2025 Ili Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

In June, the Ili River Valley hides China's most dreamlike summer. When the lavender fields of Huocheng stretch like a sea at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, even the air is tinged with a gentle purple hue. Dubbed the "Hometown of Lavender in China," this land offers romance just as enchanting as Provence—but far more accessible. Each lavender estate in Huocheng has its own charm. At Princess Wuyou Garden, tiered flower fields roll with the terrain, and white windmills spin gently amid the blooms. Simply standing on the ridge and turning around guarantees a photo with a built-in filter. In the early morning, when the slanting sunlight kisses the dewy flower spikes, portraits glow with a soft golden halo. At Aiyiduo Manor, life feels more intimate—learn to harvest lavender with the flower girls, fill bamboo baskets with half-bloomed spikes, and craft a sachet with your own hands. Inhaling the subtle herbal fragrance, you’ll suddenly understand the meaning of "healing." Time slows down here. Sit on a wooden bench by the fields, watching bees dart among the flowers, or step into the distillery to see purple blossoms transform into clear essential oil. Before leaving, take home a bottle of freshly made lavender hydrosol—spritz it on your face, and summer lingers. At dusk, stay in a cozy cabin at Huanghuang Manor, where opening the window reveals endless blooms. Drift asleep to the scent of lavender, and even your dreams will be sweet. Nearby attractions add to the magic. A 30-minute drive takes you to Guozigou Bridge, where a steel giant spans the canyon, framed by snow-capped peaks and pine forests. On the way, stop by Sayram Lake—its gemstone-blue waters and purple lavender fields create a double dose of romance. 💡 Practical Tips: • Best time: Mid-to-late June to early July for peak bloom. Visit at 8 AM or dusk to avoid crowds. • Outfit ideas: A white maxi dress + straw hat is perfect. Bring a light cardigan for sun protection. • Transport: Self-drive or hire a car—the route from Khorgos offers endless grassland views. • Notes: Bees in the fields are harmless, but pack mosquito repellent. Buy souvenirs like essential oil soap and dried lavender sachets directly at the estates for great value. When the wind sweeps through the fields, sending purple waves rippling, and distant herders' whistles echo—this is Ili’s summer at its most poetic. If you’re looking to dissolve your worries in floral bliss, Huocheng’s lavender estates won’t disappoint. Guozigou Bridge

## **Xinjiang Travel Guide: Encounter West Region Charm, Explore Magnificent Landscapes** ### **🌍 Before You Go** ✅ **Best Time to Travel** - **May-October** (Northern Xinjiang's summer grasslands, Ili flower sea, Southern Xinjiang's autumn poplars) - **Winter** (Altay skiing, Kanas snow scenery) ✅ **Transportation** - **Airplane**: Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (main hub), Kashgar Airport, Yining Airport, etc. - **Train**: Xinjiang's railway network is well-developed, suitable for long-distance travel (e.g., Urumqi → Kanas) - **Self-drive/Chartered Car**: Recommended! Xinjiang is vast, self-driving offers more freedom (but be aware of speed limits on some roads) ✅ **Essential Items** - Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat (strong UV rays) - Warm clothes (large temperature difference between day and night) - ID card (Xinjiang security checks are strict, carry it with you) --- ### **🏞️ Must-See Attractions** **📍 Northern Xinjiang (Natural Scenery)** 1. **Kanas Lake**: "God's Back Garden," most beautiful in autumn 2. **Hemu Village**: Fairytale-like Tuvan village, morning mist like a wonderland 3. **Sayram Lake**: "The Last Tear of the Atlantic," azure blue lake water 4. **Nalati Grassland**: Aerial grassland, roam on horseback 5. **Duku Highway**: One of China's most beautiful highways (open from June to October) **📍 Southern Xinjiang (Culture + Desert)** 6. **Kashgar Old City**: Thousands of years of West Region charm, full of exotic atmosphere 7. **Pamir Plateau**: Muztagh Ata Peak, Panlong Ancient Road 8. **Taklamakan Desert**: Cross the "Sea of Death" 9. **Luntai Poplar Forest**: Golden ocean in October 10. **Kuqa Grand Canyon**: Red cliffs, a photographer's paradise **📍 Eastern Xinjiang (Turpan + Hami)** 11. **Flaming Mountains**: Filming location for "Journey to the West," high-temperature spectacle 12. **Grape Valley**: Taste sweet grapes, experience Uyghur customs 13. **Kumtag Desert**: The closest desert to a city --- ### **🍢 Xinjiang Food Recommendations** - **Dapanji** (Big Plate Chicken), Pepper Chicken - **Roasted Lamb Skewers**, Nang Pit Meat - **Pilaf**, Banmian (Noodles with various toppings) - **Baked Buns**, Thin-Skinned Buns - **Yogurt Rice Dumplings**, Handmade Ice Cream - **Fruits**: Hami melon, grapes, watermelon (super sweet!) --- ### **📅 Sample Itineraries** **Northern Xinjiang 7-Day Loop (Natural Scenery)** - **D1** Urumqi → Tianchi Lake → Fuyun - **D2** Koktokay → Burqin - **D3** Burqin → Kanas Lake - **D4** Kanas → Hemu Village - **D5** Hemu → Devil's City → Karamay - **D6** Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yining - **D7** Nalati Grassland → Duku Highway → Urumqi **Southern Xinjiang 6-Day Highlights Tour (Culture + Desert)** - **D1** Kashgar → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Taxkorgan - **D2** Panlong Ancient Road → Bandi'er Lake → Kashgar - **D3** Kashgar Old City → Id Kah Mosque → Apak Hoja Tomb - **D4** Kashgar → Hotan (visit the night market) - **D5** Hotan → Cross the Taklamakan Desert → Kuqa - **D6** Kuqa Grand Canyon → Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves → Return --- ### **⚠️ Important Notes** 1. **Strict Security Checks**: Entering and exiting shopping malls, gas stations, etc., requires ID card swiping. 2. **Time Difference**: Xinjiang uses Beijing time, but the actual schedule is 2 hours later (e.g., sunset at 22:00). 3. **Language**: Mandarin is common in Northern Xinjiang, while Uyghur is the main language in some parts of Southern Xinjiang. 4. **Respect Customs**: Do not bring outside food to halal restaurants, avoid discussing sensitive topics. 5. **Self-driving Notes**: Strict speed limits on some roads, gas stations require ID card swiping to enter. --- ### **📌 Summary** Xinjiang, a treasure land integrating snow-capped mountains, grasslands, deserts, lakes, and culture. Whether it's the stunning scenery of Northern Xinjiang or the exotic charm of Southern Xinjiang, it's worth exploring in depth! **✨ Travel Tips:** - If time is limited, prioritize Northern Xinjiang (natural scenery) or Southern Xinjiang (cultural experience). - In-depth travel is recommended for 10 days or more, self-driving/chartered cars are more flexible. - Check epidemic prevention policies in advance (reservations are required for some scenic spots). Ready to go? Xinjiang awaits your discovery! 🚗💨

Xinjiang's summer is gifted by Ili! Snow mountains, grasslands, flower seas, lakes, forests... This place is as beautiful as God's overturned palette🎨" ——Just returned from Ili, and compiled this super detailed guide, including routes, accommodation, photography, and pit avoidance guide, it is recommended to collect! 📅 Itinerary (7 days and 6 nights) Day 1: Urumqi → Yining (high-speed rail 5h) - Arrive in Yining in the afternoon, visit **Kazanqi Folk Village** (blue town, super suitable for taking pictures📸) - Dinner recommendation: **Aierkasir** (hand pilaf + baked buns are amazing!) - Accommodation: Yining city (recommended **Tumalis Grand Hotel**, convenient location) **Day 2: Yining → Sailimu Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Huocheng Lavender** - **Sailimu Lake** (self-driving/chartered car around the lake, tickets 145 yuan, must-visit spots: **Songshutou, S-bend Highway, Swan Lake**) - **Guozigou Bridge** (free, cliff location navigation "Guozigou Observation Deck Resort") - **Huocheng Lavender** (best from mid-June to early July, recommended **Princess Jieyou Farm**, tickets 35 yuan) - Accommodation: Qingshuihe Town (convenient to go to Xiata the next day) **Day 3: Huocheng → Xiata Ancient Road** - **Xiata Scenic Area** (tickets + shuttle bus 80 yuan, a paradise for hiking lovers🏔️) - How to play: Take the shuttle bus to the **Hot Spring Hotel**, then hike/ride to **Xianhuatai** - Note: It is easy to rain in the afternoon, bring a jacket! - Accommodation: Zhaosu County (recommended **Zhaosu Hotel**) **Day 4: Zhaosu → Joan Kushtai** - **Joan Kushtai** (free, but need to book in advance!) - How to play: ✅ **Back Mountain** (drive to the middle of the mountain, then ride for 1h to the top of the mountain, the view is amazing) ✅ **Wusun Ancient Road** (light hike, along the stream is super healing) - Accommodation: Joan Kushtai Village (recommended **Shanye Homestay**, but it is difficult to book in peak season, you can stay in a yurt) **Day 5: Joan Kushtai → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes** - **Kalajun Grassland** (all-area ticket 275 yuan, "Human Body Grassland" is super shocking) - Go to **Tekes Bagua City** in the evening (drone aerial photography is super cool, Ferris wheel night view is average) - Accommodation: Tekes (recommended **Wanbang International Hotel**) **Day 6: Tekes → Nalati Grassland** - **Nalati Grassland** (self-driving 300 yuan/person, recommended **Air Grassland + River Valley Grassland**) - The internet celebrity bridge location is at the **Nomadic People** station, go early to queue up! - Accommodation: Nalati Town (recommended **Natila Yinqi Caolu Homestay**) **Day 7: Nalati → Duku Highway North Section → Urumqi** - **Duku Highway** (open from June to September, experiencing four seasons along the way❄️→🌿) - Must-stop spots: **Qiaerma Martyrs Cemetery, Hashlegen Daban (playing in the snow)** - Return to Urumqi in the evening and end the trip 🍖 Food recommendations ✅ **Yining City**: - **Aierkasir**: Hand pilaf, baked buns - **Gulan Danm Ice Cream**: Century-old shop, original flavor 9 yuan - **Liuxing Street**: Liuba Russian Rye Bread House ✅ **On the grassland**: - Lamb skewers (freshly slaughtered lamb, 5-10 yuan/skewer) - Kazakh milk tea (salty, with baursaki) 🚗 Transportation advice 1️⃣ **Chartered car/self-driving**: - Ili attractions are scattered, it is recommended that 4 people share a car (about 1000 yuan/day) - Only vehicles with 7 seats or less are allowed on the Duku Highway 2️⃣ **Money-saving method**: - Urumqi → Yining by high-speed rail (128 yuan), and sign up for a small group locally 3️⃣ **Note**: - Xinjiang has strict speed limits, don't speed when driving! - Gas stations require ID cards, passengers get off and wait 📸 Photo spots 1️⃣ **Sailimu Lake**: White dress + straw hat, take a "Little Switzerland" feel 2️⃣ **Joan Kushtai Back Mountain**: The light is soft in the evening, riding a horse is super cool 3️⃣ **Nalati Internet Celebrity Bridge**: No one before 10 am, take pictures as you like ### **⚠️ Pit Avoidance Guide** 1️⃣ **Weather**: The grassland weather is changeable, bring a **jacket + raincoat** 2️⃣ **Sunscreen**: Super strong ultraviolet rays, SPF50+ sunscreen is a must 3️⃣ **Accommodation**: Book Joan Kushtai and Nalati 1 month in advance during peak season! 4️⃣ **Cash**: Some grasslands have no signal, prepare 500 yuan in cash

I. Seasonal Weather and Clothing Guide (Focus on Spring and Summer) 1️⃣. Climate Characteristics Northern Xinjiang: Extreme temperature differences between day and night (20-35°C during day, 5-15°C at night), Ili Valley is humid and rainy, Kanas area is cool in summer Southern Xinjiang: Dry with little rain (extreme summer temperatures can reach 40°C), smaller day-night temperature difference than Northern Xinjiang 2️⃣. Spring/Summer (May-August) Clothing Guide Scenarios and Recommended Gear Daily Sightseeing: Short-sleeve + sun protection clothing/light jacket, quick-dry pants/long skirt (UV protection), breathable sports shoes Mountain Areas/Morning & Evening: 3-in-1 jacket/light down jacket, fleece liner, windproof scarf (essential for Kanas and Xata) Special Scenarios: Waterproof snow boots (Sayram Lake snow melting period), sun protection arm sleeves (Devil City Gobi), raincoat (Ili showers) Essential Accessories: UV400 sunglasses, SPF50+ sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, moisturizing skincare products (Xinjiang is extremely dry) II. Core Attractions Analysis of Northern Xinjiang + Ili ■ Northern Xinjiang Scenic Corridor Kanas (5A Level) Features: Three Bays (Moon/Fairy/Dragon) morning mist, Fish-Viewing Pavilion panorama, Baihaba border village Seasonal recommendation: Wildflowers in June, autumn colors in September, summer Tuva family visits Hemu Village Highlights✨: Wooden house stargazing spots, Harden Platform sunrise, horseback riding through birch forest Hidden experiences: Milky Way photography at 3am, autumn morning mist photography Keketuohai Geological wonders: Shenzhong Mountain granite peak, No.3 Mine pit (Merit Mine), Irtysh Grand Canyon hiking Tips: Recommended to combine with hot spring hotel experience World Ghost City Photography timing: 🌄2 hours before sunset (golden yardang landforms) Combined tour recommendation: Karamay Hundred-Mile Oil Field landscape Ili Grassland Matrix Sayram Lake (Lake Circuit Guide) East bank: Genghis Khan's Command Post (panoramic position) South bank: Swan Lake, S-curve road photo spot West bank: Songshu Trail (overlooking Guozigou Bridge) Nalati Grassland Route options: Sky Grassland route (popular bridge photo spot) River Valley Grassland route (Kazakh cultural experience) Panlong Valley route (self-driving exclusive) Xata Ancient Road In-depth experience: Hike to Flower Platform (June), close view of Muzart Glacier Note: Advance horse team booking required, hiking poles recommended Kurdening/Qiaxi Comparison: Kurdening: King Spruce + Heritage Exhibition Center (educational) Qiaxi: Best value with 30 yuan entrance fee, self-driving friendly III. Classic Itinerary Planning (8-12 days) Plan A: Northern Xinjiang Panoramic Circuit (10 days) Day 1: Home - Urumqi Day 2: Urumqi - S21 Desert Highway - passing Ulungur Lake - Colorful Beach - Burqin Day 3: Burqin - Kanas Lake - Kanas Three Bays - Hemu Day 4: Hemu - Ahe Highway (subject to opening) - passing Tuole Great Grassland - Tongba Forest - Wuxilike - Altay Day 5: Altay - Urho Ghost City - Kuitun Day 6: Kuitun - Sayram Lake circuit drive - Dopamine Six-star Street - Yining Day 7: Yining - Qiaxi - Xinyuan Day 8: Xinyuan - Nalati Sky Grassland - Nalati Day 9: Nalati - Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery - Duku Highway - Urumqi Day 10: Urumqi - Departure point Alternative route if Duku Highway is closed: Day 8: Nalati - Nalati Sky Grassland - Jinghe Day 9: Jinghe - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Urumqi Plan B: Ili In-depth Tour (8 days) Day 1: Departure point - Urumqi Day 2: Urumqi - Sayram Lake stroll - Sayram Lake sunset - Sayram Lake East Gate Day 3: Second Sayram Lake drive - in-depth lake circuit - Guozigou Hanging Rock - Dopamine Six-star Street - Yining Day 4: Yining - Yizhao Highway - Xata - Zhaosu Day 5: Zhaosu - Qiafuqihai - Kurdening - Nalati River Valley Grassland - Nalati Day 6: Nalati - Nalati Sky Grassland drive - Tangbula Day 7: Tangbula - Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery - Duku Highway - Urumqi Day 8: Urumqi - Departure point IV. Practical Tips 🪪Document Management: Carry ID card at all times (numerous checkpoints) Border permits required for Baihaba/Xata (obtain from hometown or Burqin) 🚘Transportation Recommendations: Prefer 6-person small groups (comfortable vehicle + local driver) Duku Highway/Yizhao Highway limited to vehicles under 7 seats Cultural Taboos: No shorts in mosques, don't point at Muslims Don't trespass fences at nomad homes, ask permission before photographing people Special Notes: Scenic area price reference: Hemu horseback riding 80-150 yuan/hour, Sayram Lake sailing 120 yuan/person Drone flights need advance registration (No-fly zones in Nalati/Baisha Lake) V. Four-Season Travel Calendar Month Northern Xinjiang Highlights Ili Highlights Mar-Apr: Keketuohai ice melt observation, Turgen Apricot Valley bloom May-Jun: Kanas Lake ice breaking period, Sayram Lake wildflowers + Huocheng lavender Jul-Aug: Hemu summer retreat/river rafting, Zhaosu rapeseed fields + Xata hiking golden period Sep-Oct: Kanas autumn scenery + Baihaba morning mist, Nalati golden autumn pasture + pre-closure Duku Highway

Dear sisters, if this is your first time traveling to Yili, Xinjiang, you must take this comprehensive guide. I hope it will bring you great convenience during your trip. You’re welcome! This is a guide I carefully compiled after visiting Yili, Xinjiang eight times. Every time I travel, I carry my love for this land with me, explore every landscape with my heart, and taste every delicacy. This guide covers all aspects of travel routes, transportation, accommodation, food, etc. You must save it first so that you can take it out and read it whenever you need it (remember to read to the end, there are many practical details in it). Must-see attractions 🧩Sailimu Lake: It is known as "the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean", and the name sounds full of poetry. When you actually stand by the lake, you will be shocked by the scenery before you. The lake water is crystal blue, like a huge mirror, reflecting the surrounding snow-capped mountains. In spring and summer, the lakeside is like a colorful carpet covered by nature. Various wild flowers bloom, red, yellow, purple... colorful, making this place look like a fairyland. When I came here for the first time, I was deeply attracted by the dreamy scenery, as if I had entered a fairy tale world, and I didn’t want to leave for a long time. 🧩Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley: Every spring, this place is a sea of ​​pink. Apricot blossoms bloomed all over the mountains, as if covering the entire valley with a layer of pink gauze. When you stroll in this sea of ​​flowers, the faint fragrance of flowers will fill your nose, making you feel relaxed and happy. The snow-capped mountains in the distance look particularly majestic against the backdrop of the blue sky, and contrast beautifully with the sea of ​​flowers in front of you. It really feels like being in a fairy tale world. I remember one time when I went there, it happened to be raining in spring. The raindrops hit the apricot blossoms, and the petals fell one after another. The scene was breathtakingly beautiful. 🧩Nalati: Nalati Grassland is known as the "Grassland in the Sky". It is like a green pearl inlaid in the land of Xinjiang. In spring and summer, the grass here is green, like a huge green carpet. Herds of cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the grassland. They are like black and white pearls, dotted in this green picture. In winter, the grassland is covered with thick white snow, and the whole world becomes quiet and magnificent. Standing on this white snow, you can feel the tranquility and power of nature. 🧩Kazanqi: Kazanqi Folk Village is a landmark attraction in Yining City, which is full of rich Uyghur customs. When you walk into the village, you will see colorful buildings. Each house is like a work of art. Red, blue, and yellow, all kinds of bright colors are intertwined together, which is eye-catching. The bustling bazaar in the village is dazzling, and the dazzling array of goods makes people stop and choose. Here, you can also taste authentic ethnic cuisine, every bite is full of strong ethnic flavor, which will make you linger. 🧩Liuxing Street: Liuxing Street is a historical and cultural district in Yining City. The streets are distributed in the shape of a hexagonal star. This unique layout is full of exotic customs. When you walk along this street, it feels like you have traveled to another country. The buildings on both sides of the street are full of historical charm, and every brick and every tile tells a story of the past. This place is very suitable for taking photos, and you can take exotic photos with just a casual shot. Moreover, here you can also taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine. It is a unique experience to enjoy the food while feeling the cultural atmosphere here. 🧩Guozigou Bridge: It is one of the most dangerous canyon bridges in China. If you want to take a stunning panoramic photo of the bridge crossing the snow-capped mountains, you can set up the viewing platform at the "Guozigou Golden Summit". When you stand on the observation deck and overlook this majestic bridge, it is like a giant dragon spanning across the canyon, surrounded by continuous snow-capped mountains. The spectacular sight makes people marvel at human wisdom and the wonders of nature. ✅Popular routes in Xinjiang: 🎉️Day 1: When you arrive in Urumqi, check in to the hotel, put down your luggage and have a good rest. Afterwards, you can wander around the area and soak up the city's atmosphere. Urumqi has many special foods, such as baked buns, grilled lamb skewers, etc. You can find a local shop, taste these delicacies and start your food journey. 🎉️ Day 2: In the morning, you can go to the Urumqi Museum, where you can learn about Xinjiang’s history, culture and folk customs. Then head to Moon Bay of Sailimu Lake to enjoy the beautiful lake view. In the evening, you must go to watch the sunset over Sailimu Lake. When the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the lake, the water becomes sparkling and the scenery is beautiful. 🎉️ Day 3: Tour around Sailimu Lake and feel the tranquility and beauty of the lake. Find a suitable place by the lake, gather around the fire to make tea, sip the fragrant tea and admire the lake view. It feels so comfortable. Then head to Xinyuan. 🎉️ Day 4: Depart from Xinyuan and head to Turgen Xinghuagou to take as many photos as you want in the pink sea of ​​flowers. Then we went to Nalati to see the ice lilies, which bloomed in the ice and snow and looked particularly holy. Finally arrived at Nalati. 🎉️ Day 5: Go from Nalati to Kazanqi to experience the folk customs of the Uyghur people. Then go to Liuxing Street, stroll along this exotic street and taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine. 🎉️ Day 6: Go to Dushanzi Grand Canyon and feel the wonders of nature. Sit down at the Cliff Cafe and enjoy the beautiful view of the canyon while sipping your coffee. Then we will return to Urumqi along Duku Highway 1, ending this wonderful trip. Food Amway 🍱 ☑️Special snacks 🍱Baked buns, grilled lamb skewers, Naan, fried dough sticks, pulled noodles, mutton stewed cakes, yogurt rice dumplings, and the three cold Xinjiang delicacies (cold skin, cold noodles, and cold jelly). Each of these snacks has its own unique flavor. The baked buns have a crispy skin and delicious fillings; the grilled lamb skewers are fragrant and mouth-watering; Naan is an indispensable staple food in the life of Xinjiang people, with a crispy texture; Youtazi is oily but not greasy and has a soft texture; Latiaozi noodles are chewy and strong; the mutton stewed pancakes have tender mutton and the pancakes are full of soup, which is very delicious; the yogurt rice dumplings have a sweet and sour taste and a unique flavor; Xinjiang's three cool dishes are refreshing and delicious, and are a great choice for cooling off in summer. ☑️Xinjiang famous dishes 🍱Roasted whole lamb, grilled fish, big plate chicken, hand-pulled lamb, Naan wrapped with meat, spicy lamb trotters, peppery chicken, and pilaf. Roasted whole lamb is a traditional Xinjiang delicacy, with golden and crispy skin and tender and juicy meat; grilled fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and tastes delicious; the big plate chicken has tender chicken, soft and glutinous potatoes, and is served with wide belt noodles, which is very satisfying; hand-pulled lamb is tender and has no smell of mutton; Nang Bao Meat The perfect combination of naan and meat, with a rich taste; the spicy lamb trotters are spicy and delicious, making people more and more addicted; the pepper and sesame chicken has tender chicken and a strong numbing flavor; the pilaf is full of grains and has a rich flavor. I hope this guide can help sisters who are traveling to Yili, Xinjiang for the first time, and make your trip full of wonderful memories!

How long has it been since you felt truly free? Swept up in the hustle and bustle of the city, the yearning for distant lands grows stronger within. It's time to embark on a rendezvous with nature, and Yili, Xinjiang in summer, is the perfect destination. Stepping into Yili is like stepping into a real-life Land of Oz. Vast grasslands stretch out like a soft, green carpet between heaven and earth. White flocks of sheep drift across the plains like clouds, while horses gallop freely, kicking up dust and embodying untamed freedom. In the distance, snow-capped mountains pierce the sky, gleaming with a holy light under the sun, creating a picturesque contrast against the blue sky. Lush spruce trees cover the mountains, standing like loyal guardians, silently protecting this pure land. Crystal-clear streams flow, singing along their way, their spray sparkling with iridescent colors in the sunlight. Along the banks, wildflowers bloom in a riot of color, red, yellow, and purple, dotting the grasslands like a painting. The gentle breeze rustles the flowers, releasing bursts of sweet fragrance that intoxicate the senses. Here, time seems to slow down, and the fatigue and anxieties of life gradually dissipate, leaving only pure tranquility and joy. The so-called "meaning of life" takes on concrete form here, in the contentment of grazing cattle and sheep, and the unfettered flow of the streams. "Setting off is always more meaningful than yearning." Instead of endlessly picturing distant landscapes in your mind, pack your bags and set off now. This summer, journey to Yili, embrace the vast grasslands, gaze up at the azure sky, and encounter a dreamlike scene, reuniting with your long-lost self. Yili · Xinjiang

In remote Yili, Xinjiang, every spring, apricot blossoms bloom in abundance, creating a poetic spectacle that attracts countless tourists. This guide will help you unlock the Yili apricot blossom season. Bloom Forecast and Best Viewing Time The Yili apricot blossom season typically runs from early to mid-April, but it varies each year due to weather conditions. It is recommended to pay close attention to the blossom forecasts issued by the local meteorological bureau and tourism department before your trip. The apricot blossoms begin to bloom in early April, reaching full bloom in mid-April. This is the perfect time for viewing and photography, as the mountains and fields are covered in a sea of pink and white blossoms. The flowers gradually wither in late April. Best Places for Blossom Viewing - Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley: Famous for its over 30,000 acres of wild apricot trees covering the mountain slopes. Standing on the hillside, under the azure sky, the pink and white apricot blossoms complement the tender green grass and grazing cattle and sheep, creating a picturesque pastoral scene. - Huocheng Daxi Valley Fushou Mountain: Here, you'll find not only apricot blossoms but also wild fruit flowers and tulips. Different flowers bloom in succession, creating a rich tapestry of colors and a dreamlike world of blossoming flowers. - Nalati Apricot Blossom Valley: Where the vast grasslands meet the romantic apricot blossoms, with snow-capped mountains in the distance and a sea of apricot blossoms at your feet. This unique landscape combines the vastness of the grasslands with the gentle beauty of the apricot blossoms, creating a truly captivating scene. Itinerary Planning 3-Day Classic Tour - Day 1: Arrive in Yining, take a short break, and head to Hanren Street for a culinary journey. Enjoy a crispy baked bun filled with savory meat or a large plate of fragrant hand-pulled rice to experience authentic Xinjiang flavors. - Day 2: Head to Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley and immerse yourself in the sea of apricot blossoms all day long, taking photos and enjoying the scenery. In the evening, travel to Xinyuan County to experience the unique local customs. - Day 3: Visit Nalati Apricot Blossom Valley to admire the beautiful scenery of the grasslands and apricot blossoms. Return to Yining in the afternoon and prepare for your departure. 5-Day In-depth Tour - Day 1: Yining - Huocheng Daxi Valley Fushou Mountain. Stroll through the mountains and admire the beauty of various flowers in full bloom. - Day 2: Huocheng - Guozigou Bridge - Sayram Lake. First, marvel at the majestic Guozigou Bridge, and then head to Sayram Lake to see the clear lake water reflecting the apricot blossoms on the shore, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairyland. - Day 3: Sayram Lake - Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley. Immerse yourself in the apricot blossoms covering the mountains and fields, and experience the romantic gifts of nature. - Day 4: Turgen - Nalati Apricot Blossom Valley. Get up close and personal with the apricot blossoms on the grasslands and experience the unique charm of the grassland apricot blossoms. - Day 5: Nalati - Yining. Pack your bags and return home with beautiful memories, concluding this romantic flower-viewing trip. Transportation - Airplane: Fly to Yining Airport and then transfer to a car or bus to reach the various blossom viewing spots. The journey from Yining to Turgen takes about 2 hours, and to Huocheng about 1 hour. - Train: First, travel to Urumqi, then transfer to a train or long-distance bus to Yining, and then transfer again to reach the apricot blossom viewing areas, enjoying the vast scenery of Xinjiang along the way. - Self-drive: Driving from Yining offers breathtaking scenery along the way. However, pay attention to the road conditions in the mountainous areas, check the weather and road information in advance, and drive cautiously. Photography Tips - Clothing: Wear light-colored, solid-colored clothing, such as a white or light blue dress, to create a striking contrast with the pink apricot blossoms for stunning photos. - Time: The light is soft in the early morning and evening, making it the perfect time to capture portraits and landscapes with excellent lighting effects and a wonderful atmosphere. - Angle: Shoot from a low angle looking up, with the blue sky and apricot blossoms as the background, to highlight the delicate beauty of the flowers. Climb the hillside and shoot downwards to capture the panoramic view of the sea of blossoms. Travel Tips - Weather: The weather in the Yili mountainous area is changeable, with significant temperature differences between day and night. Be sure to pack warm clothes and rain gear. - Environmental Protection: Protect the environment, do not pick flowers, and take your trash with you to help preserve this beautiful sea of blossoms. - Crowds: There are many tourists during the apricot blossom season. Book accommodations and tickets in advance to avoid delays. 💕We hope everyone has an unforgettable travel experience during the Yili apricot blossom season and encounters the most beautiful spring in this sea of pink and white blossoms.

