How to Arrange a Group Tour to Bayinbuluk in Yili for Sunset Viewing Best Time and Itinerary Recommended Routes and Costs
Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation
A New Perspective on Group Tours in Ili: Comprehensive Guide to Experiencing the Sunset at Bayinbuluk
(Icon)✨【In-Depth Analysis of Routes and Destinations】✨
Bayinbuluk Grassland, a gem in the Ili River Valley of Xinjiang, is renowned for the sunset over the “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns” of the Kaidu River. This alpine wetland, situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters, experiences a daily temperature difference of 20°C in summer. Despite the frequent 8-level gusts at sunset, it attracts countless photography enthusiasts and nature explorers. Recent observations in 2026 indicate that late June to mid-July is the prime viewing period, when the sun’s refraction angle creates the spectacle of “Nine Suns” on the river, complemented by golden wheat waves on the grassland and distant snow-capped mountains, forming a visually stunning layered scene.
The core scenic belt consists of three major areas:
1. Swan Home: A high-quality swan reserve where you can witness the breeding scenes of mute swans from June to August
2. Baxilike Viewing Platform: The prime spot for capturing the “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns”, accessible by shuttle bus
3. Grassland Heartland: Experience horseback riding through flower fields and encounter marmots and ground squirrels
(Icon)🚌【Simplified Itinerary for 2026】🚌
Day 1:Gathering in Yining · Initial Grassland Experience
Morning:Arrive at Yining Airport and take a tourist bus to Nalati Town (approximately 4-hour drive)
Afternoon:Tour the Nalati Aerial Grassland and capture shots of snow-capped mountains and grassland in the same frame
Dinner:Savor hand-grabbed rice with black-headed lamb to adapt to the grassland diet
A New Perspective on Group Tours in Ili: Comprehensive Guide to Experiencing the Sunset at BayinbulukAccommodation:Comfortable hotel in Nalati Town
Day 2:Duku Highway · Initial Exploration of Bayinbuluk
Morning:Traverse the middle section of the Duku Highway and capture stunning shots of snow-capped mountains and canyons
Afternoon:Arrive at Bayinbuluk Scenic Area and take a shuttle bus to tour Swan Home
Evening:Occupy the front row at Baxilike Viewing Platform 3 hours in advance
Special Arrangement:Professional photography guide to instruct on long-focus lens techniques
Accommodation:Selected hotel in Bayinbuluk Town (breakfast included)
Day 3:In-Depth Exploration · Grassland Ecology Day
Morning:Light hiking on the grassland to identify over 20 types of alpine wildflowers
Noon:Visit a local family to learn how to make kumis (fermented mare’s milk)
Afternoon:Horseback riding through wetlands to observe migratory bird routes
Evening:Second sunset shoot, experimenting with different angles and compositions
Night:Starry sky photography lesson (tripod required)
(Icon)✨【In-Depth Analysis of Routes and Destinations】✨Day 4:Return Day · Cultural Extension
Morning:Visit the Donghui Cultural Museum to learn about the history of the Torghut tribe
Afternoon:Return via National Highway G218, stopping at Gongnaisi Forest Farm to photograph spruce trees
Evening:Arrive at Yining Airport to conclude the tour
(Icon)💰【Price System Explanation for 2026】💰
Basic Group Tour:2,680-2,980 RMB per person (based on a group of 4)
Included Items:
Transportation:33-seat air-conditioned tourist bus (including scenic area shuttle buses)
Accommodation:3 nights in comfortable hotels (1 night in Nalati + 2 nights in Bayinbuluk)
Meals:3 breakfasts + 4 main meals (including a special roast whole lamb feast)
Admission Tickets:Main entrance ticket to Bayinbuluk Scenic Area + shuttle bus
Services:Professional tour leader + photography guidance + basic medical kit
Optional Items (at additional cost):
Bayinbuluk Grassland, a gem in the Ili River Valley of Xinjiang, is renowned for the sunset over the “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns” of the Kaidu River. This alpine wetland, situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters, experiences a daily temperature difference of 20°C in summer. Despite the frequent 8-level gusts at sunset, it attracts countless photography enthusiasts and nature explorers. Recent observations in 2026 indicate that late June to mid-July is the prime viewing period, when the sun’s refraction angle creates the spectacle of “Nine Suns” on the river, complemented by golden wheat waves on the grassland and distant snow-capped mountains, forming a visually stunning layered scene.Horseback Riding Experience:180-260 RMB per hour (insurance included)
Long-Focus Lens Rental:150 RMB per day (reservation required in advance)
Drone Aerial Photography Service:800 RMB per group (including retouched photos)
Price Explanation:The final cost will be based on the signed travel contract. Prices may increase by 10%-15% during the peak season from July to August. It is recommended to book 30 days in advance to secure discounts.
(Icon)📞【Registration Method】📞
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for details. Consultation services are available daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Registration requires providing valid identification information and a health commitment letter.
(Icon)⚠️【Special Explanation of Fees and Services】⚠️
1. The items included in the fees are subject to the contract details and do not include round-trip transportation costs.
2. The last shuttle bus time in the scenic area changes with the sunset. The new policy for 2026 is that the bus departs 1 hour after sunset ends.
3. For single registrants, we will do our best to arrange room sharing. If a single room is required, an additional fee of 600 RMB for the entire trip will be charged.
4. In case of extreme weather or policy-related closures, both parties will negotiate to change the itinerary or refund the corresponding fees.
5. The specific service standards are subject to the attachments of the “Domestic Group Tour Contract.”
The core scenic belt consists of three major areas:(Icon)📌【Pre-Trip Recommended Checklist】📌
Protective Gear:Windproof face mask, sunglasses, SPF50+ sunscreen, mosquito repellent bracelet
Photography Equipment:Spare batteries, memory cards, lens cleaning kit
Clothing System:Windbreaker + fleece liner + quick-dry shirt (recommended three-layer dressing method)
Important Documents:Valid identification, health code, scenic area reservation code (generated 3 days in advance)
Energy Supplies:Chocolate, beef jerky, thermos (no hot water supply points in the scenic area)
(Icon)🌄【Professional Guide to Sunset Observation】🌄
1. Time Prediction: The daily sunset time can be queried on the “Xinjiang Meteorology” APP with an error margin of no more than ±8 minutes.
2. Position Selection:
East Side of Viewing Platform:Suitable for capturing the S-shaped curve of the river
West Side High Ground:Can capture shots of the sun and swans in the same frame
3. Shooting Parameters:
1 Hour Before Sunset:Aperture f/8, shutter speed 1/125s, ISO 100
1. Swan Home: A high-quality swan reserve where you can witness the breeding scenes of mute swans from June to AugustAt Sunset:Aperture f/2.8, shutter speed 1/30s, ISO 800 (tripod required)
4. Special Phenomenon: Around July 15th each year, there is a 30% chance of the “Green Sun” optical phenomenon occurring.
(Icon)🍖【Grassland Food Map】🍖
Must-Try Three Delicacies:
1. Roasted Black-Headed Lamb Chops (recommended restaurant: “Herdsman’s Home” at the scenic area entrance)
2. Kumis Ice Cream (unique to the night market in Bayinbuluk Town)
3. Wild Mushroom Noodles (made with pine mushrooms picked the same day)
Avoiding Pitfalls:The so-called “naturally grown honey” sold in the “souvenir shops” in the scenic area is mostly artificially synthesized.
(Icon)💡【Policy Updates for 2026】💡
1. Drone Management: Flight plans must be reported at the visitor center. The daily flight time limit is from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
2. Environmental Protection Regulations: Bringing self-heating food into the park is prohibited. Violators will be fined 200 RMB per incident.
3. Transportation Optimization: A new direct tourist shuttle from Nalati to Bayinbuluk has been added, with two daily departures (09:00 AM/02:00 PM).
(Icon)🌈【Traveler’s Notes】🌈
This itinerary involves areas above an altitude of 2,500 meters. It is recommended to start taking Rhodiola 7 days in advance. If you experience symptoms of altitude sickness, please immediately inform the tour leader and go to the scenic area’s medical office (equipped with an oxygen generator). The final itinerary may be slightly adjusted due to weather, road conditions, and other factors. Specific notifications will be given 3 days before departure. Let Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency take you on this dialogue between light and nature. In the twilight of Bayinbuluk, encounter your own Nine Suns.
Contact Manager Wang Fei at 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation
