Things to do in Khorgas

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Horgos

Khorgas National Gate Scenic Area

Khorgas National Gate Scenic Area is the main attraction at the Khorgas border crossing. Located in China's western regions, the history of the Khorgas border crossing is long and storied. This border crossing connects with Almaty, Kazakhstan, with a large cargo capacity, pleasant natural environment and relatively complete service functionality. The border crossing at Khorgas has a customs clearance capacity of one million people and millions of tons of goods per year.

Horgos Port Sixth‑Generation National Gate

The new national gate at Horgos Port is a landmark building and a key symbol of China's opening up to the outside world. Its architectural style is magnificent, blending modern architectural concepts with distinctive local elements. Its simple and elegant design exudes a modern flair. The new national gate boasts a well-planned layout and advanced facilities. Spacious entry and exit passages, including for vehicles and personnel, separate passenger and freight traffic and improve customs clearance efficiency. The new national gate at Horgos Port is not only a key transportation hub and customs clearance point, but also a tourist attraction of significant value. It attracts a large number of visitors each year, who can experience the grandeur and majesty of the national gate, learn about China's border trade and opening-up policies, and appreciate the natural scenery and exotic customs of the China-Kazakhstan border.

Khorgas China-Kazakhstan International Tourist Area

The Khorgas China-Kazakhstan international tourist area is located in Khorgas city, Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang, at the border between China and Kazakhstan, serving as an important node city of the belt and road initiative. Leveraging its unique geographical advantages and cross-border cooperation resources, the attraction integrates border sightseeing, international shopping, cultural experiences, and leisure entertainment, showcasing rich central Asian charm and silk road characteristics. Visitors can experience the diverse cultures of China and Kazakhstan blending here, enjoy duty-free shopping, savor local delicacies, and admire exotic architectural styles. Meanwhile, the attraction combines port economy, trade exchanges, and tourism services, becoming a vital window displaying the vibrancy of border openness. The Khorgas China-Kazakhstan international tourist area is not only a distinctive tourism landmark of Xinjiang but also a popular destination to experience the charm of cross-border travel.

Khorgos Port National Gate Visitor Passage

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Sayram Lake

[Sayram Lake introduction] Sayram Lake is located at the southwestern end of Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang, at the northern foot of the western Tianshan Mountains. This alpine lake and grassland national scenic area features natural landscapes including lakes, wetlands, grasslands, forests, and snow-capped mountains. Its main activities include sightseeing, eco-tourism, exploring the historical culture of the ancient Silk Road's northern route, and experiencing the ethnic customs of Mongolian and Kazakh minorities. Sayram Lake transforms with the seasons. In spring and summer, flower fields bloom in abundance, while golden fall brings a striking contrast between sky and water. Winter turns the lake into a dreamscape, with dancing ice crystals, pillars, curtains, and coral formations. Ice roses bloom freely, and mysterious blue ice eyes appear in ever-changing forms. Throughout the day, the lake presents shifting spectacles - morning glow, sunset hues, rain mist, sea of clouds, lightning, rainbows, and mist cascades. Sayram Lake covers a vast area, with a circular road around the lake spanning approx. 90 km. The lakeside scenery is exceptionally beautiful. Most visitors depart from Urumqi and arrive at the lake in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset before staying overnight. The next day, they can admire the sunrise and daytime lakeside views before heading to Huocheng, Ili, and other destinations. During the lake loop, you'll also encounter cultural relics such asGenghis Khan's Command Platform, Film and Television City, etc.These cultural structures stand quietly by the lakeside on the plateau, evoking a profound sense of melancholy and timeless grandeur. Quick guide to touring Sayram Lake

Kekdala travel Caoyuanzhiye style Park

The scenic area covers an area of more than 1,000 mu. In the wilderness where grasslands and reed lakes intersect, it integrates historical legends, world famous songs, and folk customs. When comprehending the wonderful charm of Kekedala, you can also experience the land of love and romance. dream scene.

Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden

Princess Jieyou Lavender Gardenis situated in the Ili River Valley in Huocheng County, Ili. The garden is named after Princess Jieyou, who was sent to marry into the Wusun tribe during the Western Han Dynasty to forge an alliance. The Ili River Valley, along with Provence in France and Furano in Japan, is one of the world's renowned lavender-producing regions. The Huocheng area is known as the "hometown of lavender," and this park is a lavender-themed garden that integrates cultivation, processing, cultural exhibitions, and sightseeing. The colorful flower fields in the central area of the garden are the main attraction. Various flowers are planted in strips, creating interspersed flower belts. The fields are dotted with scarecrows, floral arches, windmills, and sculptures, making them a popular spot for photos. Behind the flower fields lies a vast expanse of purple lavender. Climb the "Purple Sea and Sky" observation deck for a panoramic view of the purple sea of flowers. The lavender blooming season is concentrated from mid-June to early July each year, when the entire field is in full bloom with rolling waves of purple. If you visit outside the blooming season, you can focus your tour on the indoor areas. The Lavender Museum near the main entrance is the main building in the garden, showcasing the history of lavender introduction and processing, as well as various specimens. You can smell the fragrant scent of flowers upon entering some of the exhibition halls. The adjacent variety garden brings together various types of lavender, as well as aromatic plants like rosemary and chamomile. In the aromatic herb workshop, you can observe the process of essential oil distillation and extraction. If you are interested, you can also experience making sachets and soaps by hand, or visit Lavender Street to pick out souvenirs such as essential oils and dried flowers.

No. 5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Ili

China Fushou Mountain Scenic Area

The Chinese Fushou Mountain Tourist Area is located in Daxigou Township, Huocheng County, Yili Prefecture. It is a comprehensive tourist area integrating ecological sightseeing, cultural experience, leisure vacation, self-cultivation, and scientific exploration. The natural landscapes and rich and diverse cultures of Tianshan pine waves, alpine meadows, exotic flowers and plants, and ancient temples of sleeping Buddhas are accompanied by natural landscapes and a paradise of harmony between man and nature, and a blessed place for health vacation. The Chinese Fushou Mountain Attraction is a national AAAA-level Attraction. As early as 1221 AD, Taoist Qiu Chuji, the founder of the Longmen School of Taoism, made a special visit to Fushou Mountain to preach and practice here. Therefore, it became the largest Taoist activity site in Xinjiang during the Qing Dynasty. This is the natural gene bank of wild fruit plants in the world and the growth area of ​​Asian wild cherry plums. It is named "China's Wild Cherry Plum Hometown" by the country. There are about 60 kinds of wild fruits growing in the Attraction, mainly wild apples, wild cherry plums, wild apricots, wild hawthorns, and wild walnuts. The Attraction has charming scenery in all seasons. Walking along the plank road around the mountain, you can have a panoramic view of the whole picture of Daxigou.

Kalajun National Park

Kalajun Attraction is located in the southeast of Tekes County, Yili, about 30 kilometers away from the county seat. It is one of the famous grasslands in Xinjiang and a famous attraction that tourists cannot miss when visiting Xinjiang West Line (Yili Loop Line). Kalajun grassland is in the shape of continuous hills, backed by towering snow-capped mountains. There are also forests, flowers and other landscapes on the grassland. The scenery is vast and beautiful, making it a great place for sightseeing and photography. Kalajun in a broad sense refers to the Kalajun Ecological Tourism Area, which includes the East and West Kalajun, Koksu Grand Canyon, Zhongtianshan Snow Peak and Tianlai Forest. Each Attraction sells tickets separately and is far away from each other. The Kalajun Grassland generally refers to the East and West Kalajun Attraction, which is also the main destination for tourists to visit the Kalajun Grassland. The East and West Kalajun Attraction sell tickets together and use the same shuttle bus. It takes about 1-2 days to visit, and you can choose to stay on the grassland for one night in the middle. You can also come in the morning and return to Tekes County to stay in the evening. The gate of the Attraction is located in the Kushitai Comprehensive Service Area, which is also the place where chartered or self-driving vehicles need to stop. Private vehicles are not allowed to enter the area after that. If tourists come from Tekes County by Bus to the Attraction , they can also go directly to the Bulaq Ticket Station After arriving at the Bulaq Ticket Station, you need to buy tickets and sightseeing bus tickets in the Attraction, and then take the sightseeing bus to play. The area in the Attraction is very large. The sightseeing bus will first circle the West Kalajun Attraction, and then go to the East Kalajun. The One-way journey takes about 1 hour. The junction of East and West Kalajun is located at the World Heritage Exhibition Center. Generally, tourists start to visit the Attraction at noon. You can visit West Kalajun on the first day, get off at the World Heritage Exhibition Center, return to the World Heritage Exhibition Center on the second day, and take a bus to visit the East Kalajun Attraction before leaving. The main scenic spots in Xikalajun Attraction include Wangyutai, Marmot Habitat, Liangyitai, Dielanggu, Shiquan, Yinmawan, Yikeshu, etc. You can take a bus to visit them one by one. Liangyitai, Dielanggu and Shiquan are still some distance away from the shuttle bus stop, and it takes about half an hour to walk from the stop. Xikalajun Scenic Attraction is dominated by rolling hills. Dielanggu is a typical hilly grassland. In summer, it is a good place for photography with layers of green. Dongkalajun is located deep in the grassland and is also the essence of the entire grassland. The characteristic attractions here include the Five-Flower Meadow, Flower Platform, Kuerdai Forest Grand Canyon, Sanji Planation Observation Deck and Falcon Platform Observation Deck. There are snow-capped mountains, grassland scenery, forest canyons, etc. The scenery is diverse and very beautiful. However, the five attractions are a little far from the parking spot of the sightseeing bus. You can reach them by hiking from the parking spot for about 0.5-1 hour. The Five-Flower Meadow and Flower Platform are the wonderful attractions. One is an open meadow full of colorful wild flowers, and the other is where you can take pictures of the snow-capped mountains behind the grassland. They are all very beautiful and are the essence of the Attraction that cannot be missed.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Ili

