Ili Grassland: A Hidden Gem in the Heartland, a Sea of Flowers, 50 Kilometers from the World Heritage Site of Kara-Su

People often say, without Ili, you cannot know the beauty of Xinjiang.

Many people also say that Ili is China's 'Swiss' scenery, and Ili's grasslands, mountains, and flower fields are more beautiful than Switzerland.

I, having walked many times in Ili, deeply recognize such evaluations.

Xinjiang's spring begins with countless wildflowers blooming; from March to July each year, under the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, the undulating grasslands are covered in lush green, and all kinds of mountain flowers will burst forth in a dazzling display.

Here, you'll truly understand the meaning of 'flower seas' and 'mountains covered in flowers',

Each mountain flower has a different blooming time, from March to July, wild peach blossoms, lilies, fragrant carnations, sky-colored flowers, yellow flowers, spring flowers, rapeseed flowers, violet, etc., will bloom one after another. There are also many unnamed flowers on the grasslands blooming in succession,

In June 2019, together with several friends, we drove to Turpan County. Local friends accompanied us to the World Heritage Site of Kara-Su grasslands, which was so beautiful that we didn't want to leave,

We took many photos, taking pictures until the camera ran out of power,

But friends said there was also a place that was very beautiful, no less stunning than Kara-Su grasslands, undeveloped, and not known to many foreigners, without any tickets, strongly recommending us to take a look,

My friend said this grassland is located in Aktaas Village in Turpan County, Tekes, traditionally called Aktaas grassland,

Aktaas grassland is located north of Ili, Tekes County, on the Uson Mountains, named for the white-colored reflections of the rocks in the sunlight, 'Aktaas' is a Kazakh word meaning 'white stone mountain.'

Early in the morning, friends took us to have a sumptuous Kazakh-style breakfast before setting off,

After leaving the county, the road was mostly rural, but the road conditions were good. Later it was paved with rubble and gravel, without any signposts. When we came to a nail road, we didn't know which direction to go, so we asked a passing herdsman for directions and continued on,

After driving for about 40 minutes, we entered Aktaas grassland. The grassland stretched endlessly, with the Tian Shan Mountains still covered in snow and thick clouds floating in the air,

A flower sea appeared before us, with endless green and boundless flower fields. On the grassland, purple rapeseed flowers and yellow flowers bloomed competitively. In the distance, a red-clad woman was taking pictures in various poses in the flower field,

Under the blue sky and white clouds, the white felt tents were partially hidden in the lush flower meadows. Yellow lilies were set off by the surrounding dense pine forests, so beautiful that it took our breath away,

Purple rapeseed flowers bloomed beautifully, dense clusters of small flowers formed a spherical shape, swaying in the mountain wind, like playful little elves,

Local herdsmen were busy outside the felt tents, and they smiled warmly at us, a group of unexpected visitors,

Bathing in the warm sunshine, breathing the fresh air, it felt like being in a dreamlike paradise,

In such a fairy-like place, people feel refreshed and happy,

At that time, my feeling was: when mountain flowers are in full bloom, I laugh in the fields,

The roads on the grassland are simply paved with sand and stone. Almost no earth roads can be seen except for these simple trails,

Everywhere is covered with greenery, blooming flowers, and distant pine trees. This road simply curves and bends into the distance in a flower sea,

In the flower field, we met a couple traveling by self-driving. In chatting, we learned that they came from Changzhi, Xinjiang, and were both retired. Their children were already grown up, so they drove around to play,

They were both over 60, looking like they were only in their 50s. They slept in a remodeled camper, and they cooked for themselves. They went wherever they felt like it, living in the moment, free and easy,

They went out for a long time each time, having traveled to many places within China, saying they didn't feel any burden, and their retirement income was enough to spend,

Seeing them together so harmoniously, it's truly enviable,

This makes me think of a sentence I read in a book: 'People living in the world are not lacking one person, but they lack a companion who is soul-compatible.'

Some people get along with each other, while those with common interests and goals roam around everywhere. This may be the difference,

In the vast lands of Ili, there are many such grasslands,

Especially in the east five counties of Ili, namely Zhao Su County, Tekes County, Congliu County, Xin Yuan County and Niling County, each county has famous grassland scenic spots,

For a long time, the pastoralism in Ili grasslands was based on Kazakhs,

The Kazakhs are mainly distributed in Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Mongolia, etc. In China, most Kazakhs live in Ili,

The origins of the Kazakhs are complex, generally believed that they originated from the ancient Uson, Cage, Alan (Aman Tsai) people and the original Central Asian grassland tribes such as Sezen, Da Mulshi and later the,,,,,, people, etc., who entered this area,

They are hospitable and kind-hearted, and have always lived on the grasslands by herding,

Now their lives are getting better. Some young people choose to go to university and then work in cities,

The altitude here is only over 1000 meters, and the air is fresh, intoxicating,

Lying in the flower field, gazing around, the undulating hills and grasslands were accompanied by each other, gently flowing into the clouds, the lines were so beautiful. White sheep and horses added vitality and liveliness to the endless green,

In such a picturesque place, people feel particularly good,

The warm climate and abundant rainfall in Ili provide excellent conditions for the growth of vegetation, thus making the grasslands here even more beautiful, and visitors to this place are amazed,

Aktaas grassland belongs to Aktaas Pastoral Village, which is an undeveloped virgin land,

Many foreign tourists don't know this place, their main destinations when traveling to Turpan County are the World Heritage Site of Kara Su grasslands and the Eight, this grassland is only about 50 kilometers from the World Heritage Site of Kara Su grasslands, and this grassland is only about 50 kilometers from the World Heritage Site of Kara Su grasslands,

Only local people and experienced mountaineers know this place, there is no ticket, you can drive a car directly into it,

At night, you can set up tents and camp here to see the starry sky and enjoy the pristine grassland night,

Aktaas grassland's best blooming season is June and July, I hope your Ili trip will not miss this place