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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Khorgas [2025]
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Sayram Lake
4.7
/5
13958 reviews
9.1
From IDR 261905
Based on 92 reviews
70.9 km from downtown
Phone +8609097659990
Address: Sayram Lake, Bole, Bortala, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
A 79 km bike ride around the lake with scenic views of the water and mountains
Wildflowers bloom on the lakeside grasslands in June and July
Saved by 443 users12287 positive reviews
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In winter, Sayram Lake transforms into a winter wonderland, with ice sculptures, ice floes, and ice flowers creating a dreamlike spectacle, and the blue ice is breathtakingly beautiful. However, the temperature is extremely low, so it's essential to dress warmly. Transportation is also inconvenient, with reduced bus services, and restaurants within the scenic area are expensive and offer limited choices. Overcoming these challenges will allow you to fully appreciate its unique winter charm.
Sayram Lake is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with snow-capped mountains. It's best to visit on a sunny day when the lake water is crystal clear. On cloudy days, the lake's colors don't show up well, so the weather is very important.
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Kalajun National Park
4.6
/5
2831 reviews
7.7
Based on 11 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609997765295
Address: Tekes, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 days
Highlights:
360° view of Koksu Canyon
Glass deck overlooks canyon beauty
Saved by 169 users2247 positive reviews
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Friends, if I told you there's a place that can simultaneously package grasslands, forests, snow-capped mountains, and seas of flowers into a giant, three-dimensional painting, it would definitely be Kalajun! As a travel blogger who has explored all of northern and southern Xinjiang, my self-driving experience in Kalajun is absolutely my top choice for "grand and majestic" scenery—it's incredibly impressive!
This isn't just any ordinary meadow; it's a "three-dimensional garden in the sky," handcrafted by nature itself. Driving through it, you're not just getting a tourist attraction, but a whole mobile Windows desktop background!
🌟 My Peak Self-Driving Experience & Must-Have Highlights 🌟
1. The sensual curves of the "human grassland," an art form of light and shadow!
This is absolutely Kalajun's trump card! Along the route from [Flower Terrace] to [Falcon Terrace], you'll see rolling hills with lines so graceful they resemble a woman's body. Under the light and shadow of sunset, their fullness, smoothness, and vibrant beauty are a true geological wonder! This is no ordinary grassland; it's nature's most sensual and curvaceous art, its dynamism impossible for a camera to fully capture.
2. A Three-Tiered Landscape: A Continuous "Wow!" Driving Through!
The most amazing thing about Kalajun is its "three-dimensionality." Your gaze will involuntarily divide into three layers: in the foreground, a colorful carpet of wildflowers; in the middle, a continuous, dark green belt of snow-capped spruce trees; and in the distance, the majestic Tian Shan Mountains, crowned with snow. Driving along the road, these three layers of scenery simultaneously unfold before your eyes, an unparalleled sense of depth, every frame a masterpiece!
3. Hike at Falcon Terrace: Become a "Son of the Tian Shan"!
Park your car at the Falcon Terrace parking lot, and we strongly recommend that you pack light and walk along the boardwalk towards the snow-capped mountains. When you stand on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the magnificent scenery of the entire Kurdai Grand Canyon, a sense of vastness and supreme grandeur will arise spontaneously. This is also the best spot for capturing panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and canyons – you'll get amazing shots every minute!
🚗 Blogger's Exclusive Practical Tips (A Must-Have!):
• Route Selection: Kalajun is divided into "East Kalajun" and "Koksu Grand Canyon". If you have enough time, I recommend buying the all-area ticket for a more comprehensive view. If you can only choose one, I highly recommend the grassland route – the essence of the experience!
• Golden Time: Go in the afternoon! The soft sunset light is the perfect filter for the "human grassland," amplifying the beauty of the curves to the extreme.
• Clothing Suggestions: Wear white, red, or orange clothing; they will stand out against the green background. Be sure to bring a windproof jacket, as the weather in the mountains is unpredictable.
• Combined Itinerary: After leaving Kalajun, return to Tekes, the "Bagua City," and be sure to visit the night market for some barbecue – experience this magical city without traffic lights.
Concluding remarks:
Kalajun is not the delicate beauty of a young lady; it possesses a domineering, bold, and overwhelmingly powerful magnificence. With its extreme, three-dimensional landscape, it redefines your understanding of the word "grassland."
The moment I opened the car door and stepped into Kalajun, my breathing slowed. The grasslands stretched like a vast green velvet carpet, stretching from my feet to the foot of the snow-capped mountains at the horizon. Wildflowers, white and yellow, dotted the landscape, and shades of green undulated with the mountain's gentle waves.
Cloud shadows moved slowly across the velvety grassy slopes, like a silent film. Standing here, I could think about anything or nothing, simply feeling the vastness of the world, myself a part of this landscape. The wind brushed past my ears, carrying the scent of green grass and distant mountains. In that moment, all the noise in my heart was soothed.