Kuerdening Scenic Area

Kurdenin Scenic Area – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, national water conservancy scenic area, and AAAA-rated attraction – is located in the southeastern forest region of Gongliu County, 55 km from the county town. In April 2000, it was designated as the West Tianshan Nature Reserve by the State Council. Home to the Tianshan Mountains' unique species, the Schrenk's spruce, it serves as the global habitat and origin of these spruces and Central Asian wild fruit forests, earning its reputation as the "Green Valley of Tianshan and the Hometown of Schrenk's Spruce." Recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site, national 4A-level attraction, and natural oxygen bar, it ranks as China's top forested area for negative oxygen ions. The official bird, tree, and flower of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture all originate here. Additionally, it serves as a sketching and creative base for the China Artists Association and a training base for mountaineering. Kurdening means "horizontal valley" in the local herders' language. This is a broad north-south mountain valley covering 1,176 square kilometers with an average elevation of about 1,500m. Its unique north-south orientation creates pleasant year-round temperatures—warm winters and cool summers. The area combines the grandeur of northern landscapes with the delicate beauty of southern China, making it an ideal summer retreat. The attraction features the snow-capped Mount Kabamba, standing majestically at 4,257m among the peaks—one of the most famous mountains in the western Tianshan range. To its left lies a hidden reclining Buddha naturally formed by snow-capped spruce-covered ridges. This nature's masterpiece presents a perfectly proportioned sleeping Buddha with its head toward sunrise and feet toward sunset, exuding serene tranquility. The scenic area showcases breathtaking landscapes of forests, grasslands, snow mountains, streams, canyons, and waterfalls. As the most densely forested part of the Tianshan Mountains, it boasts exceptionally rare spruce forest resources with complete primitive forest types and vegetation—representing a particularly typical example of the entire Tianshan forest ecosystem. Preliminary statistics show 1,594 species of vascular plants and 223 species of wild vertebrates, earning its reputation as a "natural gene bank" of Eurasian continental wildlife species. Tour routes: Shuttle bus routes: Attraction visitor center (take shuttle bus) -> Heritage center (walk, visit exhibition hall) -> Mount Kabanbay (view from distance) -> Iron bridge (walk) -> Tianshan Sleeping Buddha (view from distance) -> King Spruce (take sightseeing bus) -> Cloud Grassland (walk down via wooden boardwalk) -> Restaurant (walk, dine at Green Valley Resort or fast food restaurant) -> Heritage center parking lot (walk) return to visitor center (take shuttle bus) Self-driving routes: visitor center -> entrance of the middle valley in Kurdenin Scenic Area -> + Li Gallery -> Bee Fragrance Station -> Kafeng Base Camp -> Qimengde Viewing Platform -> Ayousai Viewing Platform -> hike to the King of Spruces -> hike to the Sleeping Buddha of Tianshan (distant view) -> hike to the Grassland Above the Clouds