Summer Fun on the Ili Grasslands | Escape the Crowds for a Cool Summer

"We've met countless times in screensavers, This time, why not step into the real Ili? Let dew-covered grass seeds fall into your shoes, Let the aroma of baked buns cling to your clothes, Let the shadow of snow mountains sweep across your eyelashes. The grassland has no ceiling, Freedom is the only unit of measurement here." — Your summer deserves an escape into greenery. Summer in Ili is a legendary fairytale world—wildflowers bloom at the foot of snow mountains, herds of cattle and sheep roam the sky-high grasslands, Sayram Lake's blue ice begins to melt, and smoke curls from wooden houses in Qiongkushtai. This place is perfect for an in-depth journey that captures grasslands, lakes, snow mountains, and culture all at once. 🛬【Itinerary】 D1: Gather in Yining - Free activities - Check in to hotel D2: Yining - Blue Kazanqi - VIP self-driving tour of Sayram Lake (drone aerial photography) - Distant view of Fruit Valley Bridge - Gongliu 391KM 5H D3: Gongliu - Tangbula Grassland - Nalati Sky Grassland - Nalati 320KM 5H D4: Nalati - Qiaxi Panorama - Tekes 325KM 6H D5: Tekes - Qiongkushtai - Kazakh nomadic life experience - Tekes 184KM 5H D6: Tekes - Xiatai Ancient Path light hiking - Ili River night view - Yining 420KM 6H D7: Yining - Full day for departure ⛺【Must-Visit Attractions】 🌊Sayram Lake: The Atlantic's last teardrop, 90 km around the lake, beautiful in all seasons. Self-driving stops at Moon Lake, S-curve road, and Western Sea Grassland, with chances to spot swans; "Golden Top Observation Deck" at Fruit Valley Bridge for cliff shots. 🏡Qiongkushtai: Hidden Kazakh village with wooden houses on hillsides like in "Heidi." 2-hour horseback ride to alpine lake, or 3 km light hike on the ancient Wusun path. 🏔️Xiatai Ancient Path: A paradise for hiking enthusiasts, face-to-face with stunning snow mountains and glaciers. Take electric cart to General Bridge, hike to Flower Platform (House No. 4), with distant views of Muzart Glacier. 🌿Nalati Sky Grassland: One of the world's four major valley grasslands, a popular spot for creek photos. Take shuttle to nomadic homes, walk 1 km upstream along the creek—wearing a white dress makes for better photos. 🔵Kazanqi Folk Village: Moroccan-style blue streets, a holy ground for cultural photography. Take horse carriage tours of residences and interact with Uyghur elders. 🍩【Must-Try Food】: Yining Gulandanmu Ice Cream: Century-old handmade ice cream with optional jams and nuts, rich milk flavor that sweetens your heart. Tekes Lamb Rib Noodles: Fresh soup and tender meat, perfect with naan bread. Secret Spicy Chicken: Bouncy chicken with spicy sauce mixed with noodles is amazing! Grassland specialties: Fresh cow's milk from nomads, kvas (honey fermented drink), roasted lamb leg, and oil-tossed meat noodles. 🚌【Transportation Guide】 Recommended: SUV or 7-seat business van. Road conditions: Qiongkushtai Village: 20 km mountain road without guardrails, beginners beware! Xiatai Scenic Area: County Road X306 has potholes, drive slowly. Gas: Xinjiang gas stations require ID cards, fill up in advance (no gas stations between Tekes and Xiatai). 🧡【Tips】Survival Guide Safety first: Always carry your ID card! Some checkpoints require facial recognition. Clothing rule: Layer like an onion (t-shirt + windbreaker), it's windy at the top of Xiatai. 🧡【Tips】Avoiding Pitfalls: Nalati horseback riding charges by the hour, may cost extra if you go overtime; Restaurants at Sayram Lake are expensive, bring your own food; Ask prices before visiting nomadic homes to avoid hidden costs. 🧡【Tips】Photography Tips: Shoot Sayram Lake at sunrise, Ili River at sunset (after 9:30 PM); Drones at Qiongkushtai are limited to 120 meters altitude.