Best Self-Driving Tours in Yili and Recommended Attractions

Self-driving in Yili in summer is a great way to travel. From May onwards, flowers are in full bloom. After the flowers, it’s the season for fragrant fruits. When traveling in August and September, be sure to taste the local fruits. You won’t be disappointed!

Self-driving Routes

Route 1: Leisurely Tour

Yining City – Horgos City (China-Kazakhstan International Cooperation Center, National Gate Scenic Area) – Hocheng County (Jieyou Princess Lavender Garden, Yili General’s Mansion, Hu Yuan Ancient City Scenic Area) – Yining City (Yili Prefecture Museum, Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, Night Tour of Six Star Street Scenic Area).

Route 2: Self-driving Tour Around the Tianshan Mountains

Yining City – Gongliu County (Kurdening Scenic Area) – Tekes County (Kalajun Scenic Area, Night Tour of Bagua City Li Street Scenic Area) – Zhousu County (Tianma Tourism Culture Park, Wetland Park Scenic Area) – Yizhao Highway (Baishifeng Tourism Scenic Road) – Chabuchar Xibe Autonomous County (Xibe Ancient City) – Yining City (Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, Night Tour of the Silk Road Light Tourism Town).

Route 3: Humanistic Experience Tour

Urumqi City – Kuituen City (Jinshuyuan, Runmin River Scenic Area) – Duku Highway – Nilek County (Tangbula “Hundred Miles Gallery” Scenic Area) – Xin Yuan County (Nalati Scenic Area) – Gongliu County (Kurdening Scenic Area, Night Tour of Die Lake) – Tekes County (Kalajun Scenic Area, Night Tour of Bagua City Li Street Scenic Area) – Zhousu County (Tianma Tourism Culture Park, Wetland Park Scenic Area) – Yizhao Highway (Baishifeng Tourism Scenic Road) – Chabuchar Xibe Autonomous County (Xibe Ancient City) – Yining City (Yili River Scenic Area, Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, Night Tour of Six Star Street Scenic Area) – Horgos City (China-Kazakhstan International Cooperation Center, National Gate Scenic Area) – Hocheng County (Jieyou Princess Lavender Garden, Yili General’s Mansion, Hu Yuan Ancient City Scenic Area) – Urumqi City.

Route 4: Flowering Yili Hiking and Photography Tour

Duku Highway – Nilek County (Qiaorma, Tangbula “Hundred Miles Gallery” Scenic Area) – Yining City (Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, Night Tour of the Silk Road Light Tourism Town) – Xin Yuan County (Nalati Scenic Area) – Gongliu County (Kurdening Scenic Area, Night Tour of Die Lake) – Tekes County (Kalajun Scenic Area, Night Tour of Bagua City Li Street Scenic Area) – Zhousu County (Tianma Tourism Culture Park, Wetland Park Scenic Area, Xiata Scenic Area) – Yizhao Highway (Baishifeng Tourism Scenic Road) – Yining City (Yili River Scenic Area, Night Tour of Six Star Street Scenic Area) – Hocheng County (Jieyou Princess Lavender Garden, Zhonghua Fushoushan Scenic Area) – Horgos City (China-Kazakhstan International Cooperation Center, National Gate Scenic Area) – Urumqi City.

Route 5: North Tianshan Small Loop

Urumqi City – Kuituen City (Jinshuyuan, Runmin River Scenic Area) – Hocheng County (Yili General’s Mansion, Hu Yuan Ancient City Scenic Area) – Horgos City (China-Kazakhstan International Cooperation Center, National Gate Scenic Area) – Chabuchar Xibe Autonomous County (Xibe Ancient City) – Yizhao Highway (Baishifeng Tourism Scenic Road) – Zhousu County (Tianma Cultural Tourism Park, Xiata Scenic Area) – Tekes County (Kalajun Scenic Area, Qiongkushitai) – Gongliu County (Kurdening Scenic Area, Night Tour of Die Lake) – Yining County (Tuhulashu Scenic Area) – Yining City (Yili River Scenic Area, Night Tour of Six Star Street Scenic Area) – Xin Yuan County (Nalati Scenic Area) – Nilek County (Qiaorma) – Duku Highway.

