Ili + Bayinbuluke Grassland Jackpot

Not going to Ili in June is like wasting the summer! I traveled through two major grasslands + the middle section of the Duku Highway, so beautiful it left me speechless｜Complete record of the "Jackpot-level" Xinjiang route --- Have you ever seen scenes like this? In the early morning, Sayram Lake looks like a sapphire gently placed in the embrace of the Tianshan Mountains, Turning into the Ili River Valley, where lavender fields ripple like a purple ocean; In the afternoon, galloping on the Nalati "Sky Grassland," with sheep rolling like clouds; At dusk, waiting at Bayinbuluke’s Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, The sunset glow spills over the Kaidu River—at that moment, nine suns rise simultaneously. This is not a movie screenshot, This is the 2024 summer Ili + Bayinbuluke Grassland jackpot loop. This time, we don’t just check in at single spots, But connect Xinjiang’s two most beautiful trump cards— “Ili, the South of the Great Wall” + “China’s Most Beautiful Grassland” Bayinbuluke — with a golden route, and conveniently cross the middle section of the Duku Highway, completing a visually stunning summer feast. 📍 Route Overview Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Yining (Lavender) → Nalati Grassland → Bayinbuluke Grassland → Middle section of Duku Highway (Gongnaisi Forest Farm) → Return to Urumqi 🗓 Recommended duration: 8-9 days｜🚗 Best for self-driving/carpool｜💰 Budget: 4000–5500 RMB/person 🌤 Best season: June – August (lush grass and flowers, pleasant climate, full Duku Highway open) --- 🌊【Day 1】Urumqi → Sayram Lake｜Encounter the "Last Tear of the Atlantic" ✅ Depart in the morning, about 5 hours west along the Lianhuo Expressway - The lake water is crystal clear blue, with pine forests and snow-capped mountains reflected on the southern shore, like a fairyland - You can drive or cycle around the lake (recommended to enter from the south gate and exit from the east gate for the best scenery) 📸 Must-shoot spots: - The General’s Platform at sunrise: mist rises over the lake, light and shadow like a dream - Cliff edge near the pine trees for an overhead shot of the S-shaped shoreline 🔥 Hidden activity: Camping and stargazing! The Milky Way stretches across the Borokonu Ridge, absolutely breathtaking 🏨 Stay at the RV campground or lakeside guesthouse in the Sayram Lake scenic area｜Peak season about 350–500 RMB 💡 Reminder: It’s windy by the lake, bring a windbreaker! --- 💜【Day 2】Sayram Lake → Yining → Princess Jieyou Lavender Manor｜Step into purple romance ✅ Stop at Guozigou Bridge on the way, park to admire the canyon rainbow (a prime drone launch spot) ✅ Arrive in Yining in the afternoon, check in at Princess Jieyou Lavender Manor (peak bloom mid to late June) - Vast purple flower seas sway in the breeze, with a faint fragrance in the air - Wear a white dress for photos and instantly become a French countryside heroine ✅ Evening stroll and eat at Liuxing Street: - Must-try: handmade ice cream, kvass, baked buns with rose tea 🏨 Stay at a characteristic guesthouse in Yining｜About 260 RMB 📌 Fun fact: "Princess Jieyou" was a Han Dynasty princess married off to the Wusun tribe; this Silk Road romance continues to this day. --- 🌿【Day 3-4】Yining → Nalati Grassland｜Enter the "Sky Garden" ✅ Arrive at Nalati, one of China’s six most beautiful grasslands - Choose to tour the "Sky Grassland" and "Valley Grassland" by shuttle - Recommended to hike into the non-core area to avoid crowds and enjoy the snow-capped mountains and streams alone 📷 Photo tips: - Silhouettes of horsemen in the valley morning mist - Children running on the hillside framed with sheep 🔥 Bonus experience: Horseback ride deep into the Tawsani Pasture and enjoy a bowl of hot milk tea 🏨 Stay at a boutique guesthouse in Nalati Town｜About 300 RMB --- 🌅【Day 5-6】Nalati → Bayinbuluke｜Wait for the miracle of the "Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns" ✅ Highlight: Cross the middle section of the Duku Highway (Nalati → Bayin segment) - The winding mountain road snakes through alpine meadows, with snow mountains on one side and cliffs on the other - Summer wildflowers everywhere, herds of cattle and sheep, known as the "moving oil painting gallery" ✅ Arrive at Bayinbuluke Grassland (altitude 2500m) - Visit Swan Lake Nature Reserve to see elegant knob-billed swans swimming - Arrive at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns viewing platform before dusk to await the sunset spectacle: ✅ When the light angle is perfect, the sunset forms nine reflections on the winding Kaidu River, like nine suns rising simultaneously! ⚠️ Notes: - The scenic area is large; check the weather in advance (only visible on sunny days) - Bring warm clothes; nighttime temperatures can drop below 5°C 🏨 Stay at Bayinbuluke town hotel or Mongolian yurt-style accommodation｜About 350 RMB --- 🌲【Day 7-8】Bayinbuluke → Gongnaisi Forest Farm → Northern Duku Highway → Urumqi｜Complete the return trip ✅ Return along the northern section of the Duku Highway, passing Gongnaisi National Forest Park - Pristine spruce forests, babbling streams, a cool summer retreat - Short stops for hiking or picnics are possible ✅ Continue driving through Qiaolma and Dushanzi, finally returning to Urumqi 🚘 Total driving time about 7 hours, recommend early departure with frequent breaks --- ✅ Budget breakdown (per person): Item Cost ------ ------ Transport in/out of Urumqi (train/flight) ¥1000–1800 Car rental/carpool (including fuel and tolls) ¥2000 Accommodation (8 nights average ¥300) ¥2400 Tickets + shuttle (Sayram Lake, Nalati, Bayinbuluke, etc.) ¥600 Food + snacks + souvenirs (lavender products, milk curds, etc.) ¥700 Total ¥4000–5500 --- 🌟 Why is this route called the "Grassland Jackpot"? > Because it combines all at once— ✅ Two top grasslands: the softness of Nalati + the vastness of Bayinbuluke ✅ A legendary highway: the middle and northern sections of the Duku, every kilometer a wallpaper ✅ An ultimate sunset: Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, the "nine suns" only for the patient This is not just a trip, but a baptism for the eyes and soul. 📌 Action advice: Check your annual leave now! Late June to mid-July is the golden period: Lavender still blooming, grass at its greenest, most flowers, full Duku Highway open... Miss this, and you’ll have to wait until next summer.