"A Dreamy Journey: The Unique Charm of the Beautiful Narat Grassland"

The following is a detailed travel guide to the Narat Grassland in Xinjiang, covering attractions, seasons, transportation, accommodation, food, and precautions to help you enjoy the stunning scenery of the "Sky Grassland"! I. Introduction to Narat Grassland • Location: Xinyuan County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, in the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains, known as the "Sky Grassland." • Best time to visit: ◦ May-June: Wildflowers are in full bloom, the grassland is lush green, like a fairyland. ◦ July-August: The climate is cool, a summer resort. ◦ September-October: The autumn colors are gorgeous, and the forests are colorful. • Tickets: ◦ Self-driving ticket: CNY 300/person (valid for 48 hours, including Sky Grassland, River Valley Grassland, and Panlong Valley). ◦ Regular ticket: CNY 95/person + shuttle bus (Sky Grassland CNY 40, River Valley Grassland CNY 24, Snow Lotus Valley CNY 60). II. Recommended Must-Visit Attractions 1. Sky Grassland (Yomou Renjia) • Highlights: Snow mountains, forests, and grasslands are intertwined. You can ride horses or hike to "Tianshentai" (Snow Lotus Valley). Wildflowers are everywhere in summer. • How to play: Take the shuttle bus to the terminal station "Yomou Renjia", and then take an electric car or ride a horse to the foot of the snow mountain. 2. River Valley Grassland • Highlights: The winding river runs through the grassland, with herds of cattle and sheep, suitable for family leisure. • How to play: Take the shuttle bus to stop at Tawsani, Wusun Ancient Site, Yitigense, and other stations to experience Kazakh folk customs. 3. Panlong Valley • Highlights: The secret place of primitive forest and grassland, the best route for self-driving or hiking. • Tips: Some sections are only open to vehicles with fewer than 7 seats, and you need to drive carefully because there are many bends. 4. Wo'ertajiaota • Highlights: A niche secret place, a holy place for wedding photography, you need to ride a horse or hike to enter. • How to play: It takes about 2 hours to ride a horse from Yomou Renjia to reach it, overlooking the panoramic view of the grassland. 5. Tianjie Platform • Highlights: The highest point of the Sky Grassland, an excellent viewing platform for sunrise and sunset. • Tips: There are often clouds and mists in the early morning, which is a must-see for photography enthusiasts. III. Classic Itinerary Plan One-day tour • Morning: River Valley Grassland (Tawsani → Wusun Ancient Site → Yitigense) → Tianjie Platform for viewing. • Afternoon: Sky Grassland (Yomou Renjia → Snow Lotus Valley) → Horse riding/hiking exploration. • Evening: Take sunset photos at Tianjie Platform. Two-day tour • Day 1: River Valley Grassland → Tianjie Platform sunset → Stay in a homestay in the scenic area. • Day 2: Sky Grassland → Snow Lotus Valley → Panlong Valley self-driving → Wo'ertajiaota adventure. Three-day in-depth tour • Add: Hiking in Narat National Forest Park, Kazakh family visits (milking cows, making Nang), and camping under the stars on the grassland. IV. Transportation Guide • How to get there: ◦ Plane: Fly to Yining Airport, charter a car or share a car to Narat (about 3 hours, 250 km). ◦ Self-driving: From Urumqi, take G218 or Duku Highway (open seasonally), the whole journey is about 8 hours. ◦ Bus: There are daily buses from Yili Prefecture Bus Station directly to Narat Town (the ticket price is about CNY 50). • Transportation in the scenic area: ◦ Shuttle bus: Charged in sections according to the route. Self-driving is more recommended for more freedom. ◦ Horse riding: CNY 50-100/hour, negotiable. V. Accommodation Recommendation • In the scenic area: ◦ Grassland homestay: Near Yomou Renjia (CNY 500-1,000/night), you can see the grassland through the window. ◦ Motorhome camp: Suitable for families or couples to experience the starry night (CNY 800-1,500/night). • Narat Town: ◦ High-end: Narat Jinling Villa, Grassland Pearl Hotel (CNY 500-800/night). ◦ Cost-effective: Various inns and hostels (CNY 100-300/night). VI. Authentic Food Recommendations 1. Kazakh flavor: • Hand-grabbed mutton: Boiled mutton in clear water, served with Piyazi (onion) and Nang. • Horse milk wine: Sweet and sour taste, experience the pride of the grassland. • Naren: Mutton noodles, a traditional staple food of herdsmen. 2. Xinjiang characteristics: • Roasted buns: Crispy crust wrapped in mutton, eat it while it's hot. • Dapanji: Served with belt noodles, spicy and delicious. • Yogurt lumps: Homemade by local herdsmen, with a strong sour taste. 3. Recommended restaurants: • Grassland Renjia Restaurant (Narat Town), Yomou Renjia Food Area (in the scenic area). VII. Useful Tips 1. Dress Guide: • There is a big temperature difference between day and night, so you need to bring a windbreaker or light down jacket even in summer. • Sun protection essentials: sunglasses, hat, high SPF sunscreen. 2. Altitude sickness: Narat is about 1,800m above sea level. There is generally no altitude sickness. Avoid strenuous exercise. 3. Environmental protection tips: Do not litter and protect the grassland ecology. 4. Safety precautions: • Pay attention to speed limits and cattle and sheep crossings when driving. • Choose a regular horse team for horse riding and follow the guide's instructions. 5. Network signal: There is no signal in some areas of the scenic area. Download offline maps in advance. 6. Photography suggestions: • The light is best 1 hour before and after sunrise and sunset. • Drones need to be reported in advance (some areas are no-fly zones). VIII. Special Experience • Kazakh family visit: Drink milk tea, learn Dongbula, and feel the nomadic culture (the cost is about CNY 50/person). • Grassland starry sky: The Milky Way is clearly visible in summer, and you can participate in a starry sky photography tour. • Festival activities: "Narat Grassland Culture and Tourism Festival" in July, with horse racing, sheep grabbing, and song and dance performances. The beauty of Narat lies in its vastness and purity. Whether you are galloping on horseback or sitting quietly watching the clouds, you can forget the hustle and bustle of the world. Take this guide and embrace the most beautiful summer in Xinjiang! 🌿🐎