






E22***58Gulandam Ice Cream Shop is a star shop in Liuxing Street, a famous tourist attraction in Yining City, Xinjiang. The shop is a century-old shop that specializes in handmade ice cream of various flavors. The ice cream in the shop is not very sweet, a bit like sorbet, but with a richer taste and flavor. The biggest feature is that there are many different self-service ingredients that can be added to the ice cream yourself.
Gulandam Ice Cream Shop is a star shop in Liuxing Street, a famous tourist attraction in Yining City, Xinjiang. The shop is a century-old shop that specializes in handmade ice cream of various flavors. The ice cream in the shop is not very sweet, a bit like sorbet, but with a richer taste and flavor. The biggest feature is that there are many different self-service ingredients that can be added to the ice cream yourself.
To be honest, the environment is nice and the taste is acceptable, but I think the price is a bit high. Some small alleys have the same taste of ice cream as this one, and you can enjoy it for only two or three yuan. The most important thing is that the employees' faces are full of "tired! tired! tired!" The employees I saw late on Sunday night can still be seen early on Monday morning. I asked around and rested for three or four hours!
⭕Kazanqi⭐⭐⭐⭐ There are many blue houses, which are very distinctive. There are some yogurt sellers, teahouses and shops renting ethnic costumes. ⭕Liuxing Street⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It is generally cleaner than Kazanqi, and cars are not allowed to enter after 7 o'clock. There are also many places to take pictures. ⭕Food ❶Gulandam Ice Cream: Many people buy the classic original flavor of 9.9, and then add various small ingredients by themselves. There are super many people in the Internet celebrity store, but the queue is quite fast. The ice cream is better than that of Hotan Second Street in Urumqi. Zaxiangzi Noodle Soup: It is not particularly delicious but not thunder. It is quite standard. 26 per serving, with side dishes, noodle soup (cabbage, jelly blocks, mutton), oil cakes, and flower rolls. ❷Hazina Pastry: Because we went late, there were not many pastries. I bought apricot jam and yogurt bread with a strong wind. Because I was full, I tried a bite of apricot jam bread and didn’t like it. It was too sweet... I will comment after eating the yogurt bread. ⚠️A restaurant I really like: Mijiti Fast Food Restaurant The pilaf and fried meat noodles there are super delicious (not in Kazanqi and Liuxing Street) I feel that there is no need to deliberately check in at Kazanqi and Liuxing Street. If you come here to take ethnic photos, then you can. There are many restaurants, so you have to choose carefully...
Haha, hello there! I'm Deepseek, a travel blogger who loves nature and culture. Today, I'll meticulously plan a 4-day, 3-night in-depth tour of Yili for two people, with a budget under 10,000 yuan, including transportation, accommodation, meals, and entrance fees. Let me take you on a tour of Yili, the "Jiangnan of the Northwest," a destination where grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and Kazakh culture blend perfectly. Xinjiang Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, 4 days 3 nights, 2 people, total budget: approximately 9,500 yuan, leave 500 yuan for emergencies. Highlights: Gallop across the Narat Grassland, witnessing the magnificent aerial view of the grassland; stroll along the shores of Sayram Lake, encountering the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean; explore the lavender fields of Huocheng (best time of year: June-July); cross the Guozigou Bridge, experiencing the breathtaking Tianshan Canyon; savor authentic Kazakh cuisine and Yili's specialty snacks. Detailed Itinerary: Arrive in Yining → Huocheng Lavender Fields → Liuxing Street → Overnight in Yining. Transportation suggestion: Fly from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to Yining Airport. Round-trip airfare is approximately 3,000 yuan per person. Booking in advance can save 6,000 yuan for two people. Alternatively, flying to Urumqi and then transferring by plane/train to Yining is cheaper but takes longer. Local transportation: Airport car rental recommended! Flexible and costing approximately 300 RMB per day, totaling 1200 RMB for 4 days including fuel and parking. Arrive in Yining in the morning. Lunch: Yining's famous minced meat noodles or Ailijiang baked buns. Afternoon: Drive to Lucao Gou Town, Huocheng County to visit lavender fields (peak blooming season June-July, free or 20 RMB/person entrance fee). Evening: Return to Yining and stroll along Liuxing Street: colorful houses, handicrafts, Russian-style architecture. Dinner: Liuxing Street Gulandam ice cream + Tatar-style restaurant. Accommodation: Yining guesthouse, double room approximately 200 RMB/night × 1 night = 200 RMB. Don't miss the light show and small song and dance performances on Liuxing Street in the evening! Yining → Sayram Lake Loop → Overnight in Qingshuihe Town Driving time: Yining → Sayram Lake approximately 2.5 hours (one way). Tickets: Sayram Lake Scenic Area 145 RMB/person including shuttle bus, 290 RMB for two people. Departure in the morning, passing the Guozigou Bridge, with free stops for photos at the viewing platform. Arrive at Sayram Lake and drive counter-clockwise around the lake. Recommended stops: Dianjiangtai, Swan Leshui, Songshutou, Qingshuitan. Ethnic costumes for photos available for rent starting at 50 RMB/set. 3. Picnic by the lake or simple meal within the scenic area; bringing your own food saves money. 4. Exit the scenic area in the evening and drive to Qingshuihe Town for overnight stay (1 hour from Sayram Lake). Accommodation: Comfortable hotel double room in Qingshuihe Town 260 RMB/night × 1 night = 260 RMB. Meals: Lunch (simple meal within the scenic area) approximately 80 RMB; Dinner (large plate chicken + belt noodles in town) approximately 60 RMB. → Subtotal 140 RMB. Sayram Lake is windy, so be sure to bring a windproof jacket! Afternoon light is best for photos. Qingshuihe → Narat Grassland Sky Grassland → Overnight in Narat Town. Driving time: Qingshuihe → Narat, approximately 4 hours. Many mountain roads, please be careful. Entrance fee: Narat Scenic Area 135 RMB/person + shuttle bus 40 RMB/person, total 175 RMB/person → 350 RMB for two people. Itinerary: Depart in the morning, arrive at the Narat Visitor Center at noon to enter the Sky Grassland Scenic Area, take the shuttle bus to visit the Visitor Center → Snow Mountain → River Valley Grassland → Panlong Valley Road - walking + photo + horseback riding experience optional, 80 RMB/30 minutes. Overnight stay in a Narat Town guesthouse. Accommodation: Boutique guesthouse double room in Narat Town 380 RMB/night × 1 night = 380 RMB. Meals: Lunch: scenic area fast food 100 RMB, Dinner: Kazakh yurt hand-pulled mutton set meal 160 RMB → Subtotal 260 RMB. Narat is shrouded in mist in the early morning, like a fairyland; it is recommended to get up early to photograph the sunrise. Narat → Gongnaisi Forest → Return trip to Yining: Narat → Gongnaisi National Forest Park (approx. 1.5 hours) → Yining (approx. 3 hours) Itinerary: Morning: Light hiking in Gongnaisi National Forest Park (entrance fee 65 RMB/person, 130 RMB for two people). Experience the primeval forest, streams, and snow-capped mountain reflections. Feeding deer is available (feeding bag 10 RMB). Lunch in the forest area. After lunch, depart for Yining. Afternoon: Arrive in Yining, return car, free time: Purchase local specialties such as black honey, lavender essential oil, and maren candy. Evening: Fly back home (recommended 8:00 PM flight). Meals: Approx. 150 RMB for the whole day. Total cost breakdown (for two people): Round-trip airfare 6000 RMB; Car rental + fuel 1200 RMB; Accommodation (3 nights) 200 + 260 + 380 = 840 RMB; Entrance fees 290 (Sayonara Lake) + 350 (Narat) + 130 (Gongnaisi) 770 RMB; Meals approx. 600 RMB; Others (snacks, souvenirs, etc.) 500 RMB. Total cost: Approximately 9910 RMB. Keeping it under 10,000 RMB, this is extremely cost-effective. Travel Tips (by Deepseek): Best season: Mid-June to early August (when the grasslands are greenest and lavender is in full bloom). Clothing guide: Large temperature difference between day and night, bring a windproof jacket + light down jacket; women should bring long skirts for great photos. Sun protection essentials: High SPF sunscreen + sunglasses + hat, UV rays are extremely strong! Respect local customs: When entering a Kazakh family's home, do not step on the threshold, and do not take photos of people indiscriminately. Road condition reminder: Signal is weak in mountainous areas, download offline maps in advance. Recommended: Aowei Interactive Map. Conclusion: This trip to Yili will take us through the heart of the Tianshan Mountains, where we will hear the wind singing on the grasslands and be captivated by the lake reflecting the snow-capped mountains. Two people, one car, heading west, making 10,000 RMB a worthwhile memory of our youth. If you also yearn for such freedom and vastness, then save this guide and set off for Yili this summer! Follow me for my travel diary; the next stop will take you to the autumn fairytale of Kanas. (PDF itinerary required) Customize a family/honeymoon itinerary? Leave a comment and let me know, I'll help you plan it! 🚗🌄
Unveiling the Truth About Traveling to Yining in November! Read This Before Deciding Whether You're Going! 🏃♀️ I've seen so many posts praising Yining's autumn scenery, but as someone who's been through a lot of tourist traps, I have to tell you the truth! Yining in November is definitely not just a "photoshopped" place, but there are some pitfalls you'll regret not avoiding... I've compiled a real travel guide, revealing your budget, attractions, routes, and best food! ------ 💰 Budget Reference (4 days 3 nights, 1500-2000 RMB per person) • Transportation: Round-trip airfare + local chartered/shared car approx. 1000-1200 RMB (Off-season airfare discounts are large, keep an eye on special offers 30 days in advance!) • Accommodation: Budget guesthouse/hotel 200-400 RMB/night (Guesthouses in Liuxing Street offer good value, recommended "Linxishe" and "Saixiaoxi", good heating!) • Dining: 80-100 RMB per day (Breakfast 15 RMB, all-you-can-eat, a feast of delicious food!) • Entrance Fees: Sayram Lake self-driving ticket 142.5 RMB/person, Kazanchi free, Swan Spring Wetland approx. 50 RMB Money-Saving TIP: Stay with a herder's family (80 RMB per person/night), bring your own food + buy local lamb for DIY barbecue, cheap and full of experience! ------ 🌄 Must-Visit Attractions: Autumn Limited Edition 1. Sayram Lake ◦ Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ◦ In November, the lake is azure blue and the meadows are golden. The west shore is less crowded and free! Hike along the pine-tree-top boardwalk; the reflection of the snow-capped mountains is breathtaking. ◦ Avoid: It's extremely windy by the lake! A windproof jacket and sunscreen are essential; the weather changes faster than turning the pages of a book. 2. Kazanchi Folk Village ◦ Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ◦ Free! Take a "Hadik" horse-drawn carriage (50 yuan/person) to stroll along the blue streets, and learn to make handmade ice cream with a Uyghur auntie—perfect for taking photos. 3. Ili River Scenic Area ◦ Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ◦ A must-visit at sunset! Golden river surface, flocks of pigeons, and a chance encounter with locals dancing the "Ili River Dance"—the atmosphere is simply divine. 4. Hidden Gem in the Suburbs: Swan Spring Wetland ◦ Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ◦ Mute swans have already begun arriving for the winter in November! Early morning frost-covered trees and swans dancing on the lake create a truly enchanting scene (45 km from the city center, chartered car approximately 150 RMB). ------ 🚗 4-Day Lazy Person's Itinerary (No Detours) • Day 1: Yining City Stroll Kazanchi Folk Village (photographs of rainbow houses) → Liuxing Street (accordion museum + Russian architecture) → Sunset on the Ili River → Baked buns at the Hanren Street Night Market • Day 2: Sayram Lake Deep Dive 1.5-hour chartered car to Sayram Lake (hiking around the west shore of the lake) → Photo opportunity at the cliffside of Guozigou Bridge → Overnight stay in a lakeside herder's tent • Day 3: Cultural Experience Day Morning mist photography at Swan Spring Wetland → Ili Museum → Lavender essential oil purchase at Silk Road Light Town (avoiding the pitfalls of jade from tourist attractions!) • Day 4: Relaxing in the Suburbs Light hike in Kuldning (autumn leaves + snow-capped mountains) → Enjoy mixed noodles at Haierbag Restaurant before returning ------ 🍢 Top Food Picks! Recommended Foods: • Hardcore Breakfast Combo: Wusun Milk Tea House (Baursak + Horse Meat Sausage) + Aishanjiang Pan-Fried Buns, 15 RMB per person for a warm and comforting day! • Must-Try Meals: ◦ Haierbagh Uyghur Mixed Noodles (chewy noodles, fragrant mutton!) ◦ Gaxiangzi Rice Noodle Soup (Hui specialty, absolutely delicious with oily sauce) • Top-Tier Snacks: ◦ Gulandam Ice Cream (Old shop on Liuxing Street, choose from 20+ kinds of jam) ◦ Yibazhua Baked Buns (Xinhua West Road, 2 RMB each, thin crust and generous filling) • Hidden Delight: Pick out the filling from the thin-skinned buns, roll them in naan bread, and enjoy the juicy flavor! ------ ❗️ Honest Summary • Advantages: Less crowded and beautiful scenery in November, low prices, and a double treat of autumn scenery and early winter atmosphere. • Disadvantages: Large temperature difference (15℃ during the day/0℃ at night), some grasslands are withered and yellow, and the Duku Highway may be closed due to snow. • Not recommended for: Grassland enthusiasts seeking lush greenery, and those who are sensitive to the cold. Finally, a word of truth: The beauty of Yining lies in the everyday life of its streets and alleys; you have to slow down to truly appreciate it! With advance planning and avoiding pitfalls, November is definitely worth a visit! 💬 Interactive Topic: Who would you most like to share this travel guide with? @TA to do your homework together! 👇 #RuGe'sJourney #CityCultureNotes #NicheDiscoverySociety