When it comes to Ili, 5A-level scenic spots like Nalati and Kalajun are familiar to everyone.
But can you imagine that deep in the Tianshan Mountains of Ili, there is a place with scenery comparable to Switzerland, once a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, and a location of snow mountains and grasslands that has taken the internet by storm in the past two years?
This place is Xiata!
Many friends say that the scenery of Xiata is comparable to Switzerland. But in my opinion, Xiata’s landscape far surpasses Switzerland!
After more than two months of being closed to visitors, Xiata has finally opened for business. The internet-famous Xiata scenic spot is located in a small county town in the southwestern part of Ili, Zhaosu.
Today, let’s talk about this small town on the border, Zhaosu.
Although it is located on the China-Kazakhstan border, you don’t need to apply for a border permit like in Taxian County when traveling to Zhaosu. Whether you rent a car or charter a car, you can set off anytime.
However, compared to the mature scenic spots of the Duku Highway or the Ili River Valley, Zhaosu is not that easy to reach.
Although it seems that Zhaosu is only about 100 kilometers away from Yining, the capital of Ili, just over a 2-hour drive, the Yizhao Highway connecting Yining and Zhaosu is closed for a longer period each year than the Duku Highway.
Once autumn and winter arrive, you have to take a detour through Tekes, and the journey takes over 4 hours.
So, from a geographical perspective, Zhaosu can be considered as deeply hidden in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains. But this cannot hinder our footsteps; Zhaosu is a beautiful small town that you must visit in your lifetime.
If you want to see rainbows, you must come to Zhaosu.
According to statistics, between May and August each year, rainbow sightings in Zhaosu can occur more than 160 times. This place has also been named the Rainbow Capital of China by the China Meteorological Administration.
The journey to Zhaosu mostly starts from the Yizhao Highway in Yining. Known as the “Mini Duku”, the Yizhao Highway is also regarded as one of the most beautiful roads in Xinjiang.
The Yizhao Highway is generally only open for 3 months a year, so friends who can come here are all “special guests.”
Along the highway, snow mountains, meadows, forests, canyons… all the elements of Xinjiang are in full view here. At the Angliete Daban Pass, with an altitude of over 3,000 meters, we can overlook the vast mountains and fir forests.
This road is also known as the “Mini Duku Highway.” If you are traveling to Xinjiang and don’t have enough time for the Duku Highway but still want to visit Ili during the best season, take my advice and go for Yizhao.
For friends coming from inland China, driving on this mountain road in the western frontier feels like being in a magnificent painting.
When you suddenly see the vast grassland, you are almost at Zhaosu County.
Here is the free, less-crowded scenic spot near Zhaosu, Wolf Valley, composed of more than 10 canyons. Despite its rough-sounding name, Wolf Valley, with nearly a million acres of natural highland grass, is truly enchantingly beautiful.
Compared to the Duku Highway, the 180-kilometer-long Yizhao Highway is much shorter in distance. If you’re in a hurry, it only takes half a day; if you take it slow, at most one day to reach Zhaosu County.
It is much more friendly in terms of passenger comfort and driver fatigue.
However, since you’ve arrived in Zhaosu, you can’t miss mentioning the Zhaosu Heavenly Horses. Known as the “Hometown of China’s Heavenly Horses,” Zhaosu is the ancient land of the Wusun Kingdom, historically producing fine horses and serving as the breeding ground for Ili horses.
If you haven’t caught the annual Heavenly Horse Festival, then you absolutely can’t miss the “Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River” performance at the Zhaosu Wetland Park.
A group of mighty and magnificent Ili horses, led by the horse herders, rush into the river, splashing up gleaming white water, showcasing a combination of power and beauty right before your eyes.
Against the backdrop of the blue sky and lush grass of the Zhaosu Wetland, this is an unmissable visual feast.
After witnessing the Heavenly Horses bathing in the river, Xiata, perhaps the most popular snow mountain grassland in Xinjiang in recent years, is just a 1-hour drive away.
In previous years, Xiata was mainly well-known in the hiking community, but since the year before last, Xiata has completely taken off, with many friends including it in their itineraries.
Starting from the General’s Bridge, follow the horse trail towards the Muerzat Snow Mountain, taking in the magnificent scenery of snow mountains and grasslands. Hiking to the deepest point, you can see the glacier. The scenery along the way is stunning.
If you’re visiting during peak season and plan to ride horses in the scenic area, it’s recommended to wake up early and enter the scenic spot in the first wave when it opens.
The horse team’s route also starts from the General’s Bridge, with a fee of 80 yuan per hour, a relatively reasonable price, and the scenic area management is very standardized. Those who don’t want to walk can ride horses to venture deeper.
The way to enjoy Xiata is very simple. Whether you choose to hike, vacation, or camp, each has its own advantages. After purchasing your ticket, just follow the path and appreciate the scenery.
I used to complain that although Xiata has stunning landscapes, its facilities did not match its reputation.
However, Xiata has changed this year. The scenic area has begun to improve and upgrade. It reopened on June 10th, with the road for the internal shuttle bus renovated and widened compared to before, significantly improving traffic efficiency.The reopening of the Xiata Hot Spring Hotel is also highly anticipated.
After exploring Xiata, if you’re not in a particular hurry to head to Tekes or return to Yining, I highly recommend stopping by Jade Lake.
If you’re short on time, drive to the parking lot and take a quick glance from the mountain. If you have more time, I strongly suggest staying by the lake.
The first time I arrived at Zhaosu Jade Lake, I couldn’t help but exclaim, isn’t this the same scenery as Kanas Lake?
Zhaosu Jade Lake, also known by locals as the “Chameleon Lake,” was originally the upper reservoir of the Simutas Hydropower Station invested and constructed by the Gezhouba Group, hidden in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains.
In the past two years, it has gained popularity due to its unique Tiffany blue water color. The water of Jade Lake comes from glacial meltwater. In different seasons, times, and lighting conditions, it presents various shades of blue.
The emerald-green water of Zhaosu Jade Lake, coupled with the surrounding snow mountains and grasslands, creates a picturesque and healing landscape.
Whether you stroll along the mountain paths by the lake or climb to a vantage point to overlook the entire beauty of Jade Lake, here, you can simply empty your mind and enjoy the beauty brought by nature.
On social media, many friends are still debating whether Xinjiang or Switzerland is more beautiful and worth visiting. However, for travelers, both Xinjiang and Switzerland have their own advantages.
Just like Zhaosu, which we mentioned today, although not a bustling metropolis, it showcases charming scenery comparable to Switzerland with its surrounding beautifully scattered landscapes.
Here, the beauty of nature and the charm of humanity complement each other, forming a series of splendid and colorful paintings. Whether it’s the wild and unrestrained Heavenly Horses bathing in the river, the golden brilliance of the tens of thousands of acres of flower fields, or the majestic and magnificent hidden snow mountains, they all make people linger and feel as if they are in a heavenly realm.
And if you visit in the height of summer, the rapeseed flowers extending to the foot of the snow mountains adorn this land like a poem or painting, making people feel refreshed and delighted.
If you come to Ili, don’t miss Zhaosu!
