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PAULINA TURNERUnited States

Yili, Xinjiang: March-May is not recommended, because...

Friends, Yili is truly a dream destination! With snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and flower seas, the scenery is as beautiful as a fairy tale. If you also want to embark on this journey to northern Xinjiang, take this guide and enjoy Yili! Travel Time: March to May is one of the best times to visit Yili, Xinjiang. During this period, the Yili area gradually awakens from winter, the grasslands begin to turn green, and wildflowers bloom one after another. Especially in mid-to-late May, the flower seas of Nalati Grassland and Kalajun Grassland are breathtakingly beautiful. Moreover, there are not many tourists during this time, so you don't have to queue for photos, and every shot is a masterpiece. In addition, the temperature is also pleasant, warm and comfortable during the day, and cool and pleasant at night, making it very suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Transportation Guide: The most convenient way to get to Yili, Xinjiang is to arrive in Urumqi first, and then travel from Urumqi to Yili. Urumqi is the transportation hub of Xinjiang, with a well-established railway, highway, and aviation network. From Urumqi to Yili, you can choose to travel by plane, train, or long-distance bus. Among them, airplane is the fastest way, but the price is relatively high; trains and long-distance buses are relatively cheap, but take longer. Within the Yili area, since the scenic spots are scattered, it is recommended to rent a car or charter a car for sightseeing, so that you can arrange your itinerary and time more flexibly. In addition, you can also choose to join a local tour group, which can save you a lot of trouble with transportation and accommodation. Itinerary: 3 Days and 2 Nights Day 1: Urumqi - Sayram Lake - Yining Depart from Urumqi in the morning and head to Sayram Lake, known as the "Last Tear of the Atlantic Ocean." The lake is as blue as a mirror, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and wildflowers bloom by the lake in spring and summer, just like a fairyland. After taking photos and playing by the lake, head to Yining City to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 2: Yining - Nalati Grassland - Nalati Town Depart in the morning for Nalati Grassland, known as the "Sky Grassland." In spring and summer, the grassland is lush and green, with flocks of cattle and sheep, and the scenery is magnificent. Take photos, ride horses, and run freely on the grassland, feeling the charm of nature. In the evening, head to Nalati Town to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 3: Nalati Town - Bayinbuluk - Urumqi Depart from Nalati Town in the morning and head to Bayinbuluk to admire the magnificent scenery of the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns. A winding long river stretches from the sky to your feet. During the day, the river is the blue of the sky, and at sunset, it is a dazzling orange-gold. Return to Urumqi in the evening to end the trip. 4 Days and 3 Nights Day 1: Urumqi - Sayram Lake - Yining Depart from Urumqi in the morning to Sayram Lake to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery and the wildflowers by the lake. In the evening, head to Yining City to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 2: Yining - Nalati Grassland - Nalati Town Depart in the morning for Nalati Grassland and experience the charm of the grassland. After taking photos, riding horses, and playing on the grassland, head to Nalati Town to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 3: Nalati Town - Xiata Ancient Road - Tekes Depart from Nalati Town in the morning and head to Xiata Ancient Road, which is an excellent place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains and grasslands together. Walk along the ancient road and enjoy the magnificent snow-capped mountains and grassland scenery. In the evening, head to Tekes to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 4: Tekes - Kalajun Grassland - Urumqi Depart from Tekes in the morning and head to Kalajun Grassland, known as the "Pride of the Tianshan Mountains." The scenery on the grassland is simply breathtakingly beautiful. After the tour, return to Urumqi to end the trip. 5 Days and 4 Nights Day 1: Yining - Sayram Lake - Yining Depart from Yining in the morning to Sayram Lake to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery and the wildflowers by the lake. In the evening, return to Yining City to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 2: Yining - Nalati Grassland - Nalati Town Depart in the morning for Nalati Grassland and experience the charm of the grassland. After taking photos, riding horses, and playing on the grassland, head to Nalati Town to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 3: Nalati Town - Kurdening - Qasi Grassland - Tekes Depart from Nalati Town in the morning and head to Kurdening, where grasslands and forests intertwine, ancient trees tower into the sky, and the air is fresh. After the tour, head to Qasi Grassland and experience the vastness and tranquility of the grassland. In the evening, head to Tekes to check in to the hotel and rest. Day 4: Tekes - Joan Kushtai - Zhaosu Depart from Tekes in the morning and head to Joan Kushtai, known as the "Hometown of Heavenly Horses," where wooden houses are scattered and the grassland is vast. After the tour, head to Zhaosu Wetland Park to enjoy the wetland scenery and the Heavenly Horse Bathing River performance. In the evening, check in to the hotel in Zhaosu and rest. Day 5: Zhaosu - Tangbula Gallery - Urumqi Depart from Zhaosu in the morning and head to Tangbula Gallery, which is famous for its rich natural scenery, especially the Gallery, which is impeccably beautiful. After the tour, return to Urumqi to end the trip. Tips: Clothing preparation: The temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is large, and it may even snow in summer, so it is recommended to bring enough clothes, and thick clothes are essential. At the same time, the ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are strong, so be sure to prepare sunscreen, sun protection clothing, and sun hats. Sports shoes: Since Xinjiang covers a vast area, some scenic spots require walking or horseback riding, so it is important to choose a pair of comfortable sports shoes. Food recommendations: Xinjiang's diet is mainly meat, especially mutton, so be prepared. At the same time, the catering prices in the scenic area are relatively high, so it is recommended to bring some food or prepare in advance. Accommodation booking: Book accommodation in advance to avoid not being able to find a room temporarily or having to choose accommodation with poor conditions. Driving safety: Some scenic areas in Xinjiang have complex road sections, so novice drivers should be fully prepared before going. Carry your ID with you: There are many security checks in Xinjiang, so it is recommended to carry your ID card and other documents with you. Reasonable itinerary arrangement: Do not arrange too many scenic spots per day to avoid long journeys and fatigue. At the same time, pay attention to the late sunset time, and it is recommended to arrange the time before sunset so as not to miss the beautiful scenery. Friends, Yili is really beautiful, so pack your bags and set off to encounter a spring romance that belongs to you!
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Posted: Mar 5, 2025
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