Yili Travel Guide

Basic information Telephone area code: 0999 Travel complaint: 0999-8029496 Time difference: -2 hours Travel tips Xinjiang has a time difference of about 2 hours with most cities in the Mainland. Therefore, most service agencies and government departments are delayed by […]

Basic information

Telephone area code: 0999
Travel complaint: 0999-8029496
Time difference: -2 hours

Travel tips

• Xinjiang has a time difference of about 2 hours with most cities in the Mainland. Therefore, most service agencies and government departments are delayed by 2 hours. In the morning, they usually start work from 10:00 to 11:00, and lunch breaks to three. Start the afternoon work. It is recommended to arrange the event between 9:00 and 20:00 during the trip.
• The sunshine time in Xinjiang is long, the wind and sand are strong, and the temperature difference between morning and evening is large. Pay attention to sunscreen skin care and prepare windproof and warm clothing.
• Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious gathering place. It is necessary to pay attention to respecting national customs and religious beliefs when traveling in the local area. For example, Muslims fasting pigs, dogs, donkeys, donkey meats and beasts of raptors, and they do not eating animals that have not died of slaughter.

Medical Treatment

Yili Friendship Hospital
Address: No. 92, Stalin Street, Yining City, YYili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Phone: 0999-8024244

Destination overview

Destination sketch

YYili Kazak autonomous prefecture (shortened as YYili prefecture) situates in the northwest border of People’s Republic of China, also in the northwestern part of Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region. It borders Russia and Mongolia in the northeast, and it connects Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture and Bayinguoleng Mongol autonomous prefecture in the southeast. It faces Akesu area in the southwest, and it borders the Republic of Kazakhstan in the northwest.

Local festival

Corban Festival

Corban Festival is an important Muslim festival, which lasts three days from the 10th of the 12th month according to the Islam calendar.

Just before the festival all Muslim famYilies sweep their houses, fry dough rings, toast pancakes and slaughter sheep or cattle, to mark the occasion. Early on each morning of the festival days Muslims bathe, dress neatly and go to mosques for services. When they meet there amid clarion and melodious music, they shake hands, embrace and exchange words. Then they follow an imam into the mosque hall while chanting along, where they are to hold the festive rite, watch the sacrificial animal slaughter and listen Corban Festival the imam chanting Koran. After the rite, better-off famYilies each slaughter a sheep, one head of cattle or a camel. The custom has it that part of the animal meat is to be offered to imams and other Muslim leaders, the rest is to be offered to relatives or friends, and the bones and blood are to be buried to keep them sacred.

Language helping

Most of local people can not speak English.

Best travel season

The prefecture enjoys a cool, temperate, semi-arid, continental climate. Owing to the vast expanse of land, there are also microclimate features in different regions. Generally, summers here are short and the winters, long. The temperature varies greatly between day and night. The temperature in spring rises rapidly but unstably, while the autumn temperatures drop rapidly. Summer and autumn are the best time. The pastures are verdant. Melons and fruits are ripe. Notable is the sunset in Yili River. It is the favorite of many photographers.

Consumption level

In Yili, accommodation is about 100-200 yuan per day. It is usually equipped with a bath room and TV, which can basically meet the needs of travelers. In addition to the cost of transportation, catering and tickets, the total daily consumption is around 350 yuan. If you choose a chartered car, the cost will be much higher.

Practical information

Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Tourism Bureau
Address: No. 3, Lane 2, Dunmaoli 2nd Road, Xinhua West Road, Yining City, Xinjiang, China
Phone: 0999-8029496

Yili City Post Office
Address: No. 25, Xinhua West Road, YYili City, Xinjiang Province
Phone: 0999-8024431
Post code: 835000

Intercity traffic

Aircraft

Yining Airport, YIN
Address: 3 km from the northern suburb of Yining City Tel: 0999-118114
Arriving and leaving the airport
Yining Airport is easily accessible by airport bus, bus and taxi.
Airport bus
The bus can travel to and from the airport and the Air China ticket office on Nanjing Road, and the city is docked next to the World Trade Center. Ticket price: 6 yuan / person
bus
Get off at Bus No. 3 and No. 11 Airport Station (Yining Civil Aviation Station). The operation time is 8:20-22:00 in winter and 8:30-21:00 in summer.
Ticket price: 1 yuan / person
taxi
There is a taxi at the arrival hall of the airport, showing the sign of the waiting area of ​​the taxi. The airport is very close to the city center, taking a taxi to the city center of Yining about 7 yuan.

