I've Been to Ili 5 Times, Here's My Complete Travel Guide

Hey everyone👋! Who gets it?! Ili in April is literally a fairytale world🌿! Apricot blossoms covering the mountains, azure lakes, herds of cattle and sheep - every view is wallpaper-worthy! Save this comprehensive guide right now👇! 📍Ili, the "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall" in northwestern Xinjiang👏! Blessed with a humid climate thanks to warm Atlantic air currents, April brings mountainsides covered in apricot blossoms, Sayram Lake shining like a jewel, and Kalajun Grassland beginning to turn green. Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, flower seas, and lakes converge here, making every casual photo look like a movie scene - it's the must-visit romantic destination in spring! 🚗【Transportation Guide】 ✈️Fly directly to Yining Airport, or transfer through Urumqi; renting a car after landing is super convenient, with gorgeous scenery along the way! You can also hire a car with a local driver who knows the routes and can serve as your guide~ 🚌Yining City has buses to various scenic spots, but with limited schedules; for places like Nalati and Kalajun, I recommend booking shared rides🚙 through travel platforms in advance - hassle-free and flexible! 🗺【Recommended Itinerary】 Day 1: Apricot Valley - Xinyuan County Head to Turgen Apricot Valley early morning! Pink and white apricot blossoms bloom beneath snow-capped mountains, like stepping into a Monet painting😆! Wander through the apricot groves, breathe in the fragrance, and take endless photos~ For lunch, enjoy hand-pulled lamb rice at a nearby herder's home - tender lamb, sweet carrots, paired with yogurt to cut the richness - perfect! In the evening, visit Xinyuan County, explore the night market, and try baked buns with crispy exteriors and juicy lamb filling that will make your mouth water! Day 2: Sayram Lake - Guozigou Bridge Rise early and head straight to Sayram Lake! In April, the lake is half blue, half ice - drive along the lake road and every casual shot is Instagram-worthy📸! At noon, enjoy milk tea with borsak in a yurt by the lake - savory, rich and warming! In the afternoon, visit the Guozigou Bridge on your way back - drone shots here are amazing~ Day 3: Kazanqi Folk Street - Six Star Street - Return Journey Morning at Kazanqi Folk Street with its blue and white Uyghur courtyards exuding exotic charm! Ride a horse carriage through the alleys and experience local life~ For lunch, try a pot of stewed lamb - tender meat in delicious broth! In the afternoon, visit Six Star Street to see Russian-style architecture and buy Xinjiang dried fruits as souvenirs, before reluctantly heading home in the evening😭 🌟【5 Must-Do Activities】 📍Turgen Apricot Valley: April exclusive! Thousands of acres of breathtaking apricot blossoms 📍Sayram Lake: "The last tear of the Atlantic Ocean," driving around the lake is incredibly therapeutic 📍Guozigou Bridge: Popular photo spot, amazing from aerial view 📍Kazanqi Folk Street: Experience Uyghur culture, blue houses make for great photos 📍Six Star Street: Browse specialty shops and experience the fusion of diverse cultures 📌【Practical Tips】 🎫Apricot Valley entrance fee: 30 yuan, Sayram Lake: 143 yuan (self-driving around the lake allowed) 👗Big temperature differences in April! Pack thick jackets + light sweaters, and don't forget UV protection essentials (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) as the sun is strong! 📸Morning light in Apricot Valley is soft and flattering, while sunset at Sayram Lake is stunning for photos! 🍜【Local Food Recommendations】 🍚Hand-pulled lamb rice: Tender lamb, sweet carrots, perfectly separated rice grains 🥟Baked buns: Crispy exterior that crumbles, aromatic lamb and onion filling 🥣Pot-stewed lamb: Tender meat in flavorful broth, perfect for warming up 🐑Rack of lamb: Crispy outside, tender inside, sprinkled with cumin and chili - delicious with every bite 🥛Milk tea with borsak: Savory milk tea paired with fried dough that gets more flavorful as you chew 🍢Red willow skewered meat: Large chunks of lamb grilled on red willow branches, adding a natural fragrance 🏨【Accommodation】 📍Xinyuan County: Xinyuan Nalati Grand Hotel, convenient location, lots of food options nearby 📍Sayram Lake: Sayram Lake Yunling Starry Sky Hotel, lake views from your window, perfect for stargazing 📍Yining City: Yining Kazanqi Guesthouse, experience local courtyard living with great atmosphere 💖【Travel Impressions】 Spring in Ili is the romance of mountain apricot blossoms, the breathtaking blue ice of Sayram Lake, and the vibrant street life... Every scene here is worth treasuring forever! Come quickly, everyone, and enjoy this spring-exclusive healing journey~