There's a shade of blue called Yili Blue

After exploring the deserts, grasslands, and Gobi in Xinjiang, take a break by strolling through Yili's Old Town before continuing your journey!

👍: Liuxing Street, Yining City
If you love food and cultural creative shops, head to Liuxing Street, which is more commercially developed with clean and tidy streets. There's also a large stage here with scheduled ethnic song and dance performances daily.

👍: Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area in Yili Old Town
For those who prefer an authentic experience, visit Kazanqi, which preserves the most original Uyghur lifestyle. It's best explored on foot, as horse carriages can't fully showcase Kazanqi's beauty and are a bit pricey at 80 yuan per person.
At the entrance of Kazanqi, you can feed pigeons for a very atmospheric experience. Vendors nearby sell mixed grain feed for 5 yuan per bag.
Gulandanmu is said to be a century-old handmade ice cream, but after trying several flavors, even kids who love ice cream only took a few bites and stopped. It wasn't as tasty as the 3-yuan handmade ice cream bought from street vendors.
Wandering through Kazanqi's winding alleys feels like stepping into a blue fairy tale world—various shades of vibrant, lively blue. Every gate along the streets is painted blue, and the courtyards behind them are uniquely charming, filled with carefully tended flowers and fruit trees, exuding a strong sense of daily life. Most are locals' homes; some with open doors invite a bold peek inside, while others with half-closed gates allow for quiet glimpses without disturbance.

❤: Both places experience traffic jams, and Kazanqi has some road construction. If you have the energy, visit Kazanqi during the day and enjoy barbecue at Liuxing Street in the evening.

Post by Real you | Jun 11, 2025