I've returned from Ili, and the afterglow is truly immense.
by ethan HHH
Feb 23, 2025
🌿 Hulunbuir|6 Days ¥3k·Galloping Through 22°C Grassland Fairytale
💥 Soul-soothing Package: Horseback sunset chase|Stargazing in yurts|Feeding reindeer in birch forests
💰 Middle-class Budget Formula:
✔️ Mystery flight deals round-trip ¥1.2k ✔️ Shared yurts ¥100/night ✔️ Private car hire ¥200/day
📍 Grassland Highlights
• Morigele River Cliff🌄: Catch golden "Nine-Bend River" rays at 5pm! Drone shots guaranteed
• Heishantou Horseback Ride🐎: ¥150/person through wetlands! Night yurt BBQ with morin khuur music
• Aoluguya Reindeer Park🦌: ¥10 moss to lure reindeer! Forest light mimics Princess Mononoke scenes
🚗 Free-spirited Itinerary
Day1: Hailar→Morigele River→Cliff viewpoint→Grassland BBQ
Day2: Ergun Wetland→Birch Forest→Russian-style Enhe lodges
Day3: Shiwei Border→Heishantou riding→Bonfire party
Day4: 186 Ribbon River grass sliding→Manzhouli Matryoshka Square→Golden night views
Day5: Hulun Lake windmills→Mammoth Park→Return with jerky souvenirs
🔥 Authentic Flavors
• Hand-torn lamb with wild chive sauce🍖: Freshly butchered in yurts! Finger-licking good
• Buryat beef buns🥟: Enhe breakfast spots! Juicy onion-beef explosions
• Tieshan Ice Cream🍦: Ergun's pride! ¥5 cups beat Häagen-Dazs
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💦 Liupanshui|4 Days ¥1.8k·19°C China's Cool Capital
💥 AC-free Paradise: Hotpot by waterfalls|Stargazing camps|Tea under ancient ginkgos
💰 Budget Pro Formula:
✔️ High-speed rail ¥500 round-trip ✔️ Shared homestays ¥80/night ✔️ All-attraction pass ¥150
📍 Chill Experiences
• Wumeng Grassland Buddha Light☁️: 9am cloud seas + wind turbines like Windows wallpapers
• Huangguoshu Waterfall Cave💧: Raincoat-ready behind-the-falls rainbows!
• Tuole Ancient Ginkgo Village🌳: Millennium-old tree shade = natural fridge
🚶♀️ Leisurely Route
Day1: Liupanshui Station→Wumeng Grassland (camping/Shifang Yunshe stay)
Day2: Jiucaiping Cloud Sea→Yeyuhai Forest Train
Day3: Huangguoshu Falls→Yinlianzhuitan Rapids
Day4: Tuole Ginkgo Forest→Panzhou Ancient Town (buy sea buckthorn snacks)
🍜 Fiery Local Eats
• Shuicheng Griddle Cakes🍳: Crispy potato cakes + stinky tofu at Fengchiyuan
• Lamb Noodles + Chili Oil🍜: Xiangjia Lamb—dawn broth with mint
• Lotus Leaf Sticky Chicken🐔: Night-market special with mushroom aroma
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💜 Yili|7 Days ¥3.5k·20°C Lavender Wonderland
💥 Romantic Recharge: Horseback in flowers|Swan-feeding at Sayram Lake|Kazanqi blue windows
💰 Luxury Budget Hack:
✔️ Ürümqi flights ¥1k+ ✔️ Carpool ¥150/day ✔️ Shared yurts ¥60
📍 Purple Magic
• Huocheng Lavender River💐: Peak bloom 6/20-7/10! Sunset shots at 8pm
• Sayram Lake Cycling🚴: Rent bikes to meet swans
• Qiongkusitai Horse Trek🏔️: 3hr ride to starry homestays
🌼 Floral Itinerary
Day1: Ürümqi→Grand Bazaar→Night train to Yining
Day2: Kazanqi Village→Jiaoyou Princess Lavender Farm
Day3: Sayram Lake→Guozigou Bridge
Day4: Xiata Ancient Trail→Zhaosu Rapeseed Fields
Day5: Qiongkusitai→Tekes Night Market
Day6: Nalati Grassland→Duku Highway
Day7: Return with apricot jerky + sachets
🌶️ Flavor Bombs
• Kazakh Milk Tea + Naan🥖: Salty tea with crispy bread
• Jar Meat with Onions🍢: Yining alleyway lamb stew
• Handmade Ice Cream🍨: Gulandanmu! ¥9.9 with unlimited toppings
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🌲 Changbai Mountain|5 Days ¥2.5k·22°C Forest Escape
💥 City Detox: Heavenly Lake views|Hot spring eggs|River trekking
💰 Cool Savings:
✔️ High-speed rail ¥800 ✔️ Erdaobaihe homestays ¥120/night ✔️ Combo ticket ¥235
📍 Green Therapy
• West Slope Heavenly Lake☁️: 1,442 steps before 9am beats crowds
• Luyuan Pool Blueberry Ice Cream🍃: 10°C cooler by misty waters
• Lushuihe Mineral Rafting🚣: ¥40! Forest air feast
⛰️ Oxygen Route
Day1: Changbai Station→Erdaobaihe→Forest Culture Park
Day2: North Slope→Luyuan Pool→Valley Forest
Day3: West Slope→Alpine Garden→Wanda Resort
Day4: Rafting→Volcanic Hot Springs
Day5: Yanji Water Market→Return with blueberry snacks
❄️ Northeast Comfort Food
• Hot Spring Eggs🥚: ¥10/3 runny eggs + corn
• Korean Soybean Soup🍲: Songfu Family's fish broth
• Iron Pot Fish🐟: Erdaobaihe's wild carp + cornbread
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💡 Pro Tips
1️⃣ Transport Warnings:
• Yili carpool ≤6 people! Qiongkusitai roads jam easily
• Changbai Mountain: Pick ONE slope—summer fog often blocks views
2️⃣ Stay Smart:
• Hulunbuir yurts NEED private bathrooms! Avoid outhouses
• Wumeng tents require heaters—nights drop to 15°C
3️⃣ Food Alerts:
• Xinjiang cut fruit spoils fast!
• Inner Mongolia milk tea is salty—taste first
🌟 Local Secrets:
• Exit Sayram Lake via South Gate—saves 2hrs!
• Huangguoshu Falls: Hit the cave by 7am pre-tour groups
Post by Oliver Chamberlain98 | Jun 19, 2025





