Xinjiang is beautiful, but there are also many pitfalls! 😅 I sincerely suggest you do your research before you go, otherwise, you'll be crying on the roadside! 📝 Here's a guide to avoiding common mistakes. Please save it and read it carefully. - ✅ Weather: Xinjiang's weather is unpredictable. You can experience all four seasons in one day. ⛅ Be sure to pack sunscreen, warm clothes, and rain gear. - ✅ Clothing: The temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is huge. Even in July and August, the nights are cold! 🧣 Wear breathable, warm clothing. Choose loose, cotton pants. - ✅ Transportation: Xinjiang's straight roads can cause visual fatigue and speeding. Drivers, please be careful! Travel times are long, so if you get carsick, remember to bring motion sickness pills 💊. - ✅ Shopping: Goods in Xinjiang are sold by the kilogram. - ✅ Accommodation: Apart from a few cities like Urumqi and 🏠 Karamay, which have modern hotels, accommodation in other areas is basic. Some places don't have air conditioning, or even showers and private bathrooms. - ✅ Time difference: Xinjiang is 2 hours behind Beijing time. ⏰ Most businesses operate on a different schedule than in other parts of China. - ✅ Acclimatization: The water in Xinjiang is alkaline and hard. If you're not used to it, it can cause constipation. 🍉 Fruits are high in sugar, so don't eat too much at once. Some people also experience diarrhea after eating fresh mutton and dairy products. - ✅ Trip length: Plan to spend at least 7 days in Xinjiang, starting in Urumqi. - 🚗 Sample 7-day Xinjiang itinerary: D1: Urumqi - Bole - Sayram Lake (stay overnight at Sayram Lake) D2: Sayram Lake - Yining - Zhaosu (stay overnight in Zhaosu) D3: Zhaosu - Shata (stay overnight in Shata) D4: Shata sunrise - Tekes (stay overnight in Tekes) D5: Tekes - Shixi - Nalati (stay overnight in Nalati) D6: Nalati scenic area sunrise - Nalati town (stay overnight in Nalati) D7: Nalati town - Urumqi

Sayram Lake is the highest-altitude, largest, and most scenic alpine lake in Xinjiang. It is also the last place cherished by the warm and humid Atlantic air currents, hence the saying that it is 'the last tear of the Atlantic'. The summer season is the perfect time to visit Sayram Lake, and for friends who want to play at Sayram Lake, this travel guide is highly recommended. Like and save it, and you'll definitely not get lost! 🌺Recommended Itinerary: 🎉A: 7-Day Grand Northern Xinjiang Loop 🎄D1: Urumqi - Colorful Beach - Burqin 🎄D2: Burqin - Kanas 🎄D3: Jiadengyu - Hemu 🎄D4: Hemu - Urho Ghost City - Urho 🎄D5: Urho - Sayram Lake - Yining/Qingshui River 🎄D6: Yining/Qingshui River - Nalati - Bayanbulak 🎄D7: Bayanbulak - Duku Highway - Urumqi 🎉B: 8-Day Grand Northern Xinjiang Loop 🎄D1: Urumqi - Tianshan Tianchi - Fuyun/Koktokay. 🎄D2: Fuyun/Koktokay - Koktokay - Colorful Beach - Burqin 🎄D3: Burqin - Kanas - Jiadengyu 🎄D4: Jiadengyu - Hemu 🎄D5: Hemu - Ghost City - Urho 🎄D6: Urho - Sayram Lake - Yining 🎄D7: Yining - Nalati Grassland in the Sky - Bayanbulak 🎄D8: Bayanbulak - Duku Highway - Urumqi

💚Every day here is like living in a fairy tale, under the snow-capped mountains🏔️, it's so beautiful that it doesn't seem like the real world. 📝Every day on the small loop of Yili is like living in a fairy tale. 🙏Thanks to this healing and redemption from nature, every moment has enriched my life💚. ✨Sharing some personal experiences and tips for friends who are about to set off👇🏻 🚗Itinerary reference: 📅DAY1: Hangzhou-Lanzhou (transfer)-Yining Airport 📅DAY2: Yining-Sayram Lake-Guozigou-Qingshui River 📅DAY3: Qingshui River-Chaxi Forest Park-Tekes Bagua City 📅DAY4: Tekes-Junggar Plateau-Back Mountain (horse riding)-Tekes 📅DAY6: Tekes-Aktas-Tianma Bathing River-Yuhu-Zhaosu 📅DAY7: Zhaosu-Shata Hiking-Return to Yining 📅DAY8: Yining-Chengdu (transfer)-Hangzhou ✔Practical information: 💰Now the prices in Yili are rising, and the Duku Highway is about to open, book as early as possible! This year is not suitable for budget travel, the experience will not be too good. We average 1w per person (including airfare/charter/accommodation/buying special products, etc.) ✈It is recommended that friends with tight time fly directly to Yining, which saves a lot of car time than Urumqi. It only takes 2-3 hours to go anywhere from Yining, except for rushing to the plane at the beginning and end, five or six days of pure play is enough 🌿The several large grasslands in Yili have similarities, and you can choose two or three to go ✅Nalati: High-altitude grassland, popular place with large crowds, self-driving 300/person, good road conditions and complete supporting facilities, suitable for parent-child/family/self-driving tours ✅Karakojun: Human-shaped grassland, large scenic area, can't drive by yourself, can only take the shuttle bus, charge by section. More suitable for hiking enthusiasts to cross ✅Junggar Plateau: There are mountain roads inside, easy to get carsick and traffic jam. You can only ride a horse to the back mountain, but the scenery along the way is stunningly beautiful and shocking! There are many homestays but expensive, if conditions permit, you can stay for one night, or you can return to Tekes on the same day ✅Chaxi: High cost performance, 30/person can drive Chata loop line, can go to Chaxi Park and Tarim two places. But the loop line is a non-paved road surface, the road conditions are poor, it tests the vehicle and technology, it is recommended to use off-road vehicles ✅Shata: Ticket 80+shuttle bus 30/person. It is a must-go place for hiking enthusiasts, and it is the only scenic spot that can get close to the snow mountain! But the experience is good or bad related to the weather and the flow of people 📌There are also niche points such as Aktas/Kurdining/Tangbula Grassland, etc. ⚠️Sayram Lake/Junggar Back Mountain/Shata and other places are prone to change, the temperature difference is large, it is recommended to carry a thick coat 👗Wear white/red/light-colored slim and elegant dresses by the lake, floral/blue and white/bright/pastoral or mountain style in the forest and grassland, the principle is to wear high saturation colors, avoid black or green (black should wear suspenders to show more skin, green is easy to blend in) 🧳Must bring: U-shaped neck pillow/disposable slippers/face mask/moisturizing spray/body lotion/sunscreen/umbrella/sunglasses/power bank/motion sickness medicine/dental floss (eating meat every day is easy to get stuck in the teeth😂) 🤩Beautiful Xinjiang, it's worth us to go a long way!

A guide to Xinjiang's secret winter travel destinations 🦢Yili Swan Lake. Silver rime, blue lake water, Pink sunrise, misty lake and white swans🦢, Yili in winter is like a fairy tale world☃️💌 · Like a dream, like a fairyland on earth. The cute swans are like elves in the ice and snow world🧚🏻‍♂️ · As a small and beautiful tourist destination in Xinjiang, It is so beautiful here! ☃️☃️ yes· —— 🦢【Attractions Recommendation】 🔍: Swan Spring Wetland Park ⏰: All day —— 🦢【Route and Transportation】 🚅: Take a train from Urumqi to Yining, then rent a car or charter a car to Swan Lake Wetland Park (about 1 hour drive, with beautiful scenery along the way) —— 🦢【Guidelines for playing and taking photos】 Accommodation: ✅It is suitable to get up early to visit this place, so we bought a train to Yining directly after landing in Urumqi, leaving in the evening and arriving the next morning, so we went there directly in the morning. ✅You can also arrive in Yining one day in advance and check in, and get up early the next day to leave. Play ☃️: ✅If you want to see sunrise, morning mist and rime at the same time, you must pay attention to the weather and have a certain amount of luck. We are from the south, and there was morning mist and sunrise on the day we went there, which we thought was quite beautiful and healing. The snow was very thick, and it was very fairy-tale-like. ✅It is relatively niche and suitable for people who like taking photos and healing scenery ✅The lake is quite large, so remember to walk back when you get there so you can see it from a more natural angle and take better photos. ✅It’s cold in winter, so be sure to keep warm. 🧣Scarves, gloves🧤, down jackets, and snow boots are essential‼ ️

Whether you call it “Yili“, “Ili“, “Yining” or even the historical name “Ghulja“, one thing is for sure: it’s definitely worth traveling to this unique part of Xinjiang, China. Yili is quite a small city and gives you a glimpse into the diverse culture available in xinjiang. The food also reflects this. From mutton stews, to fruit laced rices, this is a foodie paradise. One reason to come to Yili is to see the new flower blossom. Happening every year, around April, thousands of visitors flock to this city to see the flower blossoms. As well as that, Yili is a perfect base to explore other parts of western xinjiang such as the sayram lake, the yili grasslands. #tigeryear2022 #mountainview