Recommended Attractions

1. Yining

Yining was established during the Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. Russian, Uzbek and other foreign cultures have been integrated with Uyghur and Han cultures, creating a unique multi-ethnic atmosphere. Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area is a traditional ethnic minority street area. There is the Shaanxi Grand Mosque, which is built in the style of Chinese palaces. There are numerous Central Asian and West Asian style houses on both sides of the street. The Tudahongbai Mansion is worth visiting.

The Uzbek mosque on Jinqian Street is another relic from Central Asia. The Baitula Mosque located at the intersection of Jiefang South Road and Shengli Road has a unique minaret outside the surrounding wall. Six Star Street was planned and built in the 1930s and is in the shape of a six-pointed star. It used to be an area where Russian residents lived, and now it still has Uyghur, Hui, Tatar, Uzbek and Russian residents. The buildings are full of ethnic charm.

2. Chabuchar

Chabuchar County on the south bank of the Yili River is the only Xibe Autonomous County in China. 6 kilometers west of the county town along the S313 Provincial Road, you can see the tall walls and large-scale ancient buildings of the newly built “Xibe Ancient City” in Sunzaqi Niulu Township. The Xibe National Museum is located here. It has historical halls, modern and contemporary history halls, bow and arrow halls, archery grounds, folk halls, etc. The Jingyuan Temple next to it was built in the 14th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1888), and has buildings such as the Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Great Buddha Hall, and Three Buddha Halls. Every year on the Western Migration Festival (the 18th day of the fourth lunar month), there will be wonderful Xibe cultural performances here.

3. Zhousu

Zhousu, located in the valley, is a city without summer. Apart from the long winter, it is a cool spring and autumn season. July to August is the peak season for tourism in Zhousu. In July, golden rapeseed flowers bloom in the fields, with rich colors under the blue sky and white clouds. This is the most beautiful time of the year in Zhousu.

Located north of the county high school, the Shengyou Temple (entrance fee 30 yuan; 9:30～19:30) covers hundreds of acres and is one of the most complete existing lamaseries in Xinjiang. Ancient trees tower over the temple, and the buildings are simple and solemn. The screen wall, mountain gate, front hall, Great Buddha Hall, and back hall are arranged along the central axis. A plaque is hung high on the front of the Great Buddha Hall, inscribed with the words “Imperial Construction of Zhousu Shengyou Temple”. The murals in the hall corridor have very obvious characteristics of traditional murals in the Central Plains.

4. Xiata Ancient Road

Located in Xiate (also known as Xiata) Kirgiz National Township, the Xiata Ancient Road National Forest Park is a charming canyon forest paradise at the foot of the Tianshan glacier. It was also a transportation route between Yili and Aksu. The Xiata Ancient Road starts from the Xiata pasture in the north and ends at Pochengzi in Wensu County, Aksu Prefecture in the south. It is about 120 kilometers long and is a shortcut connecting northern and southern Xinjiang. However, this ancient road is also considered one of the most dangerous passes on the ancient Silk Road because it passes through glaciers, ice cracks, and ice rivers.

Now, the section of the Xiata Ancient Road that reaches the Muzart Glacier has become the Xiata Scenic Area. A winding, narrow asphalt road about 45 kilometers long leads from the ticket office to the Xiata Hot Spring via the Xiata Ancient Road. One side of the mountain road is steep slopes and forests, and the other side is cliffs and the Xiata River. There are 3 stops along the way: Shengui Stone, Lovers Valley, and Liusha Waterfall, where you can get off and admire the scenery.

5. Tekes

Tekes County Town is famous for its Bagua City. The entire county town is centered around the Taiji Altar, radiating out eight main streets in eight directions, connected by four ring roads. The central square roundabout of the county town circulates counterclockwise. The street signs are not obvious, so it is easy to get lost, but if you get lost, you can return to the center of the county town. Don’t believe the legend here that there are “no traffic lights”. In the middle of the intersections of the 2nd and 3rd rings of Bagua, several traffic lights are placed, which are equally sacred and should not be crossed. The entire city has a speed limit of 40 kilometers per hour.

