Ili | Winter Retreat

Let's spend this winter in Ili. This winter, skip the crowded popular snow towns and join us for a cozy winter retreat and photo journey in Ili. Here, there's no hustle and bustle, only the serene beauty of snow-covered grasslands and the warm, authentic life of Kazakh herders. Start your morning at the Swan Lake in Yining, where frost clings to the branches, mist rises from the hot spring lake, and mute swans glide gracefully with their red feet. Capture the enchanting scene of 'swan reflections amidst frosty trees' with a telephoto lens. In the afternoon, venture deep into Qiongkushitai, trekking through knee-deep snow, listening to the crunch underfoot, and stumbling upon winter retreats in the valleys. Warm your hands with a cup of steaming milk tea, as the smoke from wooden huts blends with the snowy mountain backdrop, creating the most rustic picture. In the evening, stay in a herder's new home, gather around the stove, savor the aroma of freshly cooked winter meat, and gaze at the starry sky outside the window. The next day, head to Sayram Lake to capture the stunning patterns of blue ice cracks and ice bubbles from low angles. The tracks left by sleds gliding across the ice are the most beautiful lines of winter. Ili's winter holds the purest snow scenes and the warmest human stories in Northern Xinjiang. This photo journey will fill your camera with snow-covered wonders and your heart with touching tales.