Quit my job at the end of June and headed to Ili before the July peak season. Not too crowded, prices didn’t rise, and the whole trip was done by public transport plus carpooling. Didn’t join any tour groups; here’s the guide I made for everyone’s reference～ 🚗 About Transportation: Not as hard as imagined Although Xinjiang’s attractions are far apart, public transportation is quite convenient. We used public transport for the first four days. There are many minibuses outside the stations, and you can also ask the homestay owners in advance to help arrange carpooling (they have groups to help find passengers). 🍜 Daily Itinerary 🌟Day 1 Urumqi → Bole After landing, I first had a bowl of mixed noodles, very filling and satisfying with carbs. In the afternoon, took the high-speed train to Bole. Some friends chose to take the night train and sleep on the way to Bole. The police officer outside Bole station was super handsome and carefully helped us with directions—tough and purely handsome. Tried the local lamb skewers and apricots, which were amazing—the best apricots I’ve ever had. 🌊Day 2 Sailimu Lake: It’s recommended to take the shuttle directly to Songshutou; no need to stop much at the smaller spots before it. Online says it takes 40 minutes to reach the summit, but it wasn’t that easy in reality. We walked slowly, and it took 3 hours round trip. Legs were a bit sore, but the view from the top was really good and very photogenic! 🪟Day 3 Yining → Tekesi: A bit tired after hiking, so this day was just strolling around two city areas. Tekesi is very comfortable, the city is small with no traffic lights, and drivers yield to pedestrians. Personally, I think Lijie Street is better to walk around than Six Star Street, less commercialized. 🐎Day 4 Kalajun Grassland: Horse riding experience was nice You can ride horses at Xianhuatai and Falconry Platform. The horse team is well managed and safe. Prices are more reasonable than Inner Mongolia. Walking slowly on the grassland, feeling the breeze, it’s quite relaxing. 🌱Day 5 Qiaxi Grassland: Qiaxi’s scenery is quite concentrated and beautiful, but having just been to Kalajun the day before, seeing a similar grassland was less surprising. I recommend choosing Kalajun first; 2-3 grasslands are enough. 🌲Day 6 Last-minute Route Change: Originally planned to go to Nalati, but after hearing from the driver that Mengketu Ancient Road has fewer people, we changed the plan. Definitely not disappointed; the scenic area was not crowded, almost no signal, so you can quietly enjoy the scenery—very pleasant. The whole car ticket is 200 yuan. The downside is the basic facilities are average, the road going up to the hot springs is hard to drive, and horse riding is a bit risky. The scenic area is more suitable for self-driving or renting a car; it’s inconvenient without a vehicle. Day 7 Tangbula → Duku Highway → Dushanzi Grand Canyon The advantage of having a car is being able to stop anytime to enjoy the view. No need to buy a ticket to enter Dushanzi Grand Canyon; just take photos from outside. Day 8 Wrapping up in Urumqi: The Xinjiang Museum opens at 10 am, so you can go a bit later. You can stroll around the Grand Bazaar, buy some local specialties, and remember to bargain! Xinjiang fruits are cheap and delicious, so show off a bit. Apricots, peaches, and Hami melons are quite sweet. Personally, I’m not a big fan of the old Han melon; the green-skinned ones taste better than the yellow-skinned ones.

🍎 Who would have thought! The snow in Ili really drifts with the scent of apples! Just returned from chasing snow in Ili, this 7-day 6-night wild luxury trip directly welded "poetry and distant places" right before my eyes— Swans in the snow🦢, horse teams under the golden sun on the mountain🐎, hot milk tea at the herdsmen’s home… every scene looks like it stepped out of an oil painting✨ 📝 Quick itinerary overview, details to follow! D1: Yining airport pickup + Six Star Street free walk 【❄️ Snow falls on red brick walls, bite into a warm baked bun】 D2: Swan Spring sunrise + visit to Kurdening family 【White swans in the rime, Kazakh grandma hands over milk tea🥤】 D3: Golden mountain sunrise + snow horseback riding + horse lantern photoshoot 【🐎 Watching the snow mountain turn red from horseback, warm horse lantern lights brighten the snowy valley at night】 D4: Kalajun snow trekking + skiing + snowmobile ride 【Racing snowmobiles under the ink-wash Tianshan Mountains, snow splashes all over clothes】 D5: Xibe ethnic breakfast + Sailimu Lake sunset circle 【Salty milk tea with big flatbread, watch the sunset dye the blue🌊 Sailimu Lake】 D6: Sailimu Lake sunrise + Kazanqi intangible cultural heritage experience 【🌅 Watch the sunrise on the blue ice of Sailimu Lake, wear an Aidelaisi skirt for photos】 D7: Airport drop-off and return 【Still carrying the dried fruit fragrance from the Uyghur family feast in my pocket】 🔥 Must-try experiences (personally tested, no regrets) Swan Spring sunrise: Wait at 7 a.m., rime looks like white sugar hanging on branches, when the swans glide across the lake, you dare not breathe loudly Kurdening horseback crossing: Local horsemen lead on less-traveled routes, horse hooves crunching on snow, looking up to see snow mountains and spruce forests Sailimu Lake circle: The blue ice in the afternoon is Tiffany blue, turning into an orange sea at sunset, enjoy a Mongolian wine~bar drink while listening to intangible cultural heritage Humu singing Kazanqi intangible cultural heritage: Learn to make intangible cultural heritage handicrafts—sand grain painting—with a Uyghur girl, savor the hand-grabbed meat at the family feast until you lick the plate, then dance after the meal 💡 Pre-trip tips Clothing: Down jacket + fleece pants + snow boots are standard, bright scarves make photos pop Photography: Horse lanterns, felt tents, blue ice are perfect backgrounds, remember to bring a power bank Food: Baked buns, hand-grabbed meat, Xibe big flatbread, lamb skewers, spicy chicken, big plate chicken, spicy chicken... don’t miss any of these I used to think Ili’s beauty was in summer, until stepping into this snow wrapped in apple fragrance made me understand—winter in Ili is a romantic land favored by the gods❄️ Want to keep this warmth from the snowy land? ☎️ Click me to get the same itinerary, let’s chase snow in Ili together this winter! Xinjiang Travel

2-week itinerary with travel + skiing, about 20,000 RMB per person. Outbound flight from Guangdong to Chengdu with a transfer to Yili. Return flight from Altay to Urumqi with a transfer back to Guangzhou. ✈️¥4111 Day: Guangzhou → Chengdu, stay at airport hotel 🏨¥483 Day: Chengdu → Yining, 4 hours from airport to hotel. This time I was forced to choose Xigu, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise❗️The hotel facilities, privacy, and scenery inside the hotel are all very good. The snow is thick and clean, perfect for lying around everywhere. Day: Kuerdening, stay at Xigu Camp 🏨¥788 Horseback riding through the woods, feeling the sound of snow falling. Spent some time in the public area of Bairui, which made up for not staying there. Dinner at Xigu was lamb hotpot, quite tasty. Day: Kuerdening → Sailimu Lake, stay at Shuiyunshan Hotel 🏨¥1699 Departed at noon, 4-hour drive to Sailimu Lake, just in time for sunset! Entered the lake loop from the north gate, went halfway around, and exited from the east gate. Chased the blue-pink sunset and also met a little fox symbolizing luck. The night road to Shuiyunshan is very difficult to drive, but looking up you can see the Milky Way P8, and the starry sky is moving. Day: Sailimu Lake → Karamay, stay at Atour Hotel 🏨¥449 Entered the other half of the lake loop from the east gate of Sailimu Lake. Departed in the afternoon for Karamay. The itinerary for these two days was not very reasonable; if you had left earlier the day before, you could have completed the lake loop that day and left the next day for hotel leisure and photos. Shuiyunshan is quite beautiful, a bit of a pity. Day: Karamay → Ulungu Lake → Burqin, stay at Lavande Hotel 🏨¥209 The goose egg yolk reflected on the ice surface is actually orange-pink! Best to arrive at Ulungu Lake between 5:30 and 6:00 PM to enjoy the sunset and take photos without missing either. Day: Burqin → Baihaba → Kanas, stay at Kanas Nanxi Villa 🏨¥2380 The first viewing platform entering Baihaba is great for photos, but there are no more after that! This place is no longer the quiet little village; the whole street is filled with guesthouses and restaurants. On the way to Kanas, there is a lonely tree; people line up trying to find angles to be lonely together. Kanas village is very small; on New Year's Day, no cars are allowed to come and go, luggage is carried by hand into the guesthouse, and no performances are allowed at night. Dinner and drinks 🍺 are done at the guesthouse, celebrating the New Year. The most expensive night of the entire trip, and the least worthwhile! Day: Kanas → Hemu, stay at Suporis Hotel 🏨¥1960 The winter Shenxian Bay is not completely frozen; the distant snow mountains, nearby flowing water, and the clouds in front look like a fairy tale~ The scenery on the way to Hemu is great, but do not stop! Arriving at Hemu, the snow on the ground is pressed into a dirt yellow by cars. Like Baihaba, it’s all guesthouses and restaurants; the so-called scenic rooms are just about who has the bigger window… Day: The next 4 days are all in Jiekepulin 🏂🏻, stay at Holiday Inn 🏨¥11382 Lazy travelers must sleep until naturally waking up; P-style travel emphasizes spontaneity! A treasure travel destination worth visiting many times.

💰 3k+ per person! Ili Winter Lazy Person's Guide. Sayram Lake in winter has fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and low costs – truly a hidden gem season! I've compiled my 5-day, 4-night itinerary and expenses; just copy it! 🚗 Itinerary Reference: · D1: Arrive at Yining Airport, rent a Tank 300 (with snow tires), visit Kazanqi Blue Folk Village, take photos at Six Star Street, eat pilaf and ice cream, stay at Fairfield by Marriott. · D2: Drive to Kuerdening (approx. 3h). After exiting the highway and entering the mountains, it's all ice and snow (prone to slipping). Stay in a cabin at Bairui Camp. · D3: Have breakfast at the hotel, experience horseback riding up the mountain (remember to queue early). In the afternoon, return to Yining, passing Swan Spring Wetland Park (ticket 30, or navigate to Tuowanketamu Village). Stay at Fairfield by Marriott Yining. · D4: Drive to Sayram Lake. Arrive at the East Gate around noon and circle the lake counter-clockwise, just in time to catch the best pink sunset at the Songshutou - Keler Yongzhu section. · D5: Wake up early, enter the East Gate counter-clockwise (to see the sunrise, pink sky, and golden mountains illuminated by the sun). Be sure to depart at least half an hour before the predicted sunrise time. At noon, exit from the South Gate, turn right for 10 minutes to Guozigou Valley Observation Deck. After taking photos, return to Yining. Buy spicy noodles and rose naan at Naan King, return the car at the airport, and head back. 🧳 Pre-trip preparations: Wool pants + down snow pants + snow boots, for pain-free snow jumping without feeling cold! Hats, scarves, and gloves are essential. Heated insoles + hand warmers are perfect companions for taking off your jacket for photos! 🔔 The scenic area is colder than Yining city. All indoor areas are super hot 🔥 and dry. A sweater + down liner + down jacket/coat, two layers of outerwear are more convenient to take off indoors. 📌 Expense Details: Solo Shenzhen-Lanzhou-Yining segmented round-trip ✈️ 1413💰 🏨 Yining 2 nights 960 + Bairui Camp 1850 (including tickets) + Sayram Lake East Gate 600 🚗 Car rental 800 ➕ Fuel 800 🏨➕🚗 Average 1254💰 per person 🍜 Breakfast provided by the hotel, packed dry food for lunch on the go, dinner 200-300. Car rental, fuel, accommodation, and dining expenses are shared among 4 people, flexible according to budget.

Consolidated version of previous notes. I received several private messages asking if I could provide a PDF version, so I optimized the route based on personal experience. If you need the PDF, you can message me: Bole ➡️ Wenquan County (p2) soak in the snow mountain hot springs ➡️ Sailimu Lake (p1,3,4,5,6) ➡️ Kuerdening (p8,9,10,11,12) ➡️ return to Bole If you’re not interested in soaking in the snow mountain hot springs, you can remove Wenquan County from the itinerary and go directly to Sailimu Lake. ✨D1✈️ Arrive in Bole, pick up the car, winter requires snow tires ✨D2🚗 Go to Wenquan County, about an hour’s drive I went to Luquan Hot Spring Center, the experience was great—soaking in the hot springs while watching the snow mountains 🤤 If you get tired of soaking, there are other entertainment options like mahjong rooms and movie rooms. There are other hot springs locally, so you can choose according to your needs. Food and accommodation are affordable, and the scenery is very beautiful with the magnificent Alatau Mountains. You can spend a whole day slowly experiencing it~ If you’re a fan of Master and Wukong, don’t miss Wenquan County, those who know, know 🥹 ✨D3🚗 Wenquan County ➡️ North Gate of Sailimu Lake, about 1.5 hours’ drive There is a mountain road along the way, drive carefully in winter. You can enter from the north gate and go clockwise or counterclockwise. From my two visits, the section from Dianjiangtai to the south gate is more beautiful. If you want to watch the sunset in the evening, go to Fengfan Creek; if you want to see the pink blue hour, the Kele Yongzhu viewpoint is better. 💡 At 6:30 pm sunset, the temperature drops sharply and it gets very, very cold, so dress warmly. 💡 Winter daylight hours are short, sunrise at 10 am and sunset at 7:30 pm. If you’re not in a hurry, I recommend staying two nights at Sailimu Lake. The winter self-driving ticket costs 110 yuan and allows entry and exit within 48 hours. ✨D4 Full day at Sailimu Lake Arrive at S Bay before 10 am, which is also a great spot to enjoy the pink blue hour. If you want to see the sunrise, go to Dianjiangtai. ✨D5🚗 Exit Sailimu Lake from the south gate ➡️ Guozigou Bridge (p7) ➡️ Kuerdening, about 3.5 hours’ drive ✨D6 Full day at Kuerdening. I stayed at the Bairui Camp, the winter experience was very good. Who can resist a snow mountain panoramic room? The camp is surrounded by tall snow firs, every photo is a life photo. There are also horsemen in the camp you can contact for horseback riding. If you want to go to Qimengde Viewing Platform, it’s recommended to drive to the foot of the mountain first and then ride a horse—this saves time and money. Considering the long journey the next day, stay overnight in Gongliu after descending. ✨D7🚗 Gongliu ➡️ Bole, about 5 hours’ drive, return flight ✈️ This article is a route consolidation version. For overall costs, accommodation, clothing and packing tips, and detailed travel information, please check other posts on the homepage.

Qiongkushitai and Kurdining have very similar landscapes, so it is recommended to choose one. Qiongkushitai requires crossing three big mountains, the journey is longer and more difficult, while Kurdining has better road conditions and is easier to reach. The landscapes both feature seasonal snow-capped mountains + forest grasslands + snowy spruce ridges. Visiting Qiongkushitai requires an extra day, while Kurdining does not. 🌳 Route 1 12.1 Yining city walk 12.2 Yining Qiongkushitai 12.3 Qiongkushitai Tekes 12.4 Tekes Sailimu Lake loop 12.5 Second visit to Sailimu Lake Yining 12.6 Yining ✈️ 🌳 Route 2 12.1 Yining city walk 12.2 Yining Kurdining Tekes 12.3 Tekes Sailimu Lake loop 12.4 Second visit to Sailimu Lake Yining/Bole 12.5 Yining/Bole return trip 🌟 Route design ideas 1️⃣ The weather at Sailimu Lake in winter is unstable, so the visit is split over two days to cover both sunrise and sunset. Even if the weather is bad, you will see at least one. 2️⃣ Qiongkushitai is a longer and more exploratory trip, so an overnight stay there is necessary. 3️⃣ Kurdining in winter only opens the middle valley, with just one route. Whether horseback riding or not, it can be completed in half a day. 4️⃣ Adding Bole/Yining for the return flight considers different people's 🎫 tickets, offering more flexibility. 5️⃣ Either 12.1 or 12.2 works, as long as you can make it on 12.2. 6️⃣ 2-4 people 👯‍♀️, easy, comfortable, and free.

Preparation Before Travel Best Travel Time: May to June is ideal for visiting the grassland flower seas in northern Xinjiang’s Ili; July to September is the golden travel season across Xinjiang, suitable for both northern and southern regions; September to October offers picturesque autumn scenery in Kanas of northern Xinjiang and beautiful poplar forests in southern Xinjiang; November to March is the ice and snow season, perfect for skiing in Altay. Weather and Clothing: Xinjiang has a dry climate with large temperature differences between day and night. In spring and summer, prepare short sleeves, long-sleeve jackets, and sun-protective clothing; lightweight down jackets are needed in mountainous areas. In autumn and winter, bring windproof jackets, thick down coats, and other warm clothing. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and hydrating face masks. Transportation: For long-distance travel, flying directly to Urumqi is recommended. Distances between attractions within Xinjiang are large, so self-driving, chartering a car, or joining a tour group are the main options. New drivers are not advised to self-drive; hiring a car with a local driver-guide is easier and safer. Essential Documents: Always carry your ID card. For places like Baihaba Village and Taxkorgan, you need to apply for a border pass in advance. Must-Visit Attractions Sayram Lake: Known as "the last tear of the Atlantic," it is recommended to drive or cycle around the lake, entering from the east gate and exiting from the south gate. Traveling counterclockwise helps avoid crowds. Entrance fee for self-driving is 145 RMB per vehicle (7 seats or fewer), shuttle bus 75 RMB per person. Kanas Scenic Area: Famous for the lake monster legend and color-changing lake, the Fish Viewing Platform offers the best panoramic view, and hiking the Three Bays is the highlight. Entrance fee is 230 RMB per person (including shuttle bus, valid for 48 hours). Kanas Scenic Area, Xinjiang Kashgar Old Town: The only maze-like city district in China featuring Islamic culture, you can watch the East Gate opening ceremony and have tea in century-old teahouses. Free admission; ticket for Id Kah Mosque is 45 RMB per person. Kashgar Old Town, Xinjiang Nalati Grassland: One of the world’s four major river valley grasslands, known as the "Sky Grassland." The scenic line is vast, with nomadic family stations and Snow Lotus Valley being popular spots. Entrance fee is 135 RMB per person, shuttle bus 60 RMB per person. Nalati Grassland, Xinjiang Duku Highway: One of China’s most beautiful roads, open only 4-5 months a year. The northern section has the most stunning scenery, while the southern section is gentler. Free to pass, but new drivers are not recommended to drive the northern section. Duku Highway, Xinjiang Food Recommendations Main Dishes: Includes big plate chicken, grilled lamb skewers, nang pit meat, hand-pulled rice, baked buns, and oil-fried meat noodles. Snacks and Drinks: Handmade yogurt, yogurt zongzi, chilled kvass, handmade ice cream, etc. Food Hubs: International Grand Bazaar food street and Consulate Alley in Urumqi, Han Street Food Plaza in Yining, and Kashgar Old Town night market. Accommodation Suggestions Urban Areas: Cities like Urumqi, Yining, and Kashgar offer hotels of various standards with good conditions. Around Scenic Spots: Places like Kanas and Hemu mostly have characteristic wooden cabins with limited accommodation options; booking in advance during peak season is necessary. Notes Itinerary Planning: Distances between Xinjiang attractions are long, daily travel times can be lengthy, so prepare for long journeys with neck pillows, snacks, etc. Time Difference: Xinjiang uses Beijing time, but actual daily routines are about 2 hours later than eastern China, so adjust meal and rest times accordingly. Cultural Customs: Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region; respect the customs and religious beliefs of local ethnic minorities.

