Journey / The Ili valley by bicycle
Private journey
Ili Valley Cycling Week: 8 Days
The Ili valley is Xinjiang's green half: a wide, well-watered valley pressed between the Tianshan's ranges, with apple and lavender country around Yining, horse studs on the Zhaosu grasslands and the octagonal street-plan of Tekes at its head. The roads between are quiet, well-paved and almost traffic-free — a valley built for a week of rolling, supported riding, with a van always close and every day ending in a proper bed.
Ask about this itineraryGrassland road country in the Ili valley — riding beneath the Tianshan
rolling valley roads with gentle grades; every day offers a longer and shorter option and the van is never more than a phone call away
the Ili is the Tianshan's green corridor — orchards, sunflowers, maize and the widest grasslands in Xinjiang
an octagonal street plan laid out in the 1930s and radiating from a central ring park — surreal, walkable and a great mid-week stop
home of the Zhaosu (Ili) horse breed — stallions, mares and foals on the open grassland, and the valley's proudest tradition
Why this journey
A green valley built for wheels.
Cycling in China rarely feels this easy: the Ili's roads are smooth and light on traffic, the gradients roll rather than climb, and the scenery changes daily — lavender and honey houses in June, sunflower roads in July, gold harvest light in September. The week is supported throughout: a following van carries luggage, water and anyone who wants a rest, so every rider decides their own distance each morning.
Non-riders work here too — the valley is a road-trip destination in its own right, and the van can skip the day's ride for grassland walks, horse studs or a long lunch. This is our gentlest Xinjourney journey and a good first Xinjiang for families with older teenagers.
Route Briefing
A loop from Yining: west into the lavender and orchard country, up the valley to Tekes and the Kalajun grassland edge, then across to Zhaosu's horse country and back along the Ili river — six riding days, one rest day, quiet roads throughout.
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The Journey
Eight days on valley roads.
Riding days open with a route briefing and close with dinner chosen by the day's finish line. Distances flex with the group; the van follows all day.
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Day 01
Arrive and assemble
Yining
Meet in Yining — flights from Urumqi take most of a morning — and assemble the bikes in the hotel courtyard. A warm-up spin on the Ili river park paths, then the route briefing over the city's famous ice-cream and Russian-style bread that its mixed heritage runs on.
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Day 02
Orchards and lavender roads
Yining → Huocheng
West out of the city on farm roads through apple orchards and — in late June — the lavender fields the county is known for. A gentle 40–50 km to a courtyard guesthouse in the orchard country; dinner is farm food and the day's honey.
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Day 03
Up the valley
Huocheng → Tekes
The longest riding day — 60–70 km with the van offering shortcuts — east along valley roads into the Tianshan's green interior. Finish in Tekes and walk the octagonal city after dinner: eight streets radiating from a circular park, and a night market that eats well.
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Day 04
Rest day in the octagon
Tekes
A deliberate zero-day: morning market, a short grassland drive, afternoon massage or tea house, and laundry that catches up with itself. Riders who cannot sit still can borrow a bike for the flat 20 km river loop.
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Day 05
Climbing toward the grassland
Tekes → Kalajun edge
The week's biggest day of climbing — still gentle by mountain standards — up to the rolling pasture roads at the Kalajun's edge. The landscape turns from farms to open grassland, horses appear in the fields, and the night is in a grassland guesthouse under big stars.
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Day 06
The horse country
Kalajun edge → Zhaosu
West across the grassland roads toward Zhaosu — the valley's horse-breeding heart. Expect long straight grassland kilometres with a tailwind, herds alongside the road, and an afternoon visit to a stud when the day's riding is done.
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Day 07
The river road
Zhaosu → Ili river
The final riding day follows the Ili river downstream through marsh and poplar country — flat, fast and sociable. The van carries the last of the group for the final kilometres if the legs have opinions. Riverside dinner and a farewell round of toasts.
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Day 08
Home along the river
Ili river → Yining
A short morning spin or drive back to Yining for onward flights — or stay on: the Karajun trails, Sayram lake and the Duku highway all connect here, and the week pairs naturally with any of them.
What's included
What is included, and what is not.
Supported riding lives on its logistics; the inclusions carry everything but the pedals.
Included
Arranged and paid in your price.
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Not included
Either yours to arrange, or a question we will gladly answer.
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Riding profile: 35–70 km per day on rolling paved roads, 1,000–1,900 m altitude, no sustained climbs. June brings lavender; July and August are greenest; September has harvest light and the quietest roads. Weather is never guaranteed — the van makes every distance optional.
Enquiry
Ask about the valley week.
Tell us your dates and riding level. We will come back with the route options, the lavender calendar and a written outline with a price.
- Difficulty
- Moderate; supported throughout
- Best window
- Mid-Jun – Sep
- Group size
- 2 – 10, private departures
- Cost guide
- From ¥11,800 per person, twin share
Enquiry sent
Thank you — your enquiry is with us.
We reply within one business day. A copy of what you sent has gone to your inbox.
Need to add something? Write to inquiry@chinadventure.com.
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