In-Depth Ili Valley Grassland Loop
In and out of Yining, connecting Sayram Lake, Zhaosu, Kalajun, Kurdening, and Nalati
A closed loop starting and ending in Yining without backtracking: first visit Sayram Lake and the Huocheng lavender fields, then cross the mountains via the Yizhao Highway to Zhaosu, and continue through Tekes and Qiongkushitai to Kurdening and Nalati. The pace is more relaxed than the North Xinjiang Grand Loop, with daily drives mostly under 3 hours. Perfect for those who want to spend more nights on the grasslands, omitting Kanas.
The Yizhao Highway is open from early June to early October; lavender blooms from mid-June to early July.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Arrive in Yining & Explore Old Streets
It takes about 30 minutes from the airport to the city center. After picking up your car, explore the Liuxing (Six-Star) Street and Hanren Street areas on foot or by taxi.
住宿：六星街
第 2 天 · Huocheng Flower Fields to Sayram Lake
賽里木湖（霍城薰衣草基地（解憂公主薰衣草園）、果子溝大橋、賽里木湖）
Drive about 1 hour from Yining to Huocheng, then cross the Guozigou Bridge to enter the lake area from the South Gate. Total distance is about 170 km.
Book accommodations around the lake well in advance during peak season. Fill up your gas tank before entering the scenic area.
住宿：湖畔營地與民宿
第 3 天 · Loop the Lake & Return to Yining Valley
賽里木湖（克勒湧珠、松樹頭） → 伊寧（惠遠古城·伊犁將軍府、喀贊其民俗旅遊區）
Loop the west bank of the lake in the morning. Drive down the mountain and return to Yining via the Huiyuan Ancient City. Total distance is about 170 km, taking around 3 hours.
住宿：喀贊其
第 4 天 · Cross Mountains via Yizhao Highway to Zhaosu
Drive from Yining via S237 across the Wusun Mountains to Zhaosu. Total distance is about 180 km, taking around 3.5 hours on winding mountain roads.
The Yizhao Highway is closed at night and open during the day. Check road announcements before departing.
住宿：昭蘇縣城
第 5 天 · Shatuo Glacier & Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River
特克斯·昭蘇（喀拉峻）（夏塔景區（夏塔古道）、昭蘇溼地公園·天馬浴河）
Drive about 1.5 hours from Zhaosu to Shatuo. Take the shuttle bus inside the scenic area. Return via the Wetland Park. Total distance is about 180 km.
The schedule for the 'Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River' show is not fixed; check the showtimes in advance.
住宿：昭蘇縣城
第 6 天 · Bagua City to Kalajun
Drive about 1.5 hours from Zhaosu to Tekes (Bagua City). In the afternoon, drive about 1 hour to Kalajun and take the shuttle bus inside the scenic area.
住宿：喀拉峻景區氈房
第 7 天 · Kuokesu to Qiongkushitai
Explore the Kuokesu Grand Canyon in the morning. In the afternoon, drive along the mountain road to Qiongkushitai Village. Total driving time is about 3 hours.
Mobile signal and supplies are limited in the village. Book your wooden cabin in advance.
住宿：瓊庫什台村
第 8 天 · Out of the Mountains to Kurdening
Drive from Qiongkushitai via Tekes and Gongliu to Kurdening. Total distance is about 220 km, taking around 4 hours.
住宿：庫爾德寧鎮
第 9 天 · East to Nalati Air Grassland
Drive from Kurdening via Xinyuan to Nalati (about 3 hours). Take the shuttle bus to the Air Grassland in the afternoon.
住宿：那拉提鎮
第 10 天 · West along the Valley back to Yining
那拉提（肖爾布拉克酒文化小鎮） → 伊寧
Drive west from Nalati along G218, passing through Xiaoerbulake to Yining Airport. Total distance is about 250 km, taking around 4 hours.
Book a flight departing in the evening or later to allow enough time to return your rental car.