Tips For Exploring the Beautiful Yili in Xinjiang (Part 2)

Khorgas Port (Horgos Port)  

Whilst taking a trip to Yili visiting the famous Khorgas port is essential. The port is located 42 kilometers from Huocheng county in Yining, which is on the border between China and Kazakhstan. Khorgas port is one of the three main ports of Xinjiang and over the past few years tourists have been able to enter and exit.  

Admission Fee: 30RMB

Opening Hours: 00:00 – 23:30 

Fruit Valley

Fruit Valley has the reputation as “Yili’s Most Beautiful Attraction”, the valley is situated 42 kilometers northeast of Huocheng. Fruit Valley is 28 kilometers in length and is one of the best places to experience nature. Apart from the wild fruits such as apples and apricots the valley is also known to produce some rare herbs and medicines.

Admission Fee: Free

Apricot Valley

The Apricot Valleys of Xinjiang are perhaps lesser known than Fruit Valley, however the Apricot Valley is a beautiful area to visit especially when the valley is in the bloom season. Apricot Valley is located in Tuergen Township of Xinyuan County. The best time to see Apricot Valley is from April to May when the flowers are in bloom, however the flowers wither in 7 days. The Valley is ideal for photography lovers who want to capture the heavenly scene.

Admission Fee: Free

Zhaosu Rapeseed Flower Fields 

When July approaches the Rapeseed flower season has begun in Zhaosu. The geographical location of Zhaosu makes the area ideal for the cultivation of Rapeseed flowers and Sunflowers, therefore making the flowers a symbolic view of Zhaosu. The best time to see the golden fields of Zhaosu is at the end of June towards mid July.

Tangbula Grassland

Tangbula Grassland is well known for its precious stones and natural forest surroundings. If you visit during the right season you can see the red fields filled with poppies. It has been said that Tangbula Grassland has 113 valleys with 113 views which is worth exploring. To see the poppies its best to visit at the end of May and towards the beginning of June.

Sayram Lake

Now any visit to Yili without seeing the beautiful Sayram Lake is definitely not complete. The lake is 90 kilometers southwest of the Bole City, on the north side of the Urumchi-Yining Road, and is connected to the Fruit Valley of Yili at Songshutou in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Sayram Lake is serene and peaceful, the lake surface is like a mirror giving visitors a peaceful atmosphere. Through the different seasons the lake has a complete change in scenery providing tourists with a different experience each time.