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Kurdenin Scenic Area
4.4
/5
586 reviews
7.3
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609997758590
Address: Tokkuztara, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 4–5 hours
Highlights:
Skywalk & mountain meadow views
Hike & enjoy mountain views
472 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Walking through the snow-capped spruces of Kurdenin, the air is filled with the coolness of the vegetation. A stream sings at the valley floor, and sunlight filters through the dense forest, casting tiny specks of light. Standing high and gazing out into the distance, the endless snow-capped mountains are set against a sea of dark green forest. In that moment, the world becomes tranquil, and time seems to slow down. This untouched, pristine beauty offers the most gentle healing to those who have lived in the city for so long.
The scenery is very beautiful, with alpine grasslands, canyon rivers, and spruce forests. You can drive in and out from Zhonggou and Donggou. The scenic area is very large and it takes a long time to drive by yourself.
No.
4
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Xinjiang Tianshan Tomur Scenic Area Grand Canyon
4.7
/5
766 reviews
7.1
From IDR 82381
Based on 7 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609976796105
Address: Near the 306 county road in the Kirgiz ethnic township of Bozidun, Wensu County, Aksu City
Recommended sightseeing time: 4–5 hours
Highlights:
Tomur Peak & Taklamakan Desert
Unique red sandstone formations
649 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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You can drive your own car into the Tianshan Grand Canyon scenic area, stop wherever you want, and take photos wherever you want. The scenery here is truly unique.
If you come to Aksu, you must visit the Grand Canyon. It's really big and breathtaking! You can also see snow-capped mountains. Walking from No. 3 to No. 4, taking photos along the way, is truly amazing.
No.
5
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Zhaosu Wetland Park Scenic Area
4.3
/5
453 reviews
6.8
From IDR 95239
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609996024789
Address: 17 kilometers from 758 County Road, Zhaosu County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Tour 3 wetland stops
Summer "Pegasus River" performance viewing
370 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
An underrated tourist attraction. When people mention Zhaosu, many think of Xiatu, but Zhaosu Wetland Park has the Tekes River, Ili horses, and grasslands. You can also see horses bathing in the river and witness Kazakh love stories (girls chasing each other on horseback), etc.!
We all came here to watch the Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River. There seemed to be about a hundred of them running majestically, but the distance they ran was quite short, only six times in total. They were so fast at grabbing sheep that the show was over just as we reached the front of the performance venue.
No.
6
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Liuxing Street
4.6
/5
79 reviews
6.5
Liuxing Street | 78.2 km from downtown
Address: 伊宁市江苏路与工人街交叉口西200米
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Diverse cultures & ethnicities experience
1930s German-engineered historic district
56% positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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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.
On Liuxing Street, there are three recommended dry rice. I have eaten it. It is all a popular store. The first is Gulandam ice cream. The decoration is a bit ins style. The ice cream is 9 yuan and 9 yuan, and then the jam can be added casually. Very good, many people. The second is the blue wall lungs. It is the CCTV that has been photographed. I bought a small portion of 8 yuan. If you like to eat lamb, you can also add money to add materials. The third is Wusun Milk Tea House, which is authentic Kazakh milk tea. I think it is a bit unaccustomed to drinking, because it is sweet and salty, but it is also very good to taste once.
No.
7
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Yili Tianshan Huahai Scenic Area
4.5
/5
244 reviews
6.4
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609998988888
Address: 新疆维吾尔自治区伊犁哈萨克自治州伊宁县G218(伊若线)
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Tianshan's Ili Valley flower sea
Experience seven thrilling rides
215 positive reviews
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The sea of flowers in Tianshan is a palette kissed by the wind - lavender spreads into purple mist, rapeseed spreads like a golden carpet, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance are the white space that has not dried yet. You can ride a horse in the flower path, watch the shadows of clouds passing over the tips of the flowers, and even the air is soaked with sweetness.
Tianshan Flower Sea is very big. You need to take a battery car to enter the scenic area. There are lavender fields, sunflower fields, etc. Different flowers bloom in different seasons. The sunflowers are the most beautiful in July. After booking the ticket, pick up the ticket at the entrance of the scenic area. It is very convenient
No.
8
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Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area
4.6
/5
143 reviews
6.4
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8613629995000
Address: 伊犁哈萨克自治州昭苏县
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
A color-changing lake in the hinterland of the Tianshan glaciers
Experience Xinjiang horse culture with a lakeside ride
132 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Yuhu Lake is surprisingly beautiful, but also relatively secluded, so it's not a busy place for self-driving cars.
Many areas within the scenic area are still under development, which slightly impacts the scenery.
The scenic area's observation deck is a bit small, with only a few cars parked, which can easily lead to traffic.
I heard it is an artificial reservoir, but it is really beautiful. The color of the lake water is different in different locations. The facilities inside are not very complete. After seeing the lake, driving along the road inside is also a scenic line. You can also rest and eat by the lake, which is very comfortable. The car is 100/car and 30 per person. Children are half price and seniors over 65 are free. It is good. If the facilities are more complete, more people will come. The service of the staff is also good.
