Xinjiang's Ili is truly the epitome of healing scenic beauty

Xinjiang's Ili is truly the epitome of healing scenic beauty❗
Having been to many places, to be honest, there are not many that can move us to tears, but Ili is definitely one of them.
It's still true that 'Without visiting Xinjiang, one does not know the vastness of China; without going to Ili, one does not know the beauty of Xinjiang.'
This colorful valley at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains almost encapsulates the most beautiful summer in Xinjiang.
It features thousands of peaks and ravines, overlapping mountain ranges, numerous fertile valleys, basins, and grasslands where herders live, every snapshot is wallpaper-worthy!
Why is Ili so beautiful? It all starts with its unique geographical environment. Due to the Tianshan mountain range forming a westward rift here, the Ili River Valley enjoys abundant windward slope precipitation. Thus, in the land of Xinjiang, where high mountains, deserts, and Gobi dominate, the Ili River Valley has become a special and rare 'wet island.'
This area is arguably the most humid in all of Xinjiang. As a result, Ili has a very high coverage of grasslands and forests. The vast grasslands, the sturdy and tall Tianshan spruce, and the continuous Tianshan mountain range are the signature landscapes of Ili.
Many friends will hesitate between visiting Ili or the northern Xinjiang Kanas. Trust me, don't hesitate, you should visit both! Although Ili and Kanas are both in the broader northern Xinjiang region, the travel experience and scenery are quite different. The Ili River Valley at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains is mainly grassland scenery, with the three-dimensional grassland of Kalajun, the aerial grassland of Nalati, the World Natural Heritage site of Kuerdening... each with its own beauty, with dense and stunning scenery.
While the scenery of northern Xinjiang's Kanas is not as climactic as Ili's, it wins with its rich and aggregated elements.
Staying in a cabin by Kanas Lake for a few days, listening to a live performance by a Tuvan band, taking a few light hikes to explore some secret corners, chatting and drinking with friends, offers a more immersive travel experience and a sense of life.
So generally speaking, we recommend first-time visitors to Xinjiang to go to northern Xinjiang, which encapsulates the essence of Xinjiang's scenery and has richer elements; we recommend those who prefer the pure beauty of grassland and river valley scenery to choose Ili.
Recommended itinerary:
D1 Urumqi - S101 Baili Danxia Viewing Platform - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Kuitun
D2 Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Huocheng Lavender - Yining
D3 Yining - Yizhao Highway - Xata Tourist Area - Zhaosu
D4 Zhaosu - Qiongkushitai - Tekes
D5 Tekes - Kalajun Scenic Area - Gongliu
D6 Gongliu - Qiaxi Forest Park - Xinyuan
D7 Xinyuan - Tangbula Grassland - Nalati Grassland - Nalati
D8 Nalati - Bayinbuluk Scenic Area - Nalati
D9 Nalati - Duku Highway - Urumqi