Train

Yining train station
Address: Yining Train is located about 5 kilometers northwest of Yining City Center in YYili Prefecture
Arrival method: Bus 401, 201, 10, 16 to Yining Railway Station can be reached

Long distance bus

YYili Passenger Transport Center
Address: 474 Jiefang West Road
Phone: 0999-8139263

Yining Bus Terminal
Address: No. 270, Jiefang Road, Yining City
Phone: 0999-8139263

Corps Agricultural Fourth Division Bus Terminal
Address: Intersection of Junken Road and Park Street in Yining City
Phone: 0999-8121213

Traffic in the city

Bus

The city’s buses extend in all directions and can basically meet the needs of the city. The bus operation time is: the first bus in winter is 9:00, the last bus is 20:30; the first bus in summer is 8:30, and the last bus is 21:00.

Taxi

The starting price of taxis in Yining City is 7 yuan / 2 kilometers, and the renewal price is 1.4 yuan / km during the day and 1.6 yuan/km at night. night driving time is 00:00 to 8:00 Beijing time, more than 10 kilometers per kilometer rental price plus 50% of the empty driving fee, waiting for 5 minutes to add 1 kilometer rental price waiting fee.

Attractions

Yining county

The Yili River Bridge

The Yili River Bridge was built in 1975 over the, Yili River 5 kilometers to the south of Yining City. A double arch bridge of armored concrete structure, the bridge is 300.8 meters in length and 8.5 meters in width. There are nine bridge openings and the span of each opening is 30 meters. Viewed from a distance, the openings looks like nine huge bows supporting the straightforward bridge across the natural moat. “The Yili River is an inland river with the biggest flux in Xinjiang. With a total length of about 1500 kilometers, the river is a conflux of three tributaries and flows to Kazakhstan, and in floods into Balkhash Lake at last. The abundant water conservancy and fishery resources of the Yili River bring infinite vital force and ever-lasting hopes.
Address: 16 km in the suburbs of Yining
Arrival method: Bus 2 bus can be reached; take a taxi, round-trip fare 15 yuan / person
Opening hours: 11:00-19:00
Tickets: 5 yuan

The Grand Temple of the Hui Nationality

The Grand Temple of the Hui Nationality Located at the southern side of the Eastern Xinhua Road, Yining City, the temple was built in 1760-1781, having titles of “Ningguo”, “Phoenix Temple”, “Shaanxi Grand Temple”, “Shaangan Grand Temple”, and ” Kengkeng Temple”. The extant buildings cover an area of over 3000 square meters, including three parts: the temple gate, hall and doctrine- teaching hall. The main building is the hall, which covers an area of 600 square meters, and of which the outer hall, middle hall and inner hall can hold a thousand people for praying service. The temple gate is a three-layered pavilion with flying eaves in traditional Chinese architectural style.
Address: South side of Xinhua East Road, Yining City
Arrival method: Bus 1, 5, 10, 15 to the city people’s hospital to get off
Opening hours: 9:00-19:00
Tickets: 5 yuan
Phone: 0999-8351663

Museum of Yili Prefecuture

Museum ofYili PrefecutureaBuilt in 1992, the museum preserve various kinds of cultural relics ofYili Region in different historic periods and all of these cultural relies full i remarkable local colors. Hundreds of cultural relies is on display in the museum, including cirque decorated with winged animal, bronze tray with four legs, bronze cauldron, bronze knife, bronze axe, bronze bell, bronze statue of warrior, stone statue, rock carving, pottery, golden implements, etc. They are precious materials for the investigation and research on the history ofYili Region.
Address: No. 122, Feihang Road, Yining City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Arrival method: Bus 3, 13 to Moon Bay Building Materials Market Station
Opening hours: 10:30-18:00 in low season and 10:00-18:30 in high season (closed on Monday)
Tickets: Free

