Xinjiang is not the destination, but Yining is definitely the starting point.

Yining Attractions Guide: The Perfect Blend of Western Regions Charm and Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall** **1. Must-Visit Highlights: Experience Multicultural Charm** - **Kazanqi Folk Village** 🌟 **Highlights**: Yining's most representative Uyghur cultural area, featuring blue-doored houses and horse-drawn carriages—every corner is photo-worthy. ⏰ **Best Time**: Evening for soft lighting and a glimpse of local nightlife. 📌 **Tips**: Take a 50-yuan horse-drawn carriage tour (includes narration) and try handmade ice cream and Uyghur home-style dishes. - **Liuxing Street** 🌟 **Highlights**: A fusion of Russian-style architecture and Uyghur culture, with colorful houses, retro cafés, and unique handicraft shops. 🎵 **Experience**: Visit the "Alexander Accordion Museum" in the evening for live performances and exotic music. - **Ili River Bridge** 🌟 **Highlights**: Stunning at sunset, where locals follow the tradition of "walking the wedding bridge," often encountering couples taking wedding photos. **2. Natural Scenery: The Poetic Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall** - **Ili River Valley Wetland Park** 🌟 **Highlights**: An urban ecological oasis with swaying reeds in summer and wintering swans—a paradise for birdwatchers. 📸 **Photo Spot**: Wooden walkways framed by the distant Tianshan snow peaks. - **Tohulasu Grassland** (1.5 hours from downtown) 🌟 **Highlights**: Less crowded than Nalati, with wildflowers in May-June, perfect for camping and horseback riding. 🏕️ **Activities**: Visit local herders to learn how to make milk tea and milk cows. **3. Cultural Experiences: Touching Borderland History** - **Lin Zexu Memorial Hall** 🌟 **Highlights**: The former office of national hero Lin Zexu during his water management work in Ili, revealing little-known frontier history. - **Han Dynasty Princesses Memorial Hall** 🌟 **Highlights**: Stories of Princesses Xijun and Jieyou, showcasing the power of women on the Silk Road. - **Yining City Museum** 🌟 **Highlights**: Free entry, displaying artifacts that trace Ili’s multicultural history from the Wusun Kingdom to modern times. **4. Food & Bazaars: A Taste of Yining** - **Hanren Street Food Bazaar** 🌟 **Must-Try**: Samsa (crispy meat pies), handmade yogurt (with jam), mianfeizi, and kvass (honey-fermented drink). 📌 **Tips**: The bazaar livens up in the morning; some stalls close after 8 PM. - **Aynuri Food Plaza** 🌟 **Specialties**: Upscale ethnic restaurants serving dapanji (big plate chicken), nangkengrou (pit-baked meat), and naren (horse meat noodles). - **Russian Bakeries** 🌟 **Recommendations**: "Gulandanmu" ice cream on Liuxing Street and "Marina" Bakery’s rye bread. **5. Day Trips Nearby** - **Huocheng Lavender Farms** (mid-June to early July) 🌟 **Activities**: Photo ops at Princess Jieyou Manor and shopping for lavender essential oils. - **Guozigou Bridge + Sayram Lake** 🌟 **Tip**: Book a private or shared car for a day trip to witness breathtaking snow-capped mountains, forests, and lakes. **6. Practical Info** - **Transport**: - Taxis start at 7 yuan downtown; shared e-bikes are convenient. - For grasslands, hire a car (~400-600 yuan/day). - **Accommodation**: - Stay in Kazanqi homestays (cultural immersion). - Hotels near Jiefang Road (central location). - **Notes**: - Respect local customs; mosques usually don’t allow interior visits. - September-October is fruit season—don’t miss grapes, apples, and Hami melons. --- **Pro Tips**: - Photographers: Capture morning smoke and light in Kazanqi. - For deeper immersion, book a Uyghur homestay (~150 yuan/person, includes meals).