A place full of mystery and beauty, with vast grasslands, majestic snow-capped mountains, clear rivers, and a unique national culture. A road trip is the best way to explore Yili, allowing you to freely roam the land and enjoy its charms.
1. Departure: Yining City.
The city of Yining, the seat of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, is also the starting point of this road trip. Here, you can feel the strong Kazakh atmosphere and the modern atmosphere of the city. Visit famous attractions in downtown Yining, such as the Yili Prefecture Museum, and learn about Yili's history and culture.
2. First stop: Sailim Lake.
Drive about 150 kilometers north from Yining City to the beautiful Lake Selim. This is the highest altitude and largest mountain lake in Xinjiang, known as "the last tear of the Atlantic". The lake is clear and blue, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and grasslands, and the scenery is magnificent.
3. The second stop: Guozigou Bridge.
Continue north and you'll come to the spectacular Guozigou Bridge. The bridge spans the canyon and is a striking picture of the bridge and the valley. Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire canyon and feel the magic of nature.
Fourth, the third stop: Nalati grassland.
From the Guozigou Bridge, drive south for about 80 kilometers to reach the Nalati grassland. This is one of the most famous grasslands in Xinjiang, with vast green meadows, herds of cattle and sheep, and yurts of Kazakh herders. Here, you can ride a horse to the steppe, taste Kazakh cuisine, and feel the rich steppe culture.
5. The fourth stop: Karajun steppe.
Continuing south, you'll come to the Karajun Savannah. This grassland has undulating terrain and beautiful scenery, and is known as the "oasis of the Tianshan Mountains". Here, you can enjoy spectacular landscapes of snow-capped mountains, gorges, and forests while experiencing the traditional nomadic life of the Kazakh people.
6. Return to Yining City.
Return to Yining City from the Karajun Steppe and end this wonderful self-driving trip to Yili. Along the way, you can reminisce about the good times of this trip and look forward to the next adventure.