Ili in summer, a must-have experience in a lifetime (with guide)

Xinjiang's summer is gifted by Ili!
Snow mountains, grasslands, flower seas, lakes, forests...
This place is as beautiful as God's overturned palette🎨"

——Just returned from Ili, and compiled this super detailed guide, including routes, accommodation, photography, and pit avoidance guide, it is recommended to collect!

📅 Itinerary (7 days and 6 nights)
Day 1: Urumqi → Yining (high-speed rail 5h)
- Arrive in Yining in the afternoon, visit **Kazanqi Folk Village** (blue town, super suitable for taking pictures📸)
- Dinner recommendation: **Aierkasir** (hand pilaf + baked buns are amazing!)
- Accommodation: Yining city (recommended **Tumalis Grand Hotel**, convenient location)

**Day 2: Yining → Sailimu Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Huocheng Lavender**
- **Sailimu Lake** (self-driving/chartered car around the lake, tickets 145 yuan, must-visit spots: **Songshutou, S-bend Highway, Swan Lake**)
- **Guozigou Bridge** (free, cliff location navigation "Guozigou Observation Deck Resort")
- **Huocheng Lavender** (best from mid-June to early July, recommended **Princess Jieyou Farm**, tickets 35 yuan)
- Accommodation: Qingshuihe Town (convenient to go to Xiata the next day)

**Day 3: Huocheng → Xiata Ancient Road**
- **Xiata Scenic Area** (tickets + shuttle bus 80 yuan, a paradise for hiking lovers🏔️)
- How to play: Take the shuttle bus to the **Hot Spring Hotel**, then hike/ride to **Xianhuatai**
- Note: It is easy to rain in the afternoon, bring a jacket!
- Accommodation: Zhaosu County (recommended **Zhaosu Hotel**)

**Day 4: Zhaosu → Joan Kushtai**
- **Joan Kushtai** (free, but need to book in advance!)
- How to play:
✅ **Back Mountain** (drive to the middle of the mountain, then ride for 1h to the top of the mountain, the view is amazing)
✅ **Wusun Ancient Road** (light hike, along the stream is super healing)
- Accommodation: Joan Kushtai Village (recommended **Shanye Homestay**, but it is difficult to book in peak season, you can stay in a yurt)

**Day 5: Joan Kushtai → Kalajun Grassland → Tekes**
- **Kalajun Grassland** (all-area ticket 275 yuan, "Human Body Grassland" is super shocking)
- Go to **Tekes Bagua City** in the evening (drone aerial photography is super cool, Ferris wheel night view is average)
- Accommodation: Tekes (recommended **Wanbang International Hotel**)

**Day 6: Tekes → Nalati Grassland**
- **Nalati Grassland** (self-driving 300 yuan/person, recommended **Air Grassland + River Valley Grassland**)
- The internet celebrity bridge location is at the **Nomadic People** station, go early to queue up!
- Accommodation: Nalati Town (recommended **Natila Yinqi Caolu Homestay**)

**Day 7: Nalati → Duku Highway North Section → Urumqi**
- **Duku Highway** (open from June to September, experiencing four seasons along the way❄️→🌿)
- Must-stop spots: **Qiaerma Martyrs Cemetery, Hashlegen Daban (playing in the snow)**
- Return to Urumqi in the evening and end the trip

🍖 Food recommendations
✅ **Yining City**:
- **Aierkasir**: Hand pilaf, baked buns
- **Gulan Danm Ice Cream**: Century-old shop, original flavor 9 yuan
- **Liuxing Street**: Liuba Russian Rye Bread House

✅ **On the grassland**:
- Lamb skewers (freshly slaughtered lamb, 5-10 yuan/skewer)
- Kazakh milk tea (salty, with baursaki)

🚗 Transportation advice
1️⃣ **Chartered car/self-driving**:
- Ili attractions are scattered, it is recommended that 4 people share a car (about 1000 yuan/day)
- Only vehicles with 7 seats or less are allowed on the Duku Highway
2️⃣ **Money-saving method**:
- Urumqi → Yining by high-speed rail (128 yuan), and sign up for a small group locally
3️⃣ **Note**:
- Xinjiang has strict speed limits, don't speed when driving!
- Gas stations require ID cards, passengers get off and wait

📸 Photo spots
1️⃣ **Sailimu Lake**: White dress + straw hat, take a "Little Switzerland" feel
2️⃣ **Joan Kushtai Back Mountain**: The light is soft in the evening, riding a horse is super cool
3️⃣ **Nalati Internet Celebrity Bridge**: No one before 10 am, take pictures as you like

### **⚠️ Pit Avoidance Guide**
1️⃣ **Weather**: The grassland weather is changeable, bring a **jacket + raincoat**
2️⃣ **Sunscreen**: Super strong ultraviolet rays, SPF50+ sunscreen is a must
3️⃣ **Accommodation**: Book Joan Kushtai and Nalati 1 month in advance during peak season!
4️⃣ **Cash**: Some grasslands have no signal, prepare 500 yuan in cash