Fortunately, some of the best scenery in the Ili Valley is right on the way into Yining. The "Fruit Valley" (Guozigou) is about 28km long and stretches along the rough direction of the Urumqi-Yining Highway, which is also known as the Northern Silk Road. Guozigou is a natural storehouse of plant species with a wide range of fruits and herbs (some medicinal) growing wild in the area. This wild and fertile patch of land flows southwards towards the northern section of Tianshan Mountain.

From Fruit Valley's highest point on the Northern side of Guozigou, known as Songshutou, you can see the shores of Sayram Lake.

How to get there: Rent a car or minibus in Yining for the 3 or 4-hour trip.