June ushers in Yining's most romantic season, making it the perfect time to explore this beautiful county in Xinjiang. The surrounding grasslands turn lush and green, with vast open plains where cattle and sheep graze at leisure. Nearby, expansive lavender fields stretch toward the horizon, while snow-capped peaks stand sentinel in the distance. The weather is pleasantly mild - neither too warm nor too cool.

Recommended attractions

1. Tuohuolasu Grassland

Nestled on the southern flank of Kegurqin Mountain in the western Tianshan Mountains, north of Yining county, Tuohuolasu Grassland is a key stop along the Dennuletai Pass on the northern Tianshan Silk Road. As a grassland close to the city, it features gently rolling hills surrounded by mountains, unfolding like a beautifully layered landscape painting.

Photo: Yining County Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism

Covering approximately 150 square kilometers, the grassland becomes a vast emerald carpet in summer, dotted with blooming wildflowers, grazing cattle and sheep, and framed by snow-capped peaks. Its diverse landscapes blend harmoniously, immersing visitors in scenery that feels like poetry brought to life.

Photo: Yining County Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism

2. Tianshan Flower Sea Scenic Area

Located in Kashgar town, Yining county, Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang, the Tianshan Flower Sea Scenic Area is home to an impressive 16 million square meters of blooming lavender.

Self-drive recommendation

Duku Highway

Running through the middle section of the Tianshan Range as part of National Highway G217, the Duku Highway connects northern and southern Xinjiang. It begins in Dushanzi district, Karamay, and ends in Kuqa, Aksu prefecture, stretching approximately 561 kilometers. Hailed as one of "China's Most Beautiful Highways," it offers spectacular scenery at every turn, from the Dushanzi Grand Canyon at the northern entrance to the Nalati and Bayanbulak grasslands along the route, and the Kuqa Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon at its southern end. The highway reopened to traffic on June 1 this year.

Recommended attractions along the way

1. Nalati Tourist Scenic Area

Located in Xinyuan county, Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture, in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains at the eastern end of the Ili River Valley, the Nalati Tourist Scenic Area consists of an alpine grassland sightseeing area and a visitor service area extending from south to north.

The scenic area combines grasslands, ravines, and forests, with dense vegetation and abundant wildlife. Renowned for its distinctive natural ecology and cultural landscapes, it has earned titles such as "Tianshan Green Island," "Green Homeland," and "Colorful Grassland."

2. Bayanbulak Scenic Area

Located in Hejing county, Bayingolin Mongolian autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang, the Bayanbulak Scenic Area is celebrated as a "Green Pure Land." It is home to China's largest subalpine meadow grassland. The area features a remarkable range of natural landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, gorges, basins, grasslands, river curves, and wetlands, complemented by rich Mongolian traditions and grassland culture.