Every time I look back at these photos, I never regret the hardships endured during the trip. Aba Temples: In the early morning, the sea of clouds surrounds the temples and monks practicing on the ridges—this scene is truly like a fairyland. Yili Grassland: The horses up close and the distant sea of flowers, snow-capped mountains, and wooden cabins look just like scenes from an anime~ Yancheng Tidal Flats: At sunrise, the rosy glow spreads over the sand after the tide recedes. A family of four strolling and gathering seafood is such a heartwarming scene~ Tengger Desert Milky Way: Standing on the sand dunes, I took my cool pose photo~ Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Using a drone to capture the deeply carved canyon from above, the eroded ravines look like the earth’s pulse~ Bayingolin: Photographed at the Bayingolin grassland beside the Duku Highway, the endless grassland and herders’ cabins paired with the golden sunlight on the mountains is truly spectacular~

Let's go to these places next～ 1️⃣ Ili, Xinjiang Ili in winter offers great value for money!! The pink sky over Sayram Lake, the waist-deep snow in the Kurdeng spruce forest, it's truly beautiful, and the winter weather is relatively stable. As long as it's sunny, the sunrise and sunset are in blue and pink tones. 2️⃣ Western Sichuan There are many clear autumn and winter days, and the golden sunlight on the mountains is endlessly beautiful. Stinco and Gedilam have many props perfect for photography. Moon Lake, a lesser-known secret spot in Western Sichuan, is about 3 hours from Xinduqiao, quite far but definitely worth it! 3️⃣ Guangdong Guangdong is still relatively warm in November and December. You can visit Qingyuan or Guangzhou Chimelong, which is very large and suitable for a two-day visit. It's great for taking kids to play! You can also enjoy food and drinks in the surrounding areas.

✨Why choose it? "Qingrun Resort Manor" is not a hotel, it's a home grown in the scenery! Open the window to see spruce trees dotted with green, lie in bed listening to birds chirping through the forest�� The manor is right in the center of the wild fruit forest scenic area, even the air smells of fresh grass~ Just a step away from the "Central Asian Plant Gene Bank" Yili Botanical Garden, Photo shoots + study tours + relaxation, all done with one click! �� Must-check iconic scenes 1️⃣ Spring exclusive · Apricot Blossom Snow Sea Hit it in April-May! The whole mountain turns into a "snowy secret realm," wear a white dress standing in the flower rain, every snap looks like a cover of "The Book of Songs"! 2️⃣ Summer forest vibe · Spruce Mist From June to August, enter the 20°C green wonderland, squat in the morning mist and shoot the "walking deep into the forest" back view killer��️ 3️⃣ Autumn romance · Wild Fruit Galaxy In September, branches are full of small wild fruits, carry a bamboo basket to pick fruit, shoot "holding fruit with a smile" against the light, instantly legendary on social media�� 4️⃣ Winter fairy tale · Snow-covered forest After December, the forest turns into a creamy cake, wear red clothes lying on the snow, instantly create a Frozen movie scene⛄️ Beautiful all year round!!!! �� Taste explosion! Foodie paradise �� Morning must-drink: Milk tea made from fresh milk squeezed by herders, rich and lingering! �� Late-night must-eat: Healthy original flavor hotpot + jar-cooked meat, warms your heart! Smoke rises outside the felt tent, eating with the sound of the morin khuur brings the soul of the grassland�� �� Lazy person’s blessing tips ✅ Fast and slow charging for electric cars, a joy for self-driving travelers ✅ Tengshi D9 shuttle service, no stress for families �� Nearby walking recommendations �� 10 minutes direct to "Yili Botanical Garden" A plant kingdom crossing from desert to snow mountains, take kids to recognize rare species, shoot magical photos with giant cacti and snow mountains in the same frame�� Here there are no KPIs or crowded subways, only bamboo baskets for picking wild fruit, smoke from brewing milk tea, and the wind on the hillside blowing away worries. Come to Qingrun, be a "wild person" for three days Soak your soul in nature�� A treasure travel destination worth visiting again and again

There is no standard answer for winter in Yili. But "Qiongkushitai + Kuerdening" is the best solution I boldly recommend to you this year. This site inspection completely dispelled a long-standing industry misconception for me: it’s not that Qiongkushitai can’t be visited in winter, but that most itineraries are too "single-point," failing to place it within the correct narrative structure. 1. Why did I choose the "quiet + active" dual grassland structure? In winter, all top experiences in Yili revolve around two things: a quiet place to stop, and a free place to play. Qiongkushitai is the answer to "stop." Kuerdening is the answer to "play." Both are indispensable, like two ends of breathing—one slows you down, the other lets you release. During the inspection days, I kept pondering one question: if I could only give everyone one version of winter in Yili, what should it look like? My final conclusion is simple—it's not about taking you to scenic spots, but about immersing you in "winter in Yili" itself. Qiongkushitai’s high-altitude valleys, wooden cabins, cooking smoke, and snowfields are Yili’s most original backdrop; Kuerdening’s river valleys, spruce forests, and outdoor activities represent Yili’s winter vitality. Only by combining these two experiences can you truly experience "winter in Yili." 2. Why bring Qiongkushitai back to winter? This inspection made me very certain: Qiongkushitai in winter is not "unplayable," but "should not be overlooked." In recent years, most content has portrayed Qiongkushitai as a "summer-only" destination, but I think that’s a misunderstanding. Winter Qiongkushitai is another dimension—snowfields, wooden cabins, spruces, herders’ winter homes... after the summer bustle is gone, what remains is a clean texture. 3. Kuerdening is the "active line" I value most this winter. If Qiongkushitai is responsible for "resetting your heartbeat," Kuerdening is responsible for "reigniting it." The winter experience in Kuerdening is not about "viewing scenery," but truly "playing into it." Snowfields, river valleys, spruce forests, outdoor activities, off-road experiences... this is a place that convinces you only when your feet step on it and your body moves. I chose it for three reasons: 1⃣️ High landscape complexity 2⃣️ High freedom of outdoor activities 3⃣️ Relatively stable winter road conditions 4. Why am I unwilling to "compress" experiences to fit in more attractions? During the inspection, we repeatedly encountered one problem: many routes cram in points that are unsuitable for winter just to boost "popularity," making the itinerary overly rushed. But I am increasingly clear about one thing: a truly good trip must have a high "experience density," not a large number of "points." 5. So we finally settled on a direction: A route that represents the complete temperament of winter in Yili is not about piling up scenic spots or chasing trendy places, but about piecing together winter in Yili through an "experience logic"—the quiet and blank space of Qiongkushitai, the freedom and activities of Kuerdening, the ice and snow wonders of Sayram Lake, the winter vitality of Swan Lake. These "winter fragments" come together to form the full picture of "winter in Yili." The detailed itinerary is now online.

Winter in Ili｜The Ice and Snow I Found in Xinjiang❄️ So beautiful it leaves you speechless!! Just got back from Ili! Can't wait to share this hidden gem with you all! I originally thought winter in Xinjiang might be a bit niche, but I was moved to tears by the beauty😭 What a magical place!! 【My 7 Days】 📍Day 1-2: Urumqi - Skiing ▪️ Visited the Xinjiang Museum, very few people in the off-season, great experience, remember to book in advance ▪️ Ate casually downstairs at the hotel, more exploring in Yining later · 📍Day 3: Sailimu Lake + Yining ▪️ The driver took us on a self-driving tour around Sailimu Lake, winter only shows blue, white, and pink ▪️ Arranged a tea brewing around the stove, very cozy ▪️ Went straight to Kazanqi Folk Street upon arrival in the afternoon ▪️ Local aunties were super friendly, taught us how to make naan, warm naan with milk tea was amazing! · 📍Day 4: Galloping on Nalati Snowfield ▪️ Finally fulfilled my dream of horseback riding on snow! 🐎 ▪️ The Kazakh guy was super nice, helped take photos and guided poses ▪️ Stayed in a cabin at night, looking up at a sky full of stars ▪️ Ate lamb hotpot around the fireplace, happiness overload · 📍Day 5: Kuerdening ▪️ The most beautiful part of the trip! ▪️ Snow weighing down green firs, the forest is super dense, just as beautiful as in summer ▪️ Must ride horses through the forest! Perfect for photos · 📍Day 6: Swan Spring ▪️ Morning fog + swans + rime, looks like a fairyland ▪️ Phone storage warning popped up, every photo is wallpaper-worthy ▪️ Warm tip: definitely use heat packs, toes will get numb from the cold - 【Practical Tips】 ✅ Clothing: Down jacket + thermal underwear + snow boots are a lifesaver combo ✅ Gear: Power bank is a must! Phone battery drains super fast ✅ Skincare: Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! Important enough to say three times ✅ Others: Bring plenty of heat packs, camera warm covers are very necessary This trip was truly worth every penny! Not many people now, ladies, hurry up and go!