Most tourists come here for the high-altitude grasslands in the western Tianshan Mountains. As part of the World Natural Heritage site of the Tianshan Mountains, layer upon layer of grasslands from Kalajun to Qiongkushitai will unfold before your eyes, with grasslands, snow mountains, and forests all present.

6. Kalajun Grassland

The Kalajun Grassland was included in the World Natural Heritage list in 2013. The area within the scenic area is very large, and a full-view tour ticket will take up a whole day. You might consider spending the night here. The main attractions in the Western Kalajun Scenic Area include Wangyutai, Marmot Habitat, Liyitai, Die Lang Valley, Shiquan, Yinmawan, Yikeshu, etc., which can be visited by taking a sightseeing bus that stops at each attraction. The Western Kalajun Scenic Area is mainly characterized by rolling hills. Die Lang Valley is a good place for photography.

The most famous attractions in the Eastern Kalajun include the Five-Colored Grassland, Xianhuatai, Kuldai Forest Grand Canyon, Three Extreme Plane Observation Deck, and the Hunting Falcon Platform observation point. The Five-Colored Grassland and Xianhuatai are the most spectacular. However, it takes 0.5 to 1 hour to walk from the sightseeing bus parking lot to the five attractions. Don’t miss the Kokesu Grand Canyon, which is included in the combination ticket. You need to take a cruise boat to admire the beauty of the canyon and grassland from the water. You can also experience a half-hour rafting on the Kuldai River.

7. Kurdening Canyon Scenic Area

The Kurdening Canyon Scenic Area is also part of the World Natural Heritage site of the Western Tianshan Mountains. It has not been widely publicized or developed yet. There are no paved roads or scenic transportation vehicles within the scenic area. Self-driving cars can enter. The most attractive feature here is the Kurdening River Canyon and the Kabanbai Peak snow mountain. Hiking enthusiasts can hike for 1 to 2 hours to reach the aerial grassland to admire the snow fir trees. The transitional nature of the plants here is obvious.

8. Xin Yuan

Xin Yuan is the place with the most Kazakh people in the Yili Prefecture, accounting for almost half of the county’s population. Tourists generally do not stay here for long and usually go straight to the famous Nalati. But if you are interested in Kazakh culture, you can visit the workshop opposite Xin Yuan No. 5 Middle School that makes dongbula by hand, and experience the Kazakh heritage.

There is a vast expanse of native wild apricot trees in Team 4 of Tuergen Township in Xin Yuan. In recent years, it has become a new favorite among photography enthusiasts. The flowering period is usually around April 20th, but it varies each year. From the time the flowers bloom to the time they wither, it only lasts for 7 days. You can call the Xin Yuan County Tourism Bureau (09995024668) in advance to inquire.

9. Nalati Grassland

The Nalati Grassland is located at the foot of glaciers and snow peaks, with many mountains and dense forests. The grassland is covered in lush green grass, with rivers running through it. There are both beautiful mountains and dense pine forests. Every spring, the ice and snow in the Tianshan forest begin to melt. By June, the vast grassland is covered in colorful wildflowers, and sheep wander leisurely on the grassland. Various activities of the grassland tribes are also held during this season.

Nalati has a west gate and an east gate. Tourists generally enter from the west gate, where there is a visitor center and a parking lot (5 yuan). You can get a free hand-drawn map. When touring Nalati, there are two bus routes, one to the nomadic families (aerial grassland) and the other to the forest park (valley grassland).

10. Gongnais Forest Farm

From the “zero kilometer” marker heading east along the G218 National Highway towards Korla, continue for 34 kilometers and you will reach Gongnais Forest Farm, located in a beautiful valley. The scenery along the way is very nice. The Gongnais National Forest Park is a quiet town at the foot of the mountain surrounded by spruce forests and pastures. There are many small attractions nearby, and food and accommodation are convenient. From here, you can ride a horse about 30 kilometers north to reach the famous Alxian Hot Spring, which is cherished by the herdsmen.