Ili (Yili)伊犁

Overview

The Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture is in northwestern Xinjiang, bordering Kazakhstan. It is Xinjiang's most water-rich and scenic region. Surrounded by mountains on three sides with an opening to the west, westerly winds bring abundant rainfall, creating vast grasslands, dense forests, and fertile valleys — hailed as 'Jiangnan beyond the Frontier' and the 'Central Asian Wetland.' In summer, Huocheng's purple lavender fields contrast with snow-capped Tianshan peaks; Kazakh herders gallop across the Nalati grasslands; and Kalajun's five-flower meadows resemble natural paintings. Ili was also a vital node on the northern Silk Road, and the Khorgos Port is China's largest western land port.

Key Facts

Top Attractions

Nalati Grassland

A national AAAAA scenic area and one of the world's four great grasslands, a traditional Kazakh pasture where snow mountains, forests, and meadows blend.

Kalajun Grassland

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site recognized for its 'five-flower meadows,' consisting of East and West Kalajun with views of the Kurdai River canyon.

Sayram Lake

Xinjiang's highest and largest alpine cold-water lake at 2,073 meters with sapphire-blue waters — hailed as the 'last tear of the Atlantic.'

Huocheng Lavender

China's largest lavender planting base, ranked with Provence and Furano; purple blooms in June make it a photography and romance destination.

Guozigou Bridge

China's first highway double-tower double-cable-plane steel truss cable-stayed bridge, spanning the Guozigou canyon at over 200 meters high.

Khorgos Port

China's largest western land port; the China-Kazakhstan border cooperation center offers visa-free entry and duty-free shopping.

Food & Snacks

Kazakh Hand-Grabbed Meat

The highest Kazakh hospitality ritual — large pieces of lamb boiled in clear water and eaten with salt, tender and original.

Kumis (Fermented Mare's Milk)

A traditional Kazakh fermented drink, low in alcohol, sour and refreshing, with nourishing properties — the grassland's 'white beverage.'

Smoked Horse Sausage

A traditional Kazakh meat product with horse meat stuffed into horse intestines and smoked, with rich smoky aroma.

Naren Noodles

A traditional Kazakh pasta with wide noodles topped with shredded lamb and onion, drenched in hot lamb broth — the grassland's 'state banquet' dish.

Festivals & Events

World & Intangible Heritage

• Xinjiang Tianshan (2013) — Inscribed in 2013 as World Natural Heritage, with Kalajun-Kuerdening as a key component famous for its unique mountain grassland ecosystem.
• Kazakh Dombra Art (2008) — A national-level intangible cultural heritage, the dombra is a traditional Kazakh plucked string instrument with beautiful tone and rich expressiveness, commonly used to accompany folk songs and epic singing — a spiritual symbol of grassland culture.
• Kazakh Embroidery (2008) — A national-level intangible cultural heritage, Kazakh embroidery focuses on yurt decorations and clothing patterns, using bright silk and gold/silver threads to create grassland flora, fauna, and geometric designs with vivid colors and bold style.
• Ili Uyghur Muqam (2005) — A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Ili Uyghur Muqam is a major school of Muqam art incorporating local Uyghur musical characteristics, featuring melodious tunes and varied rhythms with strong regional flavor.

Practical Tips