Nalati Travel Guide: Venturing into the Sky Grasslands Deep in the Tianshan Mountains

📍 Geographic Coordinates🪴 ▪️ Location🌳: Xinyuan County, Ili, Xinjiang (3-hour drive from Yining) ▪️ 🌱Altitude🌴: 1,800-3,000 meters ▪️ Titles🐚: ✅ One of the world's four major alpine grasslands ✅ The setting of the story "The Shepherd of Koktokay" ✅ One of China's six most beautiful grasslands 🪾📅 Best Travel Seasons🍃 - 🍀Flower Sea Season (May-June)🐁: Wild lilies and golden lotuses bloom in succession - 🍀Midsummer (July-August)🌿: Lush green grasslands, spectacular nomadic migrations - Autumn (September-October)🎋: Golden birch forests, prime photography time ⚠️ Avoid: Grass not yet green before April; heavy snow blocks the mountains after November 🚗 Transportation Guide⚡️ ☄️Self-Driving Routes (Recommended) - ✨From Yining🌪️: G218 → Dunna Expressway (lavender fields along the way) - From Urumqi❄️: Lianhuo Expressway → Northern Section of Duku Highway (classic combo route) 🫧No-Car Options🌤️ - Yining Bus Station → Xinyuan County bus (6 daily trips) → Shuttle to the scenic area ⚠️ Note⛅️: - The Duku Highway section opens only in June each year - Shuttle buses required within the scenic area 🎫 Scenic Area Info🫧 | Area | Ticket | Must-Visit Spots | |------|------|------| | 🌊Sky Grasslands🎽 | ¥95 | Nomadic Homes + Snow Lotus Valley | | 🍏Valley Grasslands💞 | ¥75 | Tawusani + Ancient Wusun Ruins | | 🩷Panlong Valley Path📨 | ¥40 | Off-road adventure through hidden trails | 💡 Discount🛍️: Self-driving cars ¥300/vehicle (max 5 seats, advance booking required) 📸 Top 5 Must-Do Experiences🧴 1️⃣ Horseback Riding Through Kalajun🚿 - 🛀Classic Route🌁: Nomadic Homes → Forest Tundra (2 hours/¥200) - Hidden Gem: Herding sheep back at dusk on horseback 2️⃣ Snow Lotus Valley Hike - Challenging: Search for wild snow lotuses at 3,000m (July-August) - Easy Version🌇: Short walk from the shuttle's final stop 3️⃣ Kazakh Homestay⛪️ - Sip Milk Tea: Enjoy baoersake + butter in a yurt - 🏩Cultural Experience🏖️: Learn to play the dombra (¥50/hour) 4️⃣ Grassland Stargazing Camping - Recommended Spot🚊: Tianjietai Viewing Platform (tent rentals available) - Phenomenon🚄: Summer Milky Way clearly visible 5️⃣ Duku Highway Photo Op🧩 - 🚗Combo Route⛳️: Nalati → Bayinbuluke (78km stunning stretch) 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations🥢 - 🍷In Scenic Area🥂: Jinling Mountain Villa (snow mountain views) - 🫘Unique Stays🧋: Grassland Tribe Yurts (nightly dombra performances) - 🥂Budget-Friendly🍵: Nalati Town (food hub, ~¥150/night per person) 🍢 Grassland Food Guide🌰 ✅ 🧁Must-Try Trio🍱: - Hand-Grabbed Lamb (perfect with onions) - Horse Meat Naren (Kazakh traditional noodles) - Kvass (honey-fermented drink) ✅ 🥞Hidden Delicacies🥕: - Freshly Squeezed Nomadic Milk (must be boiled) - Wild Strawberry Jam with Naan (summer only) ⚠️ Survival Guide🌽 1. 🍆Extreme Temperature Swings🌽: T-shirt by day, down jacket at night (even in July!) 2. 🥒Sun Protection Essential🍇: UV index often exceeds level 8 3. 🍋Cultural Taboos☂️: - Don’t step on dining cloths - Decline toast with a reason 📱 Essential Apps💨 - ☂️Maps🍎: OruxMaps (offline navigation) - Weather: Li Jing Weather (predicts Milky Way/sunrises) ✨ Nomad Proverb: "If you meet a fox at dawn, a marmot at noon, and homebound sheep at dusk—Nalati will lend you its luck." 🗓️ Recommended Itinerary: D1 Sky Grasslands + Kazakh Homestay D2 Panlong Valley Drive + Valley Grasslands Sunset D3 Duku Highway to Bayinbuluke 🥦