No.
9
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Guozigou Bridge
4.8
/5
181 reviews
6.1
64.5 km from downtown
Address: Huocheng County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Uygur Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 hour
Highlights:
Spring blooms & breathtaking views
Unique S-shape over rolling hills
103 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Exit from the south gate of Sailimu Lake and take the county road to enter the first scenic spot of Yili, "Guozigou Bridge". After the driver and guide park, walk down the wooden plank road to enjoy the scenery of Guozigou Bridge from a relatively close distance.
[Scenery]
Looking around, the white cable-stayed Guozigou Bridge spans the entire canyon. On the gray-green rolling mountains in the distance, there are straight spruce trees everywhere, and there are light green lawns in the near distance, plus blue sky and white clouds, colorful and layered.
[Fun]
Although you can walk up and down the wooden plank road smoothly, take photos from different angles. There are also many horseback riding tourists here, enjoying the fun of riding fast or slow. There are also many people walking on the lawn to enjoy the beauty here.
The cost-effectiveness brought by nature is still very high.
The car circled up, and suddenly, the bridge appeared in front of us. The steel skeleton stretched out from between the two mountains, like the arm of a giant, forcibly holding this natural chasm together. The bridge deck was more than 200 meters above the ground, and there was an unfathomable canyon below. Some brave tourists leaned on the railing to look down, and their faces turned a little blue.
The scenery was really good. The surrounding mountains were lush and green, and clouds were floating on the mountainside. The sunlight leaked through the gaps in the clouds, illuminating the canyon with some bright and some dark. Occasionally, a bird flew by, passing through the steel cables, and it seemed extremely small.
Cars came and went on the bridge, and people rolled down the windows, raised their mobile phones, and clicked, and they were considered to have been there.
No.
10
Eight-Diagram City
4.4
/5
163 reviews
6.0
>100 km from downtown
Address: Tekes, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Majestic mountains & valleys surround
Unique traffic system without lights
26% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Baguacheng is well worth a visit. Riding an electric donkey in the nighttime breeze was so relaxing. We had the breakfast recommended by the B&B owner, but unfortunately, we arrived late and missed out on the delicious pancakes. However, the owner ordered all the street food for us: delicious lamb skewers, dumplings, cold noodles, pepper chicken, and sauerkraut noodles... He even made milk tea for us. I wasn't used to it, but it was so touching. Afterward, we checked out at every shop and even had crayfish. Hahaha. I ate so many skewers and big plate chicken that I thought crayfish was even better.
🔴Xiwei Fast Food Restaurant. Xibe flatbread is a Xibe specialty, only found in Yili. Freshly made white pancakes are served with cauliflower, chive chili sauce, milk tea, and a delicious jerk.
🔴Ruyan Farmhouse Courtyard👍🏻 This Hui-style stir-fry restaurant is also quite good. The spicy pork and Kazakh potato chips are excellent.
🔴 Ma Bai Kailai's lamb chops and sliced pork slices are a Xinjiang specialty, and Dingjia Private Kitchen is also quite good, a Xinjiang specialty.
🔴The next morning, I went to Apa's milk tea house and had baolsak. It's delicious, with jam or cheese. It's absolutely delicious. I also had a lot of noodles, but they were still very tasty.
🔴Recommended things to do in the county town:
1. Li Street, a street with ethnic minority characteristics, perfect for taking photos and pictures. There's Gulai Dam ice cream there that you must try. It's open day or night, free of charge.
2. Tai Chi Altar, similar to the Tekes Museum, learn about the city's history and I Ching culture. You can see the eight streets of the Bagua City. Admission is 20 yuan per person, and it's open day or night.
3. The City That Never Sleeps, with ethnic minority song and dance performances, bonfires, mermaids, and more, is perfect for evenings. Free of charge.
4. The I Ching Cultural Park, where you can learn about I Ching culture, the Eight Trigrams, and other things. There's a fee, about 20 yuan per person, so it's best to go during the day.
5. The Tai Chi Eye Ferris Wheel, perfect for nighttime viewing. At night, you can visit Tai Chi Altar, the City That Never Sleeps, and another great place to check out: the Apa Grand Bazaar.
Tekes Bagua City, the most "Bagua" city in China. I never expected that there would be such a city with strong Taoist elements in Yili, Xinjiang, outside the Great Wall. Its layout is like a huge Bagua formation. There are no traffic lights in the main urban area. The streets are like a maze, and Bagua elements are everywhere. Karajun of the world is Bagua City of China. This place was once the Wusun tribe in the Han Dynasty, the Western Liao Dynasty in the Song Dynasty, and the Yili General's Mansion in the Qing Dynasty. A Bagua City opening ceremony and a song "Tekes Welcome You" raised the enthusiasm for tourism to the highest point.
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