Escape the crowds! Unlock a dreamy 2-day tour of Yining

In the vast expanse of Xinjiang, there is a Western fairytale town steeped in color and romance: Yining. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle of Kashgar, but it has its own unique charm. When "Yining Blue" meets the colorful dopamine doors and windows, when apricot and crabapple blossoms bloom freely in April, and grape vines grow wildly along the blue walls, it is like a flowing Monet garden painting. Quickly accept this treasure route and start an immersive roaming trip to Yining! Day 1: Local Life and Romantic Sunset In the morning, the sun gently shines on the streets of Yining. At this time, walk into Wusun Milk Tea House, order a cup of mellow milk tea, and pair it with crispy baursaki. This authentic Kazakh breakfast will instantly awaken your taste buds and inject vitality into a beautiful day. After breakfast, head to Liuxing Street. Stepping into this place is like walking into a wonderful world full of exotic customs. Lyuba Russian Bakery in the inner circle exudes bursts of wheat aroma, and the freshly baked bread is mouth-watering. A small queue forms in front of the Blue Wall Lung Shop, and diners are looking forward to this special delicacy. At the Zhuma Xidi Guest Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Hall, you can experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage up close. In the Alexander Accordion Museum, the melodious sound of the accordion seems to tell moving stories. Then come to the Han Princess Memorial Hall, which carries the weight of history. However, pay attention to the opening hours. 13:30–16:00 is the closing time for lunch break. Arrange your time reasonably, and you can take in the precious exhibits and historical stories in the museum in about half an hour. For lunch, if you like pilaf, Uyghur Small Pot Pilaf is an excellent choice. If you prefer pasta, Mijiti Restaurant will not disappoint you. In the afternoon, stroll through People's Park, which is a good place to experience local customs. Old people sit together and chat, children play and laugh, and the air is filled with a leisurely atmosphere. After leaving People's Park, walk south to Development Township Street. There is no excessive commercial hustle and bustle here, and the most simple beauty of the neighborhood is preserved. Walk slowly along the street, and at the end you will come to Xiangnang Street. The entire street is filled with the tempting aroma of roasted naan. Wowo naan, oil naan, and other naans are neatly placed on the stalls, which is mouth-watering just by looking at them. In the evening, be sure to go to the Yili River Bridge. At this time, the sky is like an overturned palette, colorful and gorgeous. The sunset is around 21:00–22:00. Navigate to Yili River New Bridge. If you have enough time, you may wish to enter from the Colorful Square in the west. If you are lucky, you may also encounter a romantic Uyghur wedding and feel their enthusiastic and joyful atmosphere. As night falls, when you are hungry, the time-honored Hometown Barbecue Restaurant is the best choice. The barbecue skewers sizzle with oil, paired with hot naan and refreshing kvass, it is simply a delicacy in the world. But I want to remind you that the portions here are very large, so don't order too much by accident! Day 2: Historical Heritage and Folk Customs Start a new day with a baked bun from Yibazhua. The golden and crispy crust is wrapped in fresh and juicy meat filling. Take a bite, the aroma is overflowing, and you will be full of energy in an instant. After breakfast, first come to the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum. It is strongly recommended to go straight to the exhibition area displaying gold products unearthed from the Benma Ancient Tomb. Those golden cultural relics shining with dazzling light have exquisite craftsmanship and tell ancient stories, making people feel as if they have traveled back to the glorious years thousands of years ago. If you have a strong interest in history, the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall is not to be missed. Here, you can learn more about Lin Zexu's deeds in Xinjiang and feel his great patriotism and unyielding spirit. Then go to Baitulla Mosque. As the largest mosque in Yining, its magnificent architecture and solemn atmosphere cannot help but inspire awe. After leaving the mosque, turn left on Yingbin Road to the north, and you will see the imposing Yili Hotel. To the south, you will see the former site of the Wenfengtai Trading Company, which is what the locals often call Han Street. Continue east for a block and you will come to the Han Street Food Bazaar. The aroma of barbecue, the rice aroma of pilaf, the unique flavor of lung, and the refreshing kvass and yogurt shaved ice, all kinds of delicacies gather here, so enjoy your lunch here! Walk back a short distance along Xinhua East Road and you will see the archway of Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area. Stepping into this traditional Uyghur neighborhood is like entering a colorful fairytale world. If you want to relax, you can take the traditional Russian six-stick carriage "Hadik", which can not only take you through the streets and alleys, but may also take you into local homes for a warm home visit. In the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, there are two attractions that you should not miss. One is the former residence of Tuda Hongba, which has a total of 24 rooms. From time to time, there will be wonderful traditional song and dance performances, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich folk customs. The other is the Uzbek Mosque, which is the only Uzbek mosque in Xinjiang. Its unique wooden structure and sky blue dome are like a exquisite work of art, bringing an unparalleled visual experience. After a day of sightseeing, there is nothing better than a portion of Yizihai'er ice cream. This ice cream does not contain additives and pigments. The production process is simple and pure, but it has a rich and mellow taste, sweet but not greasy, and has an endless aftertaste. For dinner, I recommend Hairbagh in Kazanqi, where you can taste all kinds of authentic Xinjiang cuisine and bring a successful conclusion to this wonderful trip to Yining. Helpful tip: If you choose to fly to Yining, remember to choose a seat on the left side. During the flight, you will have the opportunity to overlook the majestic Tianshan Mountains. The rolling mountains will be an unforgettable landscape on your journey!