Xinjiang Yili: A Lavender-Tinted Wonderland Beyond the Mountains

If you travel far enough across the Tianshan Mountains, you'll find a place that seems like it stepped out of a daydream—a place where blue lakes kiss alpine meadows, and lavender fields sway like soft music in the breeze.

Welcome to Xinjiang Yili (Ili), often called “the Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall”, or “塞外江南” in Chinese. While most imagine Xinjiang as a sunburnt land of deserts and dunes, Yili offers a gentle surprise—lush valleys, cool rivers, rich pastures, and cultures braided together like colorful silk ribbons.

This is your Xinjiang Yili travel guide, designed for those who love nature, culture, and the kind of beauty that lingers like a lavender scent on your sleeve.

A Valley of Many Cultures

Nestled in the Ili River Valley in western Xinjiang, Yili is not only a land of scenery—it’s a land of stories. As part of the ancient Silk Road, this region has long been a crossroads for many cultures, especially Kazakh, Uyghur, Mongolian, and Han Chinese.

You’ll hear horse bells and folk songs. You’ll taste yogurt fermented in wooden barrels, sip milk tea in round yurts, and dance under open skies where stars are many and words are few.

Yili is where nomadic traditions and gentle farmland life blend into something soft, slow, and deeply poetic.

Sayram Lake: Where the Sky Meets the Heart

Often called “the last tear of the Atlantic”, Sayram Lake (赛里木湖) is a sapphire gem lying quietly at the foot of snow-capped mountains. It’s the largest alpine lake in Xinjiang and feels almost too blue to be real.

In summer, wildflowers paint the surrounding meadows, and the air smells of pine, water, and something peaceful you can’t quite name.

You can ride horses along the lake, camp under the stars, or simply sit by the shore and listen to the wind tell you old stories. It’s one of the most essential stops on any Yili travel itinerary.

Nalati Grassland: Poetry in Motion

Nalati Grassland (那拉提草原) is one of the most beautiful alpine meadows in China. Located in the Tianshan Mountains, this sweeping sea of green is especially known for the traditional Kazakh nomadic lifestyle that still thrives here.

In summer, the grass is thick and soft, and the air is cool even under the sun. You can visit local Kazakh families in their yurts, ride horses across wide pastures, or watch golden eagles soar over the hills.

If Sayram Lake is a quiet sigh, Nalati is a soft gallop.

Lavender Fields of Ili: A Purple Summer Dream

Yili’s lavender fields bloom from mid-June to mid-July, especially around Huocheng County. Rows and rows of violet stretch beneath a pale blue sky, and the scent is so sweet it almost feels edible.

The region’s lavender industry was introduced from Provence, and now it rivals its French cousin in beauty and scale. Visit a lavender farm or a local museum to learn about distilling essential oils and making soaps or just lie down in the middle of the fields and breathe.

For those chasing dreamy photos, lavender fields in Yili are a must-see.

Guozigou Bridge: Where Steel Dances with Mountains

As you drive into Yili, the most breathtaking welcome might come from Guozigou Bridge (果子沟大桥)—a marvel of modern engineering that floats through the mountains like a ribbon of silver.

Set within the deep and forested Guozigou Valley, this bridge connects winding highways and snowy peaks, offering postcard-worthy views in every direction. It’s also a popular stop along the Lianyungang-Khorgos expressway, one of China’s key Belt and Road routes.

Bring your camera—it’s hard to take a bad photo here.

Yizhao Highway: A Road to Changing Seasons

The Yizhao Highway (伊昭公路) links Yining and Zhaosu, stretching across Tianshan's middle section. It’s a road less traveled, but that only adds to its charm. Think: pine forests, river valleys, wildflowers, and rolling green hills all packed into one unforgettable drive.

In one hour, you might pass through four seasons: from green summer pastures to snow-dusted peaks. The route is open from June to October, and many travelers prefer it over highways simply for the views.

It’s not just a road—it’s a painting in motion.

Duku Highway: A Legendary Route for the Brave

Also known as Dushanzi–Kuqa Highway, the Duku Highway (独库公路) is one of the most scenic and ambitious road trips in China. Though technically starting outside Yili, it often forms part of extended itineraries through the region.

This seasonal road climbs over 3500-meter mountain passes, crosses gorges and rivers, and winds through glaciers and deserts—all in one surreal journey. It’s only open for about 3 months each year due to snow and landslides.

If you like road trips that test your courage and reward you with unforgettable sights, the Duku Highway is your stage.

Flavors of Yili: A Culinary Patchwork

Food in Yili is like its culture: diverse, warm, and full of surprises.

• Hand-pulled lamb noodles (拉条子) – Chewy wheat noodles with spiced lamb and vegetables.

• Roasted whole lamb (烤全羊) – A Kazakh celebration dish, juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside.

• Horse milk wine (马奶酒) – Lightly fermented and slightly tangy, a traditional drink with ancient roots.

• Grilled skewers (烤肉串) – Charcoal-grilled and seasoned with cumin, they’re a staple at night markets.

• Lavender ice cream – Only available in summer, and only in Yili. Tastes like flowers and milk clouds.

  
  

Every bite is a small cultural journey.

Xinjiang Yili Is More Than Just a Place

Yili isn’t loud. It doesn’t try to impress. It just exists—quietly beautiful, deeply colorful, and layered with history.

Whether you're wandering through its lavender fields, riding horses across the Nalati Grassland, or sipping tea by Sayram Lake, Yili feels like a soft poem embroidered into the silk of Xinjiang.

It’s not just the land that stays with you—it’s the feeling of being gently held by something much older and kinder than time.

Contact us today to craft your dream China adventure!