Things to do in Khorgas

Strolling along Yining's Liuxing Street, sunlight bathes the streets in an exotic atmosphere. Century-old alleys wind like poems, their blue walls and stained glass windows telling the story of time. Uyghur artisans strike bronze instruments, their clinking echoing through time. The aroma of baked buns fills the street corners, and the rhythm of hand drums awakens the dormant bricks and tiles. Every tile here is engraved with a story, and behind every carved wooden door lies a warm smile. The hexagonal streets and alleys, like blooming flowers, quietly embrace diverse cultures.

果子沟大桥是中国新疆维吾尔自治区境内的高速通道，是连云港通往霍尔果斯口岸的重要构成部分。这座大桥，是工程的奇迹，连接天堑，展示了人类的智慧，是现代建筑和自然风光的完美结合。果子沟，是北上赛里木湖，南下伊利河谷的著名峡谷孔道，1218年，成吉思汗西征，命次子察合台率军，凿石理道，刊木为桥，始成车道。该沟古为中国通往中亚和欧洲的丝绸之路北新道的咽喉，有“铁关”之称。现为312国道所经。果子沟以野果多而得名，沟内峰峦耸峙，峡谷回转，松桦繁茂，果树丛生，野花竞放，飞瀑涌泉，风景秀丽，被清人祁韵士称为“奇绝仙境”。果子沟素有“伊犁第一景”之称，古人赋诗赞其“山水之奇，媲于桂林，崖石之怪，”胜于雁岩”。从乌鲁木齐到伊宁，果子沟大桥是必经之路，果子沟大桥雄居于天山西部的关隘之中，为进入伊犁河谷的咽喉。车从果子沟大桥驶过，峡谷两端的奇丽风光尽收眼里，雄伟的大桥令人惊叹！这座桥不仅仅是交通枢纽，更是艺术的杰作！

Jade Lake is truly beautiful on a clear day, and a road trip there is well worth it. Besides getting a close-up view of the lake, you can also drive into the Aheyazi Valley. If you have time, you can visit the Aheyazi River downstream on the way to the scenic area.

Yili Old Town Cultural Tourism Area (Kazanqi Subdistrict) Kazanqi, now officially known as the Yili Old Town Cultural Tourism Area (a 5A-level scenic area, formerly known as the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area), is located in the old city of Yining. Kazanqi means "pot-maker" in Uyghur. Two to three hundred years ago, this area was a gathering place for various craftsmen, including pot casting, blacksmithing, and leatherworking, hence the name. It is a living residential area, not a man-made replica of an ancient scenic spot. Tens of thousands of locals still live here, a multi-ethnic community that has coexisted for generations, earning it the nickname "museum of folk dwellings." Features: 1. Yili Blue Dwellings: The varying shades of blue in the courtyards and colorful carved wooden doors of the houses along the streets and alleys create what is known as the "Blue Town." This blue is a color blended by the locals themselves, complementing the flowing water, flowers, and grapevines in front of the houses. It blends Uyghur, Russian, and Chinese architectural styles, with over 300 old buildings dating from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period perfectly preserved. 2. Hadik Carriage: A traditional six-stick horse-drawn carriage with a melodious bell, a signature experience in the old town. Ride through the blue alleyways, where the driver will explain the history of the streets and lanes – a truly iconic experience (at your own expense). 3. Folk Customs and Food: • Visit a family in one of the marked homes, enjoy milk tea and fruits under a grape trellis, and experience Uyghur family life. • Must-try street food: handmade traditional ice cream, baked buns, lung noodles, and kvass. • Highlights: Tudahongbai Courtyard, Shaanxi Grand Mosque, old shops, and intangible cultural heritage handicrafts (leather goods, wood carvings, carpets). Practical Travel Information: The street area is free and open all day; carriage rides, family visits, and museums are charged separately, no reservations required. Search "Yili Old Town Cultural Tourism Area North Gate" on your navigation app; entering from the North Gate is the most convenient. Best time to visit: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, when the light is soft, there are fewer crowds, and it's the best time to take photos against the blue walls. Arrive at Kazanchi, the old town of Yining, Yili. Kazanchi means "pot-maker." This nearly 300-year-old town still has tens of thousands of residents, making it a truly living blue-themed town. The courtyard walls, in varying shades of Yili blue, are paired with colorful carved wooden doors, and a babbling brook flows in front of each door. You can ride in a Hadi horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by the crisp sound of bells, through the alleys. Hidden in the alleys are century-old handmade ice cream shops, freshly baked buns, and you can even step into a local family's courtyard and enjoy milk tea under a grape trellis. It blends Uyghur, Russian, and Chinese architectural styles, a fusion of multi-ethnic cultures. This isn't a man-made tourist hotspot; the alleys are filled with the authentic, everyday life of the old town of Yili.

