The Enchanting Spring and Summer of Yili, Xinjiang: A Fairytale Journey

The Ili River Valley, located in northwest Xinjiang, boasts a combination of grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and flower seas, earning it the title of "Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall"🌺. From April to May, wild apricot blossoms (late March to April), wild lilies (April), and globeflowers (May) bloom, painting the grasslands green and dotted with cattle and sheep, creating picture-perfect moments📸～ ➤Core Experiences ❶Mystical Grasslands: Nalati's "Aerial Grassland" and Kalajun's "Human Body Grassland" feature stunning lines, with spring grass sprouting and wildflowers twinkling like stars🌼. ❷Spectacular Lake and Mountain Views: Sailimu Lake shimmers like a blue mirror, the Guozigou Bridge spans the canyon, and snow-capped mountains reflect in the turquoise waters🌊. ➤TOP 5 Must-See Attractions ❶Nalati Grassland (5A) ✅Take the shuttle bus to the Tianjie Platform for a panoramic view of the "green waves" against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and spruce trees. Experience yurts, drink kumis, and go horseback riding (CNY 80/hour). Brightly colored outfits are highly recommended for photos～ 🎫Tickets: CNY 95 + Shuttle Bus CNY 40, Open from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm ❷Sailimu Lake ✅Xinjiang's highest alpine lake, with a transparency of 12 meters. From April to May, wildflowers bloom alongside snow-capped mountains～Drive around the lake (CNY 145/car), capture the reflection of the snow-capped mountains from the Dianjiangtai, and chase swans at sunset along the lakeshore🌅. 🎫Tickets (including shuttle bus): CNY 145, Open all day ❸Xinyuan Apricot Valley ✅30,000 *mu* of wild apricot forests bloom in early April, creating a pink and white flower sea with "apricot blossom rain"～Capture the translucent petals in the morning backlight, hike the wooden boardwalk in a *Hanfu*, and reach the summit (a beekeeper's hat is a must)📸. 🎫Tickets: CNY 30, Blooming season: Late March to April 10 (depending on the weather) ❹Kalajun Grassland ✅The "Human Body Grassland" undulates like skin texture, covered with wildflowers in May～Take the shuttle bus to the Xianhua Platform to admire the sea of globeflowers, hike to the Lieyingtai to encounter herdsmen and marmots🐿, and capture the sunset over the grassy slopes in the evening. 🎫Tickets: CNY 80 + Shuttle Bus CNY 90, Open from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm ❺Tekes Bagua City ✅The only Bagua city in the world. Take the Ferris wheel (CNY 50) for a bird's-eye view of the night scene (bring a jacket after 9 pm). Stroll through the streets to buy embroidery and taste lamb chops and *jiupianzi*🍜～Open all day. ➤3-Day Essential Itinerary D1: Yining → Enjoy ice cream and *lieba* in Liuxing Street; Capture the blue alleys and take a horse-drawn carriage in Kazanch; Photograph the sunset at the Ili River Bridge🌇. D2: Photograph the flower sea in Apricot Valley → Explore the Nalati Grassland and try on Kazakh costumes → Stay in a yurt and listen to *Aken* singing. D3: Have a picnic around Sailimu Lake → Ride the Ferris wheel in Bagua City → Enjoy skewers and *kvass* at the Yining night market. ➤Advantages of Visiting in April-May ✅Comfortable climate: Long sleeves + light jacket, hat recommended for windy grasslands. ✅Limited-time flower seas: Apricot blossoms in April, wildflowers in Kalajun in May. Don't miss out! ➤Local Food Recommendations 🍖Hand-grabbed meat with *nang*, authentic and flavorful; 🥟Bayandai baked buns, CNY 3/piece. 🍦Gulan Danm ice cream, CNY 25/serving, with unlimited nuts and jam; 🍵Kumis (10% alcohol). ➤Accommodation Recommendations 🏡Yining: Liuxing Street/Kazanch guesthouses, within walking distance to food streets. 🏡Nalati: Yurts from CNY 200/night, sleep under the stars and listen to the sounds of cattle and sheep. 🏡Bagua City: Downtown hotels average CNY 300/night, convenient for exploring the night market. ➤Transportation Guide ✈️Fly directly to Yining or transfer via Urumqi; 🚄High-speed train from Urumqi to Yining (3.5 hours, CNY 95). 🚗Self-driving is recommended. The northern section of the Duku Highway opens in May. Electric scooter rentals are available in the city for CNY 30/day. Chartered cars are available for grassland scenic areas.