🌸 Encounter a cloud-draped dream carpeted in green at Nalati Grassland; listen to the spring whispers of blue ice cracking by Sayram Lake; immerse yourself in the romantic purple ocean of lavender fields in Huocheng... -- No matter what kind of trip you want, Trip.com's local guide Wen Hongbin can customize it for you✅! I am not the creator of beautiful scenery, but I am the guide who promotes beauty. When you travel to Xinjiang, I am your travel butler. -- 👫👭 For couples/small families, choose👉 Economy 5-seater, accommodates 4 people + 2 pieces of luggage, modern ix35 or similar🚗 ✨Recommended because: lightweight and flexible, low fuel consumption, suitable for 2-4 people on short trips, luggage space fits light packing, excellent cost performance! 👨👩👧👦 For families/friends groups, choose👉 Comfortable 5-seater, accommodates 4 people + 2 pieces of luggage, Toyota Prado or similar🚙 ✨Recommended because: spacious, comfortable seats, ideal for families or small friend groups seeking quality, ample luggage space, easier for long drives! 👨💼👩💼 For business reception/small teams, there are 2 options👇 1️⃣ Business 7-seater, accommodates 6 people + 4 pieces of luggage, Buick GL8 or similar🚐 ✨Recommended because: very business-like, comfortable seats, spacious, suitable for business meetings or 6-person small teams, ample luggage space! 2️⃣ Premium 7-seater, accommodates 6 people + 4 pieces of luggage, Mercedes Viano or similar💺 ✨Recommended because: high-end and elegant, luxurious interior, perfect for high-end business receptions or 6-person teams seeking a grand and comfortable experience, showcasing quality and style! 👨👩👧👦👨👩👧👦 For large families/friend groups, there are 3 options👇 1️⃣ 14-seat minibus, accommodates 13 people + 6 pieces of luggage, SAIC Maxus V80 14-seater or similar🚌 ✨Recommended because: spacious, suitable for families or friend groups of 10 or more, ample luggage space, easier travel! 2️⃣ 18-seat minibus, accommodates 17 people + 8 pieces of luggage, Yutong 18-seater or similar🚍 ✨Recommended because: super spacious, ideal for large groups of 15 or more, ample luggage space, more comfortable for long trips! 3️⃣ 25-seat bus, accommodates 24 people + 12 pieces of luggage, Yutong 25-seater or similar🚎 ✨Recommended because: huge capacity, perfect for large teams of 20 or more, ample luggage space, best choice for group travel, excellent cost performance! -- 🚗 Our solemn promise All drivers are experienced locals from Ili, and the fleet has many years of operation experience to ensure timely and worry-free trips⏰ Carefully selected nine must-see scenic spots, offering dozens of flexible itinerary combinations, fully customized to your needs for a unique trip Professional guides provide 24-hour attentive butler service throughout, answering any questions anytime, helping you enjoy a worry-free and wonderful journey👔

Ili in November, where autumn and winter quietly meet— Nalati Grassland is covered with a thin layer of snow, like a velvet carpet, mist rises by the Gongnaisi River, and the birch forest is adorned with sparkling rime, majestic snow-capped mountains stand in the distance, herders drive their flocks through the woods, this is not a fairy tale, but the gentlest face of early winter in Ili. --- 🗓 Itinerary (4 days 3 nights) Day 1: Arrive in Yining → Stroll along Liuxing Street Fly/train to [Yining City], check in at a boutique guesthouse on Liuxing Street 💰600/night × 3 = 1800 Afternoon visit [Liuxing Street]: colorful houses, handmade shops, dazzling Kazakh embroidery 🎨 Must-try dinner: Big Plate Chicken, baked buns, kvass, all for about ¥50 per person! Day 2: Half-day tour of Nalati Grassland + Gongnaisi Forest secret spot ✅ Join a local small group tour (including transport, guide, and tickets for about ¥380) Morning at [Nalati Scenic Area] (off-season with limited visitors, scenery is purer) Walk on the snowy grassland, capture stunning shots of “snowy mountains + dry grass + horse herds” 📸 ✅ Afternoon drive to [Gongnaisi National Forest Park], fewer people, beautiful scenery, silver-covered, like a deserted wonderland Day 3: Light hike at Tangbulak Hundred-Mile Gallery ✅ Private or shared car to [Tangbulak] (2-hour drive, cost shared about ¥150) Walk along the creek, see snow pines reflected in the icy river, encounter Kazakh herders migrating 🐑 Return to Yining in the evening, soak in a local goji berry hot spring to warm up ♨️ Day 4: Kazanqi Folk Village + Return trip ✅ Morning check-in at [Kazanqi] Blue House district, ride a horse carriage through the alleys (¥30) Buy some dried lavender and handmade cheese curds as souvenirs 🎁 Afternoon depart from Yining, heart already left in the Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall --- 💰 Budget details: - Major transport: round-trip flight/train about ¥900 (depends on departure city, off-season special) - Accommodation: 1800 (three nights in a featured guesthouse, prime location) - Local transport + tickets + meals: about ¥300 ✅ Total: about ¥2980! Great value, perfect for photo ops --- Ili in November, not a season to be sealed away, but a quiet romance. When you stand on the snowy plain and look back, you’ll understand: some distant places are worth braving the cold wind to reach!

Unexpectedly, out of more than 10 days of traveling in Xinjiang, the most comfortable and healing day was actually during my transit stop in Tekes!! I feel like the homestay owner must be a “clean freak” + a laid-back perfectionist!! The hygiene was really spotless!! Even my mom, who mops the floor 10 times a day, couldn’t find any faults hhh!! And they have high-quality standards for everything; all the bath towels and face towels are disposable, large, and quite thick! They also provided L’Occitane cherry blossom body lotion, a Laifen hairdryer, Wahaha water + a mini water heater (not just a kettle 👍 thumbs up) ~ the bedding was very comfortable, and there was a washing machine. By the way, the shower water pressure was strong and very comfortable. We had just come down from camping at the Kalajun Grassland ⛺️ and hadn’t showered for 2 days, so we give it a 5🌟 star rating hahaha!! The three homestay owners were all super nice, treating us like friends and warmly hosting us! They prepared many 【Xinjiang specialty snacks】 like dried prunes, seasonal fruits, pastries… and even Xinjiang clothing for us to try on~ In the evening, seeing that we hadn’t eaten yet, they thoughtfully cooked two “homegrown dishes freshly picked from their own vegetable garden” for us~ Wow! That “eggplant 🍆 stir-fried with tomato 🍅” was so delicious, I finished a big bowl of rice right away!! And whenever they invent new tasty or refreshing items, they want to share them with you immediately. They even made us a Luckin Coffee-style 【Little Yellow Apricot Americano】 with their homemade dried apricot sauce. The sweet and sour flavor combined with the coffee aroma was really delicious 👍 Fell in love with fruit-flavored coffee for the first time, feeling so happy!! ✨ The entire homestay’s design shows that “she + they” truly treat this place as their own 🏡 ideal home! As soon as you enter, it feels like stepping into a secluded South of France estate, very artistic and fully equipped (btw it’s really great for taking photos hhhh)! The garden is full of flowers and plants, and there’s even a fenced vegetable patch with fruit trees, all clearly well cared for~ The swing gently sways in the breeze, and 6 or 7 little cats 🐈 roam around basking in the sun, making it very cozy!! Being here makes time and body & mind “slow down.” If I hadn’t been on a tight schedule, I really would have stayed longer to relax and enjoy life hh!! 💕 🥣 Oh, and the breakfast was surprisingly good!! The most amazing were the lamb baked buns + fresh milk + cold shredded chicken salad, simply incredible!! The baked buns were made with lean meat but had no gamey or dry taste, just super fragrant! But the absolute best was the fresh milk—I’ve never tasted milk so fresh and sweet. When I asked, it turned out to be freshly milked from herders’ homes, so delicious that I drank several bowls straight away!! If you pass through Tekes or Kalajun, I strongly recommend giving yourself a day to fully rest and relax! Spending a night in such a quiet little village is truly healing!!

Who understands! Sayram Lake in winter is so beautiful it leaves you speechless 😭 The frozen lake surface looks like a sapphire, with snow-capped mountains stretching like a painting. Here’s a comprehensive budget travel guide for college students—save it and go! 1. 🚗 Transportation Plan (Best Value) Fly from Nanjing to Urumqi with a transfer → take a bus to Bole Carpool or rent a car locally to circle the lake (carpooling with 3 people is the most cost-effective) Tips: Roads are icy in winter, be sure to choose snow tires! 2. 🏨 Accommodation Options Prioritize staying in Bole city (high cost-performance, lots of food options) If you want to catch the sunrise, choose a guesthouse near the scenic area (book early!) 80-150 RMB per night per person, remember to confirm if heating is included 3. 📸 Must-Visit Photo Spots ▫️ Swan Bay: Watch swans playing on the ice (super healing) ▫️ Blue Ice Cave: The ice surface is crystal clear, photos come with a natural filter ▫️ Guozigou Bridge: A bridge under snowy mountains, 100% photogenic Tips: Wear bright clothes to maximize contrast with the snowy scenery~ 4. 👔 Dressing Guide (Warm but Not Bulky) Down jacket + fleece hoodie + thermal underwear (three-layer dressing method) Snow boots + thick socks + hand warmers (warm feet, warm body) Scarf + gloves + hat (windproof trio is a must) 5. 🍜 Food Recommendations Hand-pulled rice (grains distinct, so delicious you’ll lick the plate) Grilled buns (crispy outside, juicy inside) Milk tea (salty flavor! Warms you up and cuts greasiness) 30-50 RMB per person, eat until full~ 6. ⚠️ Precautions ▫️ Strong UV rays, remember to apply sunscreen + wear sunglasses ▫️ The lake surface is frozen but some areas are thin, don’t walk far alone ▫️ Exchange cash in advance, some small shops don’t support mobile payments ▫️ Big temperature difference, wear an extra layer in the morning and evening Winter at Sayram Lake has no crowded peak season, only pure blue and white, healing all unhappiness ✨ Even with a limited college budget, you can have a great time. Grab your friends and set off now~ Need me to help generate cover text suggestions or add a detailed itinerary?