Ili Region

The Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture is one of the most beautiful regions in all of China.  The unique blend of cultures, combined with the stunning landscapes make this area a place that should not be missed.  The confluence of Chinese, Russian, Uyghur, Mongolian, and Kazakh cultures creates a very unique culture with architecture, foods, and products found nowhere else in the world.  

Places to See

Yining (Ghulja)

Tekes County Mountain Villages

Ba Gua City (Eight Trigrams City)

Sayram Lake

Kanas Lake

Altay City

 

Sample Tour

Day 1

Urumqi to Sayram Lake

We will drive by private car from Urumqi to Sayram Lake where we will spend the night in Kazakh style yurts.  Sayram Lake sits at 2,070 m. making it the highest elevation Lake in Xinjiang. The Kazakh shepherds and ranchers who are constantly herding their sheep, cattle, and horses around the lake make for a very interesting cultural experience.  The snow capped mountains that ring the lake are breathtaking.

 

Day 2

Yining (Ghulja)

We will wake up early in the morning and make the descent into the Ili valley.  The drive is breathtaking.  We will tour the city of Yining today, taking a horse drawn cart through the old city and observing the Russian-Uyghur fusion architecture of the city.  In the evening we will enjoy a dinner by the Ili river in traditional Taranchi fashion.

Day 3

Tekes County; BaGua City

We will travel into the countryside taking in the beautiful mountainside.  We will stop in BaGua City which is famous for being laid out in the Eight Trigrams pattern.  BaGua City is considered the most Feng-Shui city in the world.  From their we will travel into the mountains where we will spend the night in a traditional Kazakh yurt.  The mountains and grassland are some of the most beautiful landscape in the world.  You will interact with local families and see shepherds leading their flocks into pasture.  Evening in the mountains is breathtaking as majestic sunsets turn into dazzling cosmic star displays.  

 

Day 4

We will return to Yining for a day of rest.  We will eat together under the grape arbors and have take to relax in the many parks along the Ili River.  We will visit the market where you will be able to sample the local wares.

 

Day 5

Leaving the Ili Valley we will travel to the beautiful Altay Region and Kanas Lake.

Day 6

We will explore Altay and the breathtaking Kanas Lake which is home to over 117 different species of birds, making it a bird watcher's paradise.

Day 7 

We will return to Urumqi and our trip will come to an end.