Live Your Best Lives
Drive or ride into the Jorma area (a scenic grassland-oriented spot in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture) and enjoy sweeping grassland vistas, herd-animal grazing scenes and wide-open skies. Stop for photography of panoramic meadows and mountain backdrops. Immerse in local nomadic culture, perhaps visit yurts or meet herdsmen. Use Jorma as a base for exploring adjacent grassland plateaus, wildflower fields or mountain-meadow transitions.
Qiorma is located in Nileke County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, at the intersection of the Duku Highway and the Yiqiao Highway. The terrain is rugged, and a bridge spanning north and south connects southern and northern Xinjiang, promoting cultural exchange between the two regions. Qiorma, nestled in a canyon with strong winds, boasts hot springs and famous attractions like Saihengdele Lake and Ulekensa Lake. It also boasts the renowned Qiorma Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, built to commemorate the 168 martyrs who lost their lives building the Tianshan-Duku Highway. The cemetery also houses a Duku Highway monument.
Temperate continental climate, summer
Saihengdele Lake, Ulekensa Lake, Qiorma Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, Duku Highway Monument, one day
free
Jorma sits within the Ili region, which historically served as a key corridor of cultural exchange and nomadic life on the northwest frontier of China. The grasslands around this region carry traditional Kazakh and other pastoral heritages, linking local ecology and ethnic culture. The site itself is cited as a scenic stop along major routes into the Tianshan mountain grassland zones. ([turn0search0])
Jorma is in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, along scenic routes heading toward mountain grassland zones. ([turn0search0]) To reach it:
Because Jorma is a natural grassland zone rather than a ticketed theme park, there are no strict “opening hours” documented. Best times to visit are summer and early autumn (June through September) when grassland is lush, weather favourable and landscapes vibrant. For photography, early morning or late afternoon offer best light.
No reliable public information found that Jorma charges a formal entrance fee; treat it as a scenic region. If you enter via a managed grassland park zone or pay for a vehicle access permit, check locally when you arrive.
Since no official ticket requirement is documented, booking is not strictly required. However if you plan transport, lodging or local yurt stays in the nearby grassland areas, booking a day or two in advance may help—especially in peak season.
A quick visit: allow 1-2 hours to drive into Jorma, stop for views, take photos. For a more immersive experience—walk across meadows, meet local herdsmen, stay for sunset—allow half a day (3-4 hours). If combining with nearby grasslands, plan a full day.
Key highlights:
There is no documented formal audio-guide or standard guided tour structure for Jorma. Visitors typically explore independently or via local guide services in Mandarin (and perhaps English) arranged through a travel agency.
Photography tips:
Suggested route:
There is no specific information about night tours or light-shows at Jorma. Visiting near sunset for twilight photos is recommended, but night access may involve limited lighting and more remote conditions—plan accordingly.
The area is relatively remote and not heavily crowded compared to major tourist hubs. To maximise peace, visit on a weekday, earlier in the season (June) or outside peak Chinese public holiday windows.
Facilities appear quite basic: as this is more of a natural grassland zone than a fully developed tourist park. Expect minimal commercial infrastructure; bring your own water/snacks, ensure vehicle fuel, and plan rest-areas accordingly. There may be local pasture camps or yurt-stays with basic amenities, but verify beforehand.
Access by vehicle allows entry for elderly or children comfortable with outdoor terrain. However walking across uneven grassland may be more challenging for mobility-impaired visitors. No specific disabled-access infrastructure is documented, so those with special needs should plan carefully.
Since the site is natural and not a major commercial attraction, there is no formal ticket system documented. For local services (yurt stays, herdsman-led tours) bringing cash (RMB) is advisable. Mobile payments may be accepted in nearby towns, but common-sense applies.
Nearby towns or grassland camps may offer simple eateries serving local food (Kazakh or pastoral cuisine). Within the grassland zone itself, dedicated cafés appear limited; plan meals in a nearby settlement before or after your visit.
The region has a strong pastoral and Kazakh heritage, so halal food is likely available in local towns. Vegetarian and vegan options may be limited in remote grassland eateries—carry snacks if you follow these diets.
Possible options include guesthouses or yurt-stays in nearby grassland settlements, or lodging in the nearest county town of the Ili region. Pre-booking is wise in peak season. Ensure your accommodation offers transfer or pickup to the grassland zone if required.
You can combine Jorma with other grassland or high-mountain meadow destinations in the Ili region (for example the famous Nalati Grassland). These may share similar access routes and scenic terrain. Explore wider Tianshan foothill grasslands. ([turn0search3])
In nearby towns you’ll find souvenir shops selling products reflecting Kazakh pastoral culture: wool felt goods, horseback riding-related leather crafts, local dairy products, nuts and dried fruit from the Ili valley. On the grassland itself commercial souvenir shops may be minimal.
After exploring Jorma, you can return by the same vehicle to the nearest town or continue by road to adjacent scenic areas in the Ili prefecture. Because public transit is limited, continuing by private car or tour transport is advisable for onward travel.