Tekesi county

Kesang Karst Cave

The Kesang Karst Cave is the only karst cave in Xinjiang. At present, the proven section of the Kesang karst cave is nearly 3 kilometers long, and the widest part is 18 meters. The narrowest place can only allow one person to crawl through.
Address: Chorak Tekek Township, 40 km south of Turks County
Arrival method: 38 km south from Tekesi County, with easy access
Opening hours: 10:00-19:00
Tickets: 30 yuan
Phone: 0999-6626999

Tekes Eight-Diagram City

The Eight-Diagram City in Tekes is a young prairie town in Xinjiang. It was firstly built in 1937 according to the shape of the Eight-Diagram. Since 1951, the city has been expanded constantly on its former base and become more and more majestical And flourishing.
Address: Turks County, Yili Prefecture
Arrival method: 119 kilometers from Yining City, there are more shuttle buses to the Turks every day at Yining World Station.
Opening hours: all day
Tickets: Free

Huiyuan Ancient City

In the year 1757 (namely, the 22ed year of Qianlong period in Qing dynasty), the then Qing government put down the Junggar rebellion and made the land that long belonged to China under the rule of central government of Qing dynasty again. In order to make integrity and stability of the border, in the year 1762 (namely, the 27th year of Qianlong period in Qing dynasty), the government officially set the position of Yili General to govern the area both in military and administration. The area covered the vast land in the east and south of Balkhash Lake.
Address: Huiyuan Ancient City is 9 km from Huocheng County and 38 km from Yining City.
Arrival method: You can travel by car or arrive by motor tricycle in Huocheng County
Opening hours: 8:15-17:30
Tickets: 15 yuan
Phone: 0999-8039904

Guozigou Valley (Fruits Valley)

Located 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Huocheng County, the Fruit Valley is well-known for its beautiful scenery, so it has been regarded as the “No.1 Beauty” inYili throughout the ages. The Valley, also named Talqi Valley, is an important pass of the present Urumqi–Yining Highway (No.312 National Highway). In ancient times, it was a vital strategic section and communication hub of the Northern Route of the Silk Road. In 1219, Genghis Khan made a west expedition toYili, but he was blocked by the Tianshan Mountains. He ordered Qagatay, his second son, to knock through the Fruit Valley, the natural door ofYili. In the valley, 28 kilometers long, wild fruits, apricots, exotic flowers and rare herbs can be found everywhere. The valley takes on a different appearance with the passing of the seasons. In spring, brilliant aromatic flowers bloom and butterflies dance among the flowers. In summer, green pine and spruce forests cover it like a green ocean. In autumn, red leaves and mellow fruits spread through the valley. In winter, the valley covered with pure white snow is enchanting.
Address: 40 kilometers northeast of Huocheng County
Arrival mode: Lianhuo Expressway passes through the fruit ditch, and it is a must from Urumqi to Yiningguogou Bridge. Here, drivers can park in the sightseeing spot of the bridge.
Phone: 0999-8039904

Tangbula Gallery Corridor

Tangbula Gallery Corridor is located in the east of Nilka County and is the name for a group of Kashi river canyon grasslands which are a famous summer resort in Xinjiang, featuring forests, grassland, hot springs and rocks with fantastic shapes.. It is called called Tangbula which, in Kazahk means the seal, after a famous rock located 105 km southeast of the county seat. It is said that “the blooming flowers in Tianshan” grow here, making it famous.
Address: Donbra, Nilek County
Arrival method: Urumqi has 3 trains every day to reach Yining City. On the way, it stops at Nilek. Urumqi has 2 trains to Nilek every day. They are all night buses. The journey takes about 12 hours. Yining Bus Station is all day. There is a shuttle bus to Nilek. The most convenient route is from Kuitun, Dushanzi along the 217 National Road via Bayin Gully, Hashilegenda to Jorma, 133 km.
Opening hours: all day
Tickets: Free
Phone: 0999-4624389

Xinyuan county

Gongnaisi grassland

The Nalati Grassland is the sub-alpine meadow of the Gongnaisi Grassland. Owing to its high altitude and steep terrain, it is also called “The Sky Grassland”. It is the highest prairie in China with lush grassland and surrounding mountain and a home of meadow vegetation. It has been a famous pasture since ancient times.
Address: Turgen Township, Xinyuan County, Yili County
Arrival method: Urumqi has 3 daily travel buses to Xinyuan County; Yilizhou Passenger Transport Station has 26 shifts to Xinyuan County every day, and 3 shifts directly to Nalati; to Xinyuan County, you can charter a car. Go to Turgen Township, there is a shuttle bus from the county bus terminal to Turgen Township, about 30 km
Opening hours: all day
Phone: 0999-5028443

Nalaty Grassland

Nalaty scenery spot makes the upper reaches of Kunes River and the hillside field of North Slope of Nalaty Mountain as the main spot. It occupies an area of eight hundred square kilometers. Nalaty not only has special grassland scenery of west region, but also keeps heavy traditional Kazak customs.

The residents in Nalaty grassland are mainly Kazak people. However, the word Nalaty is not a Kazak word, it is a Mongolian word. It is said that the word takes form when Mongolian conquered Central Asia. It means the place in which the sun is first seen. It was the time when Genghis Khan made his west conquest. One day, a group of army moved from the depth of Tianshan Mountain to Yili.
Address: Xinyuan County, Yili District
Arrival method: Although Nalati is located in the mountains, it is very remote, but the traffic is very convenient. You can take the car and the plane. The scenic spot is about 70 kilometers away from the county. Urumqi daily three-shift coaches are sent to Xinyuan County; Yilizhou Passenger Transport Station is dispatched to Xinyuan County 26 times a day, and three other flights directly to Nalati; Xinyuan County has direct buses to Nalati. , an average of 15 minutes
Opening hours: open all day
Tickets: 60 yuan in the off-season (April-June, October-November), 75 yuan in the peak season (June-September), free in winter (November-March)
Tel: 0999-5290558, 5291888

Chabuchaer county

Jingyuan Temple

ingyuan Temple in Qapqal Located to the west of the county seat, the Jingyuan Temple was built in 1895. covering an area of about 1500 square meters, with a floor space of about 1000 square meters The temple faces south, including front, middle and back courtyards and a temple gate. It is a grand building complex. The main building, neat in arrangement, is situated at the middle courtyard, including front hall, middle hall (now nothing remained), main hall, side halls on left and right bell and drum towers standing face to face. The main hall is a two story building over 8 meters high. with clinker-built flying- eaves and carved beams and painted ridgepole. This temple provides valuable materials for studies on history, culture and religious belief of the Xibe Nationality ill Xinjiang .
Address: sunzhaqi Niulu Township, Chabuchar County
Arrival method: You can visit the Xibo Folk Customs Park.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Tickets: 10 yuan
Phone: 0999-3626736

Zhaosu county

Xiao Hongnahai Grassland Stone Man

The grassland stone people are widely distributed in the grasslands of the Altay region of Xinjiang and theYili region. They stand silently on the grasslands and solemnly face the east. How many years have they stood? Where do you come from? What have you experienced? There is no research, but there are countless guesses and imaginations.
Address: Xiaohong Nahai Shiren is about 5 kilometers northeast of Zhaosu County
Arrival method: no transportation, you can take a taxi, round trip about 40 yuan
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00
Tickets: 20 yuan
Phone: 0999-6023057

Shengyou Lamasery

Shengyou Lamasery in Zhaosu Called “Bogdaxiagson” in Mongolian, the Shengyou Lamasery is located near the Honnahai River to the northwest of the county seat of Zhaosu. It was built in the 19th year of the Guangxu period of Qing Dynasty (1893), covering an area of 2000 square meters. It is a relative complete extant temple in Xinjiang, having a gate-facing screen wall, a temple gate, a front hall, a main hall, a back hall, side halls, and an octagonal double layered attic with a double-eave. The main building is the Daxiong Hall. which is 17 meters wide, with the flying-eaves on the four comers stretching out. Inside the covered passage are painted wall-paintings of rare birds and animals and scenes of fairy tales in traditional Chinese style. This lamasery is listed as a major cultural site protected by autonomous region.
Address: 2 km east of Zhaosu County
Arrival method: You can walk or take a taxi (about 5 yuan), next to Zhaosu Middle School
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Tickets: 35 yuan
Phone: 0999-6023057

Ancient Tombs of Wusun Tribe

Ancient tombs of Wusun Tribe are distributed over grasslands inYili, especially in Qapqal, Zhaosu, Nilka, and Tekes, etc, totaling about a ten thousands. These tombs are cultural remains of Wusun tribe that had activated here during the 2nd century B.C. to 4th century A.D. Some of them are arranged in a line with three or five tombs and some in groups consisting of tens or hundreds tombs. The tombs usually have a hillock or stone mound on the ground surface, round, square or trapeziform in shape. According to archaeological excavation, some tomb chambers have a cubage of over 100 cubic meters. From these tombs there have been unearthed valuable cultural relics, such as that of pottery, bronze, iron and gold.
Address: Zhaosu County,Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture
Tickets: 8 yuan

Xiata Valley

Xiata in Zhaosu County of Yili autonomous prefecture is a place full of legends. The place is close to the main branch of Tianshan Mountain which has many high peaks. Xiata River, which has its origin in the high mountains, divided the grassland there into two parts.

At last, the water of Xiata River flows into Tekes River. The grassland there is very flat. The fragrant grass there is luxuriant, and the paths crisscrossed in the fields. Houses and gardens there are in lines. Rows of mausoleums scatter in the valley. The huge mausoleums look like small hills. A flat highway which is made of sands crosses the grassland in front of the mountain and it stretches to the not far borderline. In history, the place used to be post station. Nobody knows what this place was called in ancient time. However, in Qing dynasty, the place was called Sha Tu Aman station. Sha Tu Aman in Mongolian means stairs. The word Xiata comes from Sha Tu.
Address: Xiajia Township, Zhaosu County
Arrival method: Zhaosu County has a shuttle bus to Xia Township, the fare is 9 yuan
Opening hours: all day
Tickets: 60 yuan, 20 yuan for the shuttle car, 30 yuan for the hot spring bath
Phone: 0999-6023057
Help Number phone:
Xiata Township Government: 0999-6220011 Xiata Township Hospital: 0999-6220134 Xiata Township Police Station: 0999-6220083

Bole county

Sayram Lake

the largest lake in Tianshan Mountains, stands at the peak of the Fruit Valley. It looks like a huge sapphire inlaid in the mountains. The Valley is open all day around and no entrance fee is charged. The best time to visit there is from late May to June. Another good time to visit is from end of July to the beginning of August, during that time, local Mongolian and Kazakh herdsmen hold the Nadam Fair. It consists of recreational sports and entertainment, such as wrestling, horse-racing, archery, singing and dancing. Tourists can take buses from Urumqi to Yining pass through the Fruit Valley.
Address: Located in the alpine basin of the western section of the Tianshan Mountains, more than 90 kilometers southwest of Bole City
Arrival method: Like the fruit ditch, the 312 National Road passes by the lake. The shuttle bus to and from Yining passes through here. You can get off at the lake for one night and take the shuttle bus at the same time the next day. Sailimu Lake is connected to the fruit ditch by pine tree head, about 90 kilometers from Bole City.
Tickets: 40 yuan

Itinerary

Yili three-day tour

DAY 1: Yining – Wild Walnut Forest – Yining Seascape
DAY 2: Yining – Horgos Port -Yili River
DAY 3: Yining – Fruit valley

Food

Xuehualiang (local ice cream)
Milk tea
Horse milk
Blackcurrant
Yili apple

Accommodation

The price of accommodation in Yining City is quite different. The price of youth hostels and express hotels is around 100-300 yuan, and that of star-rated hotels is about 400-1000 yuan.

Shopping

lavender, black currant

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