7-Day Family Light Hiking in Ili! Carefully Selected Grasslands to Explore the Highlights with Kids
Starting from May, spending summer in Ili with kids is truly comfortable! No need to spend ten or fifteen days; in just 7 days, you can take your kids to explore the essence of Ili’s grasslands and off-the-beaten-path spots. This family travel guide selects unique grasslands to avoid aesthetic fatigue, with a relaxed itinerary that doesn’t rush, combined with lakes, canyons, and ancient towns, making the kids’ Ili trip rich and fun while parents can easily relax and enjoy the outing!
💡The core secret to exploring Ili in 7 days
Each grassland in Ili has its own characteristics, so there’s no need to visit them all. We’ve carefully selected grasslands suitable for family travel, paired with lakes, canyons, and folk experiences. The itinerary balances activity and rest, with optimized daily driving times to prevent car sickness and ensure ample playtime. You can enjoy Ili’s natural beauty and experience local folk culture—7 days is just right.
🌟Ili Family Grassland Travel Guide (suitable for families + best times)
✅Qiaxi: Best from May to June, open grassland, drive and stop freely, light family hiking with kids, watch streams winding through the grassland, very quiet with few tourists
✅Kuerdening: Best from late April to June, alternating spruce forests and grasslands, good road conditions, drive deep with kids, learn about forest plants, excellent family nature class
✅Nalati: Best from mid-May to mid-August, stunning aerial grassland, kids can ride ponies, feed cattle and sheep, plus family grassland camping experience
✅Kalajun: Best from late May to late June, spectacular human-shaped grassland, wildflowers covering the hills, light hiking with kids, perfect for beautiful family photos
✅Qiongkushitai: Best from mid-May to mid-August, pristine small village, hike with kids to see alpine lakes, experience daily life of herders
✅Tangbula: Best from mid-May to mid-August, beautiful hundred-mile gallery, Fairy Lake is a hidden gem, kids can visit snow mountain lakes, full of atmosphere
✅Xiata: Best from June to August, snow mountains right before your eyes, stroll the Xiata Ancient Trail with kids, see Muzart Snow Mountain, feel the plateau’s grandeur
✅Bayinbuluke: Best from June to early September, breathtaking sunset over the winding river, kids can see Swan Lake and get close to swans
🚗Ili 6-Day Family Route Recommendation (Easy Version)👇
D1: Urumqi - Sayram Lake, stay at a lake-view family hotel, explore Sayram Lake with kids
D2: Sayram Lake - Daxigou Apricot Blossom - Kazanqi, take family photos on Blue Street
D3: Yining - Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley - Xinyuan, enjoy apricot blossoms/grasslands, family fruit picking experience
D4: Xinyuan - Nalati Aerial Grassland - Nalati, kids ride horses and explore grasslands
D5: Nalati - Jinghe, visit goji berry gardens, taste Xinjiang specialty fruits
D6: Jinghe - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Urumqi, see canyon wonders, return trip
🚗Ili 7-Day Family Route Recommendation (In-Depth Version)👇
D1: Urumqi - Sayram Lake - First visit - Sayram Lake sunset, lakeside family afternoon tea
D2: Sayram Lake second visit - Guozigou Bridge - Jieyou Lavender - Yining Six Star Street Night Market, enjoy night market snacks
D3: Yining - Yizhao Highway - Deep tour of Xiata Scenic Area, kids see snow mountains and feed lambs
D4: Xiata - Tianma Bath River - Kalajun Human Grassland - Tekes Bagua City, explore Bagua City and see Tianma
D5: Tekes - Nalati Aerial Grassland - Nalati Town, deep experience of grassland herder life
D6: Nalati - Northern Duku Highway - Tangbula Fairy Lake - Kuitun, visit hidden gems
D7: Kuitun - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Urumqi, end family trip
Accommodation
🏨Urumqi Hotel
Family-friendly star hotel with a kids’ club, provides family travel guides, fully equipped facilities
🏨Yilu Harbor Hotel
Family guesthouse near the scenic area, standalone courtyard, family BBQ, kids’ grassland camping experience
🏨Tianhe Hotel
Many family rooms with children’s beds, hotel has a kids’ play area, close to Dushanzi Grand Canyon