A very nice weeks long loop around the Ili Yining area.
I would say this area is highly rated and a good place to ride a bike!
- Don’t go in high season. By the sounds of it September is best. Cheaper and less traffic.
- Start rides very early to beat the traffic.
- Find small roads to explore and try and avoid the main roads.
- Going clockwise seemed to be better for traffic. Especially over the Yizhao Pass.
Day 1 Yining to Gonglu.
S: 2.5, R: 4, H: 3.5
Large, busy but easy to ride flat roads. Search out smaller roads or go through the hills in the north.
Day 2 Gongliu to Tekes
S: 3.5, R: 4, H: 3.5
Day 3 Tekes to the mountain
S: 4, R: 4, H: 4
Day 4 Xinjiang Empress Stage
S: 4.5, R: 4.5, H: 4
Day 5 D5 Xiata
S: 2.5, R: 4, H: 3.5
Day 6 Border horses.
S: 3.5, R: 3.5, H: 3.5
Day 7 Yizhao 伊昭公路 & ✈️
S: 3.5, R: 4, H: 3.5
