Lying at the north foot of the Tianshan Mountain, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture is in the west of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bounded on the northeast by Russia and Mongolia, on the west by Kazakhstan.

Physical Features:

Ili is located in the heart of Central Asia. The Tianshan Mountains, the Altai Mountains, the Poluokenu Mountains, the Junggar Basin and the Monglkvre-Tekes Basin make up the main landforms of Ili, along with the Ili River, the Erqis River and their valleys.

Climatic Features:

The prefecture enjoys a cool, temperate, semi-arid, continental climate. Owing to the vast expanse of land, there are also microclimate features in different regions. Generally, Ili's summers are short and the winters, long. The temperature varies greatly between day and night. The temperature in spring rises rapidly but unstably, while the autumn temperatures drop rapidly.

When to Go:

Summer and autumn are the best time in Ili. The pastures are verdant. Melons and fruits are ripe. Notable is the sunset in Ili River. It is the favorite of many photographers.

Special Local Products: lavender and black currant.

Scenic Spots is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Xinjiang. The terrain is steep and wildlife ranges up and down the gorge.

Sayram Lake: is the largest and highest alpine lake in Xinjiang. Surrounded by the vast verdant grassland, it is a stunning attraction definitely worth visiting.

Nalati Grassland: is one of the four largest alpine meadows in the world.

Kanas Lake: is a mysterious lake, attracting numerous visitors, not only for its enthralling scenery and clear water, but also for the enchanting legend about the monster in the lake.

Travel Tips:

Kazak is the largest ethnic minority of Ili, and the Kazaks are hospitable. Visitors should be sure to see their traditional food and costumes.

 Yining Airport is only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from downtown Gulja City, operating flights to Urumqi and Kashgar.

The world horticultural garden exposition in northest Kunming is a global exposition of the highest degree. First opened in May of 1999, this theme park remains a dazzling display of sights, sounds and colors. Containing dozens of theme gardens, this park will impress and amaze anyone interested in natural or man-made science, art, poetry or Chinese architecture. 
     Entrance into the gardens was 100 RMB. Although this entrance fee may seem high, compared to other destination theme parks, I thought it was very fair. After you paid the entrance fee, Iyou was given a plastic card and a colorful map to enter the park. Being a naturalist-at-heart and a gardener by trade, you knew upon entering the gates that this place was special. 
   Once inside the gates, one walks through a flower garden road. The colors and varieties of flowers, planted in colorful patterns, is very vivid. Along this flower garden road there are flower columns, flower streams, a flowered sailing ship and a flower clock to view. Also bi-lingual tour guides offer their services as companion guides complete with video cameras and expertise. Maybe you will set to experience this park on your own.
 

   The World Horti-Expo garden contains 5 large exhibition halls, 7 special gardens, 34 domestic (Chinese) gardens, 28 international gardens and numerous trails into the natural hillside forests. Perhaps because of the size and complexity of this park, very little english information was available as far as what this place has to offer. Fortunately the garden tour maps and directional signs are written in both chinese and english.

 All in all,it is a good place for coming!I hope we will have a nice day there!

The earlier course of Huanghe River winds through the city and the Great Canal flows by it. Yunlong Lake, with its clear water, looks like a bright pearl inlaid in the southern suburb of the city.
 Yunlong Lake
Yunlong scenic spot is located in the south of Xuzhou, with a body of water of 5.8 square kilometers, and a land area of 5.6 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by green hills. Along the green lake bank, one can see extraordinary splendor through all of the four seasons: peach flowers and willows in the spring; red pomegranate in the summer; maple trees in the autumn; and plum blossom against white snow in winter. The Yunlong Lake area includes various scenic spots including“ Aquatic World”, “Lakeside Park”, “the Ten-thousand-person Swimming Pool”, “Lotus Isles ”, “Apricot Flowers Garden ”, “Bonsai Garden” and “Jinshan Pagoda”.
 •  Lakeside Park
Lakeside Park is like a green corridor providing shade for the residents nearby. Skillfully combined here is motion and stillness; natural and artificial craft; green garden and European style architecture, offering artistic taste as well as exotic flavor.
•  Aquatic World
Situated on the island in the center of the lake is the Aquatic World with its modern building shaped like a whale diving.. Here are displayed more than 150 rare species of fish from 35 countries and districts.