Qiongkushitai is nestled deep in the mountains, with rustic wooden villages and vast grasslands behind it, accompanied by spruce trees and streams. The winding mountain road is bumpy, but staying overnight to watch the sunset and starry sky offers a truly immersive mountain atmosphere, perfect for a slow-paced trip.

白天的特克斯八卦城略显平淡，但是夜晚的特克斯八卦城真美啊，围绕太极坛绕场一周，八条街灯火阑珊，各有特色。尤其用无人机的上帝视角，更是美的不可方物。

Yili General's Mansion is a garden-style ancient Qing Dynasty building complex, which includes the main gate, the inner hall, the general pavilion, the east and west barracks, the guest rooms, the study, etc. After entering the majestic black lacquer gate, you will see the spacious courtyard with towering ancient elms, the left and right barracks, the east and west wing rooms, the main hall, the quadrangle, etc., with black columns and flying eaves, winding paths and corridors, simple and profound.

Autumn also offers a unique experience for visitors to Meixian's Baili Gallery. While the thousand-acre lotus pond mentioned in the reference primarily showcases its summertime lotus spectacle, there are other things worth experiencing around the area in autumn: Enjoying the Autumn Scenery In autumn, the trees surrounding the Meixian Baili Gallery transform into a vibrant array of colors, with maple leaves turning red and ginkgo trees turning yellow. These colors complement the surrounding landscape, creating a beautiful natural canvas. Strolling or cycling along the gallery will allow you to experience the rich autumn atmosphere. Tasting Autumn Fruits Autumn is harvest season, and Meixian may have abundant fruits, such as kiwis, ripening. Participate in picking, savor the fresh, delicious fruits, and experience the joy of harvest. Nearby Leisure Activities Along the route to the Meixian Baili Gallery, you may find farmhouses and unique shops nearby. After exploring the area, you can sample local delicacies at the farmhouses and enjoy a leisurely and relaxing autumn experience. In addition, although the lotus flowers in the thousand-acre lotus pond have passed their flowering period in autumn, the surrounding ecological landscape is still worth seeing. The wooden trails, the Wei River embankment and other scenery also have a unique charm in autumn. You can stroll along the trails, feel the autumn breeze on your face, and enjoy the scenery of the Wei River.

Tangbula, located in Nileke County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, is a collective name for the canyon and grassland landscape of the upper reaches of the Kashgar River. It gets its name from a rock formation on the eastern ridge that resembles a jade seal (the Kazakh word "Tangbula" means "seal"). It is known as the "Hundred-Mile Gallery." This natural scenic belt stretches for over a hundred miles along Provincial Highway S315, integrating snow-capped mountains, spruce trees, grasslands, streams, and alpine lakes. The route is crisscrossed by valleys, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Completely free, it is a pristine, off-the-beaten-path summer retreat and a perfect destination for self-driving tours in the Ili River Valley.

Entering Guozigou, you feel like you are in a fairy tale wonderland, and you can't help but imagine. Leaving Sayram Lake, you climb up to the top of the pine tree, where you can see thousands of wounds and ravines, and the pine waves are breathtaking. The road twists and turns down, sometimes steep cliffs, sometimes like facing the abyss. The clouds and mountains send waves of pine waves, and the wild fruits bring wisps of fragrance. The gurgling springs come and go, and a wooden house and felt tent are hidden in the green leaves and floating on the green grass. It is a combination of danger and beauty, and reality and fantasy are intertwined.