how to travel to lli ??

Question

i and my friend plan to visit lli in may. however, I can only find information on yining. does anyone know how to tour lli from yining?? thank you.

Answer

Visiting the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture (“Ili”, sometimes spelled “Yili” or “伊犁” in Chinese) in Xinjiang is definitely possible from Yining (also known as Ghulja), which serves as the prefectural seat and transport hub. Here are the detailed travel options and tips for how to tour Ili from Yining.

Getting to Yining

Before travelling into the broader Ili region, you’ll typically first arrive at Yining. Yining has an airport (Yining Airport, IATA: YIN) and rail/road links. From Yining you can expand outwards into grasslands, lakes, valleys and other scenic spots in Ili.

From Yining into broader Ili region and key attractions

Once you're based in Yining, you have a few good options to tour the Ili region (for example places like Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Xiata Grand Canyon, etc.). The main methods:

Coach / Bus tours or regular bus service: From Yining’s passenger transport centre you can catch buses to nearby counties and scenic areas. For example, there are regular buses from Yining to Zhaosu County and onwards.
Private car or charter: Because many scenic areas are remote (grasslands, valleys, high-mountain passes) and public transport may be infrequent, many visitors hire a car and driver or join a private tour from Yining. This gives more flexibility especially for rural spots.
Train / high-speed rail: While Yining itself is connected by rail, much of the Ili scenic countryside is better accessed by road. The railway network in this region is less dense compared to eastern China.

Practical itinerary suggestion from Yining

If you plan a trip in May (which is a good month for Ili, with warming weather and early flowers) you can follow a sample route like this:

Arrive in Yining, spend 1-2 days exploring the city and nearby river valley, bazaar, ethnic culture.
On Day 2 depart for Zhaosu or Xiata via bus/charter; stay overnight in a local hotel / guesthouse near the grasslands or canyon.
Day 3 visit the grasslands (Nalati or Tekesi area) or a lake area (Sayram Lake) depending on your preference for nature / scenic beauty.
Return to Yining on Day 4 or extend further if time allows before heading back to Yining or onward travel.

Important tips and considerations

Road distances and travel times can be long: remote scenic spots are often several hours from Yining. Plan travel times accordingly.
Weather in May may still be cool, especially at altitude or in early mornings/evenings — bring layered clothing.
Make sure your accommodation and transport are booked in advance if you plan to stay out in the grassland or remote areas — options are more limited outside Yining.
Check entry permits or registration requirements: some border or minority areas may have extra controls. While Ili itself is relatively accessible, it’s always good to check with local authorities or your tour operator.
Language/communication: In remote areas you may find limited English signage; having Chinese names (in characters) of your destinations and using a local guide or driver is helpful.

In summary: yes — you can absolutely tour Ili starting from Yining. The best way is to use Yining as your base, then take buses or private transport into the broader Ili region’s scenic areas. With May being a good time for the region, plan for some travel time and remote logistics, but you’re set for a rewarding trip.

how to travel to lli ??

More Xinjiang